This is one of my favorite subjects. Repurposing an older computer and using it when there is no available internet connection. If you have internet that is a big plus and you can and should use it but computers are still pretty useful with no network with the addition of a couple of pieces of inexpensive hardware.
What can a computer do that isn’t hooked to the internet? Quite a lot actually. Here’s a few things you can do:
- Watch digital over the air television
- Listen to FM or AM radio
- Listen to Shortwave Radio
- Listen to Amateur Radio
- Listen to emergency service transmissions such as police, fire, weather, etc.
- Decode NOAA Weather Satellite Images
- Detect Aircraft Overhead
- Decode Digital Transmissions that are unencrypted
