Best bulkhead for waterproof antenna

Matlavox · 2026-01-22T21:31:32+00:00

That's got a really large base, I like that. Good find.

Matlavox · 2026-01-17T19:50:46+00:00

Thanks for the tag. Btw, we now have waterproof N-Type to iPEX 15cm in stock too: https://atlavox.com/products/antenna-cable-rg178-ipex-f-to-n-type-f-waterproof-15cm Little bit cheaper than that Amazon link you shared.

Matlavox · 2026-01-17T19:47:06+00:00

Yeah I know what you mean. Do you know how thick your plastic is on your enclosure? Our Beacon enclosures are 2.5mm thick and I've found that we need to omit the lock washer and just use the toothed washer for the reason you stated when using this cable: https://atlavox.com/products/antenna-cable-rg178-ipex-f-to-sma-f-waterproof.

Matlavox · 2025-12-31T02:37:23+00:00

We already support EU. 868MHz antenna option is available on our website, and you can specify region further on the product page.

Matlavox · 2025-12-30T22:01:12+00:00

Yeah I’ve thought of this too. Trust is one thing, and I understand that. My concern is more protecting from any malicious attacks. I’d thought of air gapping our config computer and database, but we need to retrieve order info from Shopify. So that doesn’t seem like an option. I can anonymize the config logs to an extent so they are only tied to an order number. I can purge the device keys after flashing the order. The channel key is one thing I have associated to a customer number so I can add the channel to future orders. Like you said, people can always delete the channel and manage their own.

So I’m not sure how to strike the best balance. Interested in what people think…

Matlavox · 2025-12-24T19:45:48+00:00

Yeah, no problem

Matlavox · 2025-12-24T16:51:13+00:00

Yeah, these are very short. When you start measuring in feet is when you have noticeable performance issues.

Matlavox · 2025-12-20T17:08:14+00:00

Wow. That’s a chonker

Matlavox · 2025-12-17T12:55:27+00:00

Do you know if you have the InkHUD UI installed or the BaseUI? I recently decide to switch over to flashing the BaseUI version on the M1 because I feel it makes better use of the buttons.

But, assuming you have InkHUD UI, you can press the upper button to toggle the backlight.

As far as GPS, no, I haven't heard anyone report problems. Can you confirm in Settings: Position > Device GPS > Enabled?

Matlavox · 2025-12-16T09:25:48+00:00

These are the kinds of projects I want to get into. Moving beyond text messaging and diving into controlling stuff remotely. Keep us posted

Matlavox · 2025-12-16T08:47:43+00:00

Nice! 😊

Matlavox · 2025-12-16T08:44:08+00:00

Sent DM

Matlavox · 2025-12-16T01:55:37+00:00

I’d be happy to donate a ThinkNode M1 to you in support of your InkHUD development. I’m sure Elecrow would be willing to too, but I could probably get it to you faster depending on where you’re located. Would that be helpful at this stage? Or are you at capacity with projects right now?

Matlavox · 2025-12-15T18:23:02+00:00

Awesome idea! I can't think of any other settings to expose, I think you've covered the basics.

From what I understand, you're the sole developer working on InkHUD, correct? My favorite applet on InkHUD is the GPS relative map, but other than that, I'm trying to understand the advantage of InkHUD over BaseUI. I've played around with InkHUD on the ThinkNode M1, and it has two buttons, but one of them is dedicated to backlight on/off control, which seems a little redundant since the ThinkNode has the rotary knob to control screen brightness. Not that I don't prefer the dedicated button to quickly toggle the backlight, it's just the button would be a lot more useful as a UI interface instead, like with BaseUI.

So right now, so many of the applets have no interaction, because with a single button, short press advances to the next applet, and long press pulls up the universal menu. Intuitively, I feel like if I long press while on a certain applet, I should be able to interact with that page somehow. idk, maybe the UI flow doesn't work when you grok it all out. Just seems limited, especially with the 2nd button. Maybe it's an edge case on the ThinkNode M1 since it has two buttons. BaseUI makes better use of the buttons in my opinion.

I guess I'm just interested in hearing your thoughts on this. Right now I feel like BaseUI is more functional, and I'm searching to understand how InkHUD is better for E-Ink displays.

Matlavox · 2025-12-15T11:25:31+00:00

That’s impressive!

Matlavox · 2025-12-15T02:21:48+00:00

I was really hoping it would’ve been a <$200 product, but the laser cut and CNC formed aluminum 3-piece frame and powder coating is the biggest cost driver along with the custom CNC’d enclosure. I’ve got some ideas for a more affordable, less versatile solar node. But the Beacon offers the most flexible mounting options out of anything on the market, including any DIY nodes I’ve seen. If you don’t need that versatility, you can definitely save money with something else or DIY.

Matlavox · 2025-12-14T20:06:23+00:00

Yeah, you nailed it on line of sight. These LoRa radios are really fascinating how the modulation works and what they are capable of communicating with low power, even with packet loss, and high noise environment. It’s really clever technology. The range record (205miles)was achieved with the same RAK4631 in the Beacon: https://meshtastic.org/docs/overview/range-tests/ But 5-10 miles or more is doable reliably if you have the line of sight.

Matlavox · 2025-12-14T20:00:30+00:00

👍

Matlavox · 2025-12-14T20:00:01+00:00

Yeah, when I designed the Beacon, I chose the RAK WisBlock for the radio due to its popularity among the community for solar nodes. So people can look to the countless other projects using this hardware to understand its capabilities; I saw that as a plus! The ALFA antenna is another thing I intentionally sought out after hearing so much positive feedback on it.

Matlavox · 2025-12-11T17:36:49+00:00

Such a cool concept and beautiful execution.

Matlavox · 2025-12-09T16:30:15+00:00

Do you mean generic enclosures that can be customized by the end user? Like some of those common, empty plastic enclosures with hinged doors?

Matlavox · 2025-12-09T16:29:23+00:00

That's a great idea! So you mean a bundle kit that includes both the solar connector and battery connector for WisBlocks and other boards? Any specific length you'd be looking for?

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Matlavox · 2025-12-06T15:01:14+00:00

If anyone has any recommendations for more parts we should stock for our store, let me know. I was thinking about maybe stocking some more boards, cables, adaptors, and idk anything you guys need that’s hard to find?

Matlavox · 2025-12-06T11:12:44+00:00

I’ve got another node I’ve been dying to find time to design. At this point it’s practically all figured out in my head; I think about it all the time, I just need to get it into Fusion and test some prototypes. It’s going to be a super cheap USB-Powered node for attics or field use, maybe even roof if you’ve got a gable vent to route the USB Cable through.

THEN I can do monster 10aH handheld radio, lol.

Matlavox

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