US CA Bay Area

[toxic kindle]

Hi

[toxic kindle]

Might not be possible as I don’t have anything roof mounted

Only handheld

[remote vale]

I saw your "ping" hit my router in the Eastridge area. I was away and didn't notice it until later.

Nice to see someone was able to use it.

Sounds about right

Just checked www.scadacore.com and the terrain would have prevented a direct signal from New Almaden. You likely bounced through another node.

Unless of course you were closer to Mt Umunhum

I've seen pretty good connections with an 8db at about 6 meters. But it's more about line of sight than anything else.

The antenna is 6 meters up from the ground

[toxic kindle]

I was hiking near Lexington reservoir with my node and saw nothing

[remote vale]

Yup, Communications Hill is right in the way from your X

[toxic kindle]

Are there any repeaters right now that have a view of the entire bay?

[remote vale]

None that I've seen on the default channel.

[toxic kindle]

How are you guys hitting other nodes while being on flat ground?

[remote vale]

Most of the ones I've seen are elevated at this point.

[toxic kindle]

Been wanting to take my nodes out but I don’t have a proper case yet.

Would be weird to see someone walking around with a big plastic box with an antenna

[remote vale]

Even stranger if you strapped it to a hat.

[toxic kindle]

Going to take a node that was donated to my club to my school on Friday and see what I can do

Let’s work on getting full coverage of the bay with repeaters

If you get proper placement on a mountain you can get full coverage with just one node

It’s more practical to reach out to a Ham radio club that owns a repeater in the mountains for permission to mount a node there

[remote vale]

It would work, but would likely be pretty congested with the Bay's radio traffic once people find it.

Good start is here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9rxjrSIt5s

[toxic kindle]

I will be potentially building a mounted repeater/weather sensor node mounted at my school for the radio club

[remote vale]

I really like the RAK Wisblock as a router. It's worked well, ultra low power and I can update the firmware via BLT

A 6W, 5V solar panel with a single 3600mah battery keeps it powered and up every day

Yup

Use Rokland, which is a US based supplier. Otherwise it comes via China

[toxic kindle]

I waited for 5 weeks for mine to come from China

[remote vale]

Check next week. Looks like they have more coming soon

[remote vale]

Didn't see anything directly. Router name is Purple

I set it up as a Router/Client so it shows up as a node

[toxic kindle]

Can we try getting more bay area people in this chat

Would be cool to have the bay area mesh be an organized group

With meeting times over the air

What club did you contact

All of them are

I could ask my local club that I have contact with

[remote vale]

Sweet. Nice to see

i did get the message from Alameda Expy

Unfortunately, my router doesn't have time stamps because it doesn't have a GPS signal. Module coming in a week or so should fix that problem.

Only about 6 meters

I know that spot well

Boulder Ridge is a huge block to my place. Makes sense it's bouncing up to Los Gatos hills and then back to me

[rare delta]

You found me I see

[remote vale]

Haven't seen #960633667749822564 before. After looking, is that Mt Umunhum? Yes, it has a huge view, which is of course why the Air force put a radar tower on it.

[toxic kindle]

👀 https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/details.php?state_id=06&ID=1997

Cal Amatuer Radio Linking association has a repeater there

[toxic kindle]

By chance are you a licensed ham?

[remote vale]

McQueen Ridge (Mt Umunhnum) has a ton of stuff on it. I don't know what the likelihood of getting something up there is. What about Coyote Peak? That site is owned by U.S. Tower, I think. There's a lot of 🤑 tied up in those prime spots.

[toxic kindle]

I am, I was just asking because if you did it would be beneficial to include your callsign in your email to show that it’s someone also from the hobby

[remote vale]

I have my amateur license. I don't really use it though.

[toxic kindle]

There’s like 100 licensed hams in my city and only 11 check in for the weekly net

One of those nerds being me

[toxic kindle]

I think the only possibilities are on a ham radio tower or at someone’s house. If you contact some TV tower or cell tower they are an actual company and will ask for tons of details and you have to pay a ton of rent to have the node up there.

[remote vale]

I recommend get one at your home first to learn on. Things like remote firmware update and the admin channel take a bitter of learning

[toxic kindle]

Who here is going Open Sauce?

[remote vale]

No clue what that is

Is that the Maker event? Never been. How is it?

[toxic kindle]

Really cool

Do you know who William osman is?

[remote vale]

I do not

It does look interesting

[toxic kindle]

It’s like vid con and maker fare combined

If you watch any engineering YouTubers they are most likely there

[toxic kindle]

Should I start a map website for the Bay Area mesh?

Where we can put all node locations

[toxic kindle]

Just told me to look at repeater book

(Which I did)

I want to make a bat area specific one as the other one is littered with false info

[toxic kindle]

@sleek wraith Will be taking my node out in 15 min

My school is in Santa Clara

From there

[toxic kindle]

@sleek wraith don’t see anything and getting no acks

None

[remote vale]

The only nodes i see on a regular basis are up on the Los Gatos hills

[remote vale]

Did you go with the RAK?

It would save you a lot of extra parts sourcing, including the tiny j2 connector and SMA-IPX wire

I mounted the antenna seperatly to the same pole. I have a very short piece of LM400, N-type to SMA cable connecting the two

Looks good

roof

No, since its not connected to anything.

[remote vale]

Lexel

The fit is fairly snug and screwed down.

Glands aren't 100%. Since it's an SMA connector, a more permanent seal is better

Ideally, I should have put it on the bottom. Water wouldn't be able to challenge it there

Yup, i could always flip it over. Just need to get a longer cable. Hasn't been a problem so far

[toxic kindle]

@sleek wraith I am going to use a service called Canvis to create a bay area mesh website. You cna make pages so we can add info to it and the main functionality of it will be the self reported mesh map

Since the public canvis map is full of inaccuracies

[remote vale]

I saw this same one some time ago. Like @toxic kindle mentions, it's quite inaccurate for this area.

I took a drive down to the Gilroy area today. Not a single node popped up.

[toxic kindle]

We are in the area known as the tech capital of the world and we are struggling with meshtastic

We have to step it up

I heard So Cal has a ton of nodes already set up

[remote vale]

Yes

[toxic kindle]

https://canvis.app/z2k8a8

Yeah

Nothing is added

I want it to be a reliable map so then based off that we can create coverage maps

[remote vale]

I don't any experience with Canvas nor could I find the answer to this question. Is there a way to pre-center the map on our area of interest?

[toxic kindle]

I don’t think so

[remote vale]

bummer

[remote vale]

Since the underlying is mapbox maybe there is a way?

This code example is for centering on a mouse click but shows the flyTo function, which centers and zooms to a specific set of coordinates. ???

[toxic kindle]

The code for the site cannot be modified

[remote vale]

ok

[remote vale]

No

[abstract yoke]

I just added one of my nodes to the map

[abstract yoke]

Awesome. I'm working on trying to get some friends to host nodes. I've almost convinced a few.

[toxic kindle]

Eventually we will get a node on a mountain

Just with one mountain we can cover the entire bay

[toxic kindle]

@sleek wraith I am going to go up to coyote peak today

[toxic kindle]

Coyote peak has line of sight of most of the bay so stay tuned

[remote vale]

Looks like you popped up around 1348 hrs. I saw your message at 1553 hrs. I replied a minute later but looks like you weren't there anymore

[toxic kindle]

My Umuhum

Or whoever

[remote vale]

Mt Umuhnum

[rare delta]

No still dead, tried a couple more times last night to try and get my computer to see it bud no luck

[toxic kindle]

Driving down now

20 nodes from the mountain!

Last time I went I took my personal node which was encrypted but the unencrypted club radio worked

[remote vale]

I saw both of the club nodes; one on the mountain and the other giving a location in Santa Clara.

[toxic kindle]

They were both on the mountain

Just one was showing the old location (my house) because it did not update

It doesn’t have an inbuilt gps

[remote vale]

makes sense

[toxic kindle]

Stock antenna

really tiny one

The node was in my pocket most of the time too

[toxic kindle]

This maybe someone’s house

[remote vale]

Likely. There's five nodes on that property

[toxic kindle]

@sleek wraith do you have a line of sight map of your repeater you set up?

Also just checked again and it’s 22 nodes and not 20

https://heywhatsthat.com

@sleek wraith going to try contacting the CARLA org to try asking about putting a meshtatsic node on the mt umunhum repeater

http://www.carlaradio.net/aboutus/contact.php

There’s a contact a control operator form in which you can contact them over the air so I will try doing that because they can’t ignore it when I actually talk to them

[remote vale]

I saw your "Hello". Didn't see anything else

[remote vale]

I didn't see that one. I saw you at 1408

[toxic kindle]

Do you have a node name?

[toxic kindle]

There’s a router at Don callejón school

[toxic kindle]

@sleek wraith Did you add your repeater to the map?

[toxic kindle]

Who owns the Lofi repeater?

[toxic kindle]

@remote vale why is the Purple router have different locations on my node map and the Canvis map?

[toxic kindle]

I am creating a detailed coverage map of the bay and need a accurate location

@sleek wraith is the Lofi repeater yours?

What Dbi antenna is it?

Yeah the coverage map shows coverage only of your neighborhood and the surrounding mountaintops

[toxic kindle]

Nope

I wanted to talk on the my umunhum repeater and ask about it but people were talking on it

Probably will fill out the contact form

[abstract yoke]

Sadly, I don't think there's a ton nodes out here where I'm at, but that's OK! I did find some closer to berkeley.

[remote vale]

Finally got a GPS board in it and had trouble with configuring it. Should be stable now.

[toxic kindle]

So the one in canvis is correct?

[remote vale]

Canvis is correct

[toxic kindle]

What DBI antenna is it?

[remote vale]

8

[toxic kindle]

Ok

That will affect the coverage map

That’s why I asked

[remote vale]

Figured

[toxic kindle]

And is it a Omni antenna?

[remote vale]

I have a similar problem. Little by little, that's how I look at it.

Omni, 8db

Standard 23db output. I might put a 1W amplifier on it at some point, but not now.

[toxic kindle]

That’s good

I put in 3

Without asking lol

I can read your mind

Mountain link as soon as we get it

I think while we are waiting for responses for clubs we should find if we have friends that live in the mountains or you have access to tall buildings (like if you work in one)

[toxic kindle]

@remote vale Purple Node

[remote vale]

Interesting. I assume yellow is marginal and green is mod/strong? Do you know what the program you used assumes the height/config of the antenna at the other end is?

[toxic kindle]

It assumes the other antenna is 1 meter tall

I can change that

I am using the settings that @jade grove gave me

[remote vale]

That sounds appropriate for fixed stations.

[toxic kindle]

The coverage is extremely good on that node. From your testing does the map look accurate to you?

[remote vale]

I've only had a mobile node with a small antenna for testing, driving around in a car. Not much luck with that config; a likely setup for many.

I need to head east, into the hills to give it a try. Given I can reach Mt Umunhum, the eastern foothills would be even better

Alviso would be a good test as well. That would be interesting

[toxic kindle]

Multiple coverage map with Lofi and Purple repeater

Lofi doesn’t reach purple so they are not connected as of now

All that we need is one well placed mountain node to connect them

[jade grove]

Play around and try different locations. I was really surprised to find that the best location near me was actually one of the lowest peaks but because it’s kind of out away from the larger mountain range, it has much better coverage and isn’t occluded by all the other hills.

[remote vale]

Or something in a position which goes around a mountain...

[abstract yoke]

I have my nodes downtown and there’s some line of sights that work through the gaps in the buildings.

[remote vale]

Those are tough areas. More is always appreciated.

[abstract yoke]

What set up would be best for my nodes? Just all repeaters and then a router?

Especially considering my environment.

[timid turret]

Oh hey! Here to represent!

[toxic kindle]

@timid turret what repeaters do you have in sf?

[timid turret]

I had one on my roof, a gift from @pure shoal but ... it stopped working. It's not easy for me to go up there and it's lagged.

I need to bring the ladder up onto the roof and see what's up.

My primary repeater is mounted on my art car, but that's in storage at the moment.

It's used for burning man

[toxic kindle]

One day sf to bay link

Node by node

[timid turret]

I'm able to reach Kevin's (Meshtastic's Founder) nodes in his home office in San Mateo from my home office.

sf to bay is possible.

[toxic kindle]

👏

[timid turret]

That's my coverage with a 0db gain antenna

[toxic kindle]

Now we got to get it to Santa Clara

[toxic kindle]

Here’s coverage with two repeaters that are set up rn @timid turret

[timid turret]

Put that data into this tool:

https://www.towercoverage.com

There's a free trial

[toxic kindle]

The tool I am using is free and very advanced

All the settings are tuned for the repeaters

[timid turret]

Maybe I'm not looking at it right? I see two waypoints on the map.

[toxic kindle]

That’s the repeater location

And the green and yellow represents coverage

[timid turret]

Oh

I didn't look close enough

Yes, I think we can make it work with just that

[toxic kindle]

I created a self reported map for the bay and I make the coverage maps based off that

Oh

Not that

Wrong link

[timid turret]

If I take a moxon antenna, that'll likely make a link

[toxic kindle]

https://canvis.app/z2k8a8

[timid turret]

I really need to get onto the roof and do maintenance on Garth's device.

[toxic kindle]

This

[timid turret]

Now you know where i live

it's more likely 30' off the ground but i put in 20'. i'll take the laser and measure it when i'm up there the next time.

i can also get it up another 7' by moving it to the back of the structure

[toxic kindle]

https://tenor.com/view/airstrike-we-are-going-to-airstrike-your-house-we-are-going-to-bomb-your-house-i-am-going-to-airstrike-you-bomb-gif-7054627172766580788

[remote vale]

No one will ever know.

[timid turret]

Sure. You'll find the gps coordinates of my balcony on the discourse forum. Look for the range test screen plugin / module screen shots.

The world already knows

[toxic kindle]

Even easier to find my house

[remote vale]

In this day and age, it's already been hacked by someone.

[toxic kindle]

Just search my ham radio call sign

(That’s why I don’t share it here)

[remote vale]

hacked == stolen in some data breach

[timid turret]

Oh, you're right. It is in the fcc records.

whatever, ha!

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=4522625

[toxic kindle]

Oh you are a ham!

@timid turret I want to talk to you someday

[timid turret]

MC Hamster

Name fits only by coincidence

[timid turret]

What repeater do you use?

[toxic kindle]

I have a lot of repeaters programmed in rn, so you know the n6nfi repeater?

[timid turret]

I'm mostly on the KC6ULT repeater if I'm ever on.

If not that, I'm on WA6TOW

Mostly KC6ULT.

[toxic kindle]

Don’t know if I can reach with my baofeng

[timid turret]

I can hit that with my baofeng loud and clear from just about anywhere in the bay.

[toxic kindle]

I can program it in rn tho and check

[remote vale]

I'm sure it'll reach. I hit that area with Meshtastic from south SJ.

[timid turret]

That’s how I talk to my buddy in Loma Mar when his power goes out.

[toxic kindle]

Not getting any beep back from the repeater

[timid turret]

😦

[toxic kindle]

I know this one reaches to SF and I talk on it. The only downside is that it is extremly popular so most of the day (not these hours) its being used.

https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/details.php?state_id=06&ID=620

[remote vale]

Purple died last night. The battery (less than 30 day old LiFePO4) charge cratered for unknown reasons. The RAK board also lost it's mind and had to be flashed. Back up now. So strange.

[abstract yoke]

I also noticed a few while driving to and from work. There's some pretty decently close to me too. I'm tempted to send a "hello!" but I don't want to be that guy.

I guess it's probably good too, so they know others are out there.

Now that I'm at home, I doubt i can reach them.

[sleek wraith]

Yeah, I just figure it's nice to hear from someone while the network is still in it's adolesent stages

[remote vale]

I saw your "Bring the rain" today. Guess my reply didn't get back.

[remote vale]

I think my 8db antenna is preventing me from sending TO the mountain areas in some cases. Working on getting a lower db antenna

[toxic kindle]

@remote vale @sleek wraith I got a hit! While talking on my ham radio I encountered a guy who manages a couple repeaters in the bay and they have Line of sight of the bay. I talked to him about meshtatsic and he just said to shoot him an email.

[toxic kindle]

Text me when

Theres not good reception up there

[toxic kindle]

@sleek wraith you up there?

[toxic kindle]

I got no line of sight of the mountain

I live at the worst spot to be at

[abstract yoke]

I found a few folks while record shopping today! Unfortunately, I think i was able to see them, but not get a hold of them.

[blazing pine]

n6nfi and wa6tow sound familiar 👀

too familiar . . .

[toxic kindle]

I am on n6nfi most days

[blazing pine]

what frequency is that again? 146.xxx? 😆 I'm radio illiterate

[toxic kindle]

145.230

[toxic kindle]

Idk what you mean by it sounding familiar

[blazing pine]

oooh I recognize that

[toxic kindle]

@blazing pine are you in the bay and are you a ham?

[blazing pine]

maybe

[toxic kindle]

https://tenor.com/view/hidden-messages-tokyo-david-broom-the-real-world-homecoming-new-orleans-hidden-meaning-gif-25578086

[blazing pine]

I only have this lil uniden bcd536hp

[toxic kindle]

If you want to talk on n6nfi or any other repeater just dm me. I’m always looking for contacts

I would talk on meshtatsic but there isnt that great coverage as of now

[blazing pine]

I've never talked on air before 😆

[toxic kindle]

How long ago did you get your license?

[blazing pine]

I only bought this radio to dick around with

[blazing pine]

4 years ago, though I studied for the test when I was 11 or so

[toxic kindle]

4 years and not a single ham radio contact?

[blazing pine]

none! \o/

[toxic kindle]

Now I have to get you on the air

[blazing pine]

cw? 😆

[toxic kindle]

Nope

[blazing pine]

i has 40m cw beepbeep

[toxic kindle]

With every message you send you make me more confused

So you do talk on ham radio just on cw?

[blazing pine]

none 😆

I listen. I lurk

[toxic kindle]

https://tenor.com/view/ryan-gosling-critics-choice-awards-side-eye-confused-clapping-gif-14741917063569043913

[blazing pine]

I learned cw by listening to an ebook in morse code. one of my worst decisions, after learning piano by listening to multiplayerpiano.com 24/7 for half a year

I had piano nightmares after that.

[toxic kindle]

I learned how to drive by watching 10 hour videos of dashcam footage

[blazing pine]

that's how I learned not to drive

[toxic kindle]

I learned how to fly a plane by bird watching for 20 years

[blazing pine]

when I learned to drive, I learnt what toast clutch smells like

like burnt brakes, on nom nom

[toxic kindle]

Ok but seriously if you are available tomorrow hop on n6nfi

[blazing pine]

wasn't there a young kid on there regularly? 😆

I don't have a transmitter. might have to build one or hack this uhf walkie talkie into vhf

(labeled uhf, but can apparently accept vhf freqs in programming)

[toxic kindle]

Do you remember the callsign?

[blazing pine]

-.- -. -.... something something

[toxic kindle]

Speak English goddamit

[toxic kindle]

Just buy a baofeng

It’s only like 20 bucks

[blazing pine]

was ist das

I gave my baofeng away

it was some 5x3 or something

also sold my btech 868 for dirt cheap

[remote vale]

I saw your messages and 1E20 hit me down on the purple router. Unfortunately, i wasn't around to see it. I also noticed your Loki popped up with a few other nodes.

[blazing pine]

I only buy radios for shits and giggles

[toxic kindle]

That can transmit

(I think)

[blazing pine]

I sold it for $120

with 2 extra batteries.

[remote vale]

Now that's a sweet custom message

[blazing pine]

just some typo correction here and there~

[toxic kindle]

This is what programming software was invented for

[remote vale]

So weird. Nice it worked

[blazing pine]

back when it was $150 new, yes. but now it's $$$

I bought it to hack the firmware and make it into a 878. and I succeeded.

[remote vale]

Definitely a shits and giggles buy

[blazing pine]

rain rain go away, ruin someone else's day

humidity sensor is useful in that case

I need sun to see if my failed-firmware-update skyrak revives itself

anyone see their node here? xD

[remote vale]

Nope. That's a little too far northwest for me

[toxic kindle]

I sent the email to the repeater guy but he hasn’t responded yet

[toxic kindle]

I don’t know what I’m looking at

[sterile light]

I'm JACK

[blazing pine]

power went derp like 5-6 times

[toxic kindle]

Im in Santa Clara so we dont have pge

The cheapest and most reliable power in the bay

[blazing pine]

beep beep beep! S8!

[toxic kindle]

I was talking on it earlier actually

dont know if you heard me

hint my callsign ends in : T

[timid turret]

If we do get a booth at open sauce and have tickets for people who would like to help with our booth, anyone here interested in helping? (other than @toxic kindle )

[blazing pine]

where be this bottle of open sauce?

[blazing pine]

I listen but I don't hear 🫠
cw better

[toxic kindle]

There’s going to be a net today on the repeater at 8:30, I will be there

[blazing pine]

beep beep beep! S9 + 10!

[blazing pine]

@toxic kindle 😆

[toxic kindle]

You got me

[blazing pine]

you need moar mic amp. or more shouting 🫠

(what radio?)

[toxic kindle]

I come in quiet bc of my location. I’m using a baofeng indoors

What works best is talking loud right next to the mic

Cause I come in well to the repeater I’m just quiet

[blazing pine]

baofeng mic always baaaad

[blazing pine]

@toxic kindle y u no preach the magic of Meshtastic on 145.230? 😂

[toxic kindle]

I did at the in person PAARA meeting

I have a tracking software and the email has not been opened

[toxic kindle]

You can say he

you have a 99% chance of being correct

[pallid ice]

#1196937802944872509 message

[toxic kindle]

I think no, but you can chat here as the california chat is now just SoCal people

[blazing pine]

I want a discone 🙃

[remote vale]

Unknown. No one has claimed it yet.

[remote vale]

Here you go -> https://www.behance.net/gallery/143996131/DISCONE-Ice-Cream-Brand-Design

[remote vale]

Yes

Not right now. I saw it when you were on Mt. Umunhum the other day

I don't have a time listed

Must have hit off one of the Los Gatos mountain nodes

I got an ACK for Lofi from a relaying node

I got an ACK for GSH from a relaying node

I swapped out the antenna a few days ago for a 6db Laird. Still testing to see if there are any real changes.

Did you get any of the DM's?

They were not from your node. Interface reported implicit ACK from another node.

Same here

[winter anchor]

Responded in the CA channel, but responding here as well in case any other people in Sac county are here...

I'm in Sac County not far from Folsom. I'm new here and waiting for my first devices to be delivered, after watching YouTube videos about LoRa for a year or more. Also a licensed (but not really active) amateur radio operator.

[blazing pine]

--- .... / .-. . .- .-.. .-.. -.--

[winter anchor]

ah hell, I never learned morse though. lol

[blazing pine]

me neither ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[winter anchor]

I started to here and there, and can get a couple letters of your message, but not the full content

[blazing pine]

one day I hope to gather with friends at a fancy restaurant and beep at each other the whole time

[winter anchor]

Yes really. (Yes, I cheated)

haha, that'd get a few looks. "dih-dih-dih-dih dih-dih, dah-dih-dih-dih dah-dah-dah dah-dih-dih-dih"

[blazing pine]

https://youtu.be/K9V10TZm5LA?si=w9Kju9UdcWDI64AQ

meep meep

[winter anchor]

hahaha, interesting.... though does seem to negate some of the benefits of using CW modulation if your "meep meep'ing" on SSB

[blazing pine]

I bet it cuts through the noise in a restaurant though! 😆

[winter anchor]

no doubt!

[winter anchor]

Cool. I should have my devices up in a couple weeks. (Shipping via AliExpress.)

Surprisingly, they were the only place I could find the devices I wanted in stock. Seems like so much is sold out in most places, or they are older devices. And I specifically wanted GPS on my first ones.

[blazing pine]

which devices? 👀

echo?

[remote vale]

DOH!

[winter anchor]

I couldn't find any T-Echo's anywhere. That was my first choice. I ended up getting T-Beam Supreme's, but the only place I could find was on Ali. I'm not too familiar with vendors, but I checked both Amazon and Rockland.

[toxic kindle]

I got two T beam supremes myself

The thing about the battery is that it isnt removable

so when you put in the battery you cant remove it

(Without prying with a tool)

[winter anchor]

it takes an 18650, right?

[toxic kindle]

yeah

you have to buy it

[winter anchor]

oh, I see. It's just really stuck then.

[toxic kindle]

Yeah

[blazing pine]

isn't it like Chinese new year now? 👀

https://www.lilygo.cc/products/softrf-t-beamsupreme?variant=42880905216181 non u-blox version still available

[winter anchor]

Dang, I could've save $20 total buying them direct. Oh well, know for next time.

[hushed cypress]

I'm a newbie and wondering what the difference between the ublox and the other variants is-can you help?

Sorry I forgot to post the variants

[hushed cypress]

I've seen some folk using duct tape strips with tabs on tied around the batteries to help lift them from the battery holder 🔋

[toxic kindle]

I put a string on one of mine

Also are you from the bay?

[hushed cypress]

No I am from the UK (Wales) sorry if this is for US folk only, I'm just trying to learn

[winter anchor]

From what I read, the ublox GPS chip is ultra-precise (mulitple position updates a second, temp-compensated oscillator, multiple constellations concurrently, etc), whereas the L76k is more of standard receiver.

[hushed cypress]

Thanks for that. I've been looking for reviews on the differences elsewhere and I'm just learning.that would explain the higher price of some of those variants

Multiple updates would therefore use more energy I suppose

I just found this and thought it worth a share:
https://store.rokland.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-difference-between-u-blox-and-l76k#:~:text=The main difference between u,timing%2C and dead reckoning solutions

[winter anchor]

This link, posted a short bit above, also has more information: https://www.lilygo.cc/products/softrf-t-beamsupreme

Ublox adds the Galileo constellation, can use 4 constellations at a time, and supports up to 18 updates per second. I'm not sure what exactly I would do that required that, so I went with the L76k for cost reasons.

[toxic kindle]

Buy the M version

Not the S

If you didn’t make an account you can edit it, but I can delete it

https://canvis.app/z2k8a8

[winter anchor]

Is the difference just the shipping firmware?

cuz now I'm wondering if I have the right one. lol. I don't mind flashing.

[toxic kindle]

That’s true but for every purchase meshtatsic gets a monetary donation

[timid turret]

That site is not maintained.

[winter anchor]

Good to know. My AliExpress purchase doesn't specify if I got S or M.

[timid turret]

Oh

[toxic kindle]

Actually for Ali express it doesn’t matter

It’s not lilygo I think

[timid turret]

Done

[toxic kindle]

Thank you

[timid turret]

Yup 🙂

[winter anchor]

added feedline?

[remote vale]

Give it a few days and see what happens. I've noticed the past few days I'm seeing a lot fewer nodes. Perhaps environmental interference? Maybe because some of the area you and I are looking to relay from are marginal to begin with.

Check DM's

Same as yesterday, Implict ACK from another node

Thought I'd give it a try

Only AbelDog. The others randomly show up.

915Mhz doesn't work the same from what I understand. No propagation, but will do things like diffraction.

[remote vale]

https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/

[remote vale]

I find it a pretty helpful tool

Same spot, but from purple

[remote vale]

My choice of antenna should be getting to the LG mountains. The 6db has an average angle of 20 degrees from the horizon. At a distance of about 20km, the rise gets well above the ~500m height. I'm not sure what's lacking?

Check the pattern distribution chart for the antenna. You have to compare it to your intended destination (distance and height)

[dull coral]

I also live in the Sacramento area, trying to get a RAK Wisblock running. I am out in Placer county so not sure I can reach those in Sacramento

[remote vale]

Check the path using the link above.

[winter anchor]

Cool! Good to know there are a few of us in the Sacramento area here

[toxic kindle]

My plan for nodes is that I will get one on my house once I get my ham radio antenna on the roof

Planning on doing a Comms channel setup with power over Ethernet on a antenna mast

So I can get mqtt and unlimited power without the sun

[remote vale]

What's your radio path look like to purple?

[toxic kindle]

There’s a line of tall houses to the east of my house

So no coverage there

[remote vale]

Bummer

[blazing pine]

Mission Peak greatest spot

[abstract yoke]

I was able to get .7 miles in my city. I think my little set up was passing through about 10 buildings of different shapes and sizes.

[blazing pine]

only on one side

other side is all cities

[toxic kindle]

You could try contacting park authority

And say that it would help hikers and potentially forward weather sensor data

[blazing pine]

too much responsibility for me

[toxic kindle]

@fleet bridge are you from SF?

[remote vale]

Nothing

Coyote Peak is just out of my reach (not enough height) by about 15 feet

[fleet bridge]

Indeed I am

Just got home from a beautiful bike ride up twin peaks. It is CLEAR out today!

[toxic kindle]

Do you have any nodes?

[toxic kindle]

Really nice today

[fleet bridge]

I do not have any physical nodes. Today I got the emulated firmware compiled on my home PC but the radio emulation system (a python program) had some numpy version that couldn't build the wheel. I'll try in docker later. People pay me money to work with numpy so I can probably figure it out.

My buddy has two RAK5005 units on order and I have an adafruit LoRa Feather board which I think I could hook up to a Feather BLE board to hack together a third? Maybe?

I have roof access and very good line of sight to sutro and basically anything facing west along the panhandle. I live on the top floor.

Yeah. I tried with 3.10 and 3.11. my home PC is kind of a mess so it's probably me.

Ubuntu doesn't even allow using pip for system packages anymore because the base OS depends on python to boot. What a world desktop Linux has become!

[fleet bridge]

Yeah 22.04. there's this warning that's like "you really don't want to do this" but maybe it's just for some libraries? 🤷‍♀️

pyenv is pretty easy to set up and works with venv.

I mostly do ML and audio stuff for work but my home PC has all kinds of random things on it.

[blazing pine]

that be pip speakin'

because root, probably

and you really don't want to do that no matter what distro you use...

I Ubuntu never. I used it once in may 28 2006 because it was on a friend's laptop. archlinux forever!

[fleet bridge]

results! https://github.com/GUVWAF/Meshtasticator/issues/11

haven't clicked [Start simulation] yet

lol, it actually needs a filesystem path to my compiled firmwares

dang...more filesystem path not found...beep boop...

lulz https://meshtastic.discourse.group/t/using-the-python-api-during-the-1-2-transition/2730

seems like I've encountered Our Big Change

I now have 24 hours of experience with Meshtastic

oh no. i'm dead in dependency graph cycles. now it wants me to downgrade protobufs.

virtual firmware crashes...i'm going to sleep...good news is my buddy got the hardware delivered tonight! yea!

[blazing pine]

needs moar docker

[toxic kindle]

There’s a small hill in Cupertino that gets a view of most of the Bay Area

Good place for a micro solar node

This was today

Idk if it would work but emailing a ton of potential parks could work

main things to mention is that its legal and meets fcc requirments and really lower power emmiting

That its not a for profit thing

and that it would help hikers and the wider bay area community

[blazing pine]

looks like Saratoga to me ¯_(ツ)_/¯

okay I'm wrong

I must be bored

hints used: house with unique solar panel configuration, 3 holding tank things, freeway, bay, ugly fence, trail
hints not used: aircraft hangers/airport next to bay, mountains, utility poles

[toxic kindle]

Bingo

[toxic kindle]

Could have used utility poles

As it is right next to pge facility

[blazing pine]

didn't know there was a pg&e there

[remote vale]

Looks like Rancho San Antonio, Mid-Pen Park District.

[toxic kindle]

You can also reach us by phone: [phone]; fax: [phone] or e-mail: [email protected]

https://www.openspace.org/who-we-are/contact-us

Node?

[fleet bridge]

hardware came in. in SOMA right now with a buddy and two RAK4630 boards. Flashing the alpha firmware compiled myself was ridiculously easy. We're already sending messages between our phones!

[toxic kindle]

Planning on making a full on discord for Bay Area meshtatsic once we get proper meshtatsic coverage

So then we can fully utilize meshtatsic

[remote vale]

I'd hold off until the need exceeds what can be done here. e.g. numerous topics needing their own areas

[fleet bridge]

I'd be interested in a bay area meetup for antenna planning and installation.

[remote vale]

I just saw. Sadly, not surprising.

[blazing pine]

Okay who is Hub and Mob and what's the location(s) ?

Received 'em while my node was swaying in the wind but can't see 'em anymore after i cinched up them guy wires

need to know which way to rotate my crooked antenna, lol

[remote vale]

Not it

[blazing pine]

how about 82c4? 👀

[remote vale]

Haven't seen that one down this way or the east bay at all.

[blazing pine]

I think I need a smaller antenna 🫠

[toxic kindle]

@sleek wraith Ran into the repeater guy again while calling cq on simplex for a school club activity I was hosting

N6VOA

He said he didnt receive my email

I forwarded it again

[blazing pine]

any f0d0 here?

[abstract yoke]

I think there ae zero nodes in Oakland. Besides mine.

[blazing pine]

and mine

I have one more at the south tip of lake merritt, but it's an epically shitty antenna indoors

[toxic kindle]

Wow the android map looks a lot worse

[blazing pine]

it was my choice 😆

[abstract yoke]

Oh! I'm close to Lake Merritt. One of my nodes can barely reach it in my tests. I bet we are just far away enough to not connect.

[blazing pine]

what's your node short name?

maybe later I will try swinging my Brck (Brick) around 😆

[abstract yoke]

CNDB

I'm trying to convince a friend closer to Lake Merritt to host a node. No luck yet!

[blazing pine]

right now my long-distance node is laying on the floor of my car in a parking garage 😆

[blazing pine]

sneak a node onto the Mormon temple ඞ

[blazing swallow]

@blazing pine oh hey, that's me- I'm midway up the hill due west of SFO with a commanding view of the East Bay.

Only rocking a 5 dBi omni antenna in the attic, but so far I've only been able to make sporadic contact with ENTS 24 (not sure if they're here) in El Cerrito, about 25 miles across the Bay.

[abstract yoke]

That's not a bad idea. Especially if people can't see it.

I've also tried to reach out to ENTS 24, but no luck!

[blazing pine]

i've never seen ENTS 24

[abstract yoke]

They popped up for me while I was driving up north.

[blazing swallow]

My last contact with them- I'm still able to traceroute their node, though not consistently

[blazing pine]

who be e2e2e024 seen on the freeway <t:1708127974:R>?

[blazing pine]

test failed 😆

[blazing pine]

i'm not getting any receive confirmations. derp!

@blazing swallow you can see my coords, yeh?

[blazing swallow]

You're 3e1c8f95, right? Still showing Unknown Username for me 🤔

[blazing pine]

yep, i think that's my rak solar node up in the sky

climb onto the roof with your node xD

@blazing swallow something like this, yeh?

[blazing swallow]

Yup!!

[blazing pine]

maybe you just need a bigger megaphone

lol i see an ENTS mobile 24

i have a feeling that's bouncing off of you

[blazing pine]

aliens. alien clouds.

@sharp mantle come back to usssss

[remote vale]

We both bounced off those nodes in the Los Gatos hills, off 17

I bet its used to send sensor data around.

[blazing pine]

bird... farm 👀

[toxic kindle]

Mmm… chicken

https://tenor.com/view/kfc-fried-chicken-kentucky-fried-chicken-food-yummy-gif-17870467

[blazing pine]

oh gawd web midi on that site

do modern systems even do midi?

[remote vale]

Give a read of the surprise science section..... 😅

[remote vale]

I've never had much luck planting birds in the ground

[blazing pine]

if that's how he does science, i guess he be planting birds too xD

face palm

er, I mean... face plant

[remote vale]

Maybe we could talk him into putting a strategically positioned node with a tuned antenna? @blazing pine , any recommendations from this site?

[blazing pine]

I antenna illiterate. I just get the cheapest crap from le amazons

[remote vale]

He's got some elevation. There's gotta be something better suited for pointing east and downward

[blazing pine]

them drone controller directional antenna
forgot the name

[remote vale]

The window washing pole is a nice touch

[blazing pine]

cheapest crap on Amazon xD

in the case of the pole, cheapest in terms of dollars per feet

[remote vale]

Almost missed that one, huh?

[blazing pine]

MOXON!

[blazing pine]

ah that's what it was. thanks stranger

[remote vale]

Interesting. Never seen that one or the explanation of how it works

[blazing pine]

like a simple yagi that's missing many elements xD

[remote vale]

https://www.truerc.ca/shop/linear-antennas/900mhz-2/true-mox-915

[blazing pine]

get the one with cosmetic defects 😛

(and take note of sma/rp-sma)

[remote vale]

Or maybe this? https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/418/8/ANT_DS_LP800_2500_9_NF_0715-3046141.pdf

[blazing pine]

waste of monies

better to use an actual yagi rather than that

[remote vale]

ok

[blazing pine]

Gain Antenna, Antenna 915Mhz PCB for Wireless Signal https://a.co/d/dz3WU7u farscinating

[toxic kindle]

@sleek wraith @remote vale I’m up in the mountains can y’all turn on your nodes

I’m gonna be testing

I see c701

8b47

[blazing pine]

mine are on too

[toxic kindle]

Starting raining again going back

Got acks from 3 nodes in the same location

Prolly repeaters

[toxic kindle]

What am I supposed to be seeing here?

[blazing pine]

alphanumeric characters and punctuation

@blazing swallow

that came later

anyone recognize their node(s)?

haven't seen those. if it's in there, it's probably nodeid only and no nodeinfo

most likely not in there though

I'm in the worst position for a Meshtastic router/repeater

[blazing pine]

one of the best residential places in Oakland to put a node, if anyone wants to try and convince the owner of the property...

[blazing pine]

you could probably reach that place with a node too

but how many Meshtastic nodes?

[blazing pine]

Got a position packet from some 68de near Eaton Park <t:1708209789:R>

direct reception. amazing. 22 miles

[blazing swallow]

I sent the Discord link to ENTS 24 over Meshtastic and they've just acknowledged my message, so hopefully they'll be joining us here! 🙌 🙏

[toxic kindle]

Yes

Spread the word over the mesh

[blazing pine]

spread the word of car's extended warranty \o/

[abstract yoke]

Nice. I've almost convinced a friend in Pacifica to host one!

[toxic kindle]

I went to my local homedepot to get screws for a tropho case but went back and decided to just order online and not spend 4 hours searching

[blazing pine]

metric better and cheaper anyways 😆

wow who is bc52? just got nodeinfo for the first time in a long time

first seen <t:1692491188:R>

might not be direct. apparently he has 5+ hop limit
edit: traceroute says direct

[remote vale]

Best place for screws is Outdoor Supply Hardware. Huge selection and usually well kept.

[blazing pine]

worse solar situation than mine

[blazing pine]

bc52

[toxic kindle]

We need a naming scheme for nodes

lol

[blazing pine]

grid squares? 😆

[toxic kindle]

Either a callsign or something else

You know what

How about write Mobile or Repeater at the end of node name to signify what it is. And for node names if its called Hi and its a repeater it would be Hi Mobile, shortname Hi M

[blazing pine]

that needs to be implemented in the protocol+apps

[toxic kindle]

The Ham radio gridsquare naming scheme could work for repeater

[toxic kindle]

I name all my nodes like that

All same name but I have them numbered and that them specifically called Mobile

Might rename my node to my callsign

Imma become one of those guys who has everything accessorized with my callsign

[blazing pine]

totally needs to be in the protocol+app 😆

[toxic kindle]

For some reason whenever I take a node with me somehwre it remmebers its last location and doesnt update and then im just broadcasting my old location

[blazing pine]

there needs to be location timestamps/expiry too

[toxic kindle]

👀

[pallid ice]

Hello "Mobi" if you are a part of the group!
I am over the Moon my first Meshtastic contact 3 mill south of me on Carpenter Hill - It's working 😉

[blazing pine]

yes. I just shut my own node down because it was about to meet the same fate. 2.9x volts

I need to pull it down and check the solar panel/connections

it's not turning off 🫠

[slender pelican]

Hey Bjarne its Pete from EDH. I put my t-beam (Mobi) on the roof of the car on my way to SFO. I saw a bunch of other new nodes TBlue, David W, ENTS 24, Meshtastic 82c4, kroo-tbeam, Meshtastic d7d0 and Meshtastic de26. Last trip I didn't see anything. The mesh is growing!

O yeah also saw bluffs mobile stack.

[blazing pine]

i first saw 82c4 <t:1708051982:R> and last saw it <t:1708226632:R>

i first saw kroo-tbeam <t:1692351243:R> and last saw it <t:1693963698:R>

all the others i don't recognize

[blazing pine]

i might have seen you had i not shut down my node at noon due to low battery 😐

[slender pelican]

bummer, not enough solar with all these storms?

[blazing pine]

indeed. tiny panel, tiny battery.

[blazing pine]

the next biggest panels i have are 10W and 15W...

and 20W, and 45W

indeed. i do have a 5W on my motorcycle tank bag...

[remote vale]

They do

[remote vale]

Pokemon names?

[pallid ice]

Very cool Pete have a great travel

[blazing pine]

latest list of nodes I've seen. highlighted nodes are mine. everything after line 20 is probably old

[blazing swallow]

Caught the tail end of some interesting conversation on LongFast over the weekend. Not sure if anyone else here saw it?

[toxic kindle]

I am going to the Santa Clara ARES RACES club meeting today and im gonna explain what meshtastic is

[toxic kindle]

Update: I did a explanation and the emergency coordinator noted it down

[barren socket]

Checking in from another south bay ham, in Cupertino (280 & 85). Got LOTS of posts to read in this channel, but I finally found a south bay-specific group chatting! 3 other local ham buddies and I are still mulling over which radios to get (1 rooftop repeater + 1 portable node each likely, all with after-market rubber ducky antennas). Hoping we can help add to the build-out of the south bay network, but an opening question first please in the next post....

In our suburban city environments in the *flat parts of our valley floor *(relatively flat cities like Santa Clara, SJ, w/out any hills b/c we know that'll make a huge difference), what are some real-world distances you guys have gotten so far connecting through a rooftop repeater with a portable node driving or walking around? If the signal reception is strong/long enough while moving around, can the node send/receive its payloads even if the signal is fluctuating in and out? I know there are lots of variables but is it usable up to ~1 mile, or 2? Or 3 miles? Thinking emcomm purposes when the cell & grid stays down for awhile.

[blazing pine]

SR node back up <t:1708635047:R> with doubled battery capacity!

[barren socket]

What city are you in? And how high were your antennas above ground level?

[blazing pine]

(position packets received from last 7 days)

[blazing pine]

many awesome hiking paths nearby xD

bring along a directional antenna/yagi

[blazing pine]

ඞ

[remote vale]

In regards to the driving around scenario with a portable unit, I haven't found a repeater in the flat lands to be very useful unless it's 30ft+ above ground. The ISM band is very line-of-sight. As for signal while moving around, the devices seem fairly tolerant. Provided of course there is a node to bounce off of. On average, I may get about .6 miles for a 6db antenna at 19 feet, with moderate desity homes (mixed single and two level homes).

[remote vale]

I do notice people hitting my router at times while driving by on the freeway. Those range from 1000 to 4000 feet at freeway speeds

[abstract yoke]

I’m in Oakland and it’s not too high. Maybe 15 feet?

[blazing pine]

hit and run

[remote vale]

drive by ping

[blazing pine]

speedy speeding speedping

my electric motorcycle only goes 100mph

[remote vale]

You need a Mr. Fusion

[blazing pine]

I need the reprogramming equipment and software for like $3k

[barren socket]

Got it, thanks for the info all. I'd like to add a repeater (not far south-west of 280/85) at the rooftop of my 2nd story house which sits at ~325 ft ASL (bit higher than the rest of Cupertino), or possibly a bit higher if I can mount it onto my vertical HF antenna's mast. My local ham buddies might add nodes on their rooftops too but that depends on some additional testing and convincing that this is actually viable. I also MIGHT be able to add a repeater atop of a 8 story building also in Cupertino, IF we can get this proof of concept working in real-life in our suburbs and the stars line up well. That might help out some of the south bay coverage further.

[blazing pine]

best place to put a repeater is on a mountaintop 😆

[barren socket]

BTW: I see that some people might be looking for 18650 cells. I have a bunch of Sony cells that have been harvested/tested to be in good shape and are still holding 2600 - 2900 mah, if anyone wants them for their nodes. Free of course.

Yup mountaintop is the most ideal, but next best thing could be a high building in the center of the area with pretty good 360 coverage of neighboring cities. Couldn't hurt, right? 😁

[blazing pine]

https://a.co/d/0ImoDdk I use one of these with 3 guy wires

I'm in between two hills though, so it doesn't make much difference for me 🫠

[barren socket]

Yeah anything to add height is good.

The 4 of us are currently blocked by not being able to decide whether to wait for the Lilygo boards shipping in mid April or later, or splurge on the more expensive RAK modular ones ($125 after modules added). My buddies are preferring me to just tell them what gear to order, so if anyone has a suggestion of what and where to get them from, I'm all ears. Prefer a Lilygo T-beam with good value, SX1260 chip, w/ wifi & GPS, case, etc. One for base, and one for portable. Aftermarket antennas for each of course. Seems like this is such an early adopter thing that one still has to piece meal much of it. And nothing seems to be available on Amazon now. 😞

[barren socket]

That's interesting. That may mean that if one's driving around in town, say during an ARES emcomm activation, they can maybe get enough of a signal at times, to be able to receive and send messages throughout their field deployment. That's important for our use case: to be able to send short health & welfare msgs to our significant others during 12 hr deployments.

[remote vale]

I've been happy with RAK, w/GPS. Super low power, easy flashing and most of the time the OTA updates work.

[blazing pine]

heltec wireless tracker for base. much economical

[remote vale]

I don't find the WIFI all that useful. Bluetooth does the job for connecting via app, even from inside the house to a unit in the attic

[remote vale]

Agreed. Very good price.

[blazing pine]

spend the money you save by getting Rak mobile units that last days on a single charge.

[barren socket]

The RAKs are enticing but pricey, compared to others. Especially at this toe dipping into pool stage. Best place to get RAKs? Rockland or elsewhere Isn't Wifi important for MQQT or just enter it once and not need to again?

@blazing pine Yes for base, power consumption isn't a biggie for us since we have battery backups. I know what a Heltec is of course but what's a wireless tracker?

Any links to where you'd suggest buying from would be greatly appreciated. Also will need printed cases for whatever we end up with.

[remote vale]

Roclkand yes. MQQT makes things messy the bigger the net gets. Andy Kirby talked a little about that problem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv3hwG26UIg

[barren socket]

I've watched many of Andy Kirby's videos on this topic so I'll check this one out soon too, thanks!

So via Rockland, is the RAK one really like $125 (or maybe $100 w/out wifi) truly the barrier to entry? My guys were expecting more like $40-$60 to start playing, but probably only if we wait until Lilygo's become avail again in the future. 😣

And is it true that Amazon doesn't have anything that's worth trying? Again, with the previously mentioned criteria.

[remote vale]

If you want easy for users who don't tinker, wait for the Lilygo's. The Heltec's are good if you have a convenient case with battery

My 2 cents

[barren socket]

Thanks for the reminder about the Heltec V3s but the last I checked, those can't be gotten anywhere either. I think I can get the cases for those printed probably.

[remote vale]

Funny, everything was available just a couple of months ago. Looks like demand is picking up

[remote vale]

HA!

[blazing pine]

get heltec wireless tracker direct from heltec or AliExpress ¯_(ツ)_/¯

https://heltec.org/project/wireless-tracker/

[barren socket]

Thanks for the link to the Wireless Tracker. Just add a case and antenna and power source?

[blazing pine]

indeed

[barren socket]

seems like it has most of what we're looking for, other than not hearing much about that model before.

New?

[blazing pine]

it's pretty new

[barren socket]

gotcha

hopefully someone's got cases for it by now then?

[blazing pine]

I think there are a few, forgot where though

[barren socket]

And why do you guys like this one over others? Is this what you're running now or what you'd get if you were to get more?

[blazing pine]

I don't have one, but if I needed more base/car nodes I'd get a bunch of those

apparently the gps is goooood according to others

[barren socket]

seems like we'd also need to buy other parts with the Wireless Tracker, such as the antenna pigtail. With a 3 week ETA, anything else we'll need? Don't want to find out we're missing something later, as we'll be real antsy by then. 🙂

[blazing pine]

I'm not sure, but I think it comes with the SMA pigtail. maybe someone who has one can comment on that

[toxic kindle]

I just talked with a ham radio guy who does “Parachute mobile” and he is willing to bring a node up with him next time he does it

He gets a view of the entire bay

From San Jose to the golden gate

And he’s up for 15 min

[blazing pine]

remember to set gps smart broadcast to like 15-30 seconds intervals 😆

[toxic kindle]

Yep

I was talking to him about that

[blazing pine]

client_mute for maximum discoverability, router mode if he wants to spread them nodes around 😆

imagine seeing a node from hundreds of miles away, lol

[toxic kindle]

What does client mute do?

[barren socket]

I think I've seen the guy who does those parachute jumps while having ham QSOs during his descent. Pretty cool, but those 15 mins goes fast!

He's been at the PacifiCon shows in San Ramon annually

[blazing pine]

does not repeat, only sends

in other words: it's a part of the mesh, but does not "contribute" to it

[toxic kindle]

Nah I would want it to repeat

And show up in node list

[blazing pine]

it will show up in node list

it just won't waste bandwidth repeating others' packets

[toxic kindle]

Rob Kc6TYD

[blazing pine]

because likely it'll be seeing lots of nodes

[toxic kindle]

What would be cool is to have a Meshtastic Bay Area chat party while his node relays everything

[blazing pine]

for <15 minutes

and lots of collisions

[barren socket]

Gonna go digest all of this info from tonight, thanks for all the help guys! Might have followup questions tomorrow since our next step is actually placing an order soon, much appreciate it!

[toxic kindle]

Fun

[blazing pine]

last 24 hours \o/

(nodes with exactly 3 hops are mine, except for the default-named ones)

[barren socket]

That's from Oakland, correct @blazing pine ? And is your location relatively flat with the neighborhood, or do you have some elevation? Lastly, how high is your antenna (aftermarket?) above ground level? Trying to get a sense of those SNR numbers correlating to your setup. Interesting that the SNRs are shown at less than 1.

Pretty good to see that you get pings at least from so many nodes.

[blazing pine]

ah, my logger node is in the basement with a dinky antenna, so all received packets are repeats from my solar rak ~30ft in the sky. I'm right in between 2 hills.

@barren socket #1197026438805725264 message

[barren socket]

Ok, so basically packets captured with an antenna 30ft AGL. Any elevation above your surrounding neighborhood? I have MAYBE +100ft above our city, so I'm hoping that'll help my repeater provide coverage somewhat. Thanks.

[blazing pine]

I can walk like 150ft and get much better elevation

[barren socket]

👍

[blazing pine]

agl msl I bad with terms

[barren socket]

Oh, AGL = Above Ground Level. ASL = Above Sea Level. And ANL can be Above Neighborhood Level in this context since that affects RF propagation. 😁

[barren socket]

Can someone here please get me a Discord server invite link? Trying to invite a few of my buddies to here and Discord is new for me.

[blazing pine]

https://discord.com/channels/867578229534359593/1197026438805725264

https://discord.com/channels/867578229534359593/1197026438805725264

[barren socket]

that's the link that's not working for them. Discord is telling me to ask someone who has those privileges to generate an invite link???

[blazing pine]

fascinating

[simple hedge]

Thanks, Tae! That worked! 😄

[simple hedge]

He's a PAARA Vice President (https://www.paara.org/pages/officers.html) KC6TYD - really nice guy

[toxic kindle]

Yep

I talk with him often on n6nfi

[simple hedge]

I mostly join the PAARA weekly nets on N6NFI on Mondays at 20:30

[toxic kindle]

Are you a PAARA member?

[simple hedge]

Yes, I was. With Kristen presenting

[toxic kindle]

Were you at last months meeting?

[simple hedge]

Replied to the other message. What about you?

[toxic kindle]

You 100% saw me in person

I was one of the youth there

Benjamin

Will send you my callsign over dm as I don’t want that publicly on the internet

[simple hedge]

I remember the group of three 😀

[blazing pine]

today's (or uh, yesterday's) packet reception! \o/

[quiet apex]

I just put up a Fremont node (WD0FAA-3) just to the north of 880 and north Fremont Blvd. Height is 20ft above the roof line, about 30 to 35ft. Antenna is a commercial 5dB gain mobile with a commercial 4 element radial. It has detected MYRN and MYR1, 34.8kM.

[blazing pine]

but what about WD0FAA-2

and fluffles

[barren socket]

Excellent news and congrats! That's a good height above ground level!

[blazing pine]

@blazing swallow i think i see you

[barren socket]

Which radio model and where did you get it from?

Availability seems pretty low nowadays.

[blazing pine]

looks like a t-beam

[toxic kindle]

Niceee

[barren socket]

How can one tell when they're in a box?

Signs to look for?

[blazing pine]

simple. just receive nodeinfo

[barren socket]

Oh from the data and not visually. I thought you were able to tell from the picture. 🙂

[blazing pine]

i would've guessed rak 🫠

[toxic kindle]

Put it on this map https://canvis.app/z2k8a8

[blazing pine]

much party

[toxic kindle]

I just got an idea

We should have a Meshtastic discussion net on a ham radio repeater

Ik some people won’t be able to join

But it would allow us to talk about Meshtastic + talk to hams that are interested in Meshtastic

[blazing pine]

raid a net? xD

[toxic kindle]

Not raid

[blazing pine]

raid sounds more fun

[toxic kindle]

With permission from the repeater owners of course

[blazing pine]

you can't tell me what to do! pushes orange button on le feng 🚨

[toxic kindle]

Angry ham noises

[sharp mantle]

Howdy Bay Area friends, been a while but I finally had some time to dig out the box of radios this weekend!

[sharp mantle]

This is a good reminder I need to renew my license and hopefully upgrade too.

[blazing pine]

good night for a swim, yeh?

[blazing pine]

@blazing swallow is MF you, and are you running unencrypted or on another channel?

[toxic kindle]

I’ve got 10 years till I have to renew mine lol

[blazing swallow]

@blazing pine yep! I'm MF and have been dropping random emojis on LongFast using the default key

[quiet apex]

WD0FAA-2 is in the garage on a lower gain Antenna. -1 is in the car.

[quiet apex]

Yes the rooftop has a T-Beam

[blazing pine]

no nodes on my way to Costco 🫠

[barren socket]

I wish someone had the T Beams in stock. Our group is looking to buy 8 of whatever model we decide on, for deployment in the Cupertino/Saratoga area.

Did someone mention there's a node somewhere in the Los Gatos Hills? I wonder what kind of RF coverage that one provides.

[quiet apex]

I bought mine from LILYGO. Please be aware that it ships from China: https://www.lilygo.cc/products/t-beam-v1-1-esp32-lora-module?variant=42204035154101

[quiet apex]

I have purchased a few Heltec from Aliexpress. These are their T-Beam : https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-T%2525252dBEAM.html?spm=a2g0o.home.search.0

[toxic kindle]

I know a guy who lives in in the mountains near foothills preserve

Already tested and it reaches like 3 nodes from up there

That’s when I pinged you when it was raining

[blazing pine]

what is an N6SAF

[toxic kindle]

Is that you?

[blazing pine]

probably not

saw that on my node list

[toxic kindle]

oh lol

[blazing pine]

who here sent a test a moment ago?

actually that may be old position data. derp

position data from <t:1708807305:R>

[simple hedge]

https://www.qrz.com/db/N6SAF

[barren socket]

Approx location of where you tried?

[toxic kindle]

Aprox LOS from the location

Disregard the los view of the south bay

Theres trees at the location that block that

The 3 nodes were seen around here

[simple hedge]

Which software are you using to plot them over Google Maps?

[toxic kindle]

https://www.heywhatsthat.com/

[simple hedge]

Thanks!

[barren socket]

POLL FOR YOU EXPERTS: As our first radios, if you were to do it all over again, would you start with the RAK WizBlock w/ GPS or the Heltec Wireless Tracker? The WizBlock would cost about another $40 to $60 more when similarly configured w/ accessories. Looking to buy 8 units shortly, add accessories like case, antenna, battery, etc. Used just for texting purposes (no temps/barametric/etc). What would you get and why?

[blazing pine]

first radio? baofeng

https://store.rakwireless.com/products/unify-enclosure-ip67-150x100x45mm-with-pre-mounted-m8-5-pin-and-rp-sma-antenna-ip-rated-connectors?_pos=11&_ss=r&variant=42861623771334 would've gotten this for first base if it was available back then

[barren socket]

That case link looks nice and interesting and $52. 🙂

So are you saying you would get the RAK nowadays? If so, why, since it's around 50% more than the Wireless Tracker?

[blazing pine]

I would get the Wireless Tracker only if I had easy access to a nearby power source (large solar panel, AC power, etc)

RAK with solar enclosure is very convenient to toss anywhere, or to put really high up. Plus there's the capability to do firmware updates over bluetooth

[remote vale]

I'm of the same thought. If there is a power source, go with the tracker. If you're going to be on battery for an extended time or going solar, go with the RAK. Depends on what you want to do.

[barren socket]

Thanks for your input. I like the Tracker idea, but what kind of real-world battery life should we expect from a single 18650? I saw some youtubers talk about 10-12 hrs but unsure what their cell capacity was. Compared to the Wizblock lasting for a week +.

I just found the hardware channel, so let me know if I should be asking there instead, but maybe the bay area suburb experience might differ a bit?

[sharp mantle]

This is a great question and as I just dug out my big box of boards last week, I recall my thoughts on all the boards I’ve purchased.

Until you start thinking about a solar node, the RAK devices can feel expensive.

I think both the heltec WSL V3 and V3 with the screen are the best value (screen isn’t very useful outside of devices like meshenger or nanog2 with keyboard imho). I would much rather have 10 WSLs that I can hand around to friends than 3 RAKs that I play with myself.

That said if I was starting again I would definitely plan to pick up 1-2 RAK devices (Rockland USA dealer best) but not trick them out fully with GPS etc. you can always add later when you start wanting to play with solar and power/temp measurements. For the device you keep on you while testing around, the ~week I get with my RAK is worth it.

But I spent way too much effort trying to get the less power efficient boards to fit into the “tracker” use case. You can get bigger batteries/change settings but it is just fighting against yourself using anything but an nRF board like RAK.

I advocate for a big order of the cheapest node for your needs (heltec WSL, V3, or tracker) from Aliexpress and getting 1-2 RAK boards for yourself from Rockland

[barren socket]

Thanks @sharp mantle your thoughts are appreciated. My other buddies here are also reading up on what you guys have said and appreciating all of your guy's tips & suggestions.

With a base antenna atop ~25 ft above the ground, in a fairly populated city in the South Bay like Cupertino (let's call it flat with lots of houses), with aftermarket gain antennas on both ends, how realistic is it for us to expect to get reliable throughput at 3/4 mile away? Just point to point as if no other nodes, one end being a portable node. How about at 1.5 miles? A pipe dream?

I seem to recall someone here doing some tests driving around with similar tests but unsure of his conclusion and whether he was testing just point to point and not doing multiple hops.

[blazing pine]

https://www.heywhatsthat.com/ click new panorama and stick your location in, with "25 feet" as elevation above ground

[barren socket]

Yup I've played around with that but I don't think that site lets you set it for 915 MHz band. Is there a way to specify frequency? Higher the frequency, the more LOS it requires I know. I've been playing around with 5 GHz mesh recently so am painfully aware of how much buildings, trees, n houses can block the signal. If that's site is calculating their propagation estimates using VHF or UHF, then it can be overly optimistic. And there's the fresnel effect too but that's a whole another topic. 😁

[blazing pine]

line of sight is still line of sight though. i'm pretty sure higher frequency is "easier" to make work with line of sight

plus you can still set frequency and refraction for a point-to-point measurement

[barren socket]

Oh that sounds promising... How do I set the frequency for point to point on there?

[blazing pine]

after you made your home base map, click on location you want to "reach"

then click  Parameters

[barren socket]

I'm on my phone now but I'll play with it further when I get home on the big screen. Thanks!

[blazing pine]

wut is bernal heights

[remote vale]

a place

[toxic kindle]

Could you send a screenshot of the LOS map from the location

I am intrested

[blazing pine]

https://www.heywhatsthat.com/?view=MHPXMT1G this be me

much pitiful

my "neighbor" has much better view.

[blazing pine]

node name(s)?

I've been trying to reach you about your node's extended warranty

haven't seen those 🫠

[toxic kindle]

use this to coordinate
https://canvis.app/z2k8a8

I keep wanting to write an email to park authority but im lazy

@sleek wraith @remote vale I am sending an email to WW6BAY who have a ham radio repeater on black mountain. Asking to put a node there. Give me your emails through dm if you want me to CC it to you guys too.

[blazing pine]

me, me! [email protected]

I used to have [email protected] but it's gone now

[toxic kindle]

Theres no way

You guys are lying

[blazing pine]

mine is real

[toxic kindle]

These emails sound like you made them up on the spot lol

ah

[blazing pine]

creepy.email died shortly after owner of encyclopedia dramtica went into hiding

[toxic kindle]

The reason I chose to contact them is bc they have a ARDEN mesh node at that site

heres the email:
My name is Benjamin and I am interested in setting up a repeater node for the Meshtastic system on the WW6BAY Black Mountain repeater site. Meshtastic is an open-source project for mesh communication using small, low-powered license-free devices. I am not affiliated with Meshtastic.org. Right now I and some other Bay Area Hams and residents aim to establish a reliable Meshtastic network across the bay for Emergency Communications and recreational use. The repeater unit would be tiny and powered by solar power. If you need more details about this feel free to reach out to me. Learn more about Meshtastic at Meshtastic.org.

[blazing pine]

s/the Meshtastic/a Meshtastic/ ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[toxic kindle]

?

[blazing pine]

dunno. I random

[toxic kindle]

I just thought of an idea

I changed the first part to say "I am a youth Ham Radio Operator"

To get a surefire response

[blazing pine]

be sure to include frequency and transmit power

[toxic kindle]

the one thing is that the repeater there is 900 mhz

Idk if they might freak out about interference

But I dont think it will be a problem bc of low power

@blazing pine Do you know the exact wattage?

[blazing pine]

906.875mhz I think ~120mW?

or just say <150mW

[toxic kindle]

why 906?

[blazing pine]

that is default channel

though I guess you could say 915mhz to make them feel safer

[toxic kindle]

My name is Benjamin and I am a youth Ham Radio operator interested in setting up a repeater node for the Meshtastic system on the WW6BAY Black Mountain repeater site. Meshtastic is an open-source project for mesh communication using small, low-powered license-free devices. I am not affiliated with Meshtastic.org. Right now I and some other Bay Area Hams and residents aim to establish a reliable Meshtastic network across the bay for Emergency Communications and recreational use. The repeater unit would be tiny and powered by solar power. If you need more details about this feel free to reach out to me. The system operates at around 915 Mhz and uses less than 150 mW of power. Learn more about Meshtastic at Meshtastic.org.

[blazing pine]

"on the 915mhz LoRa band"

[toxic kindle]

The system operates on the 915 Mhz Lora band and uses less than 150 mW of power

[blazing pine]

"outputs less than 150 mW"

[toxic kindle]

Thx for the grammar check

I suck at grammar

https://tenor.com/view/the-simpsons-ralph-wiggum-me-fail-english-thats-unpossible-silly-gif-5412254

[blazing pine]

youths usually do

[toxic kindle]

Ok imma send it

[blazing pine]

https://tenor.com/view/cbz-gif-27104348

[toxic kindle]

https://tenor.com/view/barstool-gif-16710893329689193964

[blazing pine]

I just received a suspicious email

[toxic kindle]

https://tenor.com/view/cat-stare-catstare-cat-stare-sus-catglare-cat-glare-gif-14942558849944709546

I hope my prayers are answered

I pray to the Ham Radio gods

[blazing pine]

it's a bit misleading saying the repeater is for hams though

[toxic kindle]

Not what I said

" license-free devices."

[blazing pine]

yeah I read too little xD

[toxic kindle]

I hope they dont ignore my email thinking im some other crypto Helium Lora shill

[blazing pine]

you should've included a photo of a nice rak solar box

[toxic kindle]

yeah

[blazing pine]

"look ma, it's all self-contained!"

[toxic kindle]

@blazing pine Email I sent to another guy

[blazing pine]

fancy!

[toxic kindle]

He said he didnt find my email

[blazing pine]

the clamps shading the solar panel are a nice touch

[toxic kindle]

Its @sleek wraith s node

May have stolen the image

[blazing pine]

also, BCC might be a little less suspicious (for next time)

though I guess it's my email address that is suspicious, mostly

[toxic kindle]

My motivation behind this email was being jealous of the other meshes

Like san Diego you walk around you discover like 200 nodes

With excellent connection everywhere

and we got almost nothin

Oh well

Cant change it now

[blazing pine]

Gangnam style

[toxic kindle]

The only acceptable K-Pop

[barren socket]

Is that propagation map really from your place or your neighbor's? WOW that's crazy! It cuts off near Mtn View, but might it reach any part of Cupertino, where we 4 guys are?

[blazing pine]

yeah he's in a very nice spot. what node names should I look for? 😆

[barren socket]

it's the map that's cut off

We're about to order 10 Wizblocks soon....still working on finalizing the shopping cart

8 will be installed in our city and 2 in San Ramon

[barren socket]

btw: With the RAK Meshstatic starter kit, what will we miss if we order them without their OLED screen? If anyone here happens to know. And can we have both the lora and the OLED modules both mounted at the same time? What about if we want to add GPS module in the future?

[blazing pine]

none of my raks have screens. GPS and OLED can be added at any time

Lora and CPU are one module so that's always on the base board

[barren socket]

ok, so both GPS and OLED can be used simultaneously, right?

[blazing pine]

yep

[barren socket]

cool, thanks

[blazing pine]

and maybe add a buzzer and a temperature/humidity sensor too

[barren socket]

thought so but wanted to double check b/c this is turning into a very large order.

[blazing pine]

I was tempted to make a $600 order at one point

[toxic kindle]

I think you got the best LOS node that I know of

[blazing pine]

most are from my neighbor

he is Oakland hills. I Oakland slums 🫠

[toxic kindle]

Bouncing off him?

@barren socket This doesn’t really relate to Meshtastic but will you be at the PAARA meeting happening this week? Sorin told me he goes to the meetings and I was wondering if you would also be there. I am planning on bringing my nodes along.

[barren socket]

Hmmm, this Friday I think it is....it might be a hair day, but I might be able to swing it. 😁 What did you have in mind?

[toxic kindle]

The meeting agenda has nothing to do with Meshtastic but I wanted to maybe talk Meshtastic during the break. Rob asked me if I can show him one of the nodes.

[blazing pine]

is it a raid? I want to join a raid 😆

[toxic kindle]

🧹

Shoo

[barren socket]

That could be fun. Let me look into if I can get out of family movie night that night. Friday nights are usually reserved but I might be able to get a hallway pass.

[toxic kindle]

https://tenor.com/view/you-dont-turn-your-back-on-family-you-cant-walk-away-from-family-you-cant-leave-family-behind-you-cant-ignore-family-you-cant-disregard-family-gif-16058425

[barren socket]

I'll be able to confirm as the date gets closer. Meanwhile, still learning lots......

When we set up our nodes, can we set up the channels so that we can have a) all general traffic repeated to help others of course as a part of the mesh, b) a group channel, say just for our ARES or ham club, and also c) a private channel just for comms w/ our family? WITHOUT all of the repeater packet traffic bogging down the other two channel's throughput?

[blazing pine]

not without separate nodes and frequencies

[toxic kindle]

I think that’s possible

You would probably make your primary the public channel

So that everyone can see you on the node list and on map

And make secondaries your encrypted

[blazing pine]

but all channels will have to share bandwidth

[toxic kindle]

Wdym

[blazing pine]

the frequency is determined by primary channel, and is used for all additional channels, encrypted or not

[barren socket]

Yeah something like that. I thought I saw someone on youtube setting up separate channels in a way like that, but I wasn't at that point in the learning curve to absorb it, but I'm getting closer now. It'll be key in our deployment strategy, so would like to know for sure before we spend $400.

[toxic kindle]

@blazing pine I actually might need some help on my own channel setup

I got my primary as encrypted and secondary as the public key but when I send msgs to secondary other radios on public channel don’t pick it up

[blazing pine]

because you're not on 906.875 anymore

go into Lora settings and deselect use modem preset, select channel 20

[toxic kindle]

I’m rethinking my setup rn

Should I have primary public and encrypted second?