cross-posted from: https://lemmy.radio/post/3983333
Meshtastic – an open-source mesh networking platform redefining communication. From decentralized, long-range capabilities to versatile applications in emergency response, outdoor adventures. Discover the diverse hardware options, step-by-step setup guide, and the remarkable range of 5 KM - 10 KM.
This is one of the coolest things in tech and maybe the most important too. Relying on centralised infrastructure really puts you at the mercy of whoever owns and runs it, as well as their enemies. Look at the internet getting shut down in various places at various times and big institutions like healthcare grinding to a halt.
When I have more time I’m definitely going to try using this stuff.
I can’t tell you how right you are. I used it in power outages" Sometimes cell signal goes down " where you look at your phone and realize ok well I have no backup plan.
I think this is really cool.
But…
What it is: low bandwidth literal physical replacement of internet infrastructure. Often seen as a very extreme manuver.Meanwhile: there are various overlay projects like i2p which, unfortunately, create new internets which [almost totally] reliance on the old internet. But they do cooler shit.
This is not a replacement for the Internet. It’s currently basically just a low bandwidth local chat app. You could maybe run more complicated protocols on top of it, but it’s not going to replace what we’re doing right here right now.
It’s a great experiment on LoRa though. It could lead to more complex networking. I’m trying to figure out what to do with it right now.
I have a couple of nodes we take on our hiking trips for emergencies or when we split up and it works pretty well. It has a surprisingly good range with the right antennas.
I also tried it when I was skiing in the winter. It was cool. I have GPS on my nodes. and I can tell where my friend is, tried also the telemetry sensor to tell the ALT but since it only tells the pressure it is not intuitive. You can probably tell if the person is up or down
Which antennas do you have? How far does it reach?
What exactly could I use this for? I know how LoRaWAN works, but it requires entrypoints into the internet. Does Meshtastic need these? Do I have to set up two nodes to use it for anything? Does it use existing LoRaWAN infrastructure?
You wouldn’t need internet access for these to work, although there is a public community WAN server you could join to operate under MQTT (which is their internet facing WAN function). They function off of LoRa RF on the 915mhz band in the U.S. (and other bands elsewhere) to do the bulk of the communication. BLE is also utilized for management.
These do need more than 1 node to operate properly, but since it works off the concept of a public mesh (with options to privatize), you don’t need two of your own devices in a developed location.
However, if no one is around or within line of sight… then you’ll have to work a little harder to get contacts/connections going.
Oh I see so it’s only text based communication basically
For now, yes. There are certain extensions and 3rd party plugins that are seeking to expand on that by adding BBS capability or JS8call (for expanded text & basic audio).
There’s limited bandwidth to work with on just the 915mhz band but you’d be surprised what you can push downstream.
I find it rather useless if it only supports text messaging. Why not use cb radio or whatever at that point? That seems more useful in a disaster situation.
Very low cost of entry ($30-40), mesh capability for redundancy, and its on fairly accessible public bands although it occupies a specific part of it. Also it comes with end to end encryption.
It’s just a far more cost effective solution compared to having a CB radio, where you’d need to be licensed to have certain features or to communicate on VHF/UHF etc. You also wouldn’t need to learn any sort of HAM based etiquette to operate these devices.
Although if you need the extra capability, like voice comms, and want the flexibility that comes with HAM you can also incorporate these into that system.
mesh capability for redundancy
That’s not an improvement over CB radio
If that’s the only gripe you have, then it just seems like you’re looking for reasons to not use this technology.
That’s okay, it’s not for everyone. If you prefer to use your HAM radio, by all means feel free to do so and occupy those frequencies.
Myself and others in the Meshtastic community will still welcome you with open arms, if and when you decide to check it out.
Meshtastic has the mesh capabilities that others have mentioned but what’s more immediately important is the ability to direct message others (no need to send private messages to everyone in range) and the ability to share GPS coordinates which is absolutely helpful in an emergency.
CB doesn’t have mesh capability so the range is far more limited. Plus you may need a license to operate it.
Its a totally separate thing from LoRaWAN. Its useful for messaging across town (if you live in an area with enough nodes), and it can do things like report on temperature an humidity or when a sensor is tipped, some devices support GPS too.
Yeah, I personally have a handful of nodes scattered around my local area.
They’re mostly situated with family, so it’s become a sort of adhoc emergency comms network if a hurricane or other natural disaster causes issues for me locally.
My understanding is that it’s peer-to-peer using two or more radio transmitters, so it shouldn’t need access to the internet.
To use Meshtastic you only need 1 device to talk to the others. If you want to talk with a friend each one need to have a device. Other than that you don’t need anything. Get a device flash it then you are good to go
Is that 5-10 KM range based on frequencies available in the US, or worldwide?
It’s achievable by any frequency supported by Meshtastic. The average range you can expect, with good LoS, is between that 5-10km range.
However, if you have different circumstances you can expect less or even far above the average.
https://meshtastic.org/docs/overview/range-tests/
The range test article above shows the current record for a successful ping/chirp to another node (Point to Point, no additional hops). It’s at 254km currently :)
So the frequencies matter a bit. I run on 433mhz but I bet lora is good enough even at the US 915. So yeah it can even go further. Meshtastic 254KM was done on US 915. https://meshtastic.org/docs/overview/range-tests/
Can you outline generally which frequencies are for which countries? I could not find those details.
Or which frequencies are better for which use cases? (urban housing vs bush hiking. )
Looking for Australian specific details too.
Very interesting tech.
https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/radio/lora/ You can find all the details here, For your country you are only allowed 915.0 - 928.0
Thanks for that info.
Stop spamming the technology community wit this stuff, keep it in amateur radio please
I don’t understand your comment. This IS technology, thus it’s perfectly fine to post here. You don’t need to click on it or view it.
And I can appreciate OP wanting to share a new concept or idea, or promoting this project further as it’s interesting imo.
It is technology, yes. It’s new, a bit niche, but i would be fine with a (cross) post explaining what it is. But there have been several posts from OP on this.
Hi, I am sorry if my posts bother you. It is a new tech I am really trying to get more people to use it if they like it. It is a growing tech.
I think the persistent borderline spam-posting about this, coupled with exclusively linking to your own site, is triggering a negative response from some/many people.
You offer nothing about this tech or topic, only links taking people away from Lemmy and on to your site. If you want to spread the word, you should actually write something in your Lemmy posts explaining what it is, why to use it etc. to get people interested, and then they can take a deep dive on your site if they want. Currently your posts are too low effort with just links and not a single word attached.
The two points I can agree with here are redirecting traffic to their website and the lack of some context before doing so.
I don’t have an issue with OP posting about this frequently, but to be fair if you’re doing it to farm traffic to your own website with the most minimal effort involved possible then it becomes an issue.
OP should definitely at least put some effort into this going forward.
I’ve seen a handful of these posts in the last 24h or so, IMO that is pretty excessive but that’s subjective. But for me its especially the lack of effort, coupled with high frequency, that gives it a traffic farming vibe.
I totally understand your point, But again I am not here to grow Lemmy Nor to grow my website. I really put so much time into writing Meshtastic guides, I am trying to spread the word. Suppose I were to start crafting posts for each platform Reddit, Lemmy, Discord, LinkedIn, etc. I would never have time to write more content about Meshtastic or any other stuff. Please let’s be reasonable here. Focus on the content and the tech. All the comments on why I shared my website. I would to have a conversation about the actual content itself. Did you try it? what is the range? how does it work?
Your approach to spreading awareness is specifically why I am not looking in to it. You give off a scammy vibe, so I’m not wasting time on it. Let’s be reasonable here, if you’re not even willing to write 5-10 lines about what this is and what problem it solves, it doesn’t deserve awareness.
Like what spam? I am not selling anything nor I am asking for your information
It’s generally discouraged to post exclusively from one’s own site/blog, especially in quick succession, to communities that are not dedicated to that. Most instances treat that as spam.
Well sorry :) If I could find another blog other than mine I would love to share it. It is new tech I am trying to let people know about it and hopefully we have enough interests that big bloggers write about it.
It’s great that you’re spreading the word but this must be done strategically, not just dumping a bunch of posts at once on random communities especially since they are all from your own blog.
Keep it to a slow trickle of info and not only will people be less annoyed but they also will have repeated, organic interactions with Meshtastic over a longer period instead of it being forced upon them all at once with spam.
The way you’re doing this they will disregard your posts and think the MT community is annoying and not worth engaging with.
Got it, thank you for the nice comment. I noted your ideas will ease people into it.
Check out !meshtastic@mander.xyz
I’ve been looking to play with Meshtastic, but I’ve had a difficult time finding hardware that’s compatible with its firmwareNevermind, that’s Reticulum and the RNode.As others have said, maybe try posting some of that content natively to Lemmy for discussion. It’s sadly not uncommon for people to create accounts on here just to drive up engagement of their other blogs (without participating in the Lemmy discussions beyond spamming links). Those tend to get treated harshly by default.
I understand you. I am here sharing an idea. answering questions, happy to take any comment and build on It
When it gone over a tipping point, it does the opposite, no matter how good your intensions is. Sounds like you past that tipping point.
Is there a set “tipping point” in this community? Or are we back to arbitrary rules like Reddit?
It’s technology related and OP is eager to share, again you really don’t have to click on the link or look at this post if it bothers you.
That “tipping point” is totally subjective. Different people have different level of tolerance. You might find it useful and others might find it annoying. My response is a neutral response that observed from the comment OP replying to.
Sure one doesn’t have to look at this but I would also recognize their right to voice being annoyed. I believe this community is civilize, right?
Agreed, it is totally subjective. For me, 5 posts in quick succession, all linking to the same website, is spammy, and i will downvote it. Interesting technology, but one post with a link is enough for me. But i respect anyone’s right to disagree and upvote the posts.
Well, Sorry to bother you then. Nothing else I can do
Don’t worry about ml replies.
Just as some variety to your posts and it will be all good
Will do that, I will wait a couple of days before posting again. I am sorry if I offended anyone again.
No, I’m not. Read my previous response.
Ah yes let’s just focus on articles about mega corps and windows gripes
This isn’t quite amateur radio, that is accessible to non-HAMs as it doesn’t require as much knowledge and training.
