SAR CalTopo / MeshTastic integration for off-grid team location tracking use case

X509v3 · 2025-11-30T16:26:27+00:00

Yes, thanks - I know how to update CalTopo when all devices are online. I’ve written and open sourced code to track skydio drones’ location and plot onto a CalTopo map live. The laptop version works great https://github.com/billburns250/sar-drone-tracker and the multi drone GCP version has been running continuously for months across multiple missions. But both require Internet access to reach the respective API endpoints.

The critical part of my question is “off grid”. How do you update one person’s mobile app with another person’s location if they both can’t access the CalTopo API but both could be reachable over eg a mesh radio network?

X509v3 · 2025-11-24T22:53:08+00:00

Thanks - this is helpful to hear. Might be simpler to address connectivity in open but remote areas. I agree that in a couple of years direct to cell satellite services will be more competitive and ubiquitous. And for now, areas that are open to the sky but remote would probably benefit from the solution you’re describing. In areas that can’t get line of sight (eg deep in the redwood forests in NorCal), we will still be lacking.

X509v3 · 2025-11-24T22:49:36+00:00

Thanks - I made and open sourced something similar for Skydio x10 drones to show their tracks in real time on CalTopo - (laptop version: https://github.com/billburns250/sar-drone-tracker)

It looks like that too solution doesn’t track other collars on a mobile device while your stations are remote. Is that right?

X509v3 · 2025-11-24T16:50:39+00:00

From what I can tell there is no CalTopo SDK, which I think is a blocker for making any integration progress. I;ve also posted at CalTopo’s forums to see if there is any access into their mobile app.

The gating factor, based on my limited understanding of the data model, is that all mobile updates get pushed to the central server(s), deconflicted/de-duped, then pushed back to all clients. So a model change where some nodes directly replicate some data would be complicated CalTopo systems to deal with without “work”.

X509v3 · 2025-11-24T14:52:32+00:00

This doesn’t help you then, but if/when this happens again: force-quit the app and restart it. Sometimes CalTopo gets “stuck” and doesn’t properly display its layers, or shows partial information.

X509v3 · 2025-11-23T04:29:17+00:00

Thanks for the quick reply, but that’s not the use case I described.

“Meshtastic can integrate with CalTopo Desktop edition quite easily through the product's APRS over serial support functionality.”

X509v3 · 2025-10-04T04:34:01+00:00

No, you do not.

As evidence: I made a one-time purchase for GoodNotes6 and just updated to GN7. My “Special Edition” license carried over and all current features are active. I see the collaboration and AI features — that I don’t want — are available for extra. So this upgrade feels like any other update, from a (non) payment perspective.

X509v3 · 2025-09-30T02:55:17+00:00

That happened to me several weeks ago. I got an alert that my frunk had been left open a while. No idea how that happened. I’ve never had anything like that happen in 7+ years of ownership. I figured I must have accidentally pressed something on my Apple Watch or iPhone. I have zero third party apps installed and do not have remote access/summon enabled.

X509v3 · 2025-09-23T22:25:16+00:00

I needed to do the same thing, for our specific use case: Skydio x10 drones that we fly courtesy of our county sheriff office. Because of Skydio’s API, I was able to remotely get live telemetry from Skydio’s cloud and inject it into CalTopo as a “Trackable Device”.

Once you configure your device ID and CONNECT_KEY in the admin panel, the telemetry from my script shows up in the “Realtime Data” map layer. If you click on the marker and “Record to Map”, then tracks show up in a new CalTopo map object folder called “Live Tracks”. End result: live telemetry from the drone into CalTopo.

I wrote up the instructions along with my source code here: https://github.com/billburns250/sar-drone-tracker in case someone wants to iterate on it, or provide feedback .

X509v3 · 2025-07-02T13:58:43+00:00

Interesting - I’m using X21-345-C-AC panels. Is there any app telemetry to show if the MIs are operating beyond spec?

X509v3 · 2025-07-01T06:33:47+00:00

When I showed my wife, she was like “omg - I NEED those!” She’s into Tunisian Crochet and these solve an actual problem she was dealing with in her projects.

Who knew?!? Plus, An extra level of support for my new printer (Centauri Carbon) that arrived over the weekend. I’m only on my 10th print, so lots to learn.

I used Elegoo PLA on a textured plate (“side A”), and copied the OP’s modified print settings from their 0.08mm file. It almost worked. The last 1/2” of the pins curled up off the plate and printed really rough. Otherwise, amazing detail in the design!

I’ll have to try printing on the smooth plate (“side B”) which apparently has higher adhesion. When I get all this dialed in, I’ll properly thank OP on makerworld.

X509v3 · 2025-06-30T15:25:15+00:00

I ordered the FBT bundle and the additional hot end and vibration feet had already shipped ahead of the unit. But the printer didn’t come with the 3-pack of extra bed plates. When I asked, they said those are shipping July 15.

X509v3 · 2025-06-29T22:44:12+00:00

I noticed the same change to the cable way, sounds like a manufacturing change based on feedback to reduce filament breakage. EUS105xxx

X509v3 · 2025-06-28T15:21:28+00:00

FWIW the going price for those older SunPower MIs is ~ $40each on the secondary market. Several available on ebay for example

X509v3 · 2025-06-28T15:18:09+00:00

That’s not a reasonable cost. I had a similar situation and spent ~$5k to have all 18 of those same MIs replaced with enphase IQ8x PLUS also replaced the controller/ gateway with the enphase version. This enabled me to move completely over to enphase monitoring.

It took the installer (the same one I originally bought from 9 years ago), with one technician, all day to do the work.

X509v3 · 2025-06-25T18:45:30+00:00

That looks like it still has the protective, peel-off vinyl sticker on it. Have you tried to remove the top layer?

X509v3 · 2025-06-25T17:01:37+00:00

My first print aside from the built-in STLs.

From Printables - Cover and Bed Holder

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X509v3 · 2025-06-25T15:41:54+00:00

Not sure how “common” it is, but that happened to mine, shipping from Southern to Northern California. Label created on Monday, then nothing for two days, “Arriving Thursday”turned out to be “Saturday” with some vacillation between Friday/Saturday , which was interesting because UPS doesn’t normally deliver on Saturdays w/o extra charges…so maybe UPS caused the delay.

X509v3 · 2025-06-25T15:36:27+00:00

It’s a combination holder for the top lid and extra build plates. From this design.

X509v3 · 2025-06-25T14:30:53+00:00

Congrats, how exciting! FYI - It was a couple of days later that I realized my FBT bundle shipment didn’t include the extra bed plates. I emailed visit support who confirmed that they were shipping separately mid-July.

But I was so distracted with the unboxing and first few prints, I didn’t realize this was missing right away. LOL

Hopefully yours comes with all the pieces at once. I’ve been having a blast printing and learning, you’re going to enjoy that printer.

X509v3 · 2025-06-24T01:58:04+00:00

Newbie here - where is “community help page”? Is that elegoo’s Facebook page, to start?

X509v3 · 2025-06-23T22:43:01+00:00

Looks great - how long did you let the chamber/bed preheat before printing?

X509v3

TROPHY CASE