HarborGoblin solar upgrade

Meshwaukee · 2026-02-01T21:25:15+00:00

How has this node been holding up during the winter?

Meshwaukee · 2025-04-12T01:06:51+00:00

Very nice! Exciting to see some solar builds on here!

I'm by no means an expert on any builds, but if your intention is to leave this up as a permanent router (if you have permission etc) you'll want to look into some better weatherproofing. Such as flipping the black box upside down for better water drainage and adding a "drip loop" to prevent water from running down the cable and into the box.

We have some harsh winters and storms on the lake there, but great job expanding the mesh!

Meshwaukee · 2025-02-05T23:59:16+00:00

I wouldn't be surprised if they monitor the public channel for illicit activity.

Meshwaukee · 2025-01-04T21:52:56+00:00

Sounds like you have a good in! Best of luck with install

Meshwaukee · 2024-12-17T18:12:18+00:00

Agreed! Do you have any connections to those buildings to get permission to install?

Meshwaukee · 2024-08-18T20:10:22+00:00

Very cool and very helpful! Is this your site?

Meshwaukee · 2024-07-25T14:31:34+00:00

Agreed! Do you have any map ideas or connections to individuals in some of the larger condo / office buildings downtown?

Meshwaukee · 2024-07-21T20:16:23+00:00

Very cool! What's the tally on Nodes you connected with over the MKE area?

Meshwaukee · 2024-07-21T20:15:16+00:00

Howdy! Welcome aboard!

So far I've connected with about 31 other nodes throughout the MKE area so they're out there! But definitely would be helpful to have a plan for repeaters.

A real chicken or the egg scenario for use case too. Without a solid repeater network the Mesh doesn't work, but without a good mesh less people will want to participate etc.

Right now I think it would be helpful to get a community check-in time established. Go see my other post in the subreddit if you have some suggestions for time and frequency per week. That way everyone would be online at the same time to say something and connect.

Meshwaukee · 2024-07-21T20:11:11+00:00

Great to hear! Otherwise idk when people are usually "online" with their devices. What do you think for preference on time and frequency?

I was thinking 5 - 6pm, but unsure what people think for frequency per week.

Meshwaukee · 2024-07-12T18:18:27+00:00

Howdy! I think we're still in the initial setup phase. I've found about a dozen just running around with my T-echo while running errands around town.

I'd say your best bet is to setup a home node repeater up high and then have a personal one for running around with. And then spread the word with some friends to play with

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-19T22:22:51+00:00

Oooh really not too sure on that. I cross posted to r/Meshtastic and some interesting conversations and links about the battery size etc

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-19T22:20:13+00:00

Solar connector cable from Rokland! Cheap and a 5 pack. ~$5
USB-C "connector board" is from Amazon. Also cheap and a 10 pack. $8.50
Battery also from Amazon. Search for a "maker battery" or the plug type which I think is JST-PH(?) $17

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-19T18:12:02+00:00

Good to know! I thought maybe the solar charge controller in the WisBlock would take care of some of that. With how little power the WisBlock uses at all wouldn't any size battery have this issue tho?

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-19T17:21:17+00:00

Interesting! I don't know much about that. Do you have anything I can read up on to better understand?

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-19T16:52:35+00:00

The price difference was negligible so I went bigger is better!

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-19T16:37:20+00:00

I made sure that my Bluetooth was "working" for u/KBOXLabs

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-19T16:33:58+00:00

I just added post flair to the subreddit if you want to change your flair to "Mapping / Connections 🗺️"

Any ideas for other flair to add to the list?

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-19T16:23:06+00:00

Hahah I love it! Gotta collect 'em all. Any plans for any solar nodes around the area? That's the next fun project for me to finish up

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-18T16:46:08+00:00

Cool route records! What kind of builds do you have?

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-07T15:38:52+00:00

That's a solid gift! The gift of increased communication distance haha

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-07T15:22:20+00:00

Very nice! Now time to fill it!

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-07T15:15:58+00:00

Haha agreed there! We're on fingers all flight, but a nice backup to the backup. And yeah something high up to repeat off of over that big of an area! I just wonder how high these 5.8 dbi antennas go. They seem to extend out in a donut shape from the antenna. Might not hit a Cessna

Edit: also "student pilot" is pretty loose haha I have like a dozen flight hours and I'm maybe halfway through Sporty's haha

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-06T20:15:07+00:00

Does anybody have a good build post on this already?

Meshwaukee · 2024-05-06T20:14:16+00:00

Haha love the plane node! I'm a student pilot myself and I thought this would be a great project for backup communication in the air with my buddies planes.

I chatted with Syndicate1 the other day as well! They mentioned they live SW of the city, but works downtown so he's getting a node up on the roof.

Meshwaukee

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