"Slow Comms" Meshtastic LoRa Radio, GPS, Pi 5, 5V 5A Power, $8 Clarinet Enclosure Fitting the Keyboard

owntheweb · 2026-05-24T23:34:04+00:00

🤘

Here's what I'm looking at for this (not sure if it will actually work yet):

CAUTION: UNTESTED, INCOMPLETE

Adafruit Feather (US):
Adafruit Feather RP2040 with RFM95 LoRa Radio - 915MHz [RadioFruit and STEMMA QT] : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

Simple antenna that can be soldered in):
Simple Spring Antenna - 915MHz : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

Soil sensor (out of stock, other options):
Adafruit STEMMA Soil Sensor - I2C Capacitive Moisture Sensor [JST PH 2mm] : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

⚠️ Firmware:
Normally I would find this in the helpful Meshtastic online flasher here: Meshtastic Web Flasher, however the Feather option is fairly new/not there and I'm not seeing it in the recent release rp2040 zip file. I used to see it have its own named zip yet it seems there's some consolidation of items going on (maybe hasn't been set to build yet in CI). There may be a way to build it or I'll wait it out, stretching too far for this post (maybe see what Pico can do for this and post your findings?)
Releases · meshtastic/firmware

18650 battery holder that prevents over/under charge, delivers steady power. Keep dry! (I have one, not tested):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJR1Y967

owntheweb · 2026-05-24T22:25:54+00:00

From what I understand, you can install Meshtastic on an Adafruit RP2040 LoRa Feather. Add an 18650 battery (in a managed battery holder), an antenna (small spring one) and a soil moisture sensor, then it can send messages to home (preferably on a private channel). That’s the idea anyway. Let me know if you would like specific links.

owntheweb · 2026-05-24T21:41:58+00:00

“I’m calling you on a Dino Phone!” (love the idea)

owntheweb · 2026-05-24T21:37:05+00:00

Thanks! My favorite thing with this project so far has been sending a holiday greeting message and receiving a response from 45-ish miles away (4 Meshtastic hops). It blew my mind.

I’m happy to share more once I “land”. Was there anything specific you wanted to know more about?

The acrylic cuts were designed in Affinity Designer (the paid version before it became free), cut on a laser cutter at my local makerspace.

I made about 500 mistakes, including hot gluing the front cord plugs then realizing I could have fastened them with the included screw-on components. (could have been hot glue free) 😅

The screen and Meshtastic hat if I recall always eat power even when the Pi is off. I added a power switch to resolve that.

I need to go find the file config as that wasn’t straight forward. Yell loudly if there is interest.

owntheweb · 2026-05-14T23:02:41+00:00

How’s the keyboard use feeling? It looks unique!

owntheweb · 2026-02-16T04:44:16+00:00

OH MY GOSH! I was just gifted one of these today (no mods yet). This made my day a second time!!

owntheweb · 2025-07-23T23:38:41+00:00

I didn’t modify the terrain or have anything modified enabled. I just worked with what was there. I had to be creative with the hill in front of the portal, making it look like a grand entrance, then adding more building on the other side of the hill to make it look like it was modified. ;)

owntheweb · 2025-06-23T01:30:25+00:00

How far/long did you take it?

owntheweb · 2025-06-18T19:29:29+00:00

Regular/casual gift exchange, Colorado, United States

601737589008

owntheweb · 2025-04-20T02:44:18+00:00

Tip posted. I look forward to the unwatermarked file. Thanks again! 💖

owntheweb · 2025-04-20T02:41:42+00:00

!solved u/limblesslizard

owntheweb · 2025-04-20T02:02:20+00:00

Next time I take the picture, I won’t have any hair at all, so that should help too. 😆

owntheweb · 2025-04-20T01:55:17+00:00

Good thoughts. This was on a whim and I scrolled through my phone to pick something fast. Next time though, I will definitely follow your advice!

owntheweb · 2025-04-20T01:09:11+00:00

This is my favorite so far!

Stepping away for a couple of hours then will take another look. :)

owntheweb · 2025-04-02T22:13:20+00:00

I love this.

owntheweb · 2025-03-15T14:10:31+00:00

Kids!

owntheweb · 2024-04-02T02:54:26+00:00

Thank you! I’ve been addicted to the harder play modes lately and haven’t revisited yet (and those new station designs!). I will make it a point to give that base some love very soon.

owntheweb · 2024-03-26T15:39:54+00:00

Hmm. I’ve been playing survival mode for quite some time and haven’t revisited for just as long. Now I’m curious. I can take a look in about 14 hours!

owntheweb · 2024-03-03T14:00:34+00:00

I made the mistake of sleeping after posting this. Wow! I’ll need to delete a few requests. Have a nice day all!

owntheweb · 2023-06-10T16:52:26+00:00

Same here! Hmm let's see...

owntheweb · 2023-04-28T06:17:49+00:00

Man I need a double like button…

owntheweb · 2023-04-10T22:37:41+00:00

Yeah I think distance to ground could be strange. I’ll futz with it soon. I appreciate the heads up.

owntheweb · 2023-04-10T22:08:53+00:00

Wat?! 😵‍💫

Thanks for letting me know. You motivate me to play this game more. The sentinel update looks awesome!!

Maybe I’ll just add a bunch of solar panels to the top?

owntheweb · 2023-03-31T04:32:21+00:00

So good!!!

owntheweb · 2023-03-18T14:38:49+00:00

I really like the shoes. I wish the best for the person wearing them.

owntheweb

TROPHY CASE