us - NYC metro

[karmic junco]

They are seeing the lights in albany

[floral tinsel]

i didn't see crap here

@karmic junco at 430 pm yesterday I got the digital alumni card and permission to access the library

[floral tinsel]

There are a ton of nodes in Astoria

[cerulean thorn]

Bwahahaha

[floral tinsel]

I see that node too lol

Who the heck is “quiet please”

[floral tinsel]

btw there’s two nodes I pick up on the LIRR west of jamaica near the jackie robinson pkwy

[karmic junco]

Definitely picking up some steam

[proven grove]

V2 of the"RoofRider" is coming along nicely... need to figure out reinforced tabs to mount t the magnets on. For how small this is now, I probably only need 1 magnet lol.
After the mount puzzle, I need to figure out solar for it.

[misty gorge]

quite a few more popped up recently for some reason.

[floral tinsel]

what happens if i have two mesh devices in LORA range but talking to different mqtt servers?

does all text traffic get relayed?

[final flower]

Is Yerr in here?

[karmic junco]

I don't have an actual answer for that, but if we're to make a guess... Possibly appear on both mqqts

[floral tinsel]

I’d say that’s true

But I’m not sure if the messaging goes through

[karmic junco]

I recall driving down the bqe and getting these random nodes in the midwest

So someone has to have mqqt it

[twin root]

Station G2s in stock

[twin root]

Just set "ignore MQTT" in your node, fixes everything

I recommend it to everyone. Network can totally get shut down in the case a single person turns MQTT on 😂

[twin root]

That's @glass dagger !

[glass dagger]

🤙

[final flower]

Got your message on my base on the 8th but I was out of town last week. Sorry I missed ya

[proven grove]

Antenna sucks and the solar panel barely kept the thing alive today, but form factor-wise, we're improving. Not sure why I'm so focused on a car node this week, but I'm having fun lol

[misty gorge]

Yea that panel isn't enough.

[twin root]

Great! Thanks Mike 🙂 I'll let u know how it goes, cloudy today so my nodes going up and down

[karmic junco]

Not enough stored juice?

[twin root]

I have a very unoptimized setup, I have the equipment to optimize it more but have not been on my roof in a while, the elevator is being replaced in my building

[karmic junco]

In other news, the only other person I've seen on my home node is someone with the node RoofRyer

R00F as R00FRyder

[misty gorge]

Anyone know "Harlem Relay"?

[cerulean thorn]

i saw it for the first time today

[misty gorge]

Same. I hope it's a perm node that stays up

[proven grove]

I keep seeing your nodes no matter where I go, picked you up last night on my way home from LI, took the Whitestone.

[proven grove]

That was me haha. Guessing this was yesterday. I was driving out to east meadow

[proven grove]

It was my mounted node.

[karmic junco]

Wow. What road did you take?

The only spots I thought I could reach was from the throgs neck/cross island about 20ft off sea level. There's a second one that's about 45 feet off sea level, and about a 1/4 mile south..I didn't think I could reach the lie...

[proven grove]

Came over on the throggs neck, Cross island, meadowbrook, maps took me on northern blvd to avoid traffic too

[karmic junco]

Oh yep, you probably got me on the throgs neck

Or the cross island.

I have a helium miner, and it shows connects to the Bronx sometss

[karmic junco]

Do you know which node you connected to?

It should be either 60ab or 742c

I did not get a full confirm (is that the terminology?)

[proven grove]

Unfortunately I nuked my nodedb when I did a full wipe the other day so I'm not sure, but the 742c sounds familiar

[karmic junco]

Or meshbase01!

?

Ahh. I've only ever gotten you and this unknown user

At home. Lol

After 6 or 7 months

I have to do a little bit more reading on how to configure remote notes

Nodes

[misty gorge]

Was anyone here able to make contact with the Harlem Relay node?

[misty gorge]

@proven grove I mean talk to the guy that runs that node. I messaged on #longfast last night, but I wasn't able to get an exchange with him.

we were kinda talking past each other.

[proven grove]

Oh haha I thought you meant had I seen it lol

[misty gorge]

Would love to talk to the dude. I was trying to get an exchange going with him to see if he was on here.

[proven grove]

I just set my EDC nodes longname to my discord handle and "@ meshtastic discord" to alleviate that

[karmic junco]

tossed a techo in my bag today, I have NOBODY in my node db. lol

stock antenna, so who knows.

[proven grove]

I'm trying out a new antenna, internal ceramic. Picked up 9 nodes on my way in. https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ARRKP4065-S915A/8593263

[misty gorge]

Which enclosure is that?

Need something like that with an internal antenna and wireless charging

[proven grove]

It's a TonyG base with some modifications to accommodate the internal antenna

[misty gorge]

Drive by the Astoria area and come get em. Haha

[cerulean thorn]

I might swing through this weekend and see what’s over there. Pet used to seeing the same nodes from Bay Ridge

Pretty not pet*

[proven grove]

I'm heading out to the island this weekend, so I'll see what I can see.

[proven grove]

Got 17 new nodes throughout my day in midtown today. Love this new antenna lol

[misty gorge]

Do you see the Harlem Relay node in midtown? Probably zero chance.

[karmic junco]

mine was out of juice

sorry. lol

[proven grove]

Unfortunately nope, but it's odd that I don't catch it on metro north when I go through 125th street daily

[proven grove]

Just got one of the Astoria nodes from the middle of Times Square... that's yours, right @misty gorge ?

[misty gorge]

Yup

I just sent a LongFast message

Did you get 001 or 002?

Probably 002.

[proven grove]

No message in long fast though

[misty gorge]

Yea the 002 node is higher up.

My messages sent on LongFast seem to be very spotty

[proven grove]

These people's nodes aren't exactly helping deliverability matters with the router roles

[misty gorge]

I don't see either of those on my end

[karmic junco]

my signal is so bad inside that I haven't seen a single node in 2 days in lower manhattan. lol

[glass dagger]

I just hit someone in Harlem from Manhasset long island. No node info just loc data

Did anyone get "YERR'

[misty gorge]

I think I just made contact with the Harlem Relay node.

Or not. We said hello to each other but can't get a back and forth going.

I wonder if there is a node in my area now in router client mode messing things up. Android client doesn't tell me though.

[karmic junco]

you saying the apple one does?

[misty gorge]

Looks like it.

[ancient galleon]

Same, either my window is open and my device is hanging outside or nothing

[proven grove]

Which Station do you have again? You need an external antenna...

[ancient galleon]

Nano g2 ultra

[proven grove]

Either we figure out a way to make that thing weatherproof, or i have to bring you a Heltec Wireless Stick... Just looked at the boards for that and there's no where to even swap the antenna, or solder on a contact. it's literally in the board.

[ancient galleon]

Yeah the fact it’s built into the board kinda sucks, just got a battery for the case you made me today

[cerulean thorn]

https://www.chemtronics.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-conformal-coating

[cerulean thorn]

I got my node in Prospect Park today

[proven grove]

I'm out on the island today. Didn't notice any new nodes though. Will check on my way home later too.

[floral tinsel]

I was in NYC

[proven grove]

Caught this on my way home over the throggs neck:

[floral tinsel]

most of the nodes I've picked up are on mqtt

one or two i've picked up isnt

[proven grove]

i only have mqtt enabled for my primary, which i set to private, and its going back to my personal MQTT broker

[karmic junco]

I really have to set aside some time .. Fark work and family! Lol

[final flower]

Curious how I picked up EMS4 all the way down here last night. 230mi, 386mph Airplane? ✈️

[karmic junco]

Well.. thats a bit odd

did anyone find a good alternative to a voltaic solutions box?

voltaic systems sorry

[proven grove]

Voltaic systems box? I have 2 of their panels with 2 small ones on the way. I don't use their enclosures. I just use the mounts and a waterproof abs junction box

[karmic junco]

They have basically a portable power pack that does not shut off, and passes electricity through.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XZ7YU4M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A34QERZ3WBO1JB&psc=1

I think zumble is using one

[proven grove]

I bought one but never used it. Mines the 6500mah version

[karmic junco]

I actually want to use it not for meshtastic but for some cameras

The power consumption is 2W.. So assuming 10Hr of darkness, I need 20w stored. If its for two cameras I need 40 stored. The larger one is probably ideal, but 100 bucks for it seems a lil steep

but its actually getting to capacities which make it less ideal.

At some level it is getting to be more efficient with 12v...

And a 12v panel.

[twin root]

He showed up over the Atlantic for me, I think it was an error lil

[twin root]

I conformal coated my V1 and had to contact the manufacturer, because there is some shit on there you can conformal coat

[karmic junco]

Uh oh

[twin root]

#enclosures-discussion message

[proven grove]

There sure are a lot of T-Echo's in NYC.

[cerulean thorn]

I saw EMS 4 upstate NY a couple days ago. I think it was data corruption

[cerulean thorn]

Great unit. I keep mine in my backpack

[karmic junco]

Saw the Harlem node!

[karmic junco]

pretty much the only plug and play unit.

[proven grove]

I might have went a little overboard with the Ali enclosure "testing"...

[karmic junco]

Nah looks ... Like my desk

[proven grove]

@twin root - what was the reason we shouldn't use Router & Client role again? Trying to educate someone on LongFast.

[karmic junco]

If I recall there was the reason that depending on the situation router can actually cause messages not to propgage

[misty gorge]

Can't hit times sq nodes while inside my office.

Looks like I briefly made contact with a node on 49th and 5th

[proven grove]

I'm probably the hop when I'm at work, but I got covid so i'm home for the week.

[misty gorge]

Damn dude. I came in to work just to connect with you!

[cerulean thorn]

Wild. I think it’s real.

[karmic junco]

How

[cerulean thorn]

Ducting before a thunderstorm

I’ve gotten packets to go really far before, with APRS and FT8.

[karmic junco]

but thats way far. I mean, beyond normal far

[karmic junco]

Afternoon folks!

That storm was crazy

[karmic junco]

Hola.

[normal osprey]

Hello from north Williamsburg!

[karmic junco]

Howdy!

Is north Williamsburg like metropolitan Ave?

[normal osprey]

Basically! i’m right by Domino Park

[karmic junco]

Nice! I wonder if our overall coverage has gotten better

[normal osprey]

I have two T-Echoes i’m testing for music festivals so they’re not always on or in my apartment.

I do plan to eventually have three stationary nodes at different locations along the williamsburg waterfront.

[karmic junco]

4th of July was a cluster

Cell service sucked. Too many people

[misty gorge]

I still find comms via longfast to be pretty hit or miss with people.

[karmic junco]

Miss as a technological issue of missing transmissions?

[misty gorge]

Not sure what's going on. I reply to people and they sometimes don't respond.

could just be people on mobile nodes.

[ancient galleon]

Maybe they just don’t want to talk to you?

(This is a joke)

[misty gorge]

Very possible.

[proven grove]

https://tenor.com/view/no-cute-sleepy-tired-nope-gif-19172421

[twin root]

dude they depricated router_client mode, thank fucking god

best change ever

[proven grove]

Now they just need to drill "don't set your node to 'Router' unless it's on top of a f'ing tall building" into a lot of people's heads 😄

[cerulean thorn]

Someone is using the stolen node

[cerulean thorn]

a170 is my old node that someone stole 😦

[twin root]

what

someone stole your node???

how did this happen????

does it have GPS on it?

[karmic junco]

say whay

wait they stole the node.. and plugged into a node

sorry, they stole the node, but plugged the node into power...

its almost like forced adoption.

[cerulean thorn]

Yeah then they said that the matching node id doesn't mean anything

And claimed it's in a different case

I'm going to locate it lol

[karmic junco]

Ooh detective work

[twin root]

where did they steal it from?!?!?!?

[karmic junco]

WElp, you know what happens when you dont activate meshtastic for a while?

IT says Fu.

[karmic junco]

well.. that was kinda painless on the tchos

[cerulean thorn]

I'm in bay ridge and this week I was picking up PGEN all the way in Atlantic City almost 90 miles away

Most of the route the signal took was over the ocean

Very cool

[twin root]

wow what?

That must be over MQTT

oh

wait sorry

@placid olive went on a trip to AC like 2 week ago

I am assuming his position never updated

PGEN is GULL's mobile node, so that in jersey city

Grift u might wanna update that nodes position LOL

[placid olive]

I have it set to update position

Maybe you haven't seen the latest position packet? Or my node is just busted lol

[cerulean thorn]

It's all good now but it was showing up as being on the jersey shore for two days. I've noticed similar weird stuff from other nodes before. Could be corrupted packets somehow

[karmic junco]

I was a mobile node

down 95 on sunday. lol

[cerulean thorn]

I'm testing out Very Long Slow from my Node BBB in Bay Ridge

Guy who stole my node renamed it to ALF

[cerulean thorn]

So I filed a police report

if you see a170 aka ALF lmk.

I'm very annoyed 🙂

Wost part is him acting like it's his property

[twin root]

So what exactly happened?

How did it get stolen
?

[karmic junco]

damn. Well, this is actually a very interesting activity.. direction finding!

field trip?

[misty gorge]

I saw a LongFast message from that guy too.

[karmic junco]

any idea where this might be?

[cerulean thorn]

He's from Chicago. Had a nice chat with him in their Chicago mesh discord

https://discord.com/invite/Ppc2VnyM nice group of folks

[karmic junco]

Any luck on the alf

[cerulean thorn]

not really

he just keeps denying

claims he got it on amazon and is using a custom black case

lies!

[gaunt dirge]

Just setup a couple of nodes in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn

[twin root]

How did it happen? Was it mounted somewhere and stolen?

[cerulean thorn]

Yeah

[karmic junco]

Im still trying to understand. You had it mounted (somewhere) the guy stole it, and then powered it back on and renamed it. Mestastic installation is not that difficult, but for the average person thats usually above their comfort zone.

and your saying he's in the clinton hill area?

[cerulean thorn]

Bay ridge I think

I'm a ham and I have a long history of hiding stuff in trees and never had an issue till recently

[karmic junco]

Who is zrak

And it was a two hop

[cerulean thorn]

zrak is somewhere over near me

i think its the closest node to me

[gaunt dirge]

no no un-related to the stolen node

im near clinton hill

[karmic junco]

Oh gotcha

[cerulean thorn]

i love coffee

[gaunt dirge]

I'm down in Red Hook and it looks like I'm picking up a node 5 km away named GTC8

I'm seeing zrak too

Woah EMSCOM 11.7km away!

[gaunt dirge]

O and even someone in West Orange, NJ

[austere trail]

not to derail the conversation too much but like every other hobby there's good people and bad people out there. in the radio world equipment gets stolen and unfortunately its not uncommon - specifically because the equipment often tends to be on the top of hills, on towers, or in remote areas, so thieves have a lot of time.

there's also guys in the ham world that will do things like hide gear setup to cause interference to repeaters, and then community members will have to hunt it down. a lot of drama for no reason

[cerulean thorn]

yeah I am unfortunately aware

😦

im just gathering data for the time being

when i was a kid, my neighbor gave me an old CB radio. i learned at a young age what heels people can be on the radio

it's wild

I've since gotten my ham license several years ago and have gone on to do satellite communications, download weather satellite images, and win an award from NASA for downloading images from the ISS

❤️

i can share some of the ISS images if anyone is interested

[proven grove]

ok, thats pretty f'ing cool. Never knew NASA gave awards for that.

[austere trail]

neat, i got my ham license but after listening to the repeaters i decided i didn't want to invest thousands of dollars to buy equipment

[cerulean thorn]

Uhhhh

I wonder if this one is fake, or if their phone wasn't able to update gps during flight

(I never use mqtt)

[misty gorge]

NYC mesh has been a bit busier of late.

[cerulean thorn]

it's wonderful

[proven grove]

Meanwhile Times Square has been a ghost town (in terms of mesh)

[misty gorge]

Some guy said he was on the 33rd floor on 49th street.

[proven grove]

What node was this? I must've been out of the area. I'm at 42nd and Broadway, on the 16th floor.

[misty gorge]

"Kingdcm Portable Node 1"

"DCM"

[cerulean thorn]

Sending drone up later with a heltec v3 velcroed to it

No gps on it unfortunately

[cerulean thorn]

Taking off soon

UFO 🛸 is its name

[cerulean thorn]

flew around for a few minutes, basically nothing happened lol

I'll try again sometime

I can't go too high here

[karmic junco]

would love to see

[karmic junco]

ya, they gets all sorts of ants in the pants

ugg, this blows. I have a perfectly good useful laptop, but my keyboard keys have been dying. My first time ever on any computer

I've literally gone through dozens and dozens of computers, and never had I had a keyboard with keys that stopped working

and it requires a total disection of the computer to replace the keyboard, including melting tabs and what not.

At which point, I might as well just... use it as a desktop and get another computer.

[cerulean thorn]

trying repeater mode for a little while

[cerulean thorn]

Yes I know. I tried it for 30min

I'm pretty out in the open

[proven grove]

Why is repeater bad? I know why router is, but repeater?

How do we carry around a higher powered node that doesn't look quite right to have out in the open, that is just to expand the mesh/act as a repeater, that is hidden from the node list because we don't need it getting dm's or even caring about what's happening on LongFast? This is a serious question because I have a little slim pocket node for going around the office/out, but I have a portable-base in my backpack, with an 40cm Gizont on it that looks odd as hell when I have it out in the open lol

[austere trail]

you don't HAVE to carry it out in the open.. 16" antenna will fit in the backpack just fine

doesn't seem to matter which antenna i'm using, i haven't been able to get any replies from nodes that aren't mine

[cerulean thorn]

leaving repeater mode enabled on a node whose location doesnt 'deserve' it can cause issues

i wouldn't let an antenna make you feel self conscious personally

you see how some folks walk around these days,

bringing my RAK4631 to lower manhattan

(i'm chilling down there but i wanna test the hardware in that location)

ill send pics 🙂

i really want a tdeck plus 😮

[twin root]

Router and repeater are the same thing as far as routing goes

You can hide it from the node list in client mode

Router mode forces routing through you, which is disadvantageos to the whole mesh, and only good in hyper specific applications. It physically prevents peoples nodes from retransmitting a packet

If you have a node in a great spot with a great antenna, your RSSI to the mesh will be good and you'll get preferentially routed through the flood routing algorithm anyway. Router mode forces that and prevents nodes from retransmitting anything that the router has acked

[proven grove]

Ok thank you for the clarification, I misunderstood how it works. Assuming my attic mounted in my mesh island of Westchester is ok to be a repeater, considering I'm at one of the highest points in the visible area?

[twin root]

No, probably not, there is no reason to be a repeater unless you explicitly need to override flood routing protocol. Your node will get routed through most optimally in client mode.

The only times you would override flood routing is when you had it, for example, on a weather balloon 25,000 ft in the air. The RSSI would be bad but you would want to override flood routing in that case

Also, for a rule of thumb, there is no reason to run repeater or router mode on a public mesh. Generally speaking only good for private deployments where you control all variables.

If you set yours to router, you will force all the nodes in your area to route through you, thus preventing message propagation and shrinking your mesh to only your direct neighbors. Being in client mode "increases your range" if that makes sense

[proven grove]

Custom primary channel, with encryption doesn't qualify as Private, does it?

[twin root]

No, it would be a separate LoRa channel

Earlier this year, I coordinated with a few of the people with very well placed nodes in the NJ/NY area, we asked some people to turn their nodes back into client mode. Some listened, a few didn't, and we hard-ignored the traffic from their nodes. As a result we where able to significantly expand the reachability of our mesh, and that's one of the main reasons we where able to grow so much this year

The devs have already recently deprecated router_client mode for this reason, and eventually will probably make restrictions on router and repeater modes on public channels

[proven grove]

Understood

[misty gorge]

Hi!

Anyone here own that Harlem node?

[karmic junco]

Not me.

@misty gorge though I still haven't gotten a chance to upgrade my other nodes.. I don't think the lora32 boards can upgrade ota

[misty gorge]

I've tested it successfully on my rack board ONCE

It's sketch as hell

Didn't work on my two other test rak nodes.

Not worth it. Gonna use a wire when it's time.

How does your app show the node mode?

Mine doesn't show that.

[austere trail]

Who has 44e8

[austere trail]

Saw KingDCM portable and 44e8 near 15th and 8th

[cerulean thorn]

https://tenor.com/view/meat-meat-popsicle-gif-11100443

[karmic junco]

The techo updated relatively easily.

[minor jasper]

Not sure how but I picked this up from Lewes beach on the Delaware bay.

[minor jasper]

I think there was a flyover

[karmic junco]

Still amazing if it was... I think.

[minor jasper]

I realized it wasn't because it still shows up after about 10pm most nights down here

and it's a direct signal

I've also seen brookfield and jersey city here in the past, no traceroute of course

[twin root]

Maybe MQTT? That node is in Wehawken lol

[minor jasper]

Not sure. I have MQTT off and wouldn't it say it on the nodes name? I've never used it so I don't know how it works. But I also got nodes from even farther away too. It happens a lot in this location and I assume there's an explanation for it, but afaik know I have MQTT fully disabled.

[twin root]

Yeah, may be a flyby then.

Idk if y'all saw but the GULL node, which was doing a lot of heavy lifting for routing, is now permanently down. @placid olive has moved and no longer lives where he can support that node :/

[minor jasper]

I did see that one months ago along with Brookfield and a few others

[knotty jacinth]

I'm hoping to get a router set up on the roof of the Ernston Rd. MIni Mall in Sayreville NJ (overlooking Staten Island and the outerbridge crossing) soon, as long as I can come up with what kind of solar node to put up there

[edgy blaze]

Hi y’all. Got a couple nodes in NJ, bay shore area. BBEC and PRTY.

[knotty jacinth]

I see both of them where I am 🙂

in fact, I think we've talked on there before

[edgy blaze]

We totally have!

[cerulean thorn]

My RAK is still down. New board on the way. Think I fried something

[proven grove]

This thread used to be so much noisier... where'd everyone go?

[wheat mountain]

Left NYC? 😛

[proven grove]

https://tenor.com/view/boo-sherman-bell-saturday-night-live-i-hate-it-i-dont-like-it-gif-23826417

[wheat mountain]

https://tenor.com/view/haha-so-funny-gif-27253208

[edgy blaze]

👋

[cyan pier]

Hey, this is Ghost 👻 Been searching for this sub. Got 3 stationary nodes in BK rn. Two mobile. Got a few more coming.

I was gonna ask the group where I should point my node with a 15dbi yagi.

In two weels, I'm adding a router client to a tower UNLESS that screws everyone.

[proven grove]

waits for @twin root to enter the chat...

[twin root]

Yeah screws everyone unless the it's on top of 1 world trade lol

[twin root]

Spent a lot of time working on a big Meshtastic deployment at burning man. Now gonna spend time focusing on the local mesh.

[cyan pier]

@twin root I'll be at the burn in 25. Let's chat so we can coordinate here and there.

I'll leave all nodes to CLIENT

[cyan pier]

I actually might be able to do that. No promises and do not ask me to, LOL

[maiden thistle]

So quiet in Bay Ridge since GULL left

[edgy blaze]

I’ve seen you from over here in Jersey. My nodes are BBEC and PRTY

[cyan pier]

Love to hear it. You know which nodes have reached? I'm guessing 'Outpost' since that's the highest one currently.

I'm thinking about pointing the yagi towards Hoboken or Jersey City to get some hops across.

[edgy blaze]

It was two hops. But I know one of them was my home node, BBEC, so that’s basically direct, right?

[cyan pier]

Perhaps! I have a Gizont on the T-Echo so it might have gotten out on its own.

Might also be Harlem Relay. I dunno how their signal is so strong.

[normal osprey]

I have access to this 46th floor rooftop across the east river from 1WTC about half the year but don’t have a solar node. maybe next year i’ll put one up there.

[proven grove]

i'm 99.9% positive that someone in here can either donate parts, or a whole damn node for that.

[cyan pier]

@normal osprey If you got access in the next few weeks, I'll make one for you.

[proven grove]

I have a faketec, enclosure, batteries (3x 18650's), basically everything, except an n-type antenna and a solar controller. Just need to know the mountable surfaces up there to figure out the best way to put it together.

For that line of sight to the east river; you can get some serious distance

[cyan pier]

Ya, either with metal clasp around a secure existing pole or cinderblock on the highest point with a 12" pole attached to fix the antenna to.

Does the enclosure have brackets? If so, that makes it easier.

At 46 stories, that could use the 12dbi antenna I'm coping

[normal osprey]

This roof is only open april through october unfortunately so gonna lose access in a few weeks.

I could put a node in my window though (41st floor). Not sure how much the windows block the signal though.

I can see 🔥👻GhostFuego👻🔥 from this window!

I have a friend with a 35th floor balcony I can put a node on. She has a clear LOS east, north, and west.

[proven grove]

I could have a node built by next week, if you find a minute, can you snap some pics of mount positions so I can figure out what options we have for brackets, too good of a spot to pass up.

[cyan pier]

@normal osprey Good to know! 🔥👻GhostFuego👻🔥 is just on the window sill, but it's got a aftermarket antenna.

[cyan pier]

I'll bring the N-type antenna if you still need for the install.

[normal osprey]

We wouldn’t be able to leave a node on my roof after 10/31… they’ll remove all personal property.

[normal osprey]

we can put a node on this balcony though. i confirmed with my friend last night. and it’s private so no one will mess with it.

[proven grove]

I live up in Westchester, but I work in Times Square, someone would need to meet me to get the node, but as long as I get all the info we need for the install it should be good to go, with the addition of the antenna.

[proven grove]

ok, can you ask your friend for pictures of the balcony? Since we're not going to be able to get the height, I want to make sure the Solar's going to work, so we don't need to inconvenience your friend with any unsightly cables.

[normal osprey]

yes i’ll get some pictures of the balcony railings and where i think we’ll be able to mount it

i can usually see like 80+ nodes from her window so i imagine the balcony would get really good coverage

[proven grove]

Also, since it's a private balcony, that gives us a little more time to deploy.

[cyan pier]

I can scoop it from you whenever next week. I'll be off. Probably gonna throw the 5.8 dbi on it since that'll be plenty.

@proven grove RP-SMA or SMA on the faketec?

[normal osprey]

yeah, we’ll have all the time we need. and i’m over there a couple times a week in case i ever need to check on the node.

[proven grove]

Neither, it's an n-type bulkhead.

[cyan pier]

Gotchu, didn't know if it was coming out ipex to sma/rpsma like usual on the other devices.

[proven grove]

its coming off an RA-01SH, which is ipex, going straight to a bulkhead. I stay away from the adapters due to them being an additional point of failure.

[cyan pier]

Yo, send the link for the part if ya got it!

[proven grove]

For The bulkhead or the radio?

[cyan pier]

Bulkhead, if you'd be so kind!

[proven grove]

This may not be the exact one, but close enough: https://a.co/d/65AAnZl

[cyan pier]

AHA! might need a coupler since I think the antenna might be N-type female as well

[proven grove]

what antenna is it?

[cyan pier]

Nvm, I just checked, it's Male so we good

10dBi Outdoor Extended Long Range Receiver Fiberglass Antenna with 16.4ft Cable for All Series GTO Mighty Mule MM571W MM572W MM371W MM372W F3101MBC MMS100 FM136 Wireless Gate Door Opener, Eifagur https://a.co/d/5BNUads

[cerulean thorn]

Nice to see some activity in here

[proven grove]

I'm pretty sure that's a 433mhz antenna... If so, it won't work for this.
We need 915mhz (technically 906.875, but 915 is close enough)

[cyan pier]

It looked good when I checked the SWR which was <2.0, but I also can unlock the 70cm mode so there's that 🙃

In fact, a lot of my 70cm* antennas look great on 33cm and LoRa specific frequecies, but we can use another antenna so everyone is happy:

Waterproof 5.8dBi Lora 915MHz Fiberglass Antenna with 20Ft Low Loss KMR195 Cable for Crypto Helium Hotspot RAK MNTD Nebra Bobcat 300 SenseCAP M1 EasyLinkIn SyncroB.it Hotspot HNT Miner https://a.co/d/iJjRzz5

We will not be using the 20 ft. cable, lol

Are we happy? This is a community node so I wanna make sure we are all happy with this antenna.

[proven grove]

I mean, if it's been tested at 915Mhz, then I'm ok. It's just that I couldn't find what actual frequencies it was tuned for anywhere lol the guess about 433mhz is related to its listing on Amazon as it's for a gate opener.

[cyan pier]

You good, I just test every antenna I buy and I test them often because I use a lot of different radio applications.

Things you think might not work sometimes work! When you test!

[proven grove]

I found this out when I ordered some antennas from DigiKey and they were trash on 915, but one turned out to be a great Bluetooth antenna after throwing it on the liteVNA and checking the minimum SWR.

[cerulean thorn]

I have purchased antennas from mouser only after checking the datasheets. Amazon antennas have overall given me poor results.

[proven grove]

I had checked the datasheets on DigiKey, but I think it was a lemon.

[cerulean thorn]

theres like no QC

😦

[cerulean thorn]

got a 3d printer

finally can print cases for these extra 2 heltecs

[normal osprey]

that’s why i bought my printer a few months ago.

I recently got into meshtastic and bought a bambu a1 mini so i could print mesh cases.

now i just need to learn how to solder

[cerulean thorn]

soldering is fun

invest in a good iron

https://www.midwesttech.com/Hakko-599b-02-tip-cleaner/

sponges suck

i used to work for a small company that designed and made preclinical medical electronics

was fun

everything was tiiiiny

[normal osprey]

I’m thinking we mount it in this back right section. that way it’s less intrusive.

[normal osprey]

thanks for the tips! i’ll get a good iron and tip cleaner

[normal osprey]

aside from my three t-echoes, i have parts for a RAK19007/4631 and RAK19003/4631 with screens, gps, etc

i’ve printed the cases i wanna use also (Tony G) but need to learn how to solder now. i’ll order a nice setup and get started soon

[normal osprey]

this is the view in the other direction so we should get good coverage with this node

[proven grove]

Could you get the dimensions of the railing? Since it'll be solar, we'll need to get it as Much exposure as possible

[proven grove]

Since it'll likely be on top of the railing, I'm thinking an enclosure like this:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMVe0AU

[cyan pier]

This is beautiful placement in terms of coverage, but how's the sun path on the patio? Will the sun hit a solar panel on that balcony?

[cyan pier]

That's perfect. In terms of taking care of the unit. I have a panel for it, but low key....I would hard wire the power because there's probably not a lot of sun coverage on the North side.

With a battery base so if power goes it'll have some juice.

[proven grove]

I don't want to ask too much of a very generous host, so I hesitate with the AC option... especially because it makes it a little more difficult to weatherproof. I've got some panels I'm testing. If I can find something lightweight but high wattage, I'll try to find similar conditions at home to test before we deploy.

[proven grove]

I'm planning on 3x 18650's, at 1500mah each

[cyan pier]

Neither do I, just throwing that out there.

[cyan pier]

It'll be fine for a while. Should probably do a sun path on where it falls and place there if no house power.

[proven grove]

With a case this big I can probably pull off 4. I'd put one of Keith's MPPT's in it, but I don't have any to spare. Donations of one of those are welcome lol. If someone could get me one of those. I'd be willing to donate 4x LTO 18650's

A little worried about the cold out there, the black case should help with that, but still.

[cyan pier]

We can weatherproof on the day. Seal all the cable entries to the box so no water/snow gets in.

Here's the antenna I got for us from my last two builds. Also, the solar controller if we need. Domino next to everything for scale.

[proven grove]

Oh, it'll be buttoned up, just a little extra work lol

My sole concern right now is the solar panel and the brackets we'll need to put them on the railing, the mount is the primary.

[cyan pier]

If we really want it to be unobstructed for mounting, then a wide C bracket clamped to the railing so the unit can hang off is an option.

Or position the unit in between balcony and railing and have the antenna and panel come off the railing with a little cable.

[proven grove]

I was thinking laying it diagonally over the corner with a c/u bracket holding it on each side

[cyan pier]

Yep! Maybe NW corner to push it to Manhattan more. We just gotta remember to bring a safety line when we rig it so it doesn't fall during install. Shoot, might as well install the safety too just in case.

[normal osprey]

I appreciate the consideration! She’s not into meshtastic at all so we need to make sure it’s out of the way and/or looks good.

The corner I circled in red is the only corner we can mount it in. That means we can’t mount it to the top of the railing. Ideally, it wouldn’t be too large or invasive but I do understand there are constraints since you guys are donating hardware for this cause. The lower and more in that corner, the better I think.

I’ll go measure that railing in the next couple days.

That area should get a decent amount of sunlight but i’m not sure if it’s year round.

[proven grove]

If I wasn't dealing with Solar, I could make the enclosure practically unnoticeable except for the antenna.

[normal osprey]

Also willing to discuss trade offs with using that power outlet vs solar panel.

Knowing her, she would have a strong preference for it being unnoticeable, even if that means we use an outlet.

[proven grove]

The solar's going to be noticable. I can throw together a micro-node thats got a small battery backup, but relies on AC primarily. greatly simplifies the design.

[normal osprey]

my only concern with ac power being the primary is the weatherproofing. that outlet has tripped before due to moisture (and it turned off her string lights).

[proven grove]

Got the dimensions of the antenna so @normal osprey might be able to throw together a tape measure to see how obtrusive it'd be?

[proven grove]

understood. I'll put some brainpower towards it to see if I can help secure that.

[normal osprey]

it might just be a matter of seeing if that outlet cover closes all the way (and has a channel for cables to come out). i’ll take a closer look next time i’m there.

it’s kinda half closed right now with her string lights hanging out of the bottom

[cyan pier]

16.2"/40cm + 1" if we need a coupler

[proven grove]

i was going to say if we throw a splitter in-line with it (something like: https://www.amazon.com/Cablelera-Power-Extension-Splitter-ZWACPQAG-14/dp/B00FRODUR4), and then help her clean up the outlet itself to make sure the string lights don't trip it, we can easily weatherproof the downstream connections with something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Extension-Waterproof-Connection-Electrical-Decoration/dp/B0CC2GC8F8
then it's just a USB cable going to the enclosure

im goin to sleep, i'll probably be thinking about this until tomorrow lol

[normal osprey]

That post we’ll mount the node to is a 2”x2” square.

The outlet does have a system for running cables out with the lid closed. It’s covered by plastic inserts currently.

I need to put her lights on an outdoor smart plug so she can turn them off without unplugging them every time.

something like this:
https://a.co/d/5iFcoL6

I’ll buy whatever we need for that. if we can incorporate that into our design, we’re welcome to use the other outlet (or use the splitter that was posted above).

There’s plenty of room there so we could mount the node between the railing and the glass or between the railing and the building maybe.

I have measurements now for all of these railings and the distances between the railing and glass/building.

[normal osprey]

Does the antenna need to be mounted above the top railing? or would we get similar performance if it’s mounted lower?

If it must be above the railing, we should be able to do that.

[knotty jacinth]

lol why would it screw everyone? Just curious

I’m guessing has something to do with the whole MQTT thing?

[cyan pier]

Good morning! Would get a cleaner signal if it wasn't next to the metal railing, but we can mount it beneath the railing so it's a clean install.

I want to respect the home owner as much as possible.

[cyan pier]

Lol, I believe that's the knee jerk reaction to not clogging the mesh. That node I was talking about will reach both North and South BK so we'll see.

[knotty jacinth]

Ah lol

[proven grove]

This provides additional info: #1202833898376138752 message

[proven grove]

What's the distance from the glass to the railing post, and how thick is the piece connecting the glass to the railing? Might be able to place something between the post and the glass to keep it out of sight.

[knotty jacinth]

Hmmm I see, so how would one act as an MQTT router bridging areas?

[proven grove]

I think it's just enabling MQTT on a client. Doesn't need to be a router/repeater to pass the traffic. Anything that hits the mesh is sent, assuming it doesn't have the DontMQTTMeBro flag in it, there's a Lora flag in recent firmware's that needs to be enabled to allow your messages to be sent over MQTT.

[proven grove]

Amazing! Thank your friend for these. This will help in the design tremendously

[knotty jacinth]

interesting, for some reason I thought it had to be Router/Client mode enabled in order for it to pass the MQTT data. I know a while back that's how we linked PRTY node all the way out to CA when I had my node running as Router/Client and people could hop through it to the west coast. was really neat for a while until it suddenly stopped working / map stopped showing all the nodes

also - Can Alpha nodes talk to Beta (stable) nodes and vice versa? or are they totally incompatable right now?

[proven grove]

They can, just unencrypted. Only Admin channel and DM's are encrypted in 2.5.x

[proven grove]

were all nodes on MQTT or just one, acting as a gateway? And what MQTT broker were you using? Private or Public?

[knotty jacinth]

ah, so only the unencrypted public channel woudl be talking? I wasn't seeing any nodes on alpha, only when i run beta nearby

[knotty jacinth]

just mine was acting as a gateway orignally, this was when @fickle tapir had his channel setup, using the official server

so it went something like PRTY node ---> My "LAB" node, ---> MQTT (wifi) ---> CA / NV / PA

[proven grove]

That's odd, I upgraded all mine to the nightlies, and just flew from JFK>Cincinnati and filled my nodedb of both beta and alpha nodes. Was able to talk to both while I was on the plane over longfast.

[knotty jacinth]

it used to show PRTY Node suddenly in their node list etc. meanwhile IIRC, they weren't specifically on MQTT, just visible through mine.

[knotty jacinth]

hm interesting. i'll have to do more testing. I have been testing with a few T-Beams

T-Beam Supreme to be exact

[proven grove]

I've only used private servers. One totally private, on my home network for HomeAssistant, the other running in AWS.

[knotty jacinth]

also just got a pair of the new T-Decks which I need to flash that standalone firmware onto so that it can be used standalone

[knotty jacinth]

yeah, recently moved to a private server for MQTT

how does that work though? only devices configured for the private server will use that "gateway node" to connect back to the private server?

[proven grove]

One client in each mesh needs to act as an MQTT gateway. Usually this is best accomplished by having it hardwired, I don't recommend using a phone linked node as the MQTT gateway.

[knotty jacinth]

yeah, I am working on building something more hardwired, however for now it's wifi (right next to the router)

the eventual goal, is to, once I am up on the roof, go from some flavor of hardwired device via Cat6 through the existing hole that currently cablevision has Coax run through, into the building and into my router.

ofc lightning protection and such is a must 😉

might even go full opto-isolation w/ a pair of fiber tranceivers inbetween tbh

(got a pair for free from amazon)

[knotty jacinth]

hmm interesting - "there is a known issue that SX127x radios cannot receive any packets"

with latest alpha

[proven grove]

Nope, both nodes on the same mesh, piping all mesh traffic to 2x MQTT brokers

[proven grove]

All my nodes are using sx1262's, so I hadn't noticed.

[proven grove]

In this case you don't need to have the roof node as the MQTT gateway. You can have that just be some ole' heltec or something set to client, then the gateway safe and sound, plugged into a switch or router.

[knotty jacinth]

that was one option I was thinking of, to eliminate the need to expose the network to the outside... then again it adds another hop though

also less easy to administer

[proven grove]

That's a fair point about the hops. Have you considered a Native setup? I.e. RPi/Waveshare Lora hat (or even a custom E22-900M30S/33S setup)? Opens up options for remote administration outside PKI Admin, but more exposure to the network. But it's a great MQTT gateway, and those radios are pretty powerful

[edgy blaze]

I left PRTY at work. My bad.

[knotty jacinth]

haah all good

[knotty jacinth]

I was thinking of building a custom E22-900M30S/33S Raspberry pi hat as I have a strong relationship w/ Ebyte and have built many Flipper boards for many of their modules as you may know lol. I figured maybe a RL Raspberry pi hat might be popular 🙂

[proven grove]

For inspiration: https://github.com/chrismyers2000/MeshAdv-Pi-Hat

I'm probably going to get some printed just to mess with it. I'm pretty sure I have all the components for it already.

[knotty jacinth]

interesting

[knotty jacinth]

yeah, I was thinking GPS + LORA on a single board + RTC

that way a simple button cell can be used for both GPS and RTC

I had some schematics I was playing with a while back, but just havent had the time to get any prototypes made up... I'll likely end up finishing this weekend / I did order GPS modules FOR The concept (they should actually arrive tomorrow!)

but yeah, figured GPS + LORA-RF headers, and just make it a simple hat that fits the pi. I have a few Rpi 5 that I can use too

[proven grove]

This is where I've learned most of my knowledge (still limited lol) regarding custom built boards: https://discord.com/channels/867578229534359593/1194757507013427250

[knotty jacinth]

ah lol

[knotty jacinth]

if you have any questions I'd be glad to answer them 🙂 most of the time, the datasheet says all, but sometimes the datahseet can be confusing

[proven grove]

I'm still learning how to read the schematics. And EasyEDA and Kicad have eluded me for anything other than viewing gerbers lol. But I'm making progress, slowly yet surely.

[knotty jacinth]

srsly lmk if you ever need a hand with anything, i'd be happy to help

[proven grove]

Much appreciated, seriously. I know first hand just how knowledgeable you are with custom PCB's and modules, so I sincerely appreciate that.

[knotty jacinth]

I was just chatting with you from one of my ReadyNodes rocking the new test case

[edgy blaze]

Oh cool! That’s you!

[knotty jacinth]

Yup hah

[normal osprey]

I confirmed we can have just the antenna extend up 16-17” from the top railing in that corner. The performance hit of having the antenna between thick glass and metal would be too much so my friend said it’s fine if we have it above the railing.

We just need to have the node itself mounted out of the way, clean up and secure that outlet, and add an outdoor wifi smart plug in line for the lights currently plugged in (which i’ll buy).

[proven grove]

Trying to wrap my head around antenna mounting with this setup, without making it unsightly... I have a pretty good idea of how to mount the enclosure now that I have the specs on the railing.

[normal osprey]

@cyan pier Looks like I was able to reach one of your nodes from my friends window just now

Initially, it said ack by another recipient (probably my other node) and then recipient ack

My nodes are Happy, Sleepy, and Grumpy

[normal osprey]

maybe one of these two spots? I’m assuming no one has a suction cup mount lying around 😂

This is the view of the outside of the balcony

[cyan pier]

Got Sleepy. Will look out for the rest.

[proven grove]

Not sure I'd trust a suction cup on that high of a floor lol

[normal osprey]

Yeah, good point. Also, it gets pretty windy up there… I have the chairs zip tied to the railings.

[sonic prism]

I was along the harbor walk in Weehawken yesterday. Tried to see if I could hit anything across the water with my T-Deck. Sadly no. Its rather dead out here in North Jersey unfortunately.

[cyan pier]

If you're not running EMSCOM, you should get that in NJ. What kind of antenna are you running on the T-deck?

[sonic prism]

Just the stock internal antenna of the T-deck plus. with stock Meshtastic firmware longfast. I have a t114 with a better 90-degree hinged stick antenna in the car that I’ll try today from the same place

[cyan pier]

Ditch the stock and grab that Gizont!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266800119868

Or for twice the price, you can splurge:

https://zbm2industries.com/products/mesh-ant?variant=44088582537368

[cyan pier]

But even 2-3dbi gets you more fars

[cyan pier]

Also, I'd invest in a car mount for the vehicle node. Or place it on the dashboard.

[proven grove]

Anddd I just bought one... been looking for a good stubby. Hoping the SWR is ok...

[knotty jacinth]

also I have this as well https://www.amazon.com/Generic-Rabbit-Labs-Connector-Compatible-Meshtastic/dp/B0D19JJBKZ/

[knotty jacinth]

I have 915Mhz stubbys made by the same company that makes Gizont

IIRC SWR is closer to 2 but it's mostly because of the smaller size

[proven grove]

I have 6 of them. The SWR was garbage (4.5 and up)

[knotty jacinth]

ah

i'll have to check mine when I get home

mine are all 2-3 IIRC

I've learned the smaller stubby ones all have much worse SWR comparable to those little "sticker" antennas that you get inside the T-Deck etc

[proven grove]

I bought the second set of 3 after requesting 906.875 tuning. Their minimum is 906 on the dot, but the basement on them is just way too high.

[knotty jacinth]

hm

[proven grove]

Real world testing with them was mediocre at best

[cyan pier]

If you ever see 🌃Outpost👻, it's running this:

Wishiot 915MHz Lora Antenna 5DBi Gain SMA Male Omni-Directional Antenna with U.FL/IPEX to SMA Connector for Meshtastic Devices LoRa Board (1pcs) https://a.co/d/jlMcIMW

[proven grove]

So I think I've found a pretty good enclosure for our use case. It'd be mounted in a portrait orientation, because the screw holes are too narrow to fit the bracer between them, when it's oriented in landscape. I'll likely need to design and print the mounting bracket (anyone with better fusion or anything skills than me that can design it faster, I'm fine printing on my own, just could really use some help there).

Thinking about optimal bulkhead placement (top, side or bottom), and building the power cord now.

[proven grove]

Semi-finished product.

[proven grove]

I did better in Fusion than I thought I would have...

[proven grove]

Bracket prototype done. Now I just print in Black ASA and my piece is done.

[edgy blaze]

Freaking cool!

[normal osprey]

@proven grove That looks great!! I love how you did the mount for placement between the glass and railing.

[cyan pier]

@proven grove So sick! The manual on/off is clutch. My hat is off 🎩

[proven grove]

450mah battery, in case any power dips or if it needs to get relocated.

[proven grove]

@normal osprey -

1. USB-C cable extension for firmware updates or settings changes. I included it because it's a pain to try to get it in once it's all assembled.
2. I used a hot glue gun on the IPEX because it's pretty tight and I didn't want to chance cold weather making the plastic sheath tighten and pop it off with none of us knowing about it.
3. The manual on off only controls power to the board, not to the battery. So the battery will keep charging as long as it has power.

The ProMicro/HT-RA62 are very good with power consumption so we should be good for a few hrs/maybe a day without power.

Also; the only settings on the firmware is putting it on US region, no other settings are different from the default.

I can set them before I pack it up completely, just didn't know if people had any suggestions/recommendations.

[maiden thistle]

Is an admin channel needed?

[proven grove]

I was debating on adding my admin PKI as one of the 3, but I wasn't sure how we wanted to run this, since it won't be on MQTT, I didn't see much of a point for me.

[maiden thistle]

Firmware 2.5.4 promoted to stable

[normal osprey]

I’m very new to meshtastic so would definitely like input on things like naming, device role, what firmware to have on it, how often to update, admin channel, etc

[normal osprey]

I appreciate the breakdown. I wasn’t sure what all is going on here. Thanks!

[normal osprey]

You’re welcome to if you’d like and if it could be useful, but good point about MQTT.

I’d like to have one of my nodes as an admin so i can change settings from my node if needed.

Maybe my friends T-Echo as an admin also in case I don’t have my node with me when I come over.

I don’t imagine we’ll be changing the config often though.

[proven grove]

Any chance they'd be willing to let a device on their Wi-Fi? While the ProMicro can't swing it, I might be able to put a pi zero in the case with it, and since it's running on direct power, we don't need to worry about that.

I could have the Pi auto-SSH into a remote host I own, then I could reverse ssh into it. So I can do remote firmware updates as well as check the serial log/admin it if need be. Otherwise, we can stick to the remote admin PKI solution but that won't solve for the firmware updates. Totally up to what you and your friend are comfortable with.

[normal osprey]

I personally wouldn’t mind putting a pi on a guest network with device isolation but she said absolutely not.

I’ll take care of updating the node and whatever else we need (logs, etc).

[normal osprey]

from the video you posted, looks like the antenna is at the top of the bar we are mounting to.

the glass and metal railing extend up 5” higher on both sides of the node so would block the lower portion of the antenna.

just thought of this when i was out there earlier tonight

[proven grove]

The intention is to come up with a mount for the antenna and run a cable between the two. Looking like another custom build for this situation. Never had to secure mount an antenna to a pane of glass before lol, but I have some ideas.

[knotty jacinth]

My apartment roof node just lit up tonight 🙂

[edgy blaze]

I can see my house from here! 😂

[karmic junco]

wait where is that?

Ive been absolutely so busy that I 've done no meshtastic stuff for the last 8 months.

except for updating one t echo

all of my lora32 and tbeams are no longer complaint with the app, unless I do a firmware update.

[cyan pier]

Might have to point my yagi that way when I get it

[cyan pier]

Welcome back! A few solid updates with the new firmware. I think 2.5.4 is the most stable, but 2.5.5 is running fine.

[knotty jacinth]

Sayreville / south Amboy

Right across from staten island

[karmic junco]

This is problematic for areas I cant' get to so easily

[knotty jacinth]

wym?

[karmic junco]

I have one on a roof. I guess it's a me problem.

And I didn't look much into the ota setting

[proven grove]

You referring to OTA firmware upgrades?

[karmic junco]

Yes. Well at least wifi would be good but some areas are just a pain in the arse to physically access if firmware keeps upgrading.

[proven grove]

I'm opting for a raspberry pi running a Linux native client in my attic, so I don't have to constantly go up there to upgrade or reset/modify it. Had to build a custom case for cooling, but it'll be worth it in the end.

[proven grove]

@normal osprey - Just a quick update: Still trying to solve for the antenna. But I also ran out of ASA while printing the final bracket, so I now have to wait on BambuLabs slow-ass Logistics team to take 3 days to USPS my filament lol. Gives me more time to think of the antenna mount though so it's not all bad.

[normal osprey]

Thanks! Great work so far and there’s no rush on my end.

I’m waiting for some refills (PETG-HF) from Bambu also so I get it.

[misty gorge]

Just started playing with the newer firmware stuff. The public key stuff is kinda cool.

[sonic prism]

HTTP://Us.polymaker.com is running a 30% sale. Just stocked up on ASA. (Not affiliated just a decent deal on my favorite filament)

[karmic junco]

This.. probably isn't the worst idea. Though kills the solar node idea

[proven grove]

Mines hardwired. E22-900M33S on a custom PCB. Solar was never an option for this one lol

[karmic junco]

A nice waterproof case... With a fan. 🫣

Lol don't mind me I'm just joking. Too much heat is no bueno

[proven grove]

it's in an attic, not on a roof lol. Its uninsulated, so I'm trying to keep moisture to a minimum, but not really let moisture have free reign. The heat that this thing will generate will be sufficient to dry out that little bit of space, but that same heat can cause other issues.

[knotty jacinth]

So I’m curious… what would be the best way of trying to extend the mesh as much as possible across central NJ

I almost feel like If we could get a node in Perth Amboy it’d unlock that whole area and put Staten Island in focus

[proven grove]

Armstrong Tower?

[knotty jacinth]

Heh I should persue that... maybe we can get a group of us involved in it, and even use it as a reason to justify a tour of the "Museum of FM Radio" that is located at the base of the tower (tours are by appointment and invite only)

Maybe if we can get a group of us together, we can justify us meeting up there for a meshtastic meetup or such, and maybe we talk to them about getting a node at the top rung of the tower (They have power on every rung as well, we would only need to worry about the node + enclosure + antenna)

[proven grove]

And here I got all excited to build something super custom lol. Been waiting for a good reason to use these... (2x EVE 3.2v 105ah Lifepo4 Power Cell LF105)

[proven grove]

For something like that, I could sacrifice a Rak19007/Rak4631+sensors, and an enclosure. I'd just need an antenna... Unless you think we should try to go for a 1W setup up there. Since it's powered, I think it might be a decent idea. Just not sure which 1W node we should use.

[knotty jacinth]

would be even cooler if we COULD do solar, especially since it would be directly in-line with the whole "experimental" nature of the station

😉

but yeah, we could explain how it's a mesh network, community based, non-profit etc. and in the case of a disaster or emergency, if cellular networks were to go down, this would survive

etc

also it's location to nearby trails / parks, would prove to serve a great utility for hikers in the area

[proven grove]

I'm seeing tons of up-side and no down-side for them. We'd just need to be sure someone can service it when that time comes for firmware upgrades.

If we really wanted to, and assuming we were allowed to, I'd say we could throw a Pi in there for management, but it'd also need a wireless hotspot for connectivity. But that would limit the need for traveling to the tower to only in case of hardware failure.

[knotty jacinth]

so that's the hardest part because to climb the tower you need to be certified / insured / etc. so we'd be dependent on one of their climbers... and even if they gave a discount (honestly i'd pay for the install, usually $300-600 for tower stuff) we wouldn't want to go up there unless absolutely needed. Pi for management could make sense, but wireless becomes the tough spot. could put a hotspot in there with it, but again, the concept is once it goes up, the higher it goes, the harder it is to "manage"

but yeah, they might not even charge since it's "community based"

[proven grove]

Can we test doing an OTA upgrade via Bluetooth with an NRF24 and a Yagi? lol because I'm running out of ideas for firmware upgrades

[edgy blaze]

Just throwing this out there, but I have a roof (and chimney) in Laurence Harbor if anyone has extra gear they’re looking to stand up!

[misty gorge]

Does anyone here own the "Manhattan Tower (fd54)" node?

[misty gorge]

Just had a nice conversation going between FD54 in UES Manhattan, a node in Harlem, and nodes in Kew Gardens and Forest Hills.

[proven grove]

I might but I'm burning through all my enclosures, so I might need to ask others to chime in for those and antennas. I have tons of nodes, they just need good homes lol

[edgy blaze]

I have a handful of antennas!

[knotty jacinth]

i'm willing to help the cause any way I can lol. Lets try to build this state out haha

well, the Tri-State xD

[proven grove]

you beat me to it lol. I was like "This guys coming in here, trying to build out only NJ.... pfffttt"

[knotty jacinth]

NJ elevation is slightly higher than NYC in many areas too so it is advantageous to get nodes up and down the palisades if possible and places like fort Lee

Also north Bergen, Jersey city, etc

[proven grove]

I'm in Westchester, house is about 300ft above sea level, but I back up to a nature preserve with a LOT of tall trees. The front of the house overlooks I87 for about 3 miles

[edgy blaze]

Clearly the answer is to put a solar node on top of one of those tall trees.

[proven grove]

Easier said than done. I'm not a climber lol

[edgy blaze]

lol. Fair enough. I’m scared of step stools!

[misty gorge]

has anyone done any remote node admin on a older firmware node, from a 2.5x firmware device?

[proven grove]

need to make sure that you still have your admin channel/key on the 2.5.x node, and you also need to make sure to turn off "Administration" under app settings

[cerulean thorn]

I have got a friend who lives in Gowanus with roof access to a ~40floor building, I'll see if either he can place a node or let me up there to do it

I need to survey the site better

[misty gorge]

I thought I had it setup right to do that, but getting errors from my remote nodes about not having a right key. I'll need to look in to it again.

[proven grove]

If the old nodes are complaining about keys, then they're likely on 2.5.x. Even so, legacy admin should work, assuming you enabled the setting for it under security.

[misty gorge]

It actually worked all along.

it just doesn't ACK the reboot command.

I'm using CLI

[proven grove]

Ah gotcha.

[misty gorge]

the CLI and the android app seem to be behind the iphone app.. haha

[proven grove]

From everything I've seen, the android app is beating the iOS app in certain areas like sensor reporting.

[misty gorge]

Is it? The android app UI is kinda crappy.

[proven grove]

The iOS app can't read certain metrics from INA sensors, but android can.

[solar pewter]

Finally found some people with mesh in NYC! I’m in Williamsburg and can see all the way into Washington heights and NJ.

[misty gorge]

Well the latest android update made remote admin from the app work!

[misty gorge]

Does anyone know who owns the Harlem Relay node?

[cyan pier]

Question of the year

[misty gorge]

👋

Would like to see that node switched to client

there is a GOBO Solar Node which is also in router mode.

Maybe both these nodes are in awesome locations.. who knows.

[cyan pier]

I know GBS1. They may be in here. I believe there are five stories up in Bushwick. I have a node going up that'll go higher so am coordinating with them about it.

[misty gorge]

Firmware 2.5.6 seems pretty good.

What ever happend to that Brookfield node? I was down there this weekend and didn't pick it up

[cyan pier]

Connecticut? If it's the farm, I typically pick it up when flying in or out of the city.

Station g2 IIRC

[misty gorge]

I thought there was a node in Brookfield Place by One World Trade.

[cyan pier]

Oh, Battery Park! I was at 1WTC last week sending out some tests from the observatory so could have been me.

b28c is near there and oxdb is there sometimes but lower in the city. =<125m

[misty gorge]

I thought there was a perm mount unit there.

yeah, it was "NYCB"

#1202833898376138752 message

Maybe gone now.

[cyan pier]

Aha! Yeah, didn't show up when I was there.

[misty gorge]

RIP

I did send out a ping from there and something picked it up. I didn't get it on my list though.

[cyan pier]

@misty gorge are you picking up bqe relay?

[misty gorge]

which one is that? I see quite a few DIA# "Relay" nodes

[cyan pier]

Short name is 🌃

[misty gorge]

21 hours ago

bQe relay

[normal osprey]

I’m in Williamsburg also near Domino Park so I’ve probably seen your node(s).

This is what I can currently see from my window.

[normal osprey]

There’s a guy in LES who is on “Router & Client” but his node is like 20ft elevation in Manhattan so likely using the wrong role.

[misty gorge]

Glad to see more NYC people on the mesh.

[normal osprey]

i see that one… one hop away

[proven grove]

@knotty jacinth - yea we need to plan this lol it'd cover the entire banks of the Hudson River.

[misty gorge]

Is that realistic?

Or a wish?

[proven grove]

A little bit of both

[misty gorge]

that would be great if that could happen.

[knotty jacinth]

I uhh, have contacts there and I had proposed a helium node a few years back and they were considering it... though this would prove to be a much better fit, and we might even be able to apply for grant $$ to fund it

the tower is dedicated to the research, learning, and legacy of radio

[misty gorge]

THat would be awesome!

[knotty jacinth]

its where FM Radio was born

the FIRST FM Tower

[misty gorge]

WOE!

[knotty jacinth]

yuuup

the original transmitters are down below in the museum

which is the OTHER goal

[misty gorge]

There is a museum there that's open to the public?

[knotty jacinth]

to arrange a trip for us

kind of.

appointment only, to approved groups

they changed it after Covid

and due to staffing

[misty gorge]

I'd be interested!

[knotty jacinth]

but yes it's a "radio history museum"

[misty gorge]

I've been in to radios since I was a kid.. with CB.

[knotty jacinth]

if we can get a decent group of us interested, we could likely get a tour set up.

they obviously would expect some sort of donation, but I figure if we all pitched in like $20 it would be decent

it keeps the museum alive

[misty gorge]

Put me down.. I'd drag my gf along. Donation is cool

[knotty jacinth]

ya

[misty gorge]

so you have $40 there already

[knotty jacinth]

thats the museum

used to be the old "lab"

and thats the experimental call sign that is still active above the doorway

[misty gorge]

Amazing!

There is an amateur radio museum up north in CT

A littttle bit too far for a day trip for me.

I don't think I can justify a hotel stay for visiting.

[misty gorge]

Good old 9W Alpine!

I used to ride my bike through there often enough.

I've 100% ridden by this tower/museum

usually looking straight or down when coming through though.

Just looked at the street view. I've 100% stopped in the driveway a few times when riding 9W on my bicycle.

[normal osprey]

i’m in!

[cyan pier]

Count me in

Happy to throw $20 towards that

[knotty jacinth]

i'll likely put together some sort of a google form / sheet type thing so we can do like an RSVP thing and i'll reach out to them / we can talk to them about getting a node up there too etc. it would be really awesome because the reach of that tower is insane

[misty gorge]

would need a solution where firmware updates would be easy

[knotty jacinth]

there are ways to get internet up onto the tower, but the "suggestion" is to use Fiber.

with a tranceiver.

(those are cheap)

can also pay to have a cable modem installed down below if needed to connect MQTT or such

or if it uses "not much bandwidth" could connect to their guest network possibly

[misty gorge]

I haven't been in the IT space for years, but the tech really hasn't changed that much. The least complicated and reliable would be best. Fiber is pretty resilient if encased.

My roof units have been running Meshtastic 2.2.16 for like a year now without issues.

I would think the best play is to get a stableble firmware up there and leave it alone until you NEED to update it.

[proven grove]

I'm still thinking the raspi might be our best option, or even better: a node with a management device like a pi or a NUC. Lots of tech, but all should be remotely accessible, and resilient. I lean towards the Pi, because of the 1W radio we can put up there.

Also, if someone's got a ham license, we could register it and bump up the Tx power

[misty gorge]

It will only transmit on the ham bands then. Won't be useful for non hams.

[proven grove]

Oh. I'll shut my mouth then. I had no idea lol

[misty gorge]

Just getting a reliable node really up high would be great.

[edgy blaze]

I’d be in!

[misty gorge]

How many people do you think you need @knotty jacinth ?

[knotty jacinth]

prob not too many, 5-6 at least?

my fiance and I would def both be in

well by the time we do this, it'll be wife 😅 we get married this weekend

[misty gorge]

Congratulations!

[misty gorge]

Does she do radio/mesh stuff also?

[knotty jacinth]

yup, to some extent

[misty gorge]

I just ordered a Muzi R1 for my GF. Id like for her to carry it with her.

@proven grove saw your test message in TS.

[proven grove]

So weird, my Rak with a stubby giznot can send fine but I get "UNK" on all the replies. The E22-XIAO I have in my filing cabinet with a 20cm gizont gets most of the actual node names in the replies... 🤷‍♂️

[misty gorge]

I can't reach either of your nodes now.

[karmic junco]

Just too fanct of a case. hahha. Normally I'd just consider a reused container of some sort. but you guys are all fancy.

[karmic junco]

what kind of enclosures? Willt he rak gen 1 enclosures work?

[karmic junco]

direct or with hops?

I was trying to find a North carolina group, but didnt find one. I wonder if they were using meshtastic at all

[proven grove]

I have some of those too, but they don't produce enough power to support a node in a decently busy or congested mesh.

[karmic junco]

After waiting a month, I finally got my Mini UPS

It was the only off the shelf solution that has 12V out, 12V in and 5V USB in.

[proven grove]

@normal osprey Node itself is 100% complete and good to go, I just haven't been able to come up with a solution for the antenna. We could just screw it in to the bulkhead and hope for the best, the 5" of clearance below the glass might have to be an acceptable loss. At this point it's better to get something up vs not having anything there at all.

[maiden thistle]

Isn't most glass RF transparent anyway? I think it will be fine

[proven grove]

The railing is on the 46th story, and the glass is the "wall" to the outer railing of the balcony, I'd assume it's laminated. So if it's laminated with something metallic, then the RF interference concern might be something we need to account for. But still 5" below the top shouldn't be too detrimental. @cyan pier how long is that antenna again?

[cyan pier]

Antenna is 17.5"

I'm gonna be outta commission starting tomorrow til the first week of November

If you were trying to get that up this weekend

[proven grove]

I'm just trying to hand over the node to someone, I don't live in or even kinda near the city so I can't be the one to coordinate that piece.

[normal osprey]

that sounds fine to me! if we come up with something better down the road, we can always relocate the antenna but i think we’ll be fine.

[normal osprey]

no worries! i’m flying to austin on thursday for a music festival anyway (and taking a few T-Echoes to use there). There’s no rush for this so we can figure out hand off etc when you’re available.

i’m happy to meet somewhere to grab the node and antenna

[proven grove]

I work in Times Square and come in and go out of Grand Central Tuesday- Thursday every week.

[normal osprey]

I work in Williamsburg but can easily meet you at grand central or times square

[proven grove]

I can bring it tomorrow, or some time next week. You let me know.

[normal osprey]

Tomorrows a little tough for me cuz I have an early flight Thursday. Let’s do next week wednesday or thursday.

What’s the power cord situation? Is it a usb?

I’m thinking of what I’ll need to connect it to the power outlet

[proven grove]

USB-C, but it's a homemade one, so no PD power adapters.

[proven grove]

@normal osprey - do you have the address of the building your friend lives in, or the general area? Just trying to plot a coverage map. Feel free to DM it to me

Also, this is the coverage we'd get with a 7dB antenna at the top of Armstrong Tower.

[proven grove]

Using some image sleuthing, I used a guesstimate of where your friend lives. This is our projected coverage with a 5dB antenna:

Second guessing whether or not I want to use a Faketec or upgrade this use case to a ikoka (Xiao nrf52840/E-byte E22-900M30S)...

[maiden thistle]

Nice

[normal osprey]

Sent in DM! This would be an amazing amount of coverage!

[normal osprey]

What would be the benefits in this scenario?

[proven grove]

More powerful radio. Although, the faketec is rock solid.

[karmic junco]

nyc is very flat, the highest points are in the bronx. In most other areas, 200 feet elevation change is a lot. Anything on the upper floors will get dramatic coverage.

[misty gorge]

Made a contact from inside my car in Kew Gardens, to Astoria today. Not bad at all.

[golden bramble]

im in brooklyn (and a lot of time in manhattan midtown) What channel are ya'll on ?

[proven grove]

LongFast

[daring moth]

Theoretically how much coverage would a Meshtastic node in an apartment on the top (7th) floor of an apartment building in Briarwood, Queens, NY get?

[limber dragon]

Hey I’m in brooklyn as well , just got my first device yesterday ( T-Deck Plus )

Haven’t been able to see any other nodes unfortunately

[daring moth]

Oh, I just got that same exact device a few days ago. I'm at one of three places, most of the time:
Great Neck, NY
Midtown Manhattan
Briarwood, Queens

[limber dragon]

Do you find nodes often when walking around on street level in midtown manhattan?

[daring moth]

Not many. Besides a node running at a makerspace/hackerspace called Hack Manhattan, just one or two other nodes, with intermittent connectivity.

[daring moth]

I wasn't able to connect to the node at Hack Manhattan when more then a block or two away.

[limber dragon]

Are you using the tdeck standalone or with the mobile app? Also, are you on the stock antenna?

[daring moth]

Surprisingly, I reached a node called "Harlem Relay" while at Great Neck, NY. The location claimed to be at 40.80999 -73.94951.

[daring moth]

Mobile app, and stock antenna.

[daring moth]

However, the connection was intermittent.

[daring moth]

BTW, Hack Manhattan as in #1300525496945348648.

[limber dragon]

i'm thinking of getting a heltek from amazon (that's the cheapest one right) just to confirm that my t-deck plus is working correctly

[daring moth]

According to https://meshtastic.org/docs/hardware/devices/heltec-automation/lora32/?heltec=v23#resources-1, the Heltek isn't officially sold on Amazon.

[limber dragon]

i assume it's just resellers, although it's interesting that amazon is selling for just a dollar or two more

[limber dragon]

do you think there's fakes of these boards being made and it's better to avoid amazon?

[daring moth]

I have no idea. Maybe ask in a channel not specific to NYC...?

[limber dragon]

BTW, the gold screw-in mount on the back of the t-deck plus, do you know if that is an antenna port as well or is that for a tripod?

[daring moth]

I opened it up a few days ago, and there were two antennas, that were almost loose inside. I'm not sure, but my educated guess is it's just for a tripod.

[proven grove]

All of my heltecs were from Amazon and they all worked fine. But I might have just gotten lucky. I think certain resellers import them unofficially and just resell them unbranded. I think I got mine from diymall or something like that. I've since moved on to Rak's or DIY builds that I assemble from components.

Also, get rid of any stock antennas. Heltec and Lilygo are notorious for giving absolute crap antennas.

Granted, they're better than nothing, but the second you have an opportunity to upgrade, do so.

Muzi is very reputable in this community so this is probably a rebranded Gizont, which is very good: https://a.co/d/bBc39dm

My current daily driver. Rak4631 on a Rak19003, in a tonyG case with some antenna @cyan pier recommended in here (I think)

[cyan pier]

ZMB2 Industries is the company for the antennas. I copped their 906 whip this week. They're pretty up to spec and dead on the frequency.

[proven grove]

Just ordered another stubby from them. Are those whips BNC or SMA? I tend to go for Gizonts for any whips, but that Ali wait time is annoying. As for ZMB2, they're a little pricey, not to mention my stubby doesn't match the picture lol

Coincidentally, it was just posted in #antennas : https://zbm2industries.com/products/mesh-stubby

[cyan pier]

The whip that I purchased was BNC. IIRC, SMA had about 250 turns or so on it before it starts to degrade so I just keep a SMA-BNC adapter on my units.

[proven grove]

i didn't know that. I don't really change mine that often so i'm not too concerned, but it's something i'll keep in mind.

[limber dragon]

I asked LilyGo, this is their official response : This screw is used to fix the shell and connect the front and rear

[stable crystal]

I am just starting with Meshtastic. Would there be any interest in a meetup? I am in NJ but happy to meet in NYC.

[daring moth]

Not meshtastic specific, but there's already a similar kind of meetup: #1300525496945348648

[karmic junco]

I'd think pretty good. on the 7th floor you have at least 85-100 fett elevation

[karmic junco]

if your in great neck, you might be bouncing off me

Great neck north I should say- anything south of northern blvd or lakeville road is probably not me, as my highest elevation antenna is probably 50FT off sea level

[daring moth]

Yes, but there's at least one apartment building in every direction, except for. A sliver along the road. In a specific direction, after that one apartment building, it's mostly single family houses. Would that still pass through?

[karmic junco]

great neck, bryarewood and queens, ... lol.. I'd put a penny that someone is either working in IT or in legal... I dunno why

[daring moth]

Central/Eastern Great Neck (near Manhasset)

[karmic junco]

Central eastern I doubt you hit me. Manhasset is kinda far

If you were closer to the little neck or great neck train stations,, or in the bay by the lakeville library or tennis, youd hit me.

are you hey1?

[daring moth]

Oh, I kept on hitting two nodes at the Little Neck LIRR station. I even sent a message advertising #1300525496945348648.

[karmic junco]

or 2nNFG?

Yes, I have multi nodes in the little neck area

oh I did get it

oh shit

b6e4

lol

[daring moth]

Yes. BTW, I backed up the configuration and erased the flash, as I wanted to try out CircuitPython on it.

[karmic junco]

oIC. No mine are dedicated 9db antannas.. I dont know how many hops you did

where did you send it from?

so I have 1 north of the LIRR covering most of the bay and the cross island into the great neck north side.. and one south of the LIRR to cover up to maybe northern.. I don't have enough elevation

I don't ever connect to them directly, they are just up there to act as coverage- I actually received you on my techo

[daring moth]

On the LIRR train, either at Little Neck, or between Little Neck and Great Neck, but closer to Little Neck.

[karmic junco]

Yep, that would be the best coverage

I've gotten hits from city island

and I've gotten hits from harlem relay

via 1 hop

Kinda exciting, your the first person to actually hit and send a message to my home mesh

after having antenna deployed like 9 months ago.

lol

[daring moth]

I got a hit from that yesterday or two days ago at my house in Great Neck, it was only for one moment, though.

[daring moth]

Close, I'm a college student majoring in IT.

[karmic junco]

ahh. Well, keep sending me some messages, Im so low on the MSL that the curvature of the earth actually is a problem. lol

[daring moth]

Okay, I'll likely send one on my way to #1300525496945348648.

[karmic junco]

where is hack manttan anyways?

I've been kinda out of the maker scene for a good decade and a half- back when it was still in its old brookyn facility

[daring moth]

Halfway between Bryant Park and Herald Square.

[karmic junco]

never knew there was something there.

[daring moth]

The exact address is on their website: https://hackmanhattan.com/

[daring moth]

They moved a couple years ago. They used to be in a different part of Manhattan.

[karmic junco]

wow. 24/7 access?

lol, might be fun just for a place to kill time

and a bathroom

[daring moth]

For members. However, if there's a member available and willing to have guests outside of open house, you can likely attend. In their Discord, they have a place to ask for that.

[karmic junco]

I meant if I joined as a member, Im not going there just for the bathorom. lol

Is it just like a regular apartment?

I mean I have my own maker space so to speak. lol. At least my wife says so

[daring moth]

I believe it's a 501 (c) (3). They have their own unit in a commercially-zoned area.

[karmic junco]

Ahh.

if I have more time I'll check it out one day.

I have very little build time for anything nowdays, so my projects are mostly stagnant

I still havent opened the LTO batteries for the all weather project.

and its been a year

[daring moth]

You should consider joining their Discord. It's linked on their website.

[proven grove]

It looks cool and is close to my job, but I'm not in the city after 3pm any day of the week, so the open houses are out for me. And dues are a little steep considering how much I've put into my home workshop. $110/month

[daring moth]

@proven grove See above if you would like to attend outside of open house hours.

[daring moth]

I believe they have an underemployed/student rate of half the normal membership rate.

[proven grove]

I saw, but I'm also only in the city for work, so no free time down here to even use the benefit of being a member.

[proven grove]

I saw that too, but I'd never qualify, and even if I did I couldn't do so in good conscience, rather leave the spot for someone that will actually be able to go there frequently

[golden bramble]

i have 15 nodes from the office above grand central, but none of my messages are geoing out

[limber dragon]

Hey, is your GPS working on your T-Deck Plus?

[daring moth]

It seems like it doesn't work, IDK.

[limber dragon]

Same here.

[limber dragon]

Once you witnessed a node, does it always show up in the mesh map?

[golden bramble]

if it has/had GPS. I just flew from Atlanta and the mesh map still shows all the nodes I connected to while i was there

[limber dragon]

Rooftop in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

Praying to hit a node

[proven grove]

May want to connect to the phone app and check on the "position" tab in settings and make sure it's set to "enabled". "GPS Not Present" means the firmware thinks there's no GPS installed

[limber dragon]

Thanks, I just pressed enabled !
Does device GPS refer to my iPhones GPS or the T-Deck Plus GPS?

Ok sweet! Now it displays the altitude, longitude and latitude instead of saying “No GPS”

Just curious, what features was I missing out on when the GPS was turned off? It doesn’t affect witnessing nodes / sending messages right?

[proven grove]

GPS in app will use your phones if it's enabled, but on the tdeck it won't show it.

[proven grove]

Nope, if anything it saves the tdecks battery.

I tend to just rely on the phone GPS to save the node battery because I use teeny tiny batteries.

[limber dragon]

So just to confirm, since the Tdeck is showing this ^, this means it is definitely using the T-Deck GPS, correct?

[proven grove]

To the best of my knowledge, yes.

[karmic junco]

it did sorta work- or at least something sent some gps. But it showed you as being up by the LIE, so you were quite a few ticks off latitude wise.

[daring moth]

That was GPS information sent through my smartphone.

[golden bramble]

how come my messages never go out even though I have >10 connected nodes

[misty gorge]

Nobody is "connected" to you.

it's not like a computer network with open sockets to each other.

[golden bramble]

aha

[misty gorge]

Your node has probably seen other nodes

but they are not actively connected.

Just because your node saw one at some point, it doesn't mean you'll be able to get a message to those other nodes at this point in time.

These are really low power radios on a frequency that can easily be blocked by almost anything.

your best bet is to hit a node that's on a roof somewhere so your message can get properly relayed over a wider area.

[normal osprey]

have you decided which hardware you’d like to keep in that node?

I’m back from Austin so can coordinate meeting you whenever. no rush though.

my three T-Echoes worked flawlessly at the music festival this past weekend!

@cyan pier let’s coordinate so I can grab the antenna from you

and thank you again @proven grove and @cyan pier 🙏🏻

[cyan pier]

I'm back in the city on Election night. DM me the digits and we'll link! No problem!

[normal osprey]

Oh that’s right, you’re out of town. I’ll DM you for when you’re back.

[proven grove]

I'll be back in NYC on 11/6

[proven grove]

I'm leaving the faketec, as the Ikoka I was thinking about isn't truly a 1W node, so it's not worth it to swap out something so stable. I'm going to run it over the weekend to make sure it's as stable as I think it is lol

[karmic junco]

When you guys say faketec is that different than the heltec?

[proven grove]

Yes. It's a ProMicro nrf52840 with a AI Thinker Ra-01SH (or a Heltec HT-RA01) radio on a custom PCB.

[karmic junco]

Any reason for it's existence?

[proven grove]

An NRF board that's the form factor of a heltec v3, not to mention when it's all said and done it's about half the price for a better node.

[karmic junco]

Half the price ? ?? And nrf?

[proven grove]

Yes, but it's DIY. So you have to source a few things, be comfortable soldering/know how to use a hot plate, and have the patience to wait for all the crap from Ali and the PCB's to ship from China.

[karmic junco]

Ya I ain't got time for that. 🙂 I'll wait until one of you more talented and gifted people who have working copies.

[proven grove]

@normal osprey - couple revisions:

[misty gorge]

Where is this node going?

[normal osprey]

Love the new additions. Everything looks great! I have the BME280 in my T-Echoes.

[normal osprey]

35th floor balcony in north williamsburg

[proven grove]

GPS is acting up, its getting lock, but the node isn't seeing it. It's not a showstopper and I can revisit when I have some time. Not going to stop deployment since it'll be hardwired. I'll just disable before handing it over.

[karmic junco]

Is that USB c charging board this?

15pcs 5V 1A TP4056 Charging Module Type-C USB 18650 Lithium Battery Charger Board with Protection (Type-C USB) https://a.co/d/fdaFxlt

[proven grove]

Yep

[misty gorge]

Have you guys had any problems lately with keeping a node connected and automatically reconnecting to your android devices?

[proven grove]

been seeing it on my iOS device, latest nightly build

[misty gorge]

ah so it's not just the android app. maybe it's a firmware thing? Running 2.5.8

but I think it did it on 2.5.7 too

[proven grove]

i'm seeing it on 2.5.9, and likely earlier, but wasn't really paying attention to it

[jaunty harness]

yeah i've seen it on 2.5.8/9, nothing android specific as none of my devices/OSes see it during bt scans

[proven grove]

I've had to reset the node and it'll pop right back up. Haven't been able to pull a log for it yet though.

[gaunt dirge]

question, what are y'all using your nodes for other then EMS or chatting with buddies?

[limber dragon]

i'm still trying to find another node in my city 🙂

never seen one before

[gaunt dirge]

where are you?

[misty gorge]

I can usually get connected again if I set the app to none then click on the node again.

[proven grove]

hmm. never tried that, i'll be sure to next time.

[karmic junco]

This is kinda annoying if you don't know whether your connected ... You won't see your messages.

[misty gorge]

And if you choose to reset your node to get it connected, you'll never get any stored messages.

[gaunt dirge]

O weird there was a bunch in bay ridge over the summer when I was in Redhook with mine, maybe you don't have LOS

[karmic junco]

Got something this morning.

N2nfg

[limber dragon]

just checked the meshmap.net and saw 2 nodes in bayridge online in last 5 minutes... i want to drive up there later and try to connect to one of them

[gaunt dirge]

There you go

[cerulean thorn]

I'm in Bay Ridge if you ever wanna test anything

[limber dragon]

What does this screen mean?

Oh let’s go! Got my first node!!!

[limber dragon]

Sierra Golf Portable is that you?

Or sector david

[cerulean thorn]

nah in brooklynbubbler base and danknode

[cerulean thorn]

My wife had unplugged it

I had two nodes stolen this year and my rak4631 fried itself so I’m just using two heltecs right now

Less than ideal

[limber dragon]

Damn, were these nodes you put out in public?

[cerulean thorn]

Yeah

they got stolen and never even turned on. Lmao

I find that part funny

[cyan pier]

I'm so confused by this, lol

Were they ground level? Or on a roof? If up high, who had access?

I have so many questions

[gaunt dirge]

im debating putting a solar node up at my makerspace in brooklyn

we have roof access as well

[maiden thistle]

Do it!

[normal osprey]

what part of brooklyn?

[gaunt dirge]

Gowanus

[proven grove]

got the lat/long/alt of the location you're thinking? We could run a projection to see what potential coverage you might get. Also, a 360° picture would help with Solar planning/feasibility.

[gaunt dirge]

I could do a 360 photo tomorrow

I'll get you the coordinates in a bit

[proven grove]

ok no rush.

[gaunt dirge]

40.6836420, -73.9817059

That is pretty close

[karmic junco]

Is that the maker space that's up there crazy rickity stairs?

[gaunt dirge]

Yes!

[karmic junco]

Lol man I haven't been there in over .. man 15 years I think

[gaunt dirge]

It might be a less rickety now

Only slightly though

[karmic junco]

Went there for some lock defcon thingy.

I don't know how much you'll reach from there but you'll get a mile at least

Probably mostly people on the bqe

[proven grove]

how many stories is the building?

I took a guess and figured it was 5 stories, but anyways:

[gaunt dirge]

I mean it would be on what is the fifth story

We're on the fourth floor and it would be on the roof

[proven grove]

ok, updated: