If I set up another computer with Asterix running, this kludge isnt going to be terribly cost effective. The rate for the additional electricity (38-43 cents per KWH) will negate the advantages.
The other problems with sourcing VOIP from a provider in Alaska is that a) all high speed connections are metered and b) no VOIP carriers offer TN's in the 907 NPA, and being in a small rate center the odds of having a local TN are even less.
Other then costs and time involved in getting a tech class ham license, can someone estimate what the costs and legalities involved in setting up a mobile radio system with a (pseudo-encrypted) PSTN gateway? Then I could 'legally' do what these devices do. The terrain is pretty open and flat and I have a barn that I could mount my equipment on which is above the treeline. At least if i'm going to burn additional dead dinosaurs I can have a higher 'gee-whiz' factor.
Or should I just say forget this idea and go back to Iridium?
Thanks >> I'm living in a rural Alaskan town and traditional cell service is
> spotty to none, even with an old bag phone and roof antenna so I was
>> thinking that this could be an interesting approach to local mobile >> phone service.
> I highly doubt that it is legal in the U.S. However, modifying your
> 802.11 gear and using say a PalmOS type machine with an 802.11 card
> you could probably cobble together a VoIP solution that has a linear
> range of 11 miles or so, depending on what type and pattern of
> radiator you decide to use.
> From what I've read about these units they operate in the amateur
> radio band so I take sort of strong offense to that.