Gee-whiz Gadgets for Living Off the Grid

You like living out in the country. Living away from smog, noise, and crowded streets suits you just fine. But there's no reason to forgo some of the nicer things associated with civilization. This gadget guide for country folks offers some nifty items for off the grid living, or for those just outside the city limits. There's enough here to whet the gadget lust in any survivalist's heart. So let's take a look at some technology that will make that little cabin in the woods a lot more fun.

Cell Signal Booster. Do you live off the cellular grid? When you're too far outside town, the cell signals can fade. If you don't get many bars on your phone while at home you can try installing a cell signal booster to fetch that distant signal. In general, placing the booster at a high point (such as your attic), allows it to amplify the signal so your cell phone can make and take calls. A company called zBoost makes portable models that can be taken on trips, and might serve campers in remote places. Other models from the company are designed to provide enhanced cell phone coverage throughout the whole house.

Low Wind Windmill. A low wind windmill may seem like an oxymoron, but innovative new designs can turn and generate electricity in the slightest of breezes. Models by Skystream can be installed by various vendors, or are available on Amazon for the do-it-yourself type. Not all windmills have to look like, well, a windmill. A Swedish company has designed a model called the Energy Ball, which looks like a large hollow football. The innovative shape lets it twist in very low winds, and it is allegedly quieter than traditional pinwheel styles.

Inexpensive Solar Panels. Prices have dropped and efficiency has increased on solar panels in recent years. They are also easier to find, with several models available on Amazon. An 80 watt Sunforce kit will keep a large battery charged, and let you run lights, satellite TV, or your laptop throughout the night. Of course, solar panels are still no substitute for a good generator, but for a small cabin or as an emergency measure for your house, the price is right when regular electricity is unavailable.

AM Radio Transmitter. Perhaps you'd like to practice being a DJ. Maybe you'd like to listen to satellite TV while you're mowing. Or maybe you'd like to transmit messages to survivors after a holocaust, like the guy in that movie I Am Legend. Regardless of your reasons, you'll want to get an AM radio transmitter, hook it up and start broadcasting. Why AM instead of FM? You can legally transmit farther with AM. The AMT-3000 is a popular kit, and some places sell it completely assembled if you are not electronically inclined. Expect to get a mile or two range in flat country.

High-end Cord-Free Radio. It's good to have a generator, windmill, or solar panels, but they're no substitute for power lines. While on alternative power, each device in your house becomes an important consideration, and you'll want to plug in only those that really need the juice. You can easily keep your radio going without plugging it in if it has its own recharging capability. You can get a cheap wind-up radio, but when the power is out for a long time you'll be happier with a high-end model. Pay a little more and you get a radio that can recharge its batteries via crank, solar, or car batteries. The Eton Grundig FR500, for instance, offers AM, FM, and shortwave, plus the NOAA weather radio bands. An added bonus: with the included attachments you can recharge your cell phone or MP3 player via the radio's batteries. Thus, your cranking power can keep a variety of gadgets going indefinitely. Midland takes the concept a step further. The XT511MO offers the usual crank power and radio bands, but also includes GRMS 2-way radio, the unlicensed "family band." This means you can walkie-talkie with folks indefinitely, even when the power is out.

Infrared Barbeque Grill. You'll find lots of info online about making a solar grill using parabolic mirrors. But gadget lovers will want to go beyond those slow cooking solar energy methods to grills that use infrared heat for cooking meat. Besides the restaurant-style appeal, infrared grills use less propane than traditional gas models. Sure they cost more, but they're worth it, especially while impressing the in-laws and other guests. Check out Barbeque Galore's lineup for several selections.

High Caliber Air Rifle. You'll need something to put meat on that grill, and nothing is sharper than a new high-end air rifle. Actually, using air guns in the wild is not a new concept. Lewis and Clark used an air gun to take game on their famous expedition through the Louisiana Purchase. Today's models differ from the spring action pellet guns of your youth. Those small .177 caliber pellets are shaped like a badminton birdie. They slow down in flight to maintain accuracy. Larger pellets are more aerodynamic. Newer model rifles that can shoot larger pellets are called "pre-charged pneumatics," or PCP air guns, and they're for sale in various online venues. Caliber sizes go up to .50. The AirForce Condor is one of the more popular PCP models. It can shoot pellets up to .22 caliber in size, with plenty of force and accuracy for your outdoor needs. You can recharge its canister with a scuba tank, or buy a manual pump.

So there you have it: seven nifty gadgets for off-the-grid comfort and fun. These items might also be good for city dwellers as well, during those inevitable times the lights go out. Wherever you live, or camp out, don't forget to take these gadgets with you.