It's great to see alternative Internet (and mesh networks) getting attention; we desperately need alternatives when "Authenticated Internet" (or worse) becomes mandatory. The Ham License is no big challenge; a couple weekends of reading is all you need.
I agree, but it still has holes. I can find every person in my area who has a license, including their home address. Plus, you still has to have electricity for powering the radios and antennas. So, there is still a level of control & surveillance by “them.”
Forgot to add to my Ham radio comment, I can also see when the license was issued, which also translates into who is a new prepper, since 2020. If I can figure it out, so can the government and nefarious people who will come after your stuff.
It's true that a radio license creates privacy concerns, but these days what doesn't? Being licensed has the benefit of creating an instant community, at least of some sort.
Unless you have a visible antenna, nobody knows if you have equipment or not. If you are looking for victims, it's much easier to follow expensive cars. Ironically, thieves find it much easier to steal from poor people.
Operating unlicensed is an option, but best saved for times of chaos and disorder, when nobody will care about someone on a radio. The important thing is to have equipment and know how to use it. Mesh and packet may be very useful, but a replacement "Internet" is what is really needed.
"Ironically, thieves find it much easier to steal from poor people."
So true. Big and small alike. I remember years ago asking a woman in South Florida why in the world she was buying paper diapers for her infant in the 7-11. They were literally 200% cheaper at the food store where I bought mine. She shrugged and replied that she didn't have a car to get there...
I know people will say that she should have asked someone in her neighborhood to take her or when she did get to the food market to buy a weeks worth of diapers but they don't have that type of cash on hand.
i love that yall mentioned nicole jack and bear. 🙏 they're good people.
Yes they are!
She’s also the best damn hugger and am adventurer extraordinaire!
It's great to see alternative Internet (and mesh networks) getting attention; we desperately need alternatives when "Authenticated Internet" (or worse) becomes mandatory. The Ham License is no big challenge; a couple weekends of reading is all you need.
I agree, but it still has holes. I can find every person in my area who has a license, including their home address. Plus, you still has to have electricity for powering the radios and antennas. So, there is still a level of control & surveillance by “them.”
Forgot to add to my Ham radio comment, I can also see when the license was issued, which also translates into who is a new prepper, since 2020. If I can figure it out, so can the government and nefarious people who will come after your stuff.
"There is no real perfection." -- Badfinger
It's true that a radio license creates privacy concerns, but these days what doesn't? Being licensed has the benefit of creating an instant community, at least of some sort.
Unless you have a visible antenna, nobody knows if you have equipment or not. If you are looking for victims, it's much easier to follow expensive cars. Ironically, thieves find it much easier to steal from poor people.
Operating unlicensed is an option, but best saved for times of chaos and disorder, when nobody will care about someone on a radio. The important thing is to have equipment and know how to use it. Mesh and packet may be very useful, but a replacement "Internet" is what is really needed.
"Ironically, thieves find it much easier to steal from poor people."
So true. Big and small alike. I remember years ago asking a woman in South Florida why in the world she was buying paper diapers for her infant in the 7-11. They were literally 200% cheaper at the food store where I bought mine. She shrugged and replied that she didn't have a car to get there...
I know people will say that she should have asked someone in her neighborhood to take her or when she did get to the food market to buy a weeks worth of diapers but they don't have that type of cash on hand.
BTW, anybody who still thinks "Global warming" and CO2 is a real issue needs to watch some of the videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/@tomnelson2080/videos (Tom Nelson's Podcasts)