cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/50312445

Assuming i never had to call anyone more than a few miles from me anyway, how practical would it be to stop having a phone altogether and just use MeshCore or Meshtastic for short range communication? What troubles would i run into from not having a phone?

I figure i could even buy radios for people i need to talk to and with no phone bill this would pay for itself in about a year.

  • Zen_Shinobi@lemmy.world
    8·
    6 days ago

    Mesh towers, repeaters, service team, power, maintenence, ect. Mesh and cellphone are just radios.

    Unless you are: running HF or VHF/UHF amateur with a repeater, or GMRS with a repeater, the best you could expect is a mile, maybe more with line of sight.

    It’s not feasible unless everyone in your group had access to a repeater (ham or GMRS) which requires a tower. Even more, reception can be hit or miss (inside a building, handheld vs mobile, RFI)

    Mesh is not evem at this point yet. You’ll sink a ton of money for sonething a cellphone does well in.

    I love how you are using your thinking cap and encourage to prove me wrong. I suggest finding a cheap MVNO (tracfone, boost, mint, visible) as a lot have lowered prices and “good” servce.

    • IndigoGolem@lemmy.worldOP
      31·
      6 days ago

      Money is just one part of it. I don’t like that there are only 3 companies making phones work here in the USA and every other carrier is just reselling that service. I do like that that Mesh* is encrypted.

      You’re right that this would be a lot of work. Not just setting up repeaters, but explaining it to people, convincing people to use something new and less convenient than SMS, more stuff that i’m too tired to think of just now.

      I hope i can prove you wrong. I don’t use my phone a lot. There are a few people i regularly text, and about one i call often. I get my work schedule texted to me, but i can get that via email instead.

      I want this to be possible.

      • Crashumbc@lemmy.worldEnglish
        21·
        6 days ago

        I want this to be possible.

        It’s not…

        Deal with the fact you need a phone to be a functional part of modern society.

        Or go off grid, and give up most modern conveniences of staying connected to friends, family, and the world at large.

        • explorator_1317@mander.xyz
          11·
          1 day ago

          It’s not… Deal with the fact you need a phone to be a functional part of modern society.

          Talking with people on the other side of the planet in real time didn’t used to be possible either. Submission to a king used to be required to be a functional part of society. Lots of things are impossible until people make them possible. That’s the whole point of things like Meshtastic to begin with. People like OP, trying crazy things and making mistakes and figuring stuff out, are the vanguard who make these changes possible.

          • Crashumbc@lemmy.worldEnglish
            11·
            1 day ago

            Unless the status quo changes, the OP has the two options I outlined. This isn’t rude or mean, it is reality.

            Not only is two factor authentication popular in every major platform its adoption is increasing…

            Your examples are actually the opposite of what is happening here. A more accurate example would be someone still trying to use a horse in a modern city. In a limited situation and location, you may do it to a very small success. But you will give up almost all functionality in a modern society.