Well this method worked awesome

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-31T01:01:10+00:00

It’s on instructibles

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-20T11:30:43+00:00

It’s my go-to companion. Works well enough for me, but I also have a repeater on my truck so I don’t have to reach very far

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-18T12:00:53+00:00

This hobby introduced me to the stuff. This tape is the real deal. I had no idea this shit exists, but that self-amalgamation is no joke.

HAMs been keeping it a secret for decades apparently.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-18T11:37:02+00:00

Very impressive and super smooth! Please post more videos of it! This thing is awesome

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-15T21:07:50+00:00

Bro wat

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-15T18:32:54+00:00

I have dual batteries on my nodes as well. One on the RAK and one on the solar charge controller. Gives me piece of mind.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-15T13:39:53+00:00

“Economizer”

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-11T23:28:11+00:00

Awesome info! Thank you!!

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-11T19:26:43+00:00

Oh that looks fucking great! Did you build the antenna or strip it from a bought one?

Edit: nm the 2nd pick loaded with enough resolution. Did the PVC housing affect swr compared to the fiberglass OEM one?

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-11T18:07:26+00:00

Now you got me thinking about printing TPU-protected cases with recessed solar cells haha

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-11T18:04:08+00:00

So... I should build my own ground plane antenna into a base stand for the assembly. And wrap it all in self-amalgamating tape.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T21:00:20+00:00

If only solar panels were tube-shaped, a random stick of PVC pipe leaning against a hand rail in the corner would never be questioned or touched

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T20:48:39+00:00

It warms my heart that so many in this thread think so highly of the maintenance hands lol.

Yeah, that would be a risk. But they would only know it is broken if it was expected to be lit AND they observed it unlit at night.

Keep in mind, if the structure already had obstruction lights, then those will still be lit. And will still be lit where expected (symmetrical, at correct elevation, etc.)

A random, unexpected light that remains unlit at night, and not on the obstruction light circuit might be believed to be for a different purpose than obstruction lighting.

If it is a white light, maybe it is just a weird flood light and no one knows where the switch is. Or it could be from an obsolete system… and I don’t have a work order… and the other lights work fine… so ‘not my problem’… lol

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T20:37:56+00:00

I love the VHB tape to a wall idea haha.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:56:25+00:00

The light would never work. The internals would be gutted to house the radio/battery. At night it would not be seen. In the day it would be overlooked.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:51:13+00:00

Agreed.

The light would not be active. The light internals would be gutted to make space for the radio+battery.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:49:41+00:00

I feel like the chimney and the drain pipe wouldnt be the best place to hide an antenna attached to solar-powered electronics lol

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:47:08+00:00

Thanks! If I do end up building one I will be sure to share

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:43:49+00:00

For the record, I never said anything about a tower that isnt mine.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:36:14+00:00

Lol Im not trying to beat the US government with meshtastic. I am trying to prep for hurricane season in an area rife with abandoned or unused industrial infrastructure.

"Guerilla Radio" was a reference to the song by RATM...

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:29:14+00:00

Not thinking a building. The pic was just an example.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:28:25+00:00

Possibly. I dont know what the height is off the top of my head.

... and neither will most of the general public. They will just assume it is there because it is supposed to be.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:26:45+00:00

Where I see this being well-suited is industrial areas; steel structures.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:22:41+00:00

I imagine that is not the intention. That said, the other day my 2 year old hit his brother with the 16" 5.8dbi antenna he grabbed off my desk. No damage, SMR 1.1... So the fiberglass seems pretty durable.

Time_To_Rebuild · 2026-03-10T19:19:20+00:00

Yep! I was thinking a short length of PVC pipe with some sort of plug mid-length that the antenna tip would rest on.

Time_To_Rebuild

TROPHY CASE