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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3528
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Cheapest way to get email off-grid?
What is the cheapest way to get email off grid? Do not care about anything else other than to send/receive email. Can be mobile or fixed, week at a
time, 4 or 5 times a year.
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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you can buy 'hotspot' units in the U.S. (Wallyworld or dollar stores); download 'gig' time and buy units by large and small quantities. (That's what
i'm going to go to this summer after my next Baja stint.) In Mexico i use Banda Ancha through Telcel, it's a PC stick (USB port) that i fill by the
month, week, or day, and choice of 'gig' quantity.
Or, find a neighbor with a router! 
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3528
Registered: 8-27-2003
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no cellular
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55steve
Senior Nomad
Posts: 857
Registered: 4-24-2006
Location: Warner Springs, CA
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Did Doc give up his Starband account?
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WhackAMolE
Nomad
Posts: 121
Registered: 1-6-2014
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Use Gmail or Hotmail and access it at any Internet cafe that rents PCs by the hour.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Outernet cafe. Let someone else curse the lack of bandwidth, outages, etc.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7215
Registered: 8-5-2011
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I'm off the grid most of the time in baja and don't travel with a computer. I just drive into the closest town (Mulege) once a week and rent a
computer for an hour at my favorite "Internet place". 20 pesos per hour. Real nice desktop computers, fast connection.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Most NOB internet providers have a webpage where you can log in and retrieve your email from anywhere in the world, no need to switch to Gmail or
Yahoomail. Make sure you remember username and password to login. I forgot, and had to go through the online chat with tech support to assign me a
new username and password before I could log in to that server page. If you don't have a "normal" email NOB, then of course get one those free Gmail,
Yahoo etc addresses. I don't like them, too much spam, but it would work.
But... You still need internet access. If this is really off grid, i.e. no cell coverage, then the cheapest temporary way is to drive to the nearest
on-grid internet kiosk.
In some places the on-grid kiosk may as well be a satellite internet, and then it's slow and more expensive. For a more convenience AND if this is a
long-term or permanent situation, you could get a lower-priced sat phone like Isat, and a prepaid card. Though - even without considering the cost of
sat handset that is yours and theoretically can be used for many more years, or sold - I still doubt that sat email will be cheaper than paying for
the kiosk, unless you are REALLY a long drive from anything.
[Edited on 3-1-2014 by Alm]
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3528
Registered: 8-27-2003
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I didn't explain myself very well; I need to be connected to my work email all the time. When I'm at my cabin, I get up about 5am, answer emails from
customers or staff, then go fishing. When I get back; I respond to all the answers questions. Currently, I have an access point and account with the
town's wifi system that only costs $100pesos/month - cheap. BUT, about half of my trips it never works; or sometimes works; or quits working in the
middle of an email thread; or, or , or.
Believe me when I say it is not possible to 'drive into town' 3 or 4 times a day to check email at the kiosk.
It seems to me I have two choices: a dish with a Starband account or similar or a sat phone and pay for the air time.
The dish gives me internet access and I assume TV unless they have internet only programs. The phone would only give me email but would then be
mobile; very handy. I prefer the dish but that seems crazy to have an account that would be used 4 weeks a year; however, my costs would be known.
Anyway, I'm looking for advise from those of you who have these systems.
Thanks
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Santiago
unless they have internet only programs. |
They do.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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aguachico
Senior Nomad
Posts: 602
Registered: 3-23-2007
Location: tijuana
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Mood: logic cannot get thru to the illogical
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Why does your access point only work 1/2 the time? How a bout a repeater?
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Riom
Nomad
Posts: 492
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Santiago
I didn't explain myself very well; I need to be connected to my work email all the time. When I'm at my cabin, I get up about 5am, answer emails from
customers or staff, then go fishing. When I get back; I respond to all the answers questions. Currently, I have an access point and account with the
town's wifi system that only costs $100pesos/month - cheap. |
How does the town get their connection to the rest of the world? Is it a satellite system, or something else? Does anybody near you have an
alternative private connection?
Are you totally out of range of both Telcel and Movistar, no cellphone reception of any sort, even with an antenna? Either of those would be the best
option if at all possible, they both have prepaid plans where you can turn data on for just a few days or weeks. 2G data is slow, but enough for
email.
[Edited on 2014-3-1 by Riom]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Neighbors
Are your best bet.
If they have satellite, set up a directional antenna at their place, install an antenna at your place. I know several people who do this ..... not a
big deal
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Lengua
Nomad
Posts: 203
Registered: 9-13-2011
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Mi FI from T mobile or ATT . It will hit a asatellite and your in like flint
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larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1497
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
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Jim
You get what you pay for as you can see with the town system. Starband is expensive but you can put it on "vacation hold" for $15 a month when you are
not using it. You could try the neighbor thing but in my case the 5am stuff would be a deal breaker. Sorry.
Larry
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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i'd be willing to pay for 2 weeks a year.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Satellite or cell
Methinks you need a cell signal for the Mi-Fi to connect with
| Quote: | Originally posted by Lengua
Mi FI from T mobile or ATT . It will hit a asatellite and your in like flint |
[Edited on 3-2-2014 by bajaguy]
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3528
Registered: 8-27-2003
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OK, help me pencil in some numbers:
1. what are the hardware expenses for a dish, box, software?
2. What are the set-up costs and monthly fees for basic internet?
3. Why is everyone talking Starband; what about Dish or other satellite providers.
4. Does anyone use a sat phone for this? Looks like air time in Baja is in the $2/min range - way costly.
Thnx
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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http://www.starband.com/
http://www.hughesnet.com/
http://www.wildblue.com/
http://www.dish.com/entertainment/internet-phone/satellite-i...
http://www.gizmag.com/iridium-go-satellite-hotspot/30711/
[Edited on 3-2-2014 by bajaguy]
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
Member Is Offline
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We live off grid too and without cell signal. But fortunately there is a local provider Alexanet that put a little dish on the roof that points at the
mountain that hits his repeater etc.....Works quite well for 700 dollars per year.
That said, in your case I would be thinking, can I rent a sat phone for the few weeks I will be down? What will be the cost to rent and cost per
minute. And is there an app I can use that lets me download all new emails at once and then work on responses off line. Then go back on line to send
my responses off all at once. Would save a lot of air time. If that would work with your business needs perhaps it would be one solution.
Good luck.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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