Getting internet while off grid?

3 years 9 months ago #689277 by Paris Gal
I noticed a couple other questions relating to getting off grid, so I'm going to toss mine here and see what I get.  

We are heading off for our first summer outing next Thursday.   Last couple years while camping I have tried to upload photos via my cell phone.  However signal was so weak, and in some places, zero signal.  

In those cases, are there any options for getting internet?  The problem is I have clients I need to keep in contact with.  Sometimes I need to upload images for them to review.  

Any ideas on getting internet while off grid? 
Thank you

5D mark II gripped | Canon 100L | Canon 85 1.8 | Sigma 50 1.4 | Tamron 28-75 2.8 | 580ex II | 430ex II x 2 |
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3 years 9 months ago #689287 by garyrhook
Not without a satellite phone, no.

I've never understood the idea that one must keep in contact with clients. Why is it not possible to plan your holiday, schedule your projects, and inform your clients that you will be out of pocket for two weeks?


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3 years 9 months ago #689290 by Jackson Rieger
Doesn't one of those Dish Satellites deliver internet too?  


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3 years 9 months ago #689355 by icepics
I don't see the need either. Why not get the work for clients done before going on vacation? Then give your brain a break and mostly stay offline and enjoy the trip.

Sharon
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3 years 9 months ago #689597 by CharleyL
If you are within range of a cell phone tower, setting up your cell phone as a hot spot will let you use your computer through the cell phone via WIFI to the internet.

Unfortunately, cell phone towers aren't everywhere, yet. Do this setup while at home to get familiar with it, but then also check the area where you will be going to see if you have cell phone signal capability. It may be necessary to place your cell phone high up in a tree for it to get the signal, and then link it via WIFI to your PC on the ground.

My home is behind a hill that is between the cell phone tower and me. I cannot get my cell phone to work at one end of the house, but it works fine from the other end. One day I was experimenting with the hot spot idea, and placed my cell phone at the end of the house where it had good signal. Then placed my laptop at the other end of the house where I had no cell signal I linked my PC through my cell phone via WIFI and the Hot Spot feature of the cell phone. It worked quite well. Putting the cell phone where it has cell tower signal and then the PC where it is within range for WIFI communication to the cell phone does work, and it works quite well.

Charley


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3 years 9 months ago #689609 by Ian Stone
:agree:   cell phone is your only option that won't cost you a grip each month.  Communicate with your clients before you head off, let them know you are going off grid.  


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3 years 9 months ago #689666 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day PG

Gary and Ian have given you the best 'commercial' advice ... however

As someone who is travelling in the motorhome for 3/4 of every year (yes we're in outback Australia) we find phone / internet coverage comes and goes every day

Most big towns have coverage for about 25-miles outside the town limits while small villages might be lucky to have coverage that extends for 1-mile outside the town limits. So it forces us into a slightly different modus-operandi than when at home

As we often stop in town for a pub lunch - to help put some $$ into the small town - that is the time when we login and do our emails and photo uploading, before heading out to a state park or riverbank somewhere for a relaxing evening under the stars

We tell people that it is quite possible that we'll be out of direct communication for 48 hours, and / but their emails will be answered as soon as we get back into phone / internet range. It works for us

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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3 years 9 months ago #689758 by Neil Dulay
Speaking of cell coverage, is Verizon here in the states still offering the best coverage? 


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3 years 9 months ago #689881 by Fitch


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3 years 9 months ago #689882 by Fitch
Go to Amazon and type in "Cell Phone Signal Booster for Car" for additional options as well.  


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3 years 9 months ago #689971 by ThatNikonGuy
Remember, those cell signal boosters need some signal.  If there is no signal, the booster has nothing to boost.  


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3 years 9 months ago #689994 by NickSano
We have this one:  https://www.solidrfinc.com/product-category/vehicles/auto/   it's expensive, but the thing does what its supposed too.  Like already mentioned, these things will only post an existing signal, and doesn't make a signal out of thin air.  Just food for thought.  


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3 years 9 months ago #690189 by Frost Photography
So are you mounting that on top of your car all the time?  

"The quickest way to make money at photography is to sell your camera."
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