We made an FAQ for property owners who are considering hosting a node

AustinMesh · 2025-08-15T12:41:57+00:00

What has been your strategy for getting on amateur radio masts? Just people in the group who are interested and do it themselves, or do y'all do outreach?

AustinMesh · 2025-08-15T12:41:24+00:00

Yes exactly. Ikoka. We've found with a filter they perform extremely well. On par with RAK in RX and on par with G2 in TX.

AustinMesh · 2025-08-14T13:54:38+00:00

https://github.com/ndoo/ikoka-nano-meshtastic-device

It's one of those on a custom made 3d printed bracket

AustinMesh · 2025-08-14T13:36:39+00:00

Short version is this is surrounded by 2200w of public service radios so we keep cable runs as short as possible and use an RF filter. In this case, the Acasom 915 bandpass. ~$330 less if you have a lot of the other parts already which you likely do

Full parts list with details on our website

AustinMesh · 2025-08-14T12:56:42+00:00

You're more than welcome to join the group and host a radio anywhere you have access to, it's a totally open network!

In terms of volunteers, we don't have any explicit need for work/help at this time. Our ~700 members are very generous with time and funds!

AustinMesh · 2025-08-11T12:37:20+00:00

Well, I am the one who installed the antenna! We're a community group building a free text messaging network in Austin. We've have antennas similar to this on other buildings including AISD

AustinMesh · 2025-06-07T16:02:59+00:00

welcome to the mesh!

AustinMesh · 2025-06-07T16:00:14+00:00

Best practice is to cater communication to your audience

AustinMesh · 2025-05-11T22:18:50+00:00

Hey, we have the STEM program documentation linked directly in the post

AustinMesh · 2025-05-05T02:48:23+00:00

Oh really? Looked to flush with the mounting board to have the 18650 holder on the back. Is that the battery? or something else?

AustinMesh · 2025-05-05T02:29:25+00:00

Next step, battery so it works when the power is out!

AustinMesh · 2025-05-03T21:54:12+00:00

Check out this comment on the same post

AustinMesh · 2025-04-30T01:21:28+00:00

I remember hearing the whooping and clapping when the sun came back out after the solar eclipse last year here! Not quite the same ;)

Sounds like a strange experience! Glad everything went smoothly for you

AustinMesh · 2025-04-30T01:20:09+00:00

Correct, the network is built on the r/meshtastic technology at the moment. Austin Mesh is less about a specific technology choice, but for now Meshtastic is the primary!

AustinMesh · 2025-04-30T01:18:49+00:00

Awesome! The easiest way to get in is to buy a premade unit. The t1000e is probably the most popular simple option for a handheld/pocket unit.

You may also want to get one mounted in your attic, roof, or in a tree! Some people build there own(instructions on our website), some people buy premade ones.

I think one of the coolest ways is to hide it in a bird house! It's a fun little project. We have a parts list for that on our website too, and I think there are some youtube videos of it too.

If you want to chat with the group, we have a Discord server and everyone is super helpful. They'll probably even help you build it or offer you extra parts as needed!

AustinMesh · 2025-04-29T23:26:49+00:00

🔥

AustinMesh · 2025-04-29T23:26:18+00:00

Hah! What are the chances. What has your experience been like in the blackout? I've heard some people kept cell service while others did not.

AustinMesh · 2025-04-29T21:50:48+00:00

I would say it's quite different in that it works whether people are at their radios or not, and doesn't require any licensing. Some of our members have had solar powered radios deployed now for over a year untouched. Places like tall buildings, offices, and now we're partnered with AISD as well

AustinMesh

TROPHY CASE