The Use Case for Meshtastic Radios

[@gm743633]

You get my applause for making a video and prepping. My $90 tyt md-390 has gps on it. it can send gps soundings at defined intervals.

[@kworgz]

Background is lovely, no worries!

[@ChrisRobinsonKF6NFW]

I watched the video, and overall I think you are correct. The one thing I wish to point out though to correct you on so others are also properly informed. APRS is fully functional without internet. you do not need a "Grid" to support the APRS network. In a lame sense Meshtastic and APRS operate in very similar ways that they seek another device, whether its One to Many, or P2P. We can pass traffic through the APRS network to specific users, including Text messages.

[@RavenwoodAcres]

Good point about APRS. Honestly, I have only messed with APRS a couple of times.

[@ChrisRobinsonKF6NFW]

@@RavenwoodAcres APRS is an awesome and very capable protocol. We use it for texting as well as packet reporting. There is APRSD which is a full fledged texting system over APRS. There is a brand new APRS store and Forward service now, which is like an answering service, so when you arent on air or near a digipeater, it will save it for you and allow you to retrieve it later! I use the APRSD service, also known as WebChat for the WXBOT. as I dont have a NWS tower in my county, but do have a couple of weather sites I can ping. We also have APRS to SMS capability, which is pretty cool. makes it nice to keep in contact with the wife for me, who happens to also be a ham but doesnt always carry her radio or isnt in a position to use it. APRS is not just a tracking system as many do believe. The Meshtatsic devices are awesome, and a great compliment to our amateur radio gear.

[@MichaelLaferriere]

@@RavenwoodAcres A Garmin Nuvi, I think the 350? can display the locations as they are heard on its map. The Nuvi's are pretty cheap and easy to find on eBay. I did order a cable as well to get it to work. Someday maybe Kenwood will add maps to one of their radios and it will be an all in one setup.

[@AskIveSolar]

I do want to get meshtastic devices at some point. I'm waiting for the polish to get better and the prices to come down. They are getting close to where I think could convince my wife to carry one and the price to make sense for me. Not quite there yet v

[@innercityprepper]

New subscriber, thanks for your awesome presentation! Good practical knowledge and a really approachable delivery.

[@Tactikid27]

just came across your page, currently learning to create a mesh network for a group i am apart of, looking to do meshtastic integrated with ATAK so we have topographical locations of enemies, each other, or rally points. Good points in your video, and good on you for preparing for the unseen.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

SOE for Life! Just started messing around with mesh… Got a T-echo over the weekend…

[@gm743633]

What can it do? I see a lot of videos saying text but no one seems to talk about the transfer details. What I want to know is how large (character count) of a text can be sent? how about binary files like a 10mb pdf? 3mb jpeg? what about gpg encrypted text copied and pasted?

[@RavenwoodAcres]

While using the Meshtastic firmware your restricted to text only. I never seen a text limit however, the large the file the more likely it will not be received. Now with some devices you can send and receive telemetry data from attached sensors. I am no coder but I read about people that Pylon creating there own custom feature. It you are looking for off the shelf solution to meet those need I recommend Beartooth radio but they are not cheap.

[@gm743633]

My current solution to off grid comms is a hf uxsdr 10 watt txcvr on 7mhz with a 40m nvis antenna. I run fldigi over it. Nvis and skywave propagation gets me ranges from 0 to 100 miles and more. Most of the usa coast to coast. About $300 in total cost with antenna, audio interface and power options like batteries and misc cables. It is portable like pota/sota but not on the move like walking or driving. Fldigi can do text and simple text file transfers. Although it can do images and binary file transfers anything over 2kb takes more than 15 minutes.

[@alohan6wh329]

@@gm743633Great kit. I have similar kits. I love that we just need a radio, wire, and a power source. The barrier to entry for some is the amateur radio license. Meshtastic doesn’t require any kind of license and is much more portable. Similarly featured tools but different. Cheers!

[@williegilligan2661]

Yea, I am scratching my head what I am going to use this for that my triband ht wont do? Everyone just about can get hands on a radio or Ill throw them one out of my bag. This is just too niche for me at the moment, thx for the info tho. 👍

[@justincompton4593]

APRS does work off grid and zero infrastructure is needed. The only thing you need is an APRS capable radio and another radio to hear your signal.

[@RavenwoodAcres]

100%, I need to add that to a future video.

[@yinglyca1]

And a license

[@SorobanWorld]

I'm wondering who else would have the patience to sit through this?

[@RavenwoodAcres]

Thanks for your feedback. To answer your questions. This video has gotten 4,365 views, 293 hours watched with an average watch time of 4.01 minutes.

[@AskIveSolar]

It started slow but I pushed through.

[@ItsEverythingElse]

Don't think you would get much range at all in a theme park, even when outside.

[@RavenwoodAcres]

I have done extensive testing in urban environments, tall concrete buildings, and lots of interference, and the worst range I have seen is 1/2 mile.

[@mtgdustin]

What MHz do you use with the T-echo

[@RavenwoodAcres]

915 Mhz