LoRa Mesh networking technology -( Off Grid Comms )?

[Silverclaws2]

With reference to disaster preparedness or indeed off grid communications I a while back became aware of the existence of communicational technology that uses LoRa (Long Range) licence free sub ghz radio frequency bands for the transmission of small packets of text data of which could be useful for when the cell service is turned off.

To need to ask is any other here familiar with this technology to be using it and can advise a complete noob of whom may be interested in getting involved with it to at least save £'s on my main form of cellular communication given I only communicate in SMS but what with the government advising folks should prep the technology might have another use.

I am aware there are a number of ' nodes ' within my immediate area and there is two of us interested in adding two more nodes.

 

[mrmike]

I have been looking at this on and off for a while, something that I want to try but haven't got around to yet.

The only issue with using it for disaster Comms is that the nodes need power.
No power - no node. No node - no mesh.
May limit available coverage when you really need it.
Yea some nodes may be on battery with solar charging, but you won't know until they drop out.
I think that there are now some self contained units that are effectively their own mobile node, may be useful off grid over shortish distance.

 

[GeraldTheBonsai]

I am running meshcore - one node and one repeater. These are heltec v4 boards. They are pretty easy to set up, just have a look on meshcore.io and you can get boards from multiple places like amazon and pi hut.

Be aware that this tech is very immature. There are few agreed standards and the user community has many people trying to push the tech in different directions.

If you want to dabble, get a single board and flash is as a companion node. Then download the companion app onto your phone. All the details are on meshcore.io Also, think about getting a better antenna - the ones they ship with are rubbish.

 

[XSR101]

I have been looking at this on and off for a while, something that I want to try but haven't got around to yet.

The only issue with using it for disaster Comms is that the nodes need power.
No power - no node. No node - no mesh.
May limit available coverage when you really need it.
Yea some nodes may be on battery with solar charging, but you won't know until they drop out.
I think that there are now some self contained units that are effectively their own mobile node, may be useful off grid over shortish distance.

Nodes can operate off small photovoltaic

 

[Keith_Beef]

Be aware that this tech is very immature. There are few agreed standards and the user community has many people trying to push the tech in different directions.

Recent news suggests that some of these run foul of FCC rules and might well be discontinued. A fork is in the offing which risks splintering the "mesh community" into rival factions.

I'm not going to sink any money into hobbyist mesh networking, and I'm even less enthusiastic about it being of any use in an emergency.