Social Feed

teknomedic

Last reply May 14, 2010 · posted in Broadband Internet

My options? (spoiled by cable, moving)

Hi all, I just found this place and from what little I've read it seems most know what they're talking about here.

My wife and I are considering buying a new home and moving to a home that's currently not provided any DSL or cable internet service.

I'll be moving to an area about 30miles outside of Rochester MN (not NY, lol) and it appears my only internet options will be Satellite.

I'm currently a Charter Cable Internet user that gets 25+ Mbps DL for about $65 a month so I'm getting a bit of sticker and speed shock as I research my sat options, not to mention the horrible, horrible FAP rules I've learned about.

So, who is considered the "best" Sat provider for internet? I'm leaning towards Starband due to their relaxed FAP and 6hr "unlimited window", but they of course cost more. Also, the new home already has WildBlue installed (I assume I can start service for a reduced cost due to the hardware already being installed???).

I'm also wondering if anyone might know if Wimax or similar options (anything other than sat) might be available currently or soon in my area. The zip code is 55927.

I'm currently a heavy internet user (Hulu, Netflix streaming, 360/PS3/PC gaming) so I suspect this would be a HUGE internet lifestyle change going with satellite.

Personally, I could deal with the slower speeds, but those FAPs are killing me. Any thoughts on any of this?

Thanks for any help or suggestions.
TK.

11 Replies · 3466 views

Load Replies (11) Reply Legacy View

teknomedic

May 6, 2010

Thank you so much everyone for the all the suggestions. I'll do some more searches and look into the suggestions. It seems you're all echoing the same things I read about.

So, assuming Satellite is my only option... who has the better FAP?

I didn't know about the "free period" with Hughes so that might move them up the list over WildBlue and StarBand. Can anyone provide a link to that "free period" info? The biggest problem I saw with Hughes was the EXTREMELY low download limits (ie, 200MB to 500MB) allowed for a day.... are they CRAZY??

The plus with StarBand is the FAP and higher download limits and "nicer" 7 day rotating limit vs the 30 day limit on WildBlue, but my local phone company installs WildBlue and can help with most of the technical issues and customer service I would need at the home. Plus she mentioned a newer WildBlue sat being launched early next year offering speeds upto 6mbps? Can anyone confirm that? She also said WildBlue was looking at starting their own "free period" or maybe relaxing the FAP for the higher speed customers for the new satellite. If anyone can confirm this that would be great... ok well.... better news anyway.

Tough choice.

Also, I think I have a 50/50 shot at DSL after tracking down a more local provider so I'll cross my fingers cause that would be a lifeline in a sea of crap.

Slow speeds I can deal with... and bad Pings I can ignore (since I could easliy cut my online gaming... prefer signle player anyway)... but download caps and then punishment for going over is BS. Either upgrade your sats or reduce the average speed but allow no limits. As I'd rather have 512kb service with no limits than 1mb service with crazy limits.

bradleys

May 6, 2010

The "free period" info for HughesNet is about two screens below the download limits in the FAQs. They call it the "Download Zone".

High Speed Internet Connection at Home

The HughesNet limit is only for 24 hours if you don't continue to go over. That's in the link above.

You mentioned a Wild Blue 6 Mbps plan. HughesNet has a 5 Mbps plan right now. The problem is that the cost is $350 per month!

(I'm not pushing HughesNet over the other satellite providers, by the way. I'm just noting some things that may have been missed.)

As far as the limits and FAP being "CRAZY" or "BS", I don't really think the satellite companies are doing it just to be mean. I'm sure they'd love to be competitive to cable or DSL. They know what they have. When I called Xplornet Satellite (in Canada) to cancel, the first question they asked was "Are you switching to cable or DSL?"

You also need to CAREFULLY read the terms of service for the various providers. As an example, Clear/Clearwire blocks incoming port 80, so you can't run a webserver (unless you tell your users to use an alternate port, of course.) When I used marina-provided broadband in Canada, I couldn't use Vonage. It turns out that the DSL line the marina had hooked up to their wireless access was provided by the local phone company. And guess what? They blocked ports for all voice-over-IP providers. While these terms exist on your present cable service, they're often more strict with providers who have limited bandwidth in their upstream connections (at least the ones I've used).

Personally, I'm waiting for either Google gigabit fiber or all that government broadband that we've been promised!

oldford

May 7, 2010

It's easy for me to say "go with Starband" because I'm a dealer. But - They do have American customer support. I have the Nova 1500 and have never run into FAP issues. I don't stream video or do on-line gaming either. Most of my customers who stream set it up to take place after 12AM and watch it off the hard-drive at their leisure. No way you are going to beat the long ping times, thats just physics.
As far as bandwidth goes - satellite time is horrendusly expensive. The carriers have to come up with a business model that makes best use of the alloted bandwidth. There are clearly different approaches. I've looked at the FAPs of all 3 (in the stickies at the top of this forum) and they are very difficult to "shop". If you have a Starband dealer around you, I'd say at least give him a call.

HTH, Eric

HCI

May 7, 2010

teknomedic said:
The biggest problem I saw with Hughes was the EXTREMELY low download limits (ie, 200MB to 500MB) allowed for a day.... are they CRAZY??

.

Not really because most people never get close to going over 200MB in a days time. Also with Hughes they have whats called a token that allows you to reset your fap if you go over, you get 1 of these free per month but after that if you go over in that same month and need your fap reset you can do it for like $9.99 I believe.

tobifelinis

May 10, 2010

If you truly are going to do the things that you say you are NONE of the consumer grade plans will be satisfactory to you. You need to look at Enterprise systems and Idirect. You need to look real hard for some posible wirless provider before going Satellite.

It is clear that no one has really explained the Hughes FAP to you and that is understandable as it is not spelled out on their website anywhere.

The current modem is the 9000 series with that the 500mb plan is actually 625 Mb in a 24 hour period not counting the free period between 2AM and 7AM. People regularly download gigs of data in a 24 hour period with no FAP.

You get one free token (get out of jail/FAP) each billing period and can buy others for a percentage of your bill varies between about$5 and $12. No one else lets you buy your way out of FAP.

Uploads do not count with Hughes which in some cases can be a benefit.

with Wildblue if you do a very large download in one day you can put yourself into FAP for many days even weeks. Plus uploads count.

I don't have any real world experience with StarBand.

sundude90

May 14, 2010

I would look for Wireless Broadband Internet Service Providers in your area, they are far better than Satellite. Where I live in Maine, that is my only option besides Satellite. My wireless company has NO usage limits and fairly cheap.

View all replies (11)

meStevo

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 19 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Volcanic Eruptions

Continuing the Kilauea thread in the Pub here. Perhaps the Iceland one too next time there's remarkable activity.

Currently there is precursory lava flowing into the crater, leading to the next episode that'll probably start within the next day.

You can see the pace of inflation / deflation here. It serves as the primary predictor for when the expect the eruptions, which coincide w/ inflation turning into significant deflation and last for several hours on average with significant fountaining.

Monitoring Data for Kīlauea

For more information on how electronic tiltmeters and GPS receivers help monitor the deformation of Kīlauea volcano, see the HVO Deformation page.

www.usgs.gov

View: https://youtu.be/Uecu2seh4b4

Wife and I like the AfarTV feeds, for the discussion along w/ them, though they're otherwise just mirrors of the official USGS feeds.

View: https://youtu.be/iws3rh5vLAQ

118 Replies · 3215 views

Load Replies (118) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: osu1991

meStevo

Oct 1, 2026

View: https://youtu.be/tv37YPVfHME

Gemini summary:

In this video from Shawn Willsey: Geology Explained, geology professor Shawn Willsey details rapid subsurface and surface changes at Kīlauea volcano in Hawaii:

Signs of a Magma Intrusion (Dike): Summit tiltmeters recorded an unprecedented, rapid inflation spike of around 45 microradians [04:00 Opens in a new window ], accompanied by a dramatic surge of over 100 shallow earthquakes within 24 hours (peaking at a magnitude 3.4) [01:44 Opens in a new window ]. The deformation indicates that magma is intruding in an east-west orientation beneath the southern caldera/Halemaʻumaʻu region [01:16 Opens in a new window ].
No Rift Zone Migration: Tilt and seismic data confirm magma is remaining confined to the summit area rather than traveling down the East Rift Zone [02:40 Opens in a new window ].
Structural Pathways: Willsey notes that pre-existing faults and fractures expanded during the 2018 caldera collapse [08:32 Opens in a new window ]. Because these fracture zones remain unsealed, magma can move and mobilize toward the surface much faster than before [10:17 Opens in a new window ].
Potential Outcomes: The intrusion could stall underground without erupting, or it could feed a new east-west fissure eruption inside the summit caldera, similar to the September 2023 event [02:47 Opens in a new window ].
Shift to Dome Overflows: Webcam footage from overnight reveals repeated pulses of fluid lava overflowing the spatter cone at the North Vent [11:42 Opens in a new window ]. Occurring roughly every 20 to 50 minutes and lasting several minutes each [12:36 Opens in a new window ], these cyclic overflows suggest Kīlauea may be transitioning away from high-fountaining episodes toward regular surface overflows [14:54 Opens in a new window ].

Reactions: RaiderPower, Foxbat and dfergie

Foxbat

Oct 2, 2026

Reactions: RaiderPower

meStevo

Oct 8, 2026

View: https://youtu.be/G8BtlGRf3VY

Reactions: RaiderPower and Foxbat

Foxbat

Today at 8:50 AM

Foxbat

19 minutes ago

Oooo, quite the show now. All three vents have doming and overflows. The cone that built up around the North vent lost its upper quarter at 02:50 Oct 17 and is now spewing lava at a healthy rate. Don't know if I would say it's a fountain, but it's close.

edit: The USGS has called the official start of Episode 55 as starting at 03:19 HST Oct 17, 2026:

Alert Level: WATCH, Color Code: ORANGE 2026-10-17 13:43:56 UTC
HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 3:43 AM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2026/H488
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: Hawaii

Summary: Episode 55 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 3:19 AM HST on October 17, 2026.

Volcanic Activity:
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 AM HST on October 17, 2026.

Fountain heights are relatively low at about 100-150 feet (30-45 m), and it is not clear whether this episode will evolve to the same heights as previous episodes. Continuous overflows from the vents began yesterday, October 16, just before 6 a.m. HST and transitioned into episode 55 fountains at 3:19 a.m. HST this morning. The current forecast is for winds are blowing from the north-northeast direction, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the south-southwest direction from Halemaʻumaʻu.

All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds is greatest within 3 miles (5 km) of the vents, lighter ash and Pele's Hair may stay suspended for large distances from the vents.

Reactions: thomasjk

View all replies (118)

Ham Radio 2.0

22 minutes ago · posted in Ham Radio 2.0

Military grade antenna for your off-grid setup #hamradio #satcom #offgrid

Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4zC_3Blkjus

Direct YouTube Link - Military grade antenna for your off-grid setup #hamradio #satcom #offgrid
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook

0 Replies · 1 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

Van

Last reply 26 minutes ago · posted in What's Cooking?

Whats for breakfast?

Who says dinner or lunch has to be the only good meals of the day?

Honey butter grits with scrambled eggs and grilled boneless pork ribs on flakey biscuits washed down with cranberry juice.

6629 Replies · 379357 views

Load Replies (6629) Reply Legacy View

dfergie

Oct 9, 2026

Egg, sausage and cheese sandwich between bread toasted in butter in skillet... Chocolate milk.

Reactions: TRG

dfergie

Sunday at 11:17 AM

dfergie said:
Egg, sausage and cheese sandwich between bread toasted in butter in skillet... Chocolate milk.

Add fresh hash browns, delete chocolate for milk with a slice of bacon.

Reactions: Mr Tony and TRG

TRG

Sunday at 12:06 PM

Bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast. Coffee.

Reactions: Mr Tony and dfergie

TRG

Monday at 2:11 PM

Wound up at the Waffle House this morning. Got the two egg breakfast with coffee.

Reactions: dfergie and Mr Tony

dfergie

Monday at 6:08 PM

Speaking of waffles, I'm going to put my mini waffle iron on stove so I'll remember to make waffles in the morning... Had some last week, been awhile.

dfergie

26 minutes ago

Dos cackleberrys over easy on top of 2 corned beef hash patties fried in skillet... Chocolate milk.

View all replies (6629)

dfergie

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply 28 minutes ago · posted in What's Cooking?

Homemade Breakfast Sausage

Anyone making their own breakfast sausage? I've recently been trying different recipes, found some I like, some I've modified...

38 Replies · 3552 views

Load Replies (38) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: spongella

navychop

Today at 8:14 AM

Bob Evans Sage.

reubenray

Today at 8:41 AM

navychop said:
Bob Evans Sage.

I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.

Reactions: navychop

dfergie

Today at 8:45 AM

Swaggerty's isn't too bad, sausage prices are lower per lb than making my own from pork butts right now so I've been buying JC Potter or Owen lately.
(Swaggerty's at Sam's is pre cut, I usually partially freeze the rolls and cut with my slicer and vacuum seal on parchment paper)

Reactions: navychop

slow_poke_pete

Today at 8:47 AM

reubenray said:
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.

amazon maybe :what

slow_poke_pete

Today at 8:52 AM

reubenray said:
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.

owens on amazon is 54.99 for a 4 pk 16 oz a sausage. i feel that's kind of steep!!!

slow_poke_pete

Today at 8:54 AM

dfergie said:
Swaggerty's isn't too bad, sausage prices are lower per lb than making my own from pork butts right now so I've been buying JC Potter or Owen lately.
(Swaggerty's at Sam's is pre cut, I usually partially freeze the rolls and cut with my slicer and vacuum seal on parchment paper)

id'e rather make my own vs store bought.

Reactions: dfergie

reubenray

47 minutes ago

slow_poke_pete said:
owens on amazon is 54.99 for a 4 pk 16 oz a sausage. i feel that's kind of steep!!!

Especially when I can get a two pound roll of Jimmy Dean from Sam's Club for $7.38.

dfergie

28 minutes ago

They run Owens at $3.99 for lb and $7.99 a couple times a month at some grocery stores here, I actually was wrong, just checked a pork sirloin roast it was $1.99 a lb. (cooked it yesterday so pack was in trash)

View all replies (38)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 9:22 AM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

AI Model Poisoned: Uncovering Hidden Dangers #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dw_V2FYKRUk

Direct YouTube Link - AI Model Poisoned: Uncovering Hidden Dangers #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 4 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 9:22 AM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Club TWiT: Mikah's Crafting Corner #25 - Ray Gun Papercraft Part 6

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1R9ZVnuUpw

Direct YouTube Link - Club TWiT: Mikah's Crafting Corner #25 - Ray Gun Papercraft Part 6
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 4 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 9:02 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne

Get it?

An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....

68508 Replies · 2671497 views

Load Replies (68508) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: c-spand

EatMyVolts

Yesterday at 11:18 PM

Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) -- Tex Williams

Reactions: ClarkGable and Bobby

long_time_Dish

Today at 12:24 AM

Don't Do Me Like That - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Reactions: FTA4PA and ClarkGable

hwkn

Today at 2:44 AM

I LIKE It LIKE THAT-The Dave Clark Five

Reactions: ClarkGable

ClarkGable

Today at 6:42 AM

Five O'Clock World - The Vogues

FTA4PA

Today at 9:02 AM

Six O'Clock News - John Prine

View all replies (68508)

TheRatPatrol

Last reply Today at 7:40 AM · posted in TV Shows

NCIS

Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.

I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?

2134 Replies · 214750 views

Load Replies (2134) Reply Legacy View

Jimbo

Monday at 11:41 PM

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BIdMzUBHvjw?feature=share

Reactions: Howard Simmons

Jimbo

Tuesday at 6:25 PM

Jimbo said:
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BIdMzUBHvjw?feature=share

Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?

Reactions: Howard Simmons

Howard Simmons

Thursday at 1:19 PM

Jimbo said:
Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?

Tony as the director.

Jimbo

Thursday at 2:13 PM

Howard Simmons said:
Tony as the director.

Would you rather have LaRoche ???

Reactions: Howard Simmons

dfergie

Thursday at 4:37 PM

I liked this episode and a toned down Tony...

Reactions: Jimbo

Howard Simmons

Yesterday at 11:30 AM

Jimbo said:
Would you rather have LaRoche ???

No. Bring in someone new.

Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.

Jimbo

Yesterday at 12:50 PM

Howard Simmons said:
No. Bring in someone new. Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.

I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...

Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)

Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.

Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.

It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.

KAB

Today at 6:18 AM

I wonder it they will show the teased meeting (in Origins) with Tony and Gibbs.

Reactions: reubenray

Jimbo

Today at 7:40 AM

KAB said:
I wonder it they will show the teased meeting (in Origins) with Tony and Gibbs.

I'm curious how they are going to implement Tony into Origins (If they do) ...
Tony was introduced to Gibbs and the team, on NCIS, which makes it the Mothership side of things, he worked in Baltimore prior to NCIS, NO mention when they met that anyone had known one another ...

View all replies (2134)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 3:02 AM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network