Loads of Nodes [051]

Greetings from the shack...

HERE

Hi new people. And there are a lot of new people. Welcome. Are you here to see how amateur an amateur can actually be? Because I shall not disappoint. Or perhaps it’s the 4M chat …or my sudden fascination with Lora.

For the record, I’m Christian G5DOC. Currently hammering this out in the shack. Which when I’m writing my other more regular email (also due out today) is ‘the shed’.

I wonder how many other sheds there are around the world right now with a Meshtastic enabled LoRa device hanging in the window (see above). I’m thinking thousands at least. More on that in a bit. In fact this issue will mostly about these little toys/tools.

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THERE

This week I’ve been between England and Wales. As it’s half term I took my kids to work with me and only managed the occasional mobile QSO. I was mostly focusing on the road and the car stereo system. Introducing my daughter to 70’s prog and psych rock. I’m pleased to say she has really taken to it. Even songs like this and this.

Anyway… I was excited to get home as there was a parcel from China waiting.

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GEAR

The first time I got to see LoRa (Long Range) low power radio devices out in the field was out in an actual field at EMF Camp in 2022. I mentioned them in this post here.

[EMFcamp is on again this year from the 30th of May to the 2nd of June so get your tickets. There is an entire area dedicated to an amateur radio village. The place is bloody amazing. Well worth the ticket price. Makers, bio-hackers, retro gamers, robots, lock-pickers, 8-bit musicians, cryptographers, ham radio operators, astronomers and so much more.]

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So I’ve been watching YouTube videos popping over the past year but only now, thanks to the pioneers of this tech, do these LoRa devices feel accessible and affordable.

So why am I interested?

From the perspective of a ham radio operator, what’s not to like? LoRa mesh networks are not just about fancy-device-hopping-comms-tech and node building; they’re about community and connectivity.

These networks can be easily built off grid and enable licensed and unlicensed operators to bridge geographical divides, connecting remote areas and perhaps spark up radio based chatter between those with and without radio licences.

I wonder how many curious geeks using LoRa will engage with a global community of like-minded individuals and consider taking things a step further and become licensed. Any growth in the world of radio and increased experimentation on the bands is good for all of us. LoRa mesh networks represent a flexible platform for fun, experimentation, and if we ever need it, emergency communication.

This could also be a great opportunity for licensed hams to bridge the gap and share knowledge, experiences, and assist in a growing community looking for a sense of camaraderie and discovery. If this isn’t the essence of ham radio culture I don’t know what is.

Here is a great little video intro to these devices from the hard working Ringway Manchester. A YouTuber I’ve followed for many years and recommend you also subscribe.

So These are the devices I went with. Simple to assemble and set up but appear to be creeping up in price as things continue to take off. Make sure you get the Version 3 of the 863MHz ones.

This is the same one but with an upgraded antenna and no case as you might want to print your own.  

This is a popular version with a built in keyboard.

This one requires no assembly and has an e-ink display.

Here is the official quickstart guide from the Meshtastic website. 

This is the new self edited Meshtastic node map where you can add your own node or check if there are any around you. If there is nothing in your location you will be very popular if you filled the void and connected the dots. The map has grown with loads of nodes in the last few weeks. The relay race is well and truly on.

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I’m a total novice in this space. But I enjoy a steep learning curve. Thanks to the Meshtastic Discord and Ham Radio friends like M1NER I’m getting up to speed and checking out lots of interesting stuff get printed. Here are a couple Andy’s cases with batteries attached.

I’m tempted to get my own printer as the online makers are struggling to keep up with this new craze. You only have to look at IKB3D’s website to see how popular custom 3D printed all-in-one cases are.

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In the photo at the top of this post you will see I have a solar charged battery hanging in a window. The bog standard node is so light it’s being held with a little plastic suction cup to the window. They are so useful for holding the node that I’ve ordered some more. [AMZN link] It’s been happily working for days now.

And my other node is high up in our cobweb-riddled dusty attic.

I don’t have any power in the roof so I’m usb powering the device with a LiPo battery that is itself being trickle charged by a small solar panel. (Visible bottom left in the window). I’m interested to see how long it will last.

This is so much fun I’m contemplating where else I might be able to put Meshtastic devices. Do you know anyone who works in a really high office that might appreciate a solar powered window candle? I bet you could get a node in there. Best tell them why it doesn’t work as a candle though.

I’ve also been looking at anything that might mean I can deploy an off-grid node outdoors. Some kind of plastic container with a solar panel on it. For a moment I even considered buying one of these.

If you see one sat in a pond near you, eye it with suspicion and then check how good the network is in your location. ;-)

Obviously there are more sensible options.

If you get the chance, let me know what LoRa stuff you are getting up to in the comments. And please feel free to link any resources you have found helpful.

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In other news. Why do I feel I need a radio chest vest.

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ONAIR

Reveil 11 will be happening on the 4th-5th of May. That is the 11th edition of the Reveil broadcast. A collaborative sound and radio project where live audio streams captured at daybreak circle the Earth. Last time it featured 145 streams containing various environments and situations. They are on the look out for new participants for this year’s 24+1 hour loop. Check SoundTent.org for more info.

Here is some more context…

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ELSEWHERE

• These Paradar antennas are talked about as being decent upgrades if you are able to get a case with an SMA connector. But being tight and patient though, I bought these. A little less gain but a fraction of the price.

• This is a seriously nice off grid build I might have a go at.

• Some of the new UK Ofcom changes explained.

• A very popular 20W HF transceiver.

• This is my other more regular, slightly more eclectic email.

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FINALS

A little while back I did a radio themed talk in Milton Keynes where I offered a handheld amateur radio to anyone who promised to get their licence.

Well… Congratulations to Mark M7OLN who just got their callsign through after passing last week. Welcome to the hobby! Now get a loan and buy loads of radios ;-)

Thanks for reading and I hope subscribing.

Please share this wherever you think it might resonate. And thanks to those of you that support this Sporadic-E-mail (see what I did there) with a paid subscription. It’s with that money that I bought the Meshtastic nodes and will next buy some solar panels and project boxes.

You are some of the more curious/generous people in radio ;-) And I thank you.

Over

73 de Christian G5DOC

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