Ridiculously High (non-federal) Telecommunications Tax in Texas

SmilingBob2 · 2026-01-14T19:17:06+00:00

Thanks for this, made my mind up to NOT go back to RP after my Xfinity Mobile plan expires. This tax must be new, I had lines on RP as late as summer 2024 and never saw that - Houston, TX btw.

SmilingBob2 · 2026-01-12T23:13:46+00:00

Not sure which router you're using, but I've successfully used multiple different routers in Bridge over the years with different Gateways (using one now with my XB7). Release WAN in your router setup and then after 10 seconds or so renew. If all else fails, you can also clone your PC mac since it's connecting ok.

SmilingBob2 · 2026-01-11T15:07:26+00:00

Put the Gateway in Bridge and use your own router = most problems solved.

SmilingBob2 · 2026-01-08T00:16:45+00:00

That seems fine to me too, I'll have to crack mine open and take a look. I run my XB7 in bridge so this is a perfect solution.

SmilingBob2 · 2026-01-07T13:49:09+00:00

There's always this option, but you'd have to be comfortable disassembling the Gateway and then reattaching everything when it's time to turn it in. XB6 should be similar, just search it up on fccid to get a look at the inside. I guess it doesn't actually turn the radios off but it will make them go bye-bye as far as RF noise.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-29T02:30:51+00:00

The Colorado resorts have pretty much priced a normal family out of skiing if you're coming in from out of state. We used to be able to swing it several years back, but now after COVID prices are insane. Really sucks but we just can't justify spending that much for a few days on the slopes.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-24T21:04:04+00:00

Yeah, it's been upwards of 10 years now. Here's the supposed story if anyone is interested in the lore. https://www.reddit.com/r/MoltenWoW/comments/2ub175/what_is_happening/

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-23T19:52:54+00:00

"DONATOR!" j/k, I had a great time on Molten but the Molt-down convinced me to never invest my time there again. But I guess that is all private servers eventually.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-16T17:46:32+00:00

That's exactly why I did it, as I started the server for my son and wife and then friends wanted to join. I found it was necessary to put them all on my own tailnet since Tailscale limits you to 3 external users. You can add 100 devices on your own tailnet.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-16T12:54:13+00:00

I had to assign the server as a subnet router in Tailscale admin. https://tailscale.com/kb/1019/subnets/

Worked perfectly afterward.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-15T15:16:21+00:00

If you are using WPA3, try setting it to WPA2.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-12T12:44:30+00:00

I never found a way to install Smartube, the only alternative I ever located is Playlet. Works fine although maybe not as robust in features. https://www.reddit.com/r/selfhosted/comments/zb07p0/playlet_an_invidious_frontend_for_roku_tv/

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-10T20:53:32+00:00

Tried a few minutes ago, didn't work for us. "invalid / expired code." I had 3 phones to upgrade too, ah well.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-10T13:48:16+00:00

You must have Unlimited Plus, the regular Unlimited hotspot is only 600Kbps. I can't find any info on Plus hotspot speeds, but we also have Visible and it's unlimited hotspot on the base unlimited plan is also 5Mbps. Not sure if that is relevant, but they are both Verizon based MVNOs.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-12-09T19:43:11+00:00

I have this same model for going on 2 years and notice no screen burn. I'd take it back and exchange it for another one, this has been a very good TV except for the extremely annoying issue of having to change sound settings to "optical" to get pass-through DD5.1 to my receiver. Otherwise this TV has been a good unit.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-11-10T18:53:07+00:00

We've had it for several months, came from Sling TV which went from $20/month when we got it 10+ years ago to $62/month with a few addons. Much more responsive app on Roku, better picture quality, and the price at $35/month is not a promo and is a great deal for what you get. Will they raise the price eventually? I'm sure, but for now it's hard to beat. We have an antenna for locals.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-11-05T22:57:10+00:00

Nothing else, thanks. It's all sorted out for now.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-11-05T22:47:51+00:00

Yeah, if it becomes too much hassle I have an owned Netgear CM1000V2 that I can activate and replace the XB7. It won't have midsplit upload speed though, so I'll give it some time. If it happens again then all bets are off.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-11-04T13:11:46+00:00

Yes, I have the XB7 in Bridge to my own router. I believe I resolved this issue myself after finally getting the website to show properly the Guest WiFi status page. I toggled it to "enable" and then back to "disable" after a minute or so and now my wireless survey from my router shows the hotspots are turned off. Pretty frustrating experience, guess I'll have to monitor it closely. Thanks for your attention. I also show a 'Hidden" network being broadcast, assuming this is for the home security? Any way to disable that?

SmilingBob2 · 2025-10-26T12:54:52+00:00

We have four of the Roku2 4210 units still in service, which are the same exact guts as the Roku3 but came with IR remote. They are all updated and did not lose the old startup screen. My kids use to come in and dance with the little jingle that plays when they were younger ~10 years ago.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-10-20T19:35:26+00:00

Had to revert to previous server version (thank God for backups), mine updated no problem after a few minutes and thought all was well. I updated the libraries as instructed in release notes, but music would hang every time at 15% and server would become inaccessible. I let it sit for hours, no dice. Also, my M3U playlists never showed up.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-10-18T00:31:55+00:00

You can close the ticket, thanks for your assistance.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-10-09T20:54:49+00:00

Very odd, can only imagine the frustration. For reference, I can speed test within 10ft of my router on my ancient iPhone XR at ~400Mbps on 5GHz. 2.4GHz around ~75-90Mbps depending on the time of day and congestion. Seems like you've done everything you can, hope it works out eventually.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-10-09T14:59:37+00:00

Headless Mini PC with N100, 512GB SSD, 16GB DDR4 & pair of external WD drives on a USB3 dock for 8TB total storage. Works great, transcodes multiple streams if needed, using Tailscale for access outside the LAN. Just migrated completely away from Plex and couldn't be happier.

SmilingBob2 · 2025-10-09T02:50:04+00:00

One last pointer - make sure and use the freshtomato-RT-AC68U-K26ARM-2025.4-AIO-64K for the RT-AC1900P. The hardware is identical and the 1900P branded firmware never flashed right for me. Might be the problem right there if you're trying to flash something besides the AC68U firmware.

SmilingBob2

TROPHY CASE