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Originally posted by xxdaniel21
What i must ask, is, given all your gun laws, howcome people still actually disregard people's freedoms in your country? Wouldn't they be more afraid knowing anyone behind that house door is trigger happy?
Now, supporters of Taormina are urging her to press charges against the man, which she is considering.
Originally posted by Metatronin
I thought smart meters used an IR interface? Where are wi-fi meters added?
Originally posted by freethinker123
A guy was just doing his job and had a gun pulled on him, I know all of you identify with the woman, but you must all also have jobs, imagine if you had his job...
Its his bosses who sent him to do some sneaky work without permission, but some ordingary guy like you or me was the victim.
Originally posted by autowrench
Originally posted by Metatronin
I thought smart meters used an IR interface? Where are wi-fi meters added?
I have never seen a "Smart Meter." I have, however, been reading a lot about them. I think the Wifi is to send what the Smart Meter hears, as it supposedly has the capability to "hear" what is said inside the house. I cannot confirm this, but can anyone think of a better reason than to spy on us?
Our Energy InSightSM system features digital smart meters with two-way communications able to send and receive information to and from consumers and CenterPoint Energy.
The frequency of operation is typically in the 902 MHz and 2.4 GHz bands.
Power output is typically 1 watt in the 902 MHz band and much less in the 2.4 GHz band.
The intended range of a transmitter in a smart meter is typically very localized. While the utility-side radio needs to reach a neighborhood concentrator, typically mounted on a nearby pole, smart meters can also mesh through other smart meters to communicate with the concentrator (using five hops or less)...
The smart meter only communicates when it is commanded to do so, typically several times a day.
Since Wi-Fi systems emit high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (at either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz...), some concern has been raised regarding the safety of using a Wi-Fi system. But these systems generally emit at a very low power -- typically about 0.1 Watt emitted from both the computer antenna and the router antenna. The power falls off very rapidly beyond a few inches from the antennas. In comparison, cell phones emit between 0.6 Watts and 3 Watts (typically at about 1 Watt), generally at 1.9 GHz.
Originally posted by intrptr
reply to post by FortAnthem
1st burglar: Is anyone home?
2nd burglar hacks Centerpoint data stream and determines that usage is so low as to preclude the house is vacant. Of course you could substitute any branch of government like the police or homeland security for "burglar". You could also hack records and note peoples "habits" (Leaves for work every day at 8 am).
People from all over the Metroplex went to Grand Prairie's city hall Saturday morning to complain about Oncor's new smart meters. Nearly 800,000 homes in North Texas are equipped with the new meters, but thousands of those residents say the new system is broken, and now it's breaking them.
Those upset people from all over the DFW area took to the podium to speak their piece. "Instead of pointing fingers at each other, we need to find the problem and fix it now," said Grand Prairie resident Trina Hall. "nothing has changed so there's no reason why the electric bill has doubled except the new meter that has come in."
Oncor representatives were also at the meeting. Their stance is that there's nothing wrong with the smart meters. "We are absolutely confident that the accuracy of these meters is what it should be" said Oncor spokesman Chris Schein. He says the high bills are from the cold weather, or in about 7,000 cases, human error.
But some legislators aren't buying it. State Representative Kirk England said, "I think there's a problem, and I think it's more than just weather." Some residents say the proof of that, is right in the bills. "Now, it's just as high as my mortgage. My mortgage is right at $800, my electric bill is $755" said Bruce Stovall.
Oncor has brought in a third party to test the meters.. But the results could take months. Months these residents say they don't have. "Someone needs to have a voice for us citizens" Hall said. Oncor says they've already done 2,800 onsite meter tests and won't stop until every complaint is addressed. Until the tests are finished, oncor is suggesting that people compare their current electrical provider's cost, with other companies by going to www.righttochoose.org.