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Build Your Own Solar Powered Hotspot

Posted by Zonk on from the i'm-popular! dept.

hode writes "Popular Science has a how-to article up on turning a backpack into a portable, solar-powered Wi-Fi hotspot. Possible uses include providing Wi-Fi access for a road-trip caravan." From the article: "Its secret ingredient: the Junxion Box. Plug a cellular-network card into the book-size open-source-based device, and voil--instant Wi-Fi hotspot, with speeds averaging around 700 kilobits per second. To power the box, I wired it to a 1.2-amp-hour battery and dropped both into the Voltaic Systems backpack, which has a built-in solar charger."

17 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Not worth it. by robyannetta · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you connect to it, you too can be arrested.

    --
    - Just my $0.02, take with a grain of salt, your mileage may vary.
    1. Re:Not worth it. by CosmeticLobotamy · · Score: 2, Funny

      And it could delay the launch of your space shuttle.

      I don't get this game.

    2. Re:Not worth it. by noidentity · · Score: 2, Funny

      Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

      1. Deploy several solar-powered hotspots. No power bills to pay.
      2. Wait for people to make unauthorized connections (that is, all connections are unauthorized)
      3. Sue the guilty bastards
      4. Profit!!!
  2. Whew... by cobrabyte · · Score: 4, Funny

    Definitely had me hooked until I saw the price tag.

    Can pay someone to run back and forth to my computer for that much money.

    -c

  3. Finally! by Valiss · · Score: 4, Funny


    I can play counter-stike when camping! No more annoying so-called "fresh air" needed.

    --

    -Valiss
    1. Re:Finally! by joe_bruin · · Score: 3, Funny

      Camping is frowned upon in Counter-Strike.

  4. Solar powered hotspot, eh? by iamdrscience · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've been making my own solar powered hotspots for years, all you need is a magnifying glass. Place it an appropriate distance from the ground and it becomes ideal for heating up small areas with only the power of the sun!

    1. Re:Solar powered hotspot, eh? by dj245 · · Score: 2, Funny

      mines a bit more powerful. My hotspot can melt your hotspot into a small puddle of plastic slag!

      --
      Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
  5. Re:Cyborg by MrDomino · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Is that a wifi hotspot in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?"

  6. build your own crime hotspot by hilaryduff · · Score: 5, Funny

    id get robbed of that stuff in under 30 minutes

  7. Hurry!!!Hurry!!! Limited Time Offer!!!! by tripslash · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now YOU too can impress Bigfoot and all his friends with your very own HotspotPack(noTM)! All for the low-low-low price of ... $1065.50! Some assembly required, backpack not included, not responsible for lost or stolen identities due to running HotspotPack(noTM) in unsucured mode, do not use HotspotPack(noTM) in conjunction with hooded sweatshirts/sunglasses, or burkas.

  8. A how to? by interstellar_donkey · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's not really a "How To". It's an idea (albeit a pretty nifty one).

    What's next? Popular Science puts together a "How To" on building your own car? "You first get a metal frame, and then attach two axels to it. Then you get an internal combustion engine and mount it on the front. The secret is putting a fuel storage container near the back, connected through a hose to the engine. That will give it a range of hundreds of miles. We also picked up a set of four Goodyear tires and put them on wheels connected to the axel. PROJECT COMPLETED"

    --
    The Internet is generally stupid
  9. Re:Small Problems... by Dogmeat83 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe it would be better just to deal with being away from the internet when you're camping...

    Sure it would save some power, but how would I deal the headshot when the enemy comes?

  10. And I thought it was impressive... by haakondahl · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...to surf the web where I, uh, do my business. Now I can surf where a bear does his business!

    --
    Don't trust anyone under thirty.
  11. Build Your Own Solar Powered Hotspot... by Brad1138 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Reading the title made me think of burning ants with a magnifying glass as a kid.

    --
    If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people
  12. Re:Small Problems... by Comatose51 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Plus, I mean really, camping and outside? If you're that big of a nerd, why would you go camping or even step outside? Those rumors of the day star which our planet orbits could very well be true! Better save the $1000, stay inside in your parents' basement, hide from the near-by day star, and surf Slashdot on your constant high speed Internet connection.

    --
    EvilCON - Made Famous by /.
  13. Re:Small Problems... by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Maybe it would be better just to deal with being away from the internet when you're camping..."

    What is this "away from the internet" of which you speak?