Sympathies to the land wire crews

I think our new modem/router offered free from Comcast is spying on us.
Supposedly an upgrade, service hasn’t improved, and the thing has a very noisy fan inside

 

For iPhone, unintuitively, you can use AirPort Utility. In the upper right, click Wi-Fi Scan & then Scan followed by Stop.

 

"Please tell us more."

Highly detailed:

https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/divers15-12/010029092.pdf

Lightly detailed:

Time Domain Reflectometry | Soil Lab Modules

In my experience few soil scientists using TDR concern themselves with theory. If one has the $$, it is a fine way to go.

==
By few modifications I mean you can 'plug' a friggin' cable tester directly into soil. Collect a high-resolution time trace, then on with the math. Soil moisture testers are repackaged and with math built in.

 

I worked for many years with enterprise Wi-Fi at a university. I just thought I would share a bit.

 

So...
I have 10 cameras, a security system and probably 20 other IOT devices on my three structure, 5 acre rural property.
(Neighbors are detectable but not a factor.)

Chicom sensors and cameras are 2.4g only - which is OK since lower freqs are generally better for longer range.
I'm not a gamer, so I'm not latency sensitive - and 2.4 is good for....what?
400mb/s?

SO....
For this application I just kept the modem provided by the cable company - since my rated service is "UP TO" 350mb/s.
I used a moderately priced (>$200) three node mesh wifi to shine more light in some of the dark corners of my coverage area.
I don't even remember the brand - because it really doesn't matter.
I have zero throughput issues and my range is 'goof nuff' to reach cameras and sensors out to more that the rated 50 meters (over 150 feet in "freedom units.")

A radio is a radio - more or less.
If you have the $5 "all in one" unit that your provider "gave to you" when you signed up with them, and you stick it under a table in a corner of a basement because 'it looks ugly' then your propagation and reception "may suffer."
If you live 'nut to butt' in a neighborhood full of 1/2 acre lots all using the same $5 "all in one" units - then yeah.....it might get to be a little noisy - ESPECIALLY if everybody is using their unit's default settings.

Comcast or any other 'service provider" is your neighbor, mailperson and your telephone operator all in one - and they 'get paid' to 'provide data.'
TO you.
ABOUT you.

What do they NOT see?

Copper or Fiber?
Are you renting equipment from them for "wifi service?"
I'm a little curious about this 'noisy fan' thing.
Depending on your service you might not have to use their equipment AT ALL.
Cable modems are cheap and (mine) is noise free and I can use a separate WIFI system.

Of course....my provider is still able to "spy on me' because they're able to 'see all the things.....'

You can pay $10 a month for a VPN - and hope that THEY do not spy on you - but in the end I personally believe that this only makes you look like you have something to hide, IMHO.

I practice 'security through obscurity' because in the end I'm not the type of person who thinks that anyone would be interested in watching me watch cat videos.........

MY Mileage.
Yours may vary.

 

modem/router is $15.00/mo.

we used to have our own, and had to continually buy new ones to keep p with the tech.

X1 is so complicated now, with boxes on 4 tv's, dvr, voice control, i'd love to just dump it all.

 

we have xfinity on one of our two cell phones. the other is visible. xfinity charges by the gig, and visible is a flat $25./mo. for unlimited call, text, data.

we haven't experienced any problems with either so far. 3 years with xfinity and one with visible.
both are better than at&t

 

A lot would depend on what cellular network has the best coverage for where you travel. In our area T-Mobile is cr*p. Verizon seems to suit our needs as good as any IIRC ATT had some coverage holes too.

Visible uses the Verizon network.

 

Only people who really suck at math lease phones which is essentially what the 'free with plan' phones are.
Apple debuts iPhone 16e: A powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family - Apple
Probably my next phone.
$699 with 256gb and $449 with by current 13-256gb as a trade.

Or????

I can buy an Apple Refurb'd phone from the mother ship which I have found to be indistinguishable from new, and which carry the as-new warranty.
https://www.apple.com/us_epp_805199/shop/refurbished/iphone
If you insist on paying the Apple Tax for memory (512g) THIS might also serve you well.....


Educators, LEOs and Military pricing.
The 14s and newer have satellite capability - untried by me as of this date, but may prove to be useful in a post-storm scenario.

 

Visible is a division of Verizon, so I’m not worried about their finances, although no one is completely safe.
It’s a month to month no contract deal, so we can always move to a different service if necessary

 

Your Visible phone is not locked to their network?

 

you replace the simm card with a free one from the provider you move to. this i phone was previously at&t

 

WHAT is a SIMM card?
I thought cell phone got away from those centuries ago.

I pay for unlocked phones that have eSIMMS.
This way if my provider turns out to be less than truthful I can switch companies from my living room......or car....or work.

MY phone, NOT their phone!

 

It’s a little electronic chip that slips into a slot on the phone.
You can also do an eSIM, but there’s no advantage either way, just personal preference.
It doesn’t affect switching providers one way or the other.
I did switch companies from home, they overnight the card and you’re good to go.
Amazing the things you phone techs can learn from an old duffer like me

 

Wait overnight?
For what??

Yes.....it is pretty amazing what I learn from listening to others.

 

I think he means the carrier ships him the SIMM card using an overnight delivery service such as FedEx.

 

You will also develop some patience (hopefully) when you reach my age