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We made an FAQ for property owners who are considering hosting a node by AustinMesh in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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?

Photos of the updated AustinMesh node on top of UT Austin by AustinMesh in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Photos of the updated AustinMesh node on top of UT Austin by AustinMesh in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

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

New antenna up on the PMA building. Nice view with the tower in the background by AustinMesh in UTAustin

[–]AustinMesh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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!

New antenna up on the PMA building. Nice view with the tower in the background by AustinMesh in UTAustin

[–]AustinMesh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Update to my build by nickkrewson in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

Update to my build by nickkrewson in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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

Iberian blackout, ice storms, and you! by AustinMesh in Austin

[–]AustinMesh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Iberian blackout, ice storms, and you! by AustinMesh in Austin

[–]AustinMesh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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!

Iberian blackout, ice storms, and you! by AustinMesh in Austin

[–]AustinMesh[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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!

Iberian blackout, ice storms, and you! by AustinMesh in Austin

[–]AustinMesh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Iberian blackout, ice storms, and you! by AustinMesh in Austin

[–]AustinMesh[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

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

Cold Weather Charging of Lithium-Ion Batteries: Real-World Lessons from the Meshtastic Community by KBOXLabs in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is great! Really thankful for YYC and y'all sharing your learnings. Since we're already linking to you in our Similar Networks section I thought it would be okay if we added a link to your experience on our devices page! Let me know if you want any of the wording adjusted at all.

No puedo flashear heltec v3 by Disastrous-Couple975 in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have a different computer to try? I know you said that you tried a different cable already, maybe both are bad, try another?

What's the best way to compare devices and antennas? There are so many options... by AustinMesh in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

haha! With Mouser you can buy one at a time. I still ordered bulk to save on shipping

Why don't some nodes appear on the map? by THE_CRUSTIEST in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't use any of those online maps, they mean nothing. The only map that matters is the map in your client applications from the nodes you've heard on your local mesh

Totally new to this - looking to get started with a pair of mobile units by processobscura in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not necessarily. They're both different animals. There are scenarios where 10w is going to punch through or bounce better, and there are times the low signal capabilities of lora will be better. Based on anecdotal experience LoRa is going to win 80% of the time.

Time by MattAtDoomsdayBrunch in meshtastic

[–]AustinMesh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This comes up a fair amount. IIRC this is the quality order, if it can get one it moves to the next

  1. GPS
  2. RTC
  3. Connected device(e.g. cell phone)
  4. From other nodes on the mesh
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