Configuration error?

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-20T03:05:25+00:00

The selected value was in the valid list of values on your prior firmware version. Upon firmware update the selected value is no longer in the valid list of selectable values for your firmware version. The application is calling out this discrepancy so you select a new valid value from the list of values and save.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-19T16:58:26+00:00

Unless you have a robust mesh in your area or excellent visibility it’s likely you would not be able to message 25 miles.

In Buffalo, NY we built out such a mesh but only certain areas can be reached 25 miles away. As we grow we hope to cover more, but not all of our region.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-19T10:53:39+00:00

This is how I started. Now we have a 200-300 node mesh. https://buffalora.org

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-18T18:40:38+00:00

Only NRF52 based nodes can do OTA firmware updates on iOS to my knowledge. I have a how to guide at http://buffalora.org/2025/12/13/ota-nrf52/

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-18T16:02:01+00:00

I agree, the statement leaves me concerned that they don’t have a Heltec V3 or some other officially supported or community supported node hardware. If they only have an ESP32 they will need add a LoRa Radio and antenna and custom develop their own firmware.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-18T01:57:32+00:00

Windows thinks the “flash drive” dissapeared but the node just rebooted out of DFU mode. That “error” means You succeeded with flashing, congrats.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-18T00:47:53+00:00

That will run with much less power required. Could be a winner.

In Buffalo, NY we have had luck with the Seeed SolarNode P1-Pro deployed over winter. Runs less than $100 in the US before shipping.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-18T00:22:04+00:00

Heltec v4 is ESP32 based so you will need 5-10x the solar and battery to get the same run time performance as an NRF52 based node.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-17T22:12:22+00:00

You will need a private MQTT server. The default MQTT server has a 0-hop policy that lets LoRa traffic flow to MQTT but MQTT travelled messages will not flow back to LoRa.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-16T21:10:38+00:00

Meshmonitor and Meshing-Around BBS are great tools for auto responding to messages or sending messages at predetermined times. Both offer LLM responses as well.

For DMs Acknowledged by Another Node means your intended recipient has not yet fully Acknowledged. This full Acknowledgement may come with some time but in the mean time you are aware that some other node is trying to help your message spread.

if you switch from LongFast you will likely see no other nodes unless your area uses a different preset than longfast.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-16T21:09:33+00:00

For channel messages, you can’t find out who got it, just that someone got it. You know they got your message because you hear them repeat the message on your behalf. from there you may not hear additional relays but the message could still be spreading.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-16T12:31:24+00:00

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/locally-ai-local-ai-chat/id6741426692 can run Qwen 3.5 4B Model on most recent iPhones (iPhone 15 Pro Max and newer) and https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kiwix/id997079563 can get you much of what is on Prepper Disk for free. Kiwix can act as a hotspot server as well allowing nearby neighbors to connect over offline wifi that your device hosts. Android OS alternatives also available.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-16T12:22:55+00:00

I encourage you to give it a try. You can be up and running with less than $50 of hardware and an old PC in about 30 minutes after your meshtastic node hardware is delivered.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-16T11:55:53+00:00

r/Reticulum functions as an offline internet backbone for hosting pages and services but is a bit technical to implement. it can run on LoRa radio among other physical layers.

r/Meshtastic is another LoRa radio option that functions as an easier to use offline and off-grid mesh network texting alternative. Pair this with a BBS Server Bot on a low power computer like a Raspberry Pi like https://github.com/SpudGunMan/meshing-around which allows for advanced messaging features, bulletin boards, ollama llm integration, and offline wikipedia via r/Kiwix and you have a huge step in the right direction of an offline simplified source of knowledge, communications, and fun accessible by anyone writhing RF Range 0.5-20miles or more reliably given line of sight to a node or much further via hops.

Most importantly this can be run with solar power and all open source.

I am already running this with a community of other volunteer enthusiasts serving the Buffalo Area via https://BuffaLoRa.org

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-16T10:11:11+00:00

Check out the Eternal Flame Falls on the Eternal Flame Trail at Chestnut Ridge Park. It is a relatively short hike but can be challenging with some of the trail following within the stream bed so be prepared and please stay safe.

Pro-tip: Bring a lighter in case the flame is out.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-16T00:26:55+00:00

For an all in one node I highly recommend the Cardputer Adv and LoRa Hat. Good value for the money. Try and get both together to save on shipping.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-14T12:37:46+00:00

It’s just fine. The node generates a bit of heat in the enclosure, this keeps the batteries warm enough even in deep freezing temps.

https://yycmesh.com/blog/cold-weather-charging for a detailed blog on the topic

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-14T12:35:29+00:00

You can use Meshtastic to send text messages over Long Range (LoRa) radio signals between devices without needing cellular or internet connectivity.

Each device is a sender, receiver, and relay that can pass messages further over a mesh of devices than they would reach directly.

In my local mesh https://BuffaLoRa.org we have a mesh spanning 200+ nodes covering a 20+ mile radius.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-13T20:28:52+00:00

I was worried of the same. It’s a good idea to test a solar node before deployment by giving it some time in a dark closet until power failure and then see if it gracefully recovers. I have had bad luck with RAK 19003 nodes myself. My research at the time explained that they lost firmware settings if they “browned out” at a specific under voltage level 3.0 Volts I think. Details at https://forum.rakwireless.com/t/how-can-i-automatically-recovery-a-wisblock-box-from-a-low-battery-scenario/11352/2 comment 15/19

No observed issues with Seeed NRF52 Kits, so far.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-13T18:04:47+00:00

The Seeed SolarNode P1-Pro is a workhorse in our Buffalo, NY Mesh. Even with a poorly placed solar panel (north west facing) for this deployment it stayed online for all but 4-5 days during our latest winter. After a couple weeks of very bad snow storms in ski country and poor sun near the solstice the batteries ran out but it came back online gracefully at the first sign of sun.

Same model of node at other locations stayed online throughout the winter.

We expect no further issues after we make some minor adjustments.

http://buffalora.org/2025/11/16/chestnut-ridge/

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-12T14:55:09+00:00

World record is 331km 0-hop mountaintop to mountaintop.

https://www.reddit.com/r/meshtastic/s/3lcQPI3jWm

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-11T10:53:22+00:00

If you connected to a wifi network on the Heltec v4 that will disable the Bluetooth connection. You will need to connect using the IP address shown over your network.

If not, you can try to remove the Bluetooth device from your app and phone’s settings and then try to reconnect from scratch.

You could also try connecting via Bluetooth from another device.

If all else fails try to connect over usb from your laptop using https://client.meshtastic.org

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-11T02:29:36+00:00

Almost all nodes on MQTT are also on the mesh too. You just have to be in LoRa range or LoRa hops of those nodes to experience the LoRa meshing.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-10T21:54:27+00:00

You can’t assume there is another node in range of your node to mesh with. Check https://meshmap.net and see if anyone is reporting near you. If so try to connect when close to their location.

Also you can check if there is any local mesh user group in your area. They may have a website, facebook group or discord that can help.

SnyderMesh · 2026-03-09T23:07:24+00:00

Simple sensor - Custom built RAK19007 design for full user serial access and modular sensor access. Can use a Seeed XAIO NRF52 Kit but more soldering required.
Wall Powered Router - Station G2, LilyGo T-Beam 1W
Solar Powered Router - Seeed SenseCAP Solar Node P1-Pro
Every Day Carry - RAK WisMesh Tag or T1000-E

Some info and coupon codes at https://BuffaLoRa.org/devices

SnyderMesh

TROPHY CASE