Making A Home Wireless-Free

Nix 5G—Use Wired Technology

Eliminate Harmful Radiation Inside the House

By Linda Mason Hunter

For most of us, the strongest Wi-Fi signals we encounter now and in the future do not come from antennas outside the house. They come from the many wireless devices we keep inside our homes, close to our head and body. Because the new 4G LTE and 5G radio frequencies (RF) are pulsed and heavily modulated, they may cause harmful biological effects on animals and humans, especially children, according to recent scientific studies.

Existing laws prevent you from eliminating or decreasing RF coming from outside your house, but you do have control inside your house. WiFi from multiple sources inside the house increases electrosmog, which you can completely eliminate if you want to, or simply decrease, as I did in my house.

Making Our Home Wireless-Free

May, 2020

to begin

We replaced the cordless phone with a corded one.
Fortunately, we don’t have a Smart Meter which is a bad actor when it comes to RF inside the house. The electrical wiring system in a house can act as an antenna permitting this signal to go throughout the house, a process called “antenna coupling.” We have what’s called an AMR meter, which is better than a Smart Meter because it communicates from the customer to the energy supplier, whereas a Smart Meter has two-way communication between the energy supplier and the customer and operates all day long. The best meter is the old analog meter but electric companies will not put this back on the house. Our electric company decides when and how many times it transmits information from the AMR meter, usually for a few seconds once a day.
We are in the process of installing central air conditioning in our old house. Since we have steam radiator heat, we don’t have air ducts so the main a/c unit is being installed in the knee walls of the attic with a special duct snaking through closets to the other two levels. While my contractor is working in the attic I thought he could install foil board on inside exterior attic walls to deflect radiation coming from Verizon’s SWF on the light pole in front of our house, but Elizabeth Phillips (building biology consultant with Better Health Now LLC in Kansas City) told me that may be a bad idea. “Usually with shielding you want to shield the whole room, including ceiling and floors and all walls,” she advised. “If you don't shield the roof and all the walls you could have RF radiation come in through the roof and bounce around off knee walls. It is really good to have someone look at your house before you start shielding.”
This morning we turned off WiFi on my computer and hardwired the computer (using a CAT-7 ethernet cable) to our modem/router, which provides service to our house for internet, television, and telephone via Mediacom, a local cable company. Then we hardwired the keyboard and mouse using USB port extensions.

Perhaps the biggest source of radiation in our house is the router sitting a foot away from my computer on the desk where I work every day. “If you are sitting within a few feet from your router you are probably getting a pretty strong dose of RF,” cautioned Bryan Fromm, a Canadian electrical engineer who heads Safe Living Technologies which sells products for reducing RF in the home. Without a router, my partner can’t get online from his office two floors away. A dilemma. I can either move the router, turn it off, get a router bag to cover it up, or find a less harmful router.

getting counseling

June 20, 2020

We need to find out how to hook up the computer in my partner’s basement office to the router in my office on the second floor. Mediacom (our internet service provider) provides only one modem/router per household. We may be able to snake an ethernet wire through the house somehow. But Elizabeth Phillips (a building biology consultant from Kansas City) suggests we get an ethernet switch with metal on the plug and a 3-prong plug to ground. Then wire everything to a main switch box, like the TP-Link available from Amazon. The Phillips have one in every room of their house and claim it works great to provide internet service without WiFi. They live in a one-story house in the suburbs of Kansas City. For them, connecting all rooms with an ethernet switch box was a clean job. In our 110-year-old farmhouse it would be difficult.

If running a wire down to the basement is not an option, we could try powerline networking which works by hardwiring the internet signal into the house electrical system. Bryan Fromm (a Canadian RF expert) says we could do this using two Zyxel units. First, use an ethernet cable, plug one Zyxel unit into a jack in the modem near the computer in my office; then plug the second Zyxel unit into an electrical wall outlet near my partner’s computer in the basement. Finally, use an ethernet cable to plug the second Zyxel unit into his computer. Then we can turn off the router and not use it at all. “This adds fields to the electrical system, so it’s not perfect, but definitely seems like the lesser of two evils,” Fromm counseled. “Just make sure the devices are not broadcasting a wireless signal as some of them do.”

Powerline networking also works to hardwire “smart” TVs, advised Fromm. Simply plug an ethernet cable in the TV using an adapter. Then follow instructions for hardwiring a router. WiFi on some smart TVs cannot be disabled, however, so confirm that it works by measuring the RF before and after with an RF meter. Or, try this technique: First put the TV on a power bar with an on/off switch and turn the powerbar off when not using the TV to stop the transmissions. Then remove the wireless card from the TV. “Keep in mind, though, removing the wireless card will remove the “smart” functionality of the TV,” Fromm said. “You won’t be able to plug an ethernet cable in to get the TV on the internet, so you need to determine whether you want to use the smart functionality or not.”

We’re looking into these. In the meantime, we’ll continue hardwiring whatever we can, leaving imbedded WiFi on our main TV for now. We love Netflix, especially during this pandemic. We don’t have “Smart” appliances, and definitely won’t get them.

Sources: (1) Better Health Now, LLC. Kansas City, Missouri. (2) Bryan Fromm, Safe Living Technologies, Guelph, Ontario.

HARDWIRING FOR MUSIC, PODCASTS

June 30, 2020

Granted we are old-school, but not fossils. We download music and podcasts to his and hers iPod Touches which are wireless. So, the search was on to figure out a fix.

My partner found an audio adapter cable online that works to hardwire audio from an iTouch, iPhone, tablet, or MP3 player through an old-fashioned stereo receiver. It’s called an RCA cable with a single 3.5 mm jack at one end and two RCA jacks on the other end. In the living room, he plugged the single end of the cable into the earphone jack (which is “audio out”) of his iPod Touch, and the double end of the cable into the rear “audio in” ports in the back of the stereo receiver. He did the same in our bedroom where the “audio in” jacks in the back of the stereo receiver are CD-r ports (one red, one white). Any unused “audio in” ports should work, except those for a turntable. Problem solved.

A more modern receiver will need an audio cable with a 3.5 mm jack at each end. The MP3 jack on a modern stereo will likely be on the front of the receiver.

HURRAY! RF METER ARRIVES!

July 8, 2020

Finally, I can measure RF microwave radiation levels in our home. My Safe and Sound Pro II arrived two days ago, and it’s surprisingly easy to use.

“Where you sleep, eat, and sit is where you want to have safe low level radio frequencies,” says Elizabeth Phillips with Better Health Now, LLC. “Bedrooms are especially important; you want to create an environment for healing. Sleeping areas should have low electric fields (under one volt per meter), low magnetic fields (under .2 milligauss), and low microwave radiation fields (under one microwatt per square meter).”

ORDERING NEW ROUTER, MODEM

August 22, 2020

Moving the router, though not impossible, would be difficult in our old house, built in 1910. RF measurements from Mediacom’s router are extraordinarily high, sometimes exceeding 1 million microvolts per meter squared. Building biologists advise safe inside measurements—where you sit, stand, sleep—should not exceed 1,000 microwatts per meter squared.

I’m working from the dining room now, instead of my office, until I can get RF levels down to safe levels in my office. Instead of moving the router, we’re researching what kind of modem/router will give us lower RF radiation levels. This is taking some time

September 10, 2020

I think we may have finally figured out the router/modem problem. In a nutshell:

Mediacom, our internet service provider (ISP), provides us with a combination modem/router used for whole house internet and landline phone. We need to get a new modem/router because this current one emits extremely high levels of RF radiation. We ordered the Netgear WiFi router recommended to us (a Nighthawk AC1750 modified for low RF by Electra Health), which provides WiFi for the whole house but does not include a modem. Another problem quickly solved with a phone call to Electra Health which recommended we get an Arris Surfboard DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem (model SB8200). Since the Arris does not include VOIP (voiceover internet protocol) phone service, we’re taking this opportunity to switch our landline to old-fashioned direct service from Century Link. That occurred today. Now we are ready to hook up the new modem and the separate router. We’ll do that tomorrow and hope it works. We cannot get assurance from Mediacom that it will work with their equipment. Fingers crossed. Both modem and router cost under $200 each.

INSTALLING NEW ROUTER, MODEM

September 11, 2020

SUCCESS! It took a while. When we got stuck we called ElectraHealth where a kind man quickly walked us through the installation process. Everything now works—the computer in my office with WiFi off, and my partner’s computer in the basement. Meter readings are much lower. The former Mediacom router on my desk registered 1,040,000 million microvolts per meter squared close to the router with 500,000 at my desk chair. The new Netgear modified router (now located on a shelf in back of my desk chair) registers a maximum of 189,000 right next to the router, but it falls off quickly with distance to an average of about 54 two feet away. At my computer desk chair maximum reading is 220, with an average of 1.95.

Readings can vary wildly, which leads me to believe the radiation is pulsed. Readings also vary quite a bit from day to day. For example, the first day of installation meter readings at my computer chair were Peak 448; Max 2,470; Average 6.50. At my rolltop desk across the room readings were Max 2380; Average 2.46. At the router: Max 116,000; Peak 356; Average 3.03.

The improvement with the new router and modem is striking—faster and better quality, as well as much lower radiation levels. I’m pleased. Kudos to my partner who worked tirelessly to accomplish this task. Wouldn’t be so difficult if we were more tech savvy, but we’re getting there.

However, high readings are in the extreme zone and need to be lowered. I’m looking into getting a signal tamer, a cover for the router which reduces radiation while not interfering with signal strength.

PROBLEMS PROBLEMS PROBLEMS

September 14-18, 2020

We still need to remedy a few annoying problems.

PROBLEM #1: Since switching from Mediacom to Century Link, our three telephone landlines don’t work, although they worked briefly in the beginning. The problem may lie with our security system (we’ve had wiring problems like this before). Our security company sent a guy out to check. He remedied two landlines, but the one in my office still doesn’t work. So, the problem had to rest with Century Link, who sent a guy who fixed the problem in 15 minutes.

PROBLEM #2: Our new large-screen high-definition Sony TV on the 3rd floor doesn’t work. We solved part of the problem by disconnecting the TiVo box from the Mediacom cable and plugging the cable directly into the the TV. Picture quality was poor, though, and we couldn’t moderate the sound. After a few lengthy chats with Mediacom, they sent a box specially designed for HD TVs. Hopefully we can install it ourselves.

PROBLEM # 3: First thing in the morning, my partner couldn’t get online on his computer in the basement. Once he reset the router (in my second floor office), a simple push of a button, he got online no problem. This routine doesn’t bother my office computer because it’s hardwired. If we have to do this every morning, we can live with it.

When all’s said and done, we ended up with the same monthly bill from Mediacom, even though they aren’t supplying landline or router/modem any more. Century Link’s new landline access costs an extra $75 a month. So we have less and pay a bit more monthly.

These are trifles compared to the high radiation output from the old Mediacom router/modem, but annoying since we’ve been spoiled by convenience and efficiency. We’re getting used to the idea that we’re pioneers in this venture, swimming upstream, taking technology backwards.

SOLVING PROBLEM #2

September 26, 2020

The new Mediacom box is an Arris DCX525 All-Digital High Definition set top box. The instructions offer three possibilities. We tried all three. The picture was ok, but not great; sound was spotty, sometimes guttural, and channels were not where they were supposed to be.

Back to calling Mediacom, who advised us to try the setup options again. They said since we use a Vizio sound bar, sound quality is not their problem. Also, since our Sony TV is capable of a 4K picture (four times the resolution of regular high definition), they said the Arris box won’t permit that picture quality. If we want that we have to have MoCA adapter (stands for Multimedia over Coax) and a TiVo box like the one we just returned. They could set it up for $40 and $12 a month for the TiVo box. The MoCA adapter can be used either wirelessly or hard wired to the new router on the 2nd floor. We decided to pass, at least for now, and live with what we have.

After playing around with the setup we finally got it work properly with a high definition picture that’s not 4K quality. The only problem is that voices sometimes become guttural again. The solution is to simply turn the box off, then back on.

In order to operate this TV we have to push three buttons—two on the Arris box remote (one to turn on the box and one to turn on the TV), and another to turn on the Vizio sound bar. Of course, the channels are all at different numbers than our other TVs. We don’t even want to know why.

There are other things we can do, of course, to lower radiation, but not much and we’re tired.

not so fast

September 24, 2020

A newly discovered problem: We don’t have messaging on our landline since we switched from Mediacom to Century Link. Easily solved with a call to Century Link.

so far, so good

That does it. It’s not perfect, but it’s close. We didn’t get rid of all WiFi, because we still want to stream Netflix and HBO Max for movies, documentaries, and comedy. It’s a “quality of life” decision.

We’ll live with this for a while and see how it goes.

Reduce your exposure to unhealthy wireless radiation by simply switching out your bluetooth headset for a wired one. If your phone doesn't have a headphone jack, get an adapter like this one: http://apple.com/.../lightning-to-35-mm-headphone-jack...

Here are some actions you can take:

(1) First step: Measurement. Purchase an RF meter (with sound) so you can measure RF signals inside the house. The meter highly recommended to us is the Safe and Sound Pro II.

(2) Ethernet cables are your friend. Use them to hardwire all your devices.

(3) Get rid of or switch off your WiFi router. Alternatively, you can hardwire it with a CAT-7 ethernet cable and an ethernet switch box or powerline networking in order to access the internet. Or, minimize RF at the source by putting it in a “router bag” or metal cage to decrease radiation in the room.

(4) Hardwire your computer, mouse, keyboard, and printer with CAT-7 ethernet cables.

(5) Disable Bluetooth and WiFi on your cell phone, computer, printer, and car.

(6) Use your cell phone as little as possible. Put it on Airplane mode when you aren’t using it, or turn it off.

(7) Do most data functions on your hard-wired computer when you get home, not on your cell phone when you’re out and about.

(8) Turn WiFi off on TVs and any “smart” appliances.

(9) Get rid of TV entertainment systems, like Roku, Apple TV, and Netflix. Or, turn the TV power off when not in use.

(10) Unplug the microwave oven. Use it sparingly, if at all.

(11) Do not use a baby monitor. These have been implicated in crib death.

(12) Opt out of a Smart Meter. A smart meter acts as a WiFi antenna, bringing RF into the house.

(13) Avoid all wireless devices that send data through the air, such as “wearables,” like FitBit. They emit a pulse.