On 12/20/2024 12:06 PM PST Ben Kuhn via groups.io <ku0hn@...> wrote:
?
?
Hi David,
?
-- I see we have the choice of 800 or 900 mhz OR also listed is 433 mhz. I'm thinking 433 might be better in my area due to vegetation etc. Anyone got an opinion?
?
For unlicensed folks, the only real choice is 900MHz.? 433MHz and 800MHz are ISM bands in other regions, but not North America.? If everyone was a ham, 433 would be an option and provide for a much better link budget but if everyone is unlicensed 900MHz will keep it legal.? Also high gain antennas for 900MHz are much cheaper and smaller.
?
-- Has anybody actually used a Lilygo T Deck? Does it actually work? This is a stand alone unit (similar to what I described several messages up), with self contained keyboard etc and not requiring a cell phone. Just thinking one set of batteries is enough to keep charged in an emergency situation.
?
Yes and Yes*.? The Asterisk on the second Yes is because the device works okay with the mainline firmware, but the user interface is pretty bad since it's the same interface as the little nodes with OLED screens and 3 buttons.? You can send and receive messages via the built-in keyboard.? The device has to be configured with the phone app over bluetooth though.
?
?There is a highly experimental graphical firmware for this device and it's pretty neat but missing some features.? One caveat is it has to be configured on the device itself so inputting encryption keys is a major pain.? You can't just scan a QR code on a phone like with the standard firmware.? The firmware isn't being built/published so you have to compile it yourself or find someone who already has.
?
This is my T-Deck in a 3d printed case with a 3p 18650 Li-Ion battery.? It lasts about a week between charges but it's quite thick with that much battery.? The new version that comes with a case and battery pack included is probably easier for your non-technical folks.
?
I wouldn't suggest a T-Deck with either firmware as an only meshtastic device.? It's a great "interface device" but your antennas are limited since you carry it around.? If you pair it with a Heltec v3 or something similar with a high-gain antenna up high, the Heltec can forward anything over the mesh to the T-Deck.
?
-- Would really like to hear from anyone with actualy experience in this group with meshtastic. I've spoken to some meshtastic only guys, they were very excited about things that as a ham don't blow my dress up at all (ranges of 300 yrds etc), simply because they've never been exposed to ham ranges and capabilities. That's why I am leaning towards? ham-type solution even if it's more complex.
?
Like anything else with a radio in it, range is entirely dependent on your antenna situation and the path.? A tiny compromised antenna might only go 300 yards, kind of like the rubber duck on an FRS radio.? If you mount the radio outside on a mast with an 8dbi omni antenna right above it (to minimize coax loss) you are going to have a much better time.? If you are at the periphery of the covered area, going with a high gain beam will do even better.? Multi-mile links aren't hard with a good antenna, and tens of miles aren't too difficult if both antennas are up high with clear line of sight.? Also, remember, it's a mesh so you can talk to stations. 3-4 hops away.? You don't need a clear line of sight to everyone else in the mesh.
?
Consider that a couple decades ago it was very common for WISPs to use 900MHz because it could penetrate foliage better than 2.4 or 5GHz.? They were running wifi over 4-8MHz wide channels and going 10 or so miles with multi-megabit speeds while staying within the limitations of the ISM bands.? LoRA is much more of a weak-signal mode than 802.11 wifi and the limitations are identical.? The robustness of the protocol gives it a range advantage.
?
My suggestion is to design and build the way the WISP people do.? Put an antenna as high as you can with the radio mounted next to it to minimize coax loss.? The only real difference is I would suggest using an omni antenna if you can so that your node can extend the mesh.? If an omni doesn't have enough gain, then a yagi or panel-type beam is the way to go.? Antennas are cheap for this band.? Really cheap.
?
73,
Ben - KU0HN
?
?
On Friday, December 20th, 2024 at 1:13 PM, David Clark via groups.io <cw.w4trj@...> wrote:
Ben --
?
And anyone else actually familiar with meshtastic aside from watching youtube vids (like me) ---
?
-- I see we have the choice of 800 or 900 mhz OR also listed is 433 mhz. I'm thinking 433 might be better in my area due to vegetation etc. Anyone got an opinion?
?
-- Has anybody actually used a Lilygo T Deck? Does it actually work? This is a stand alone unit (similar to what I described several messages up), with self contained keyboard etc and not requiring a cell phone. Just thinking one set of batteries is enough to keep charged in an emergency situation.
?
-- Would really like to hear from anyone with actualy experience in this group with meshtastic. I've spoken to some meshtastic only guys, they were very excited about things that as a ham don't blow my dress up at all (ranges of 300 yrds etc), simply because they've never been exposed to ham ranges and capabilities. That's why I am leaning towards? ham-type solution even if it's more complex.
?
BUT
?
I am open minded on the meshtastic, because as stated I "want" to like it. I'm just not convinced it really works.?
?
Ben you're saying it really works. Do you know this first-hand? Not doubting you, just clarifying.?
?
Thank you --
?
DC
W4TRJ
?
?
?
?
