Yesterday, I received a comment from a reader. I’m not going to quote the whole thing here - basically the writer said there was no way I could have Internet service and live off grid.
While, I get asinine comments practically every day, this one stood out as being dumber than most. Where has this guy been? I mean, how can he be on the Internet, yet so far removed from technology in this area?
With satellite and wireless Internet it's possible to have service in even the most remote areas. Anyone choosing to live off grid can still enjoy efficient communications via the Internet with wireless and satellite hookups.
There is no need to be restricted by telephone lines.
My Internet hook up consists of a notebook computer powered by 12-volt batteries and 400 watt inverter
. Internet service is provided by Verizon wireless and works off their cell towers.
They provide a modem which plugs into the USB port - all you need to do is turn on the computer, plug in the modem and you're online. The downside to this set-up is that you need be within range to receive a single. Can you hear me now?
From where my trailer is located, I can't get a reliable signal from the tower, located about 2 miles away and blocked by the mountain behind my place. So I either have to climb to the top or drive out the road to get a signal.
This is a pain in the butt. I tried using a antenna
to catch the signal but it didn't work, perhaps a more expansive brand or model would? I'm no expert here - if you have suggestions please let me know.
When my contract with Verizon is completed, I plan to get a satellite hookup
. It would be nice to check my e-mail and do other tasks that require an internet connection without venturing outside.
So yes, it's not only possible, but simple to have an Internet connection while living off grid.
While, I get asinine comments practically every day, this one stood out as being dumber than most. Where has this guy been? I mean, how can he be on the Internet, yet so far removed from technology in this area?
With satellite and wireless Internet it's possible to have service in even the most remote areas. Anyone choosing to live off grid can still enjoy efficient communications via the Internet with wireless and satellite hookups.
There is no need to be restricted by telephone lines.
My Internet hook up consists of a notebook computer powered by 12-volt batteries and 400 watt inverter
. Internet service is provided by Verizon wireless and works off their cell towers.They provide a modem which plugs into the USB port - all you need to do is turn on the computer, plug in the modem and you're online. The downside to this set-up is that you need be within range to receive a single. Can you hear me now?
From where my trailer is located, I can't get a reliable signal from the tower, located about 2 miles away and blocked by the mountain behind my place. So I either have to climb to the top or drive out the road to get a signal.
This is a pain in the butt. I tried using a antenna
to catch the signal but it didn't work, perhaps a more expansive brand or model would? I'm no expert here - if you have suggestions please let me know.When my contract with Verizon is completed, I plan to get a satellite hookup
So yes, it's not only possible, but simple to have an Internet connection while living off grid.
Was he perhaps referring to living "off the grid" as in "living without links to the establishment"? If so, perhaps I understand the reluctance to have an internet connection - your activities can be tracked online. But if he is referring to "off the grid" as in "living without a power line", then clearly, yes, it can be done!
I guess I get pissy when people apply absolutes to others, You can't be doing this or that..because I say so.. and I do know everything, just ask me.
old fart
This cell repeater works exceptionally well for me. I mounted the stick antenna at the top of a pole, ran the coax inside to the repeater, and get good internet speeds:
http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Extenders-YX510-PCS-CELDual-Booster-Coverage/dp/B000J2XZ1K/
Had a good laugh about this one. Thanks...
Gotta watch those SAT modems in an off-grid situation. The one I was using, from WildBlue, clocked in at over 70 watts to run the thing. That is quite a solar setup just to have Internet... I would research the modems before deciding on a SAT company.
I tried e-mailing you a question on how you have internet service but could not get the e-mail to go through even after entering the code. I'm not sure the e-mail works from my computer.
How do you make money? I know you are writing a book now and that will bring in some money. You have an internet service provider bill due monthly. Living off the grid, you probably don't need much money but it would certainly help you purchase supplies.
If the U.S. economy collapses, we may all be living off the grid whether we want to or not.
Anonymous 7:02 PM,
You're right some kind of income sure makes things easier. As for what I do for money - I make a full time income from this blog. I'm not getting rich but I do make plenty for my needs.
Anonymous 6:09 PM,
Thanks for the tip - as I said I'm no expert with satellite technology. I need all the suggestions I can get before making a final decision.
wilson makes a signal booster. its 12 volt made primarily for vehicles but would be perfect for your situation. its a mirror mount cell antenae and a 12 volt signal booster that is wireless from the booster the the reciever (phone or wirless modem card) i have used the antenae alone at my house and can get on at 3g(att) speeds. i believ the web adress is www.wilsonelectronics.com brad
As OO7 says,"Never say Never".
I agree with the earlier comment that you have to watch out for the modem draining a substantial amount of electrical energy. My father uses Wild Blue internet, and it’s nothing to rave about. Far from it. I use my BlackBerry as a tethered modem when I visit his place and find it works much better; it’s more reliable and seems to be as fast. I would suggest finding a way to make the wireless work if it’s at all feasible. With the satellite you’re locked into a contract as with the wireless internet, but at least with the wireless you’re not tethered to one location (where the dish is installed), nor do you need to be connected to a power source as you do with the modem. An additional thought about electrical efficiency: doesn’t it seem rather inefficient to use batteries to power an inverter, convert the DC to AC with the inverter, then convert back to DC with the adapter for the notebook computer?
Josh,
The charging set-up seems to be working well so far.
I also have a 200 watt inverter that I can plug into the cigarette lighter receptacle of my truck to charge the notebook.
I have to charge the batteries that power the trailer anyway so charging the computer off the same system is very efficient.
MD..check out CC Crane Co...They are antenna specialist!
I think the commenter's view on living off the grid is similar to a person who thinks only those of noble breed should learn to read and write.
The internet is silly not to have when trying to live a sustainable lifestyle. Things that can cost hundreds off dollars to find out and self teach can be found for free and with the help of the original posters.
Go internet and go sustainable living on or off the grid.
Josh,
Do they Have additional charges for tethering your blackberry? Can you give more details on the tether set-up?
I live off grid.I used a tether for a phone to pc. It worked well but Verizon started charging for Data usage. I got hammered for 1200 the first month.
I switched to an Air-card. With an antenna I get one signal bar.It works ok but I would like to find a cheaper alternative.
He didn't know about wireless internet?
He probably graduated from public schools!
No doubt he is using government grants for college now. Hell, I bet he could get student loans for the next ten years and never graduate.
And they say IM the dumb nigger!
Buck:
First, I have BlackBerry service through Verizon. Verizon has several different BlackBerry programs/charges. The way mine is currently set up it has a phone usage plan (same one as my previous phone-only plan), then an additional charge for the BlackBerry service. The BlackBerry service allows unlimited data usage through the handset to surf the internet, check, receive, and send emails and instant messages, and many other internet related uses. To add the option of using the BB as a tethered modem costs an additional $15 per month, and you get a monthly allowance of 5BG data transfer (for the tethering only; all data usage on the handset is still unlimited). All added together it’s not inexpensive. However, it offers several advantages over the dedicated wireless modem. First, for Verizon anyway, the cost is (I believe) the same for the additional BlackBerry program and tethering option as for the wireless modem from Verizon (of course you must also pay for the phone plan, but this is something you would probably need/want anyway). Also, the BlackBerry notifies you when you have new email, and the unlimited usage on the handset allows you to read and send email, update facebook, twitter, etc., and surf the web without using any of your monthly allowance. Lastly, the BlackBerry and tethering services were options added to my phone plan that I’ve already had, and those extras can be cancelled at any time, so there’s no being locked in to a 2 year contract on those extra costs.
If you need or want the convenience of the BlackBerry service, the additional charge for the tethering option isn’t very expensive. And if your options for internet access are few, it may be worth checking into the BlackBerry with tethering as opposed to the wireless card/modem.
I use a Wilson Cellular signal booster and it's picked up signal where even climbing on top of the truck got ya no signal bars on the phone.
If you get a weak signal at your home, you might try building a parabolic concentrator out of cardboard and aluminum foil, or salvage an old satellite dish. Buy a long USB extension cable, since you'll be placing the whole modem at the focal point, with the cable trailing back to your laptop.
There are three yahoo groups which might be of some help to you.
Internet by data card and Internet by cell phone and by wiFi
There are a lot of people who get the Internet while in RV's or other non wired ways. Lot's of different antenna set ups and weak signal situations have been discussed on these groups.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByDataCard/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByCellPhone/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByWiFi/
There is also an Internet by satellite group.
HEY MD YOUR AWFUL NICE TO LET AN IDIOT LIKE BLACK DOG TO POST HIS COMMENTS HERE,EVEN IF HE IS NOT ADDING TO THE QUESTION POSED HERE.FROM JAY IN NC
I talked to a guy last month who was home for a few months after working for 6 1/2 years as a civilian contractor in Iraq. He is a helicopter mechanic and works with the Marine Corps. They are supposed to provide him with housing but he said they didn't even have enough for their own so he built a hut 8'x8'. He gets electric from the Marine Corps and Armed Forces TV but he wanted Internet so he could stay in touch with his wife and kids in the US. He bought a complete satellite system (downlink and uplink) and has high speed internet. Admittedly the system cost him $6,000 delivered to Iraq but it works reliably. He managed to buy a small window AC unit black market and the Marines provide power for that. He told me he had all he needs and is happy with his accomodations. He eats with the Marines and uses their bath facilities. If they can pull it off in Iraq, we can do it here. It just takes planning and preps.
Josh,
Thanks for the information. I have been thinking of getting a BlackBerry. Now that I know I can tether to my PC,It sounds like the rout to go.
Jay,
A wise man, listens to all who speak.
Then decides what merits consideration.
Perhaps, he is giving you the benefit of the doubt.
BD
Doesn't satelite internet require a phone line for uplink?
MDC, On a totally unrelated topic, where do you get LED's to replace the 1093"s that are all over my new used RV? There must be 50 of them
old fart
I use a satellite phone and the thing works fine outside, inside its hit or miss. There is an antenna you can mount outside, almost like a base station type setup, that would no doubt increase your reception and signal strength I have not tried one. There is a cell antenna repeater system that uses a small relay antenna placed where it can receive a strong signal and then it push's the signal back to you. Glad you found a way to overcome this "world ending" problem.
@xpo172
I own and use a satellite Internet set up. My system, like others these days, is a two-way satellite link, no telephone lines are required.
Wire the modem to the dish with the dual RG-6 cable, power the modem with DC, aim the dish, and establish an Internet connection.
Bandwidth is generally lower tier DSL speeds.
I've posted before that I live in a hurricane evacuation zone. When a hurricane warning is issued (meaning high danger of a hurricane), three things happen within an hour - land phone lines do not work - overloaded with calls. Cell phones do not work - overloaded with calls. Gas stations near the beach run out of gas - first regular, then medium and premium. Cell towers need electricity to work. Just something to think about. We keep
GMRS radios with fresh batteries, and four five gallon cans of gas with Stabil and fuel injector cleaner in the shed during hurricane season.
jay in NC. check out b d,s profile and you will understand why its best not to even acknowledge him. if the profile image doesent get a response from people he starts using derogatory language to try and get a negative response. so best bet is to tire him with boredom(no response)peace brother
Brad,
I agree, If people dont have some thing nice to say;they should not say anything.
"(no response)peace brother"
BD
THANKS FOR THE ADVICE BRAD.FROM JAY IN NC
I cant figure what black dog is even doing on this site. I agree with brad
hey MD, ever consider trying a LONG USB extension cable on that modem, fastened to a pole outside the trailer? a bit of duct tape on a bamboo pole, might give you the access from your trailer. If it works wrap the sucker in plastic and leave it up there! this is essentially the way a 2 way satellite dish works with the actual transponder remote mounted. Just dont use any metallic tape when you seal it up, self vulcanizing rubber tape over a heavy plastic bag would work fine if it does work for you and you want to make it permanent, Just ask us old ham radio operators, we are good at figgering these things out, the cheapest way possible, the maximum length you can run a USB cable without some sort of active repeater is 5 meters (16 ft) for all practical purposes, so realistically that could put the modem eight to ten foot above the trailer. Doesnt sound like a lot BUT being outside the trailer and above the roofline is probably all it will take.
I hear you! I have EVDO REV A Verizon in rural Montana and Idaho, but it's expensive. I have their 10GB a month plan for 200.00. But I'm seriously considering curtailing my data usage and focusing on Website design and development, communications, and research. No more bittorrent downloads, streaming movies, or any of that heavy data usage. The 5GB plan for 70.00 a month would be fine normal Web stuff, like a WordPress blog.
Well, living off the grid, doesn't that mean being untraceable rather then completely disconnected? In that case you quite definetely live ON THE GRID, since you have contract with your ISP, that means the data you send over the air can be matched with name, that means traceable, that means on the grid.
However, this could definetely be obfuscated by using various types of encryption, TOR, Uruguay anaonymous proxies etc.
Still my comment stands, you live on the grid, you pay a bill for something. Or does the "have contract w/ Verizon" mean one of the pre-paid sim cards for internet connection?
I run a laptop off a 12 volt battery without inverter by using a Lind electronics converter that ups the battery volts to the 16v dc required by my IBM machine. No power lines but have landline so use dial up. Can someone tell me how many watts a dsl modem takes?, so i could try high speed.
i had poor internet air card service. The Wilson amplifier seemed to speed up internet access. We also use in in our Jeep and motorhome to improve reception while traveling.
I would go with a two way satellite internet connection. http://www.offthegridbroadband.com