TRACKING DOWN MESHTASTIC STATIONS!!!

[@jisbuff]

You drove past me today in your Twizzy. I was like "that was Andy Kirby 🤔" 👍🏾

[@andykirby]

Haha really?!🤣

[@dafoex]

The Twizzy is such a dumb looking thing, I love it! It's like the pug of cars

[@spr00sem00se]

Andy. For planning or viewing a routes topology, draw a lime between the two points in google earth. Right click it and click view elevation profile. You can then show that image without disclosing location. And its helpful to know what youre up against.

[@K4RJJ_packet]

That little car is making Wardriving great again!

[@andykirby]

Yeah I know!

[@729ronin]

What model car is your tizzy? I'm in the US and am intrigued. Just getting into meshtastic but haven't found any nodes yet in Oklahoman. I'm probably not setup correctly. Good video.

[@ch716]

I’m loving these Meshtastic videos. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@JamstaUK]

NIce one Andy! Uncanny timing - just as you were on the hunt - I had plugged my new node in at Hertford and you picked it up!

[@andykirby]

Yeah funny that 🤣 realised it was you when you updated your name!😁👍🏻

[@yardsale781]

Thanks for the info. Im trying to learn more about mesh stuff.

[@sUASNews]

Is the airfield still at Panshanger? I used to live in Hertford and flew balloons commercially over the summer for several years in the area. Used to goto several good pubs up on higher ground towards Hatfield. Maybe get a node up there sometime.

[@HomebrewCNC]

I have request: Could you explain the role of MQTT servers and how you can use them to "bridge" areas that are too remote to send a direct signal to. I know that your focus is on using radios only. But.... It would be fun to see MQTT in action by a person who knows what they are doing.

[@dafoex]

I'd like to know more, too. I know MQTT is *supposed* to be used in automation settings (both home automation and industrial) and many smart home sensors speak MQTT. The little I understand of it in Meshtastic is that it just uses the standard to route arbitrary messages rather than sensor data. There's no reason it has to be, of course, you could have a remote station that monitors weather data, passes that to Meshtastic via MQTT, and responds with that data when messaged.

[@RichardDuck]

I appreciate the videos and your music is always GREAT!

[@fotografm]

Thanks for the warning about the scammers !!!!

[@Cra1gst]

i have a t deck i have in my lorry as i drive around , picked up a couple of devices fun to play with

[@BillyNoMates1974]

Interesting. I have been doing something simiilar with picking up 2 meter packet radio. Last weekend must have been lift conditions as I picked up packet radio from 461 miles away near southern France. mind you the 2.5 meter tall dual band super gainer collinear from Moonraker really helps

[@joeglennaz]

Nice desk setup!! Hello from Phoenix Arizona

[@Subgunman]

Well the Twizzy is a true universal vehicle for use between the UK and the Continent. Interesting concept of communications. Personally I would not place why GPS info on line. I prefer a private life. You might want to clean those side plastics, be safe!

[@Robotron-zg6mf]

your music is cool

[@sbfox4795]

Hi Andy, I am trying to relay between 433 and 868 system. I have a few 433 LORA might use for my local activity. I have also 433 LORASAT Mesh running - The TinyGS, another fun project for HAMs dude. I hope to relay on 868 to get more people into the network near Slough/Windsor. IF you have any idea on routing ??

[@247SH]

I’m on TinyGS and also want to try Meshtastic on 433Mhz. Why are most on 868Mhz?

[@pperrinuk]

868 is licence free - anyone can use it.

[@Seikatsu121]

Man i unfortunately only get about 600 meters tops out of my nodes :( its pretty densely packed with buildings, not really high ones, only about 2-3 stories but my base nodes antenna is pretty low and pretty much completely surrounded. Unfortunate but the barely 600 meter signal makes sense

[@bigmouthstrikesagain4056]

@andy kirby have you ever had a look into commotion wireless and disaster radio? Both very interesting projects with a LOT of potential.

[@jdave1157]

Neat trying to find stations. I live in an area with no other nodes, without driving to the nearest large city. However, someone has a router in my area allowing relays across the small town and is easily reachable, but routers are "invisible" and dont show up as nodes and i havent made contact with them. Been on a little fox hunt using RSSI along with an sdr to try and track it down for fun

[@iNireus]

It’s like you are searching for SOE radio agents WWII😂

[@SimonJackson13]

I'm not sure status messages in the user name helps with the node database size. Maybe some character separator | would make for some filter?

[@pabloemms]

I have meshtastic equipment coming, and looking to set up a permanent home node, there are only 2 in my area, however in the meantime I connected a white stick tri-band 6/2/70cms colinear to my analyser and found it gave a low swr on 868 Mhz..

[@meteors63]

If it was a further distance, I would have expected it as a result of "airplane scatter" (unless someone was flying a larger RC plane or multirotor between you). Unlikely a low flying GA airplane as it would need to be quite low and close to you but who knows. UHF travels very well in tropospheric ducting. Perhaps a low warm air layer? Doubtful it was direct path; likely took a bounce of some kind. I've had lots of success with 1.3 and 2.4 GHz bonces off buildings or structures with FM ATV (10 KM even as low as 10 mW output power on an omni).

[@Bikesdavebikes]

Can the Meshtastic device be powered via the USB C using a powerbank or wall plug?

[@andykirby]

Yes any USB power supply/powerbank will work

[@RingwayManchester]

Andy stalkersbyyyyy

[@jamess1787]

Hey you, I'm stalking him now! I'll stalk you again soon, as soon as you release a new video 🤣😉🥳

[@andykirby]

Yeahhhh rog!!! Looking forward to your video tonight!

[@tompointdll]

Got a meshtastic at house in france, still havn't picked up a signal, even when bringing it to paris, no other active nodes 👀 i need to get closer to the UK and try to make a connecton with the network 😂

[@terrysobkowich2084]

Ok, so some of your yagi s are in the horizontal plane and others are in the vertical plane and the one in your window was pointing straight up which from i understand is not correct. Could i get feedback on these comments.

[@andykirby]

In the thumbnail it's just sitting there, it's not wired up. All the yagis are vertically polarised as pretty much all other stations will be using vertically polarised antennas also.👍🏻

[@terrysobkowich2084]

@@andykirby Thank you, for clearing up the window antenna question and for the comments on the most desirable plane of orientation, I have seen comments online suggesting that horizontal is the standard rather than vertical orientation..... but perhaps this is simply a standard for tv yagi s because they are so big, and that the 800 or 900mhz are typically vertical. Been also looking at building a yagi and even though yagi is pretty simple the topic of antennas and rf shape and propagation is a deep rabbit hole lol. It would be awsome to see more diy yagi builds on you tube ....hint. lol

[@C_David_Clark]

That's why I'm trying to figure out. Can you even see any stations around you even if they're not operational? I see zero stations. Like nothing. Not ones that are up or down or anything. I'm wondering if they need to be near you to just pick them up or what. But even ones not in my area on the Meshtastic map, I get zero. not one station globally. So yeah.... any hints or suggestions? I'm in Western Canada by the way. :)

[@mickibbett2120]

Hi Andy Iv'e just setup a station in Clapham Bedford, its 114asl Kind regards Mick (M0MPI)

[@user-kf5zw8uq7r]

What is the max wattage you can run through paradar yagi?

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

Wow great setup Andy, love it. Do you go pota sota?

[@jdcrunchman999]

Andy, I'm in the US, very few people have even heard of Meshtastic. In particular, I'm looking for meshtastic stations in Vegas. Is there an on-line source where I can find meshtastic nodes. I'm using the comments field to reach out to you, so would be very surprised if you replied.

[@slipperyslope3912]

Link to the tracking/coverage map?

[@andrewrichardson3135]

0:12 What brand is that?

[@Tore_Lund]

You're a busy man Andy, long time since we last got a Meshtastic video from you. I'm seriously missing them. What about something crazy, like a Yagi link to Calais. How is your French?

[@justgregm7843]

You change your T-Echo antenna. The stock antenna is not very good. I found I got better results with a longer antenna.

[@sashonikolov]

I wonder how many characters you can send in a message? My idea is, if it's possible to send Base64 encoded text on pictures and videos? Well, for video it's already too much in Base64, but a coded image...

[@0baakYT]

Just text

[@bigmouthstrikesagain4056]

Communities need to set up pots to store funds to buy meshtastics or other mesh tech to create mesh networks by the community for the community.. open collective might be something to look into in regards to that.... also theres meshbee, ribbit communications serval mesh, PIC mesh....and others using the nrf transmitter instead which may be better for working class Communities which historically have much less money to work with.

[@leehewitt9559]

Spot on Andy👌

[@engyn0]

Dude is driving in a future car!

[@GamingKing545]

0:54 you should install some guy wires not only for safety but reception might improve more

[@user-kf5zw8uq7r]

What vehicle is Twizzy? I want to purchase one.

[@fotografm]

Looks like that yagi on your windowsill is aligned for moonbounce anyway 🙂

[@ragheadand420roll]

Since were back to wardriving. How are the pringles cantennas doing ? 😂

[@sprint955st]

Just setup mine, but I sincerely doubt there are other stations where I am in North Essex. It’s a bit rural here.

[@andykirby]

You never know! Signal travels well in rural areas!

[@sprint955st]

In a bit of a valley. I’ll see how it goes. Thanks for responding.

[@lcuinu]

Is there an open channel that everyone sees everyone? I've usually had my own mesh setup so only see our group, I haven't tried a 'public' network (settings?) to see if anyone else is out there.

[@ddouglas3687]

Always fun stuff sir! 👍

[@kenGPT]

I like the twizzy! wish I could get one in the US

[@gcljohn]

I didn’t know the Twizzy was an All Terrain vehicle!

[@ThomasHart59]

I've noticed that you seem to drive on the wrong side of the road.

[@ragheadand420roll]

He doesnt even look japanese.

[@bluegizmo1983]

Why don't you use MQTT?

[@CaliCarCulture]

Can someone track you down using the Mashtastic node map ?

[@TonyLing]

Does aircraft scatter come into play with LoRa?

[@andykirby]

Yes it does.

[@panzerdawn]

Great video.. cant wait to get mine

[@DavidWatkinsGam]

Can you do a zoom q&a session?

[@jdcrunchman999]

I found just ONE node in the Las Vegas area through MeshMap. This SUCKS! How can I somehow get more people in my area to use it. There are two sites where repeaters can be placed. One to the West in the Red Rock hills, and the other to the east. Unfortunately drone use in ANY area in Las Vegas is illegal, or I would put one on a drone and fly it to a place that only a rock climber can get to it. I sure wish you would have the time to reach out to me Andy.... and why is it so popular in the UK?

[@GamingKing545]

you could try decreasing the ping interval to abt one every min

[@quantumenergysolutions9128]

Are you allowed to install another node on that hill? Many farmers would like to know there is a mech net in their area, as they need many soil NPK sensors and other sensors that help automate farming

[@andykirby]

Interesting

[@jameshallen007]

As a customer of your brilliant ebike kit i'd love a discount code for an extra battery!

[@mediocreman2]

I'm surprised you aren't required to have mudflaps in your country. I'd hate to be behind you risking a cracked windshield.

[@dowhilegeek]

calling that cool little thing a "car" is a little bit of an overstatement

[@MichaelAlcock]

Andy I'm new to this world of Meshtastic but I have a very cool project including 100 meshtastic devices for a STEM project. Would you be interested in helping me and using this for your content?

[@haydarinda]

0.75 speed is good for not native speakers

[@nicod974]

Jamming ❤

[@aeron-mw7ofs]

👍👍