Meshtastic anyone?

Hey everyone,

Just a quick one really, do we have anyone who is into Meshtastic? I've recently started out myself down here in East Sussex, and so far a little hit and miss for me. Due to the antenna, I'm looking at improving the home setup.

Yeah, just wondered if anyone on here was dabbling in Meshtastic themselves?

Cheers and beers!
73'

Just ordered a few bits from AliExpress to setup a node or two over here.  915MHz here, not the 433/868 used in the UK though.

26CT1074 wrote:

Hey everyone,

Just a quick one really, do we have anyone who is into Meshtastic? I've recently started out myself down here in East Sussex, and so far a little hit and miss for me. Due to the antenna, I'm looking at improving the home setup.

Yeah, just wondered if anyone on here was dabbling in Meshtastic themselves?

Cheers and beers!
73'

Hi Mike, I have one on order which should be with me 28/29th Feb. (Toby in Coldean is also about to get on-air with his)

As a side note: The 'Brighton Meshtastic' FB Group is growing well considering the short amount of time since since Simon started it so it all looks promising.

Hiya Tony,

It is indeed. It's crazy how it's picking up and taking off, which is good! I'm going to setup an outdoor aerial on the balcony in the next couple of weeks and have a node on 24/7. 

Really impressed out it's taking off around town though. 

Hope all is well with yourself Sir! 
73'

Hiya Mike, I'm good thanks & trust you are as well.
I am amazed at the uptake, the Meshtastic map looks like a rash with more spots every day!

I will probably go for an outside antenna later on when the weather improves.

73

I'm picking nothing up at my place    It's only when I head up toward the Race Hill I get someone. I will probably do the same, get a small outdoor antenna and do a permanent install on the balcony at some point. 

It's great though, the more the merrier!

I'd be interested in dabbling with a setup if anyone has any recommendations of kit and suppliers.

Sharpshooter wrote:

I'd be interested in dabbling with a setup if anyone has any recommendations of kit and suppliers.

 Best bet is a small device called the Heltec V3. Very inexpensive for what it is and gives you the starting block to get into Meshtastic. I got mine from eBay for around £21.

A video worth watching is from Lewis at Ringway Manchester on YouTube who done a video on it, and it's what I followed to flash the little device to get it ready to use.

Video: https://youtu.be/N3FXej9fqIk?si=T-uGx4_NUqN6grTN

Later on, you might want to add an external antenna... you will need an 868MHz antenna for it. 

The thing with it though is if you have no one around your area, you'll need to get up onto high ground because being on the 800+MHz band it's extremely short range. A good Meshtastic map to check around your area would be here: Mpowered247.com
It's database is user-added, so some stations may not be showing up on there. But there are other maps out there pretty much doing the same thing.

It's not a bad little activity to add to your radio hobby and best part is that's it's completely licence-free.

I thought about it, just as a fun thing after watching Andy Kirby.

Got a heltec on order. Hoping to have it up and running by the end of the week. Don't think there's anyone near me though

Tonyvic wrote:

26CT1074 wrote:

Hey everyone,

Just a quick one really, do we have anyone who is into Meshtastic? I've recently started out myself down here in East Sussex, and so far a little hit and miss for me. Due to the antenna, I'm looking at improving the home setup.

Yeah, just wondered if anyone on here was dabbling in Meshtastic themselves?

Cheers and beers!
73'

Hi Mike, I have one on order which should be with me 28/29th Feb. (Toby in Coldean is also about to get on-air with his)

As a side note: The 'Brighton Meshtastic' FB Group is growing well considering the short amount of time since since Simon started it so it all looks promising.

Huh, had an email from the seller today about delivery date. It seems that he didn't know about the two week long Chinese New Year holiday & his supplier is two weeks behind.
Oh well that's more time to read up on the system.

andy66 wrote:

Got a heltec on order. Hoping to have it up and running by the end of the week. Don't think there's anyone near me though

The map is showing three around Ipswich, probably more soon.

Hi am gonna get one when I restart work again

andy66 wrote:

Got a heltec on order. Hoping to have it up and running by the end of the week. Don't think there's anyone near me though

Im in town dont use mesh tho

I am up and running but nothing here with ant in the loft.
Put myself on the Meshtastic map. Short name Styn
Most likely need an outside antenna.

Ivy Mike wrote:

I am up and running but nothing here with ant in the loft.
Put myself on the Meshtastic map. Short name Styn
Most likely need an outside antenna.

 I spotted your station on  the map last night as it goes. I'll certainly take a node out portable up onto Devil's Dyke at some point this week and see if I get any hit on your node for sure.

Taken to the shack, it's not so high as in the loft but it's outside.

When I finish in the shack I will put it back in the loft.

So when not here it will be left on in the loft.