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Meshtastic (BETA*)

An early look into the budding technology that has generated a lot of interest with hams and non-hams alike.

Adam Melton - KK4GKF

www.PugetMesh.org

11 January 2025

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Goals

  1. Basic understanding of the fundamental concepts of Meshtastic

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  1. Set expectation for new users

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  1. Provide resources for questions and topics not covered today

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  1. Do my best to answer questions. Please ask!

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Quick overview of Meshtastic (Common Configuration)

  • 900mhz ISM band (902-928MHz)
  • <= 1 watt
  • LoRa (Long Range) Radios
  • Meshtastic is one version of the LoRa protocol.
    • Specifically it uses LoRa P2P with a focus on long distance text communication.
    • It is an open source protocol.
  • Android app, IPhone app, Web application, local interface
  • Similar to APRS
  • “Early” Development (First released early 2020?)

Wikipedia: “Meshtastic is a decentralized wireless off-grid mesh networking LoRa protocol. The main goal of the project is enabling low-power, long-range communication over unlicensed radio bands. It is designed around exchanging text messages and data in off-grid environments, with potential applications in IoT projects where a decentralized communication system is needed without existing infrastructure.”

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Common Hardware ($10, $35, $65)

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Heltec V3

Rokland Rak “Wisblock”

LILYGO T-Echo

LILYGO T-Beam

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←2 Watt Solar

6 Watt Solar →

Both nRF52�Wisblock�Radios

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Meshtastic.org/docs/overview/radio-settings/

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Modem Presets vs “Channels”

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Modem Preset:

  • Organized into range and speed names
  • Only one can be used at a time
  • LONG_FAST
  • LONG = Long Range
  • FAST = “Fast” Transfer (1.07 kbps)
  • Default slot 20 (906.875MHz)

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Channel:

  • Think Talkgroups or Privacy Line
  • Required to connect to others
  • Up to 7 channels simultaneously
  • LongFast
    • Default channel name
    • “Bootstrap” channel.

LONG_FAST�SLOT 20

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Channels vs Direct Messages (and telemetry)

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LongFast

SLOT 20

LONG_FAST

SLOT 21

PS-MESH!

LongFast

Bob’s Channel

Johnny Mesh User

Sally Mesh User

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Message Queuing Telemetry Transport

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WiFi

WiFi

mqtt.DaveKeogh.com�mqtt.Meshtastic.org

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Maps and Position Sharing

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(Don’t trust the maps)

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Local Growth (Observed Sept 22nd 2024 - Dec 31st 2024)

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Challenges

  • Content Moderation
  • “Bots”
  • Portable Nodes
  • Encryption
  • Commercialization
  • Frequent software updates
    • Need to physically access nodes
    • Out of date documentation
  • High noise floor on ISM band
  • Inconsistent messaging
  • ham mode is not primary focus of project
  • Non-intuitive user interactions (Repeater mode, LongFast, QR Code)

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“This documentation leaves me ... not satisfied.”

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Weekly Meshtastic Net (Every Monday at 6:13:45PM)

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Things to consider before the net:

  • Multiple net control operators.
  • location of net control. You want to not only be heard, but also to hear others. Prioritize hearing others.
  • Uptime of net control. I've found i need to get on the air at least 2 hours before starting the net to reliable integrate into the mesh from my new location. Getting online right before is not nearly as consistent.

During the net:

  • Send all messages twice, at least 1 minute apart. For the net control announcement I send it 3 times over 10 minutes.
  • Include name/call in every message.

After:

  • I like to publish who I heard to our discord, and others can report who they heard and did not hear. This helps understand message propagation and paths much better.

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Meshtastic > MQTT > Discord

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Puget Mesh

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Implementations and Potential Use-Cases

Seattle Emergency Hubs

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ATAK integration, S&R applications

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Remote repeater site monitoring and management

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Civilian friendly (CERT/ACS!)

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What’s Next?

Grow the Mesh!

Weekly Net

In-Person Meetups

Alternate mode mesh

Local community frequencies

AREDN - Meshtastic integration

Questions?

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