So just installed a rooftop relay based on a Rak wireless module. I can now reach over 120 nodes (around 20 “online”).
I guess my question now is…now what?
I come from ham radio, so I was hoping to make come connections and maybe have some conversations, but the best I got was a single reply to a CQ, but I got no response from my follow-up.
Does anybody actually have conversations over the general Meshtastic channel? Is it all encrypted channels? Or is nobody talking at all?
Is there any way to determine how much traffic my router is handling?
This is in Seattle, BTW.
10 Comments
slazer2au@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Are you earthing that pole anywhere that is not the radio cable?
I ask because when I was doing radio installations we would earth the radio/antenna to the pole and earth the pole to the roof. In the pic all I see is metal pole bolted into wood.
ch00f@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
If your concern is lightning, we’re in a very low-lightning environment surrounded by taller trees.
I’ll probably run a ground cable down to the house’s ground post at some point.
Bocky@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Step 1, change it to client mode.
Nice install!
ch00f@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
What’s wrong with router mode?
Bocky@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
They said not to use it unless your node is mounted exceptionally high. They specifically said not to use router mode on roof or backyard tower nodes.
Router_client s being removed next release
https://github.com/meshtastic/firmware/releases/tag/v2.4.0.46d7b82
ch00f@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Oh. That’s interesting. I mean it’s on the roof on a hill with a view of all of downtown Seattle, but it’s not “exceptionally” high I guess.
gatohaus@eviltoast.org · 1 pts · 1y
One year later..
I’m in the same boat. Did you have any luck?
Love the mounting method btw. I’m gonna copy it. :-)
ch00f@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
I pick up plenty of chatter, though I wouldn't say I have real conversations. It's still nice to get people's updates from time to time.
I actually took it down right after this and replaced the coax with a better cable to improve performance. I also added lightning protection and ran a 10 gauge wire down to a ground spike.
So far, its battery has stayed topped up even on cloudy days. Still haven't proper weathered a Seattle winter yet.
gatohaus@eviltoast.org · 1 pts · 1y
That’s encouraging. I’m not expecting much. It would be nice just to get a couple of people checking in every once in a while. Or at least the occasional repeat passerby here in the sticks of western NY.
Yep, I’ll add lightning protection to the setup. Good idea.
NotSpez@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
Same here. The difference is that I couldn't find any more nodes in my area. I think I will have to work with the community if that makes sense.
Im thinking that meshtastic should be build and used by local communities. Mqtt is nice, but defeats the purpose of an off grid mesh network. With that been said, I'm working on a project to automatically post information relevant to the community on the default channel. No spam, but maybe some weather alerts, and other services like that.