Meshtastic

[OffRoaderX]

..this section of the forum is so dead, I didnt even know it was here..

Anyway.. I just setup my Spec5 Trekker Bravo, so, i'm IN !

[TrikeRadio]

saw your first video on it... looking forward to seeing a bit more as your get to show off the way it works! 

[mb523]

I am intrigued and will be following along! The intro video was a fun entrypoint.

 

The T-Deck Plus looks like an awesome choice for self-contained meshtastic!

[TrikeRadio]

Just watched the second video on the meshtastic device. 

Wondering if there is a practical distance on them. I have family in central California and I am in southern Cal... 
I saw that Randy had to do 7 or so node hops to get 30 miles. 

[WSJI648]

On 7/30/2025 at 7:14 PM, OffRoaderX said:

..this section of the forum is so dead, I didnt even know it was here..

Anyway.. I just setup my Spec5 Trekker Bravo, so, i'm IN !

I just watched both of your videos and I absolutely can not believe that my first post here on mygmrs forums is going to be regarding meshtastic. Bleh...

I've enjoyed your approach. As a "normal person," I've never really even understood what meshtastic was. Even their one line description didn't mean much to me. I have to say, though, as someone who is only wading into the GMRS pool (CB radio user for many decades) and by extension, long range-ish communication, it seems like the meshtastic thing is definitely a niche market. In a catastrophic, grid down situation, it's going to require power for two devices and with that many links in the chain necessary for it to propagate, I just don't see the value in it. But then again, I confess to knowing very little about a lot of things.

[OffRoaderX]

40 minutes ago, WSJI648 said:

I just don't see the value in it

You're not alone.. I am still trying to figure out this part..

[WSJI648]

Just now, OffRoaderX said:

You're not alone.. I am still trying to figure out this part..

It's like Linux, I guess. I mean, you certainly can do it...but why?

In a true, grid down situation I just don't understand it. I have to keep two devices powered and essentially I'm hooked into a group text? I understand the implications of it being far reaching based on propagating through other people's devices but one those devices go down - and the most assuredly will - my reach is diminished, if not destroyed. It's like those internet radios and zello. They aren't 100% self reliant and because of that, I wouldn't count on them.

But hey, at least you can still but HRCC, ammirite?  

[Davichko5650]

On 8/1/2025 at 7:15 PM, OffRoaderX said:

You're not alone.. I am still trying to figure out this part..

I think the difference here is you have a friend, if not more than one, using the Mesh that you need to check up on. (loved that "I'm calling the Cops" on the video)

I can't think of anyone I know using it that I'd care to send or receive text messages from, even in a truly SHTF kind of event. 

[MarkTheNewf]

As with GMRS, Get one up high enough (top of hill as a router or repeater) to increase line of sight and you'll get a LOT more distance than you expect.

Battery-powered solar nodes used as repeaters and mesh expansion are smallish, fairly cheap, and require little maintenance.

Having them run off a phone makes it real easy for the uninitiated to use them.  Certainly looks less dorky to text via your phone than to use a handheld.  Some nodes look like (and are no bigger) than an access card.

It's just another mode of communication.  I don't poo-poo any of them, be they RF or IP related, so to each his/her own.