[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Fw: [WWDM] Meshtastic in Vienna first baby steps

Fri Mar 22 11:08:48 EDT 2024

Hey folks, for anyone looking to learn more about meshtastic, VWS is hosting a meeting today (it’s in the middle of most people’s work days but I figured I’d send it out anyway), this is a great opportunity to learn a bit about meshtastic and what is happening with it in the nova region

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Don Taylor <dontay155 at gmail.com>
> Date: On Fri, Mar 22, 2024 at 09:20
> Subject: Fw: [WWDM] Meshtastic in Vienna first baby steps
> To: David Edewaard <dedewaard at cox.net>,Jacek Radzikowski <jacek.radzikowski at gmail.com>,Rick Neifeld <richardneifeld at gmail.com>, <rcmahoney at verizon.net>,Joe K <joek at 26xx.org>,Fletcher Veitch <fletcher.veitch at gmail.com>,cc: Pete Norloff <pnorloff05 at toward.com>,Ray kester <RayKLC at ktronicslc.com>, <vws-weirdnwacky-digital-modes at googlegroups.com>,Andrew Doane <adoane at w3.net>,Brendan O'Neill <km4hrr at gmail.com>,Steve Nagy <stnagy at gmail.com>,Lou Ward <lfranklinward at gmail.com>,Lewis Mead <lew at autographa2d.com>,VWS Board of Directors and Officers <vws-board-of-directors-and-officers at googlegroups.com>,Mike Aimone <aimonema at aol.com>,Mike Dannhardt <mdannhardt at gmail.com>
> Cc:
>
> Zoom today at 2:00 for anyone interested.
>
> [https://bit.ly/Weird-Wacky-Digi-Net](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bit.ly/Weird-Wacky-Digi-Net&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw2PpprEDylrk1L8vFlk5YVV)
>
> (Host code is 857565)
>
> Agenda:
>
> - Say hello and tell us where you are in meshtastic node deployment/management
> - share configurations and try to develop a common vienna Phase I config (common, easy, slow, proof of concept), Channel 0 long/fast vs 9 long-mod
> - short discussion: how does Vienna evolution mesh with Nova-Meshtastic Groups.io, area integration (Arlington, Vienna, Centerville)
> - VWS American Legion Antenna Mast deployment ideas
>
> - rules: no climbing, lanyard fine
> - Lanyard with sled for some offset
> - Power
> - Temp trial/proof of concept
> - how to evaluate
> - discuss communication options:
>
> - discord/meshtastic channel
> - create new google groups (like WWDN group) for Vienna Meshtastic
> - talk about next steps
>
> - weekly zoom (no more meetings! hahah)
> - physical meetup ideas:
>
> - Normal Tuesday lunch @ PJ Skidoos in Fairfax
> - vienna inn in Vienna
> - Tysons (wholefoods @ mosaic upstairs at bar/workspace area
> - Mosaic astroturf center/coffee shop
>
> Don
> km4udx
> 571`-225-6180
>
> On Fri, Mar 22, 2024 at 7:45 AM David Edewaard <dedewaard at cox.net> wrote:
>
>> Great idea.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Mar 21, 2024, at 11:24 PM, Don Taylor <dontay155 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> 
>>> We can build a pvc pipe sled and a box to hold the works away from the tower frame.
>>>
>>> I got these today. But not able to connect and configure. Gurrrrr….
>>>
>>> <image_6209779.JPG>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Mar 21, 2024 at 6:56 PM David Edewaard <dedewaard at cox.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Don,
>>>> I will verify that the lanyard works tomorrow. If you want to run a 5vdc power cable up 50-75ft, we need to make sure the gauge of the wire is sufficient not to cause too much resistance loss.
>>>>
>>>> The antenna needs to be at some distance from tower members, at least a several wavelengths. I’m not sure at this point how to do that. Antennas are usually mounted on metal arms offset from the tower.
>>>>
>>>> Dave E.
>>>> W4DOE
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Mar 21, 2024, at 6:27 PM, Don Taylor <dontay155 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> 
>>>>> Yes, lets try your unit Joe.
>>>>>
>>>>> Goal is to hoist it up the lanyard and see how it goes.
>>>>>
>>>>> If we have a long 3.3/5/12 supply up the tower, lanyard, can we use local wifi for remote control?
>>>>>
>>>>> Are you happy with your antenna for outside operation?
>>>>>
>>>>> I also ordered the amp.
>>>>>
>>>>> Don
>>>>> <IMG_3659.jpg>
>>>>
>>>>> On Thu, Mar 21, 2024 at 5:59 PM Joe K <joek at 26xx.org> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have four on hand if you’d like to test sooner, my 915 nodes are limited right now but I have at least two iirc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Kd2hzg
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Thu, Mar 21, 2024 at 15:38, Jacek Radzikowski <[jacek.radzikowski at gmail.com](mailto:On+Thu,+Mar+21,+2024+at+15:38,+Jacek+Radzikowski+%3C%3Ca+href=)> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I've just ordered the amp. One it arrives, we can see how it works.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jacek
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Thu, 21 Mar 2024 at 14:49, Joe K <joek at 26xx.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> FYI even with a rak wireless or tlora we can push up to 4w with these little BDAs a buddy found on AliExpress
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqvAqh0
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I’m not saying don’t get the station g2 but, there are other options. I would definitely encourage posting questions and ideas to the groups.io to build it out.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Thu, Mar 21, 2024 at 14:01, Don Taylor <[dontay155 at gmail.com](mailto:On+Thu,+Mar+21,+2024+at+14:01,+Don+Taylor+%3C%3Ca+href=)> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Lets get something, anything up. We can get 3.3, or 5 or 12v out to the base of the tower.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Don't fret ref db output. In ham mode, we have flexibility. I don't think many folks read the NoVa Meshtastic group.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Did you order the Station G2? Should I order it?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Thu, Mar 21, 2024 at 1:50 PM David O Edewaard <dedewaard at cox.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Don,
>>>>>>>>>> I ordered my personal Meshtastic node hardware (Lilygo T-beam), although I paid twice its original cost. Nonetheless I need to jump in to understand what you all are conversing about. The board should arrive in mid-April.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I’m trying to understand what power we (VWS) can transmit by using the Station G2 transceiver. Apparently we are limited by the FCC to 36dBm ERP for unlicensed operation in the 915MHz band. The max power out of the Station G2 transceiver is 36dBm — adjustable. If we put the antenna at the top of the tower with good low-loss coax our max ERP is 36dBm +5dB -4dB = 37dBm (transceiver power out + antenna gain - cable/connector losses = ERP). This is over the max (although likely optimistic), but apparently it gives us some flexibility — i.e. going with a lower gain antenna. Our first step could be just buying the Station G-2 transceiver (https://www.tindie.com/products/neilhao/meshtastic-mesh-device-station-g2/) and using shore power and an inexpensive low gain antenna located near the base of the tower and mounted on or in the shed (antenna on outside.) Of course, this assumes there is power out to the shed. This first step would only cost about $140. What do you think? It would seem that at least the Vienna Meshtastic users will initially benefit and we would get a feel for how well the thing operates.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I’m not sure anyone in the NoVa Meshtastic group saw my originally suggested alternatives and the cost spreadsheet.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>>>>> Dave
>>>>>>>>>> W4DOE
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On Mar 20, 2024, at 9:19 PM, Don Taylor <dontay155 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> So it seems I should NOT use the Ham setting so I can see the widest mesh?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Here are some config details from the westward mesh...would they be best for Vienna operations as well?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Region: US –
>>>>>>>>>>> Preset: Long Range – Moderate –
>>>>>>>>>>> Channel: 9 (903.0625 MHz at 208 channel spread) –
>>>>>>>>>>> Transmit: Enabled –
>>>>>>>>>>> Device Role: Client –
>>>>>>>>>>> Rebroadcast Mode: All
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks for the help!
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On Wed, Mar 20, 2024 at 9:21 AM David KK4ZUU <kk4zuu at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Don,
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Are you running at meshtastic defaults? This may help you initially find other users in your area; another option is to take your node for a ride when you run errands and perhaps, you'll stumble across another node. You may want to set your node name to an email address you don't mind being public until you join a mesh of users.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> meshtastic defaults:
>>>>>>>>>>>> Long_Fast
>>>>>>>>>>>> Max Hops = 3
>>>>>>>>>>>> Channel 1 (Primary)
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Helpful References:
>>>>>>>>>>>> Getting Started - https://meshtastic.org/docs/getting-started/
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> ->If you are running in ham mode (Is Licensed), you can only see other nodes configured as a ham node (and on the same Channel and Frequency as you)<-
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> 73, David kk4zuu
>>>>>>>>>>>> _._,_._,_
>>>>>>>>>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>> Groups.io Links:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> You receive all messages sent to this group.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> [View/Reply Online (#70)](https://groups.io/g/NoVa-Meshtastic/message/70) | [Reply To Group](mailto:NoVa-Meshtastic at groups.io?subject=Re:%20Re%3A%20%5BNoVa-Meshtastic%5D%20Vienna%20nodes%20first%20baby%20steps) | [Reply To Sender](mailto:kk4zuu at gmail.com?subject=Private:%20Re:%20Re%3A%20%5BNoVa-Meshtastic%5D%20Vienna%20nodes%20first%20baby%20steps) | [Mute This Topic](https://groups.io/mt/105038993/542720) | [New Topic](https://groups.io/g/NoVa-Meshtastic/post)
>>>>>>>>>>>> [Your Subscription](https://groups.io/g/NoVa-Meshtastic/editsub/542720) | [Contact Group Owner](mailto:NoVa-Meshtastic+owner at groups.io) | [Unsubscribe](https://groups.io/g/NoVa-Meshtastic/leave/13137250/542720/1303625675/xyzzy) [dontay155 at gmail.com]
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _._,_._,_
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Don
>>>>>>>>>>> 571-225-6180
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Don
>>>>>>>>> 571-225-6180
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Given a choice between two theories, take the one which is funnier
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>>
>>>>> Don
>>>>> 571-225-6180
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Don
>>> 571-225-6180
>
> --
>
> Don
> 571-225-6180
>
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