Subj : landlines and offgrid
To   : Rob Mccart
From : August Abolins
Date : Fri Jan 31 2025 08:55:00

Hello Rob!

** On Monday 27.01.25 - 01:41, Rob Mccart wrote to AUGUST ABOLINS:

 RM> they built a new cell tower about 7 miles away, but when a
 RM> service guy was here for noise on my land line, we talked
 RM> briefly and he was able to check and he said the cell
 RM> service here was coming from another tower several miles
 RM> further away. Whatever works.. That's my Internet access
 RM> mainly. Other than that my cell phone is just for
 RM> emergencies, travel or for rare long distance calls which
 RM> would cost me extra on my land line.

Why not switch entirely to cellular?  That's what I did just a  
few years ago. I got tired of the seasonal issues with the  
landlines developing hum/noises.

My rate was about $35/mo (no extra features). I guess that was  
a grandfathered rate or something, but I learned that other  
people were paying as over $60 just for a basic service (no  
features). Now, the minimum seems to be $80.

I use a ZTE mobile router that houses the SIM card. The device  
feeds regular RJ11 to any existing corded phones or the house  
wiring. The device also provides local wifi.

I know several people who are totally frustrated with Bell and  
their high landline charges. This ZTE-solution would serve them  
well - if they only knew about it.


 RM> Yes, a lot of people bought acreage for hunting camps and
 RM> such in the area and later found there was no legal way to
 RM> put a road into the property. I have a friend with a
 RM> cottage over on Mary Lake in Muskoka and he has no road
 RM> access to his property.

My lot has a "road clearance" at the south narrow end. So.. a  
selfmanaged trail all along that route could work. One of my  
neighbour's was telling me that there is a trail that actually  
leads right up to my property.  I might have to explore that  
some day - for now, I've only been accessing the property in an  
extended loop across crownland from the North, then across to  
the East and then back to the West across a fine beaver dam!


 RM> told them to get stuffed and he's totally off the grid..

Yep..  off-grid would be the only solution on my property too.   
A friend of mine wants to explore building a ham radio repeater  
node there.  There are a couple of potential high spots.  
Cellular was sketchy in the North part of the property.


 RM> (It should maybe be mentioned that my brother and sister
 RM> are both in far worse health than I am..  so far
 RM> anyways..)

Younger or older?

-- 
  ../|ug

--- OpenXP 5.0.58
 * Origin: Age Doesn't Matter Unless You're a Cheese (1:396/45.29)

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