Wireless communications [RE-wrenches]

Tue Aug 1 19:59:13 EDT 2000

Tried to reply to Allan at positicveenergy.com privately with no luck, so am
posting info that may be excessive. Here is some info on capabilities of the
wireless phone links from a neighboring business that we often refer
customers to:

Radio/Telephones for Rural Locations
Kootenai Radio & Energy Systems
Box 215-net, Kootenai, ID 83840
(208) 263-9755 ( 9am-7pm PACIFIC Time )

Do you live a mile or twenty beyond the last phone lines, yet need a
telephone for personal & family uses, emergencies, for getting jobs or
running a home-based business? Or maybe you need FAX or Email access, or
even have access to the Internet. All of these things are possible from your
remote home, cabin, or even from a boat-living situation.

Radio/Telephone Links

As more & more people move further away from the cities and civilization in
general (smart move), they find they are also disconnected from some of the
really essential services the rest of us use every day. People who are
artists or authors, families and others who, after a long day's work, just
like their "space" in the privacy and quiet of their mountain or desert
home, would still like to have the convenience of a telephone. Kootenai
Radio & Energy Systems offers the equipment and the skills to set it up --
or instruct you how to -- so you can have a telephone when you live back in
the "toolies".
With the typical telephone company charging between $8000 and $15,000+ per
mile, you don't have to be that far out, to be looking at an exhorbitant
installation fee for a phone, especially if you're the only house or two up
that access you call a "road".

Analog R/T's
Radio/Telephone links start at $2995 for a complete system. That's the base
price for a basic, one-line analog R/T package. For sure, there are more
expensive units that have more power for longer distances, better antennas
that will reach further down canyons or through dense forests, and more
capabilities (such as FAX or text-only Email access). But in many cases, our
lowest-priced package can do the job for you. They are 12-volt DC
compatible, aesthetically almost invisible once installed, and built to
commercial radio standards for reliability over the long term.

Digital R/T's
Digital R/T's (fast enough and secure for Internet access, plus regular
voice, FAX & Email) start around $5700+ (for selected line of sight
applications). We have Multiple-line Digital R/T's (3 or 4 or more lines)
for those folks in larger families, or running a home-based business with
Internet access, or for two or more close neighbors who want to share a
system, but still have separate phone numbers. Multi-Line systems start
around $ 9500 thru $10,650+.
All Digital systems offer a significant benefit of voice security -- so
others cannot listen in, a cost-option on Analog systems (voice scramblers).

"Previously-Owned" R/T's and Radio Equipment

Sometimes I have a "used" R/T system or two available

If you call by phone, I can answer many of your questions, and get a MUCH
better idea of what your specific situation is. This is the best thing to do
first...
Or, you can write a simple note requesting "R/T or Radio/Telephone
information", with your name & address in it. Be sure to enclose $ 1.00
cash, or maybe 3 to 4 of those 33-cent postage stamps, to help with our
postage, printing & ad costs. I'm still a "little guy" so it helps a bunch.
Thanks !
Looking forward to helping you.
Rick, Kootenai Radio

posted by
Steve Willey   www.backwoodssolar.com
Backwoods Solar Electric Systems

----- Original Message -----
From: allan <allan at positivenergy.com>
To: New wrenches posting <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2000 7:14 PM
Subject: Wireless communications [RE-wrenches]

Wrenches,
    I am in line to sell and install a large residential hybrid PV/genset
system for a wealthy client.  The general contractor wants to bring in
10,000 feet of buried grid wires for backup, laid in a trench to be dug for
a phone land line.  I suggested that he could use a dedicated wireless
repeater phone to a land line and avoid the cost of the entire trench.  The
economics are there: wire alone laid by the REC utility was quoted at $30K,
excluding trenching!
    If I can make a good case for a wireless phone system, a la the one used
by Home Power, I may be able to get the whole trench approach stopped, keep
grid out of this section of New Mexico next-to-wilderness, and do a better
system for the client.
    What's best these days? I assume that repeater systems are more of a
niche market, with cell phones most people's choice.  Eventually, direct
satellite linkup will make this whole question irrelevant--is it an option
today?
    I have promised answers to the GC, and I'd like to provide accurate and
up-to-date advice.  Any would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Allan @ Positive Energy

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