[GCARC] Change in Tech Saturday topic

[Jon Pearce]

Due to an issue in John Zaruba K2ZA's schedule he will not be presenting the "Intro to APRS" session at the Tech Saturday on September 13 as will be announced in Crosstalk. That session will occur at the October Tech Saturday.

Instead I'll be giving a short presentation on the setup and use of the unlicensed 915 MHz Meshtastic radios that several members have starting experimenting with because of the large user base in and around Philadelphia that creates a far-reaching network. These radios are set up quite differently from the ham configurations that were used in the 433 MHz radios, using "channels" instead of user-assigned frequencies and allowing encryption. There's more to be learned about their configuration and use than can be assembled and presented at that session but we should be able to get new users started with these radios. Over the next few months several of us are experimenting with expanding their use to communicate across networks using internet-based MQTT messages and also to use them beyond messaging for more advanced data transfers. We can introduce those topics but they'll need to be covered in more depth at a later session after more experimentation and research.

A great option for these devices is the combination below sold by Amazon for about $65. This includes TWO Heltec V3 radios, each with a plastic case, SMA-mounted antenna and a LiPo battery that will power the unit when not powered by the Heltec's USB-C connector. This create a nice portable station for a low price. They need to be flashed with the Meshtastic firmware, which can be done at the flasher.meshtastic.org website or on Tech Saturday.

If you're interested in these radios, pick up one or more of them (be sure they're the 915 MHz version) and come out to the clubhouse on September 13.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1CXG94J?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

73 de Jon WB2MNF