# What Meshtastic is a low power long range (LoRa) radio protocol that can pass text messages through a mesh network totally separately from either cell or computer networks. Devices are small and typically use a cell phone with bluetooth as the interface. No license is required, and messages can use encryption as well as private 'channels'. # Why I'm curious about alternatives to traditional communication networks. # Goals Create a local mesh for family communication independent of grid backed services. 3-4 devices, with at least one solar 'base' node mounted on the house as high as possible. ## Solar Node Build ### Parts List - Our Meshtastic Shop: [https://thecommschannel.myshopify.com...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTY0UFpmUFlYSy1XbFpTWnZiQ01ZY2VqdFgwZ3xBQ3Jtc0trdDZRYWJOR3pCeFZHWDdDR3pmOEZ2RXgtOW9jNUJvWGNaR1pxYWlReWE5Wkk2Um5iTTBNTDhYbnhKRFlROHVqSFVsTndtX1ZRUURLSlJybWlRSXdUTk5lajR0cHdCQnZ3VkE4Rk1DQVYzNUE5UlZLQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fthecommschannel.myshopify.com%2Fcollections%2Fmeshtastic-gear&v=_h3UluaqfTw) Please know, I may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the affiliate links below at no cost to you: - Meshtastic Starter Kit [https://store.rokland.com/products/ra...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmp1cHJTWVp4d3NUeXNSbkwwRUp5dWRHbmRHZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttcHg0Y3piWHNSZlVteFppUzhhTjVXSGNaNVoxLXBTZ24ybU9Wc3hkZnJCWnNCMXlRSm82U3lRbHhWamFoNU1yVEpORjFBMS1RUjhyNjBPRlNBeE14N0F1Vk82WDV2RURRYXZ4VzMzWHhzLVRrSFVoOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.rokland.com%2Fproducts%2Frak-wireless-wisblock-meshtastic-starter-kit%3Fref%3Dtc2&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - Small Antenna if mounting on top of enclosure: [https://store.rokland.com/products/al...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbERCeEtVdzBRWEFfWFFSRUJNTXZyNFJub0VrUXxBQ3Jtc0trTktKcWNVeFhqSzZpOC1salVuZWZoaHkxNlJiT182VEJ0ZG1zSmFGRzl2aGQ5NkNYT1p4TFZLRGlKMGU3ZWd3Q0ViNS1raEg5XzJFSDc4V2RwUE9yZXQxYUN3WGJVNlJzRURBekZsdmM2YlZGQ1BvVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.rokland.com%2Fproducts%2Falfa-aoa-915-5acm-5-dbi-omni-outdoor-915mhz-802-11ah-mini-antenna-for-lora-halow-application%3Fref%3Dtc2&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - Alternative large antenna for mounting on pole: [https://store.rokland.com/products/5-...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3hoLWZEdGczQWdNOGlwM1hyTUpOVmMwUTF1QXxBQ3Jtc0ttVlU3MDF2blhfSEV4T0h6dExneUpNem5hTmE0XzhLRWM5aWltTzBteGZiUGI4UVprWE00UHI0N2cxSTd3TVhEMlJFaVBEOUZMVkx1S3lhNGNHTlgtbDlKRTBOeHdEY3JHcGs4MzBLTm5MZ3c5RkE4MA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.rokland.com%2Fproducts%2F5-8-dbi-n-male-omni-outdoor-915-mhz-antenna-large-profile-32-height-for-helium-rak-miner-2-nebra-indoor-bobcat%3Fref%3Dtc2&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - IPEX to N Connector: [https://store.rokland.com/products/uf...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFhxMTU5ZDZ4eURkR2FZRUg0M3RQSkFja2FKQXxBQ3Jtc0ttcUN1VUV1NlNuN0h2ZTY2cFQ0Nnd4OFRDNDdXM3RKUWFtdmJwMWZTT0JVcmU5R01ITU1oYUR6QTJ4YV9xZ3ZSX3Q2dEtBbmNrWmh0MERfRlhhdHJqNDF6aW5PdWdpSnhvT3lZbDFNV01ueXZrVWR6VQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.rokland.com%2Fproducts%2Fuflipex-ipx-mini-pci-to-n-female-bulkhead-pigtail-cable-extension-rg178%3Fref%3Dtc2&v=_h3UluaqfTw) [Alternatives if out of stock ➡️ Make sure to select a cable length greater than 3"] [https://amzn.to/3vDM1bQ](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnRTOGYyV1FWNjZwUURCVFZoM2RZTHNNT3U0QXxBQ3Jtc0tsZS1QMl9kME53SW52UC1pbUxiYllQdndlNEJtdDdvMzkwdHplS3c1c242bUFhcVJJU29mMEZMTzJHUEEwb3J1eWlYSE9nRmp0bDlqaEZGMEcxNExUa3FHWHctcU5RSHQ2MGxuOVdaZ0E3OFNiZHlITQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3vDM1bQ&v=_h3UluaqfTw) [https://www.digikey.com/en/products/d...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUllUVdyYWlqZjg5M0NSNHFEY3JrVE5iSTh2UXxBQ3Jtc0ttUmh0bTQ2UmFwc1cwZmxXY1B3TmphY0ZSMkJnS0pXSmgwTXdSaFA3blp0TlotNEVucDBxaUNoWkR1MF9OX3hRblRUcGNuX3pxVEJKcGVtMmtIWGh0d2FGOEU2RzZZcFRXcVQwVVdWbmt2SkpBeHd3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.digikey.com%2Fen%2Fproducts%2Fdetail%2Frf-solutions%2FCBA-NF-UFL%2F5845756&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - IPEX to SMA (optional if preferred over N Connector): [https://amzn.to/48LSQqc](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbk5aWlpyeGdDNHEyWmNRZHREWW9kV2UwaHN3d3xBQ3Jtc0ttUzZIeVhzYlpWa0RPeUZ4X1ZOa1puby1oVy1VTVExMzlKQ0NhX1BsQ1h3MHFEYzdmaGlEbmYwUEtLRXJlTFJpWHNFckJRc2dVRHRMU3FhMWNYLUZvTWtHSUxPcTFTb1U2aWZLOEl4UVh1YUFsUmtkSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F48LSQqc&v=_h3UluaqfTw) ➡️ (Make sure to select a cable length greater than 3") - KMR240 Cable (Optional if using tilted mount or large antenna) [https://amzn.to/47HzGRf](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1FVVVgwSnJLbVhFa3AyNDdqYTFTc0NWY0RZQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYnFRSi1LUVo3cUl4MnJFWkNlRFQ0bDB0dXlQX0pkLWlBT043bzVqaUFwNnhENUhZUnRvTVNnZi10enlkMVJ5eF9mRXlHVUVMTnRzdzA2NnlheG5WX0V6aEdUdUJWSFJSSXZlUENpSEVtWHZzUGlBWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F47HzGRf&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - RAK Wireless Solar Connector Cables: [https://store.rokland.com/collections...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEhCa3k3Y01hc0UzSmpJemZKeGFzdnBFLTJvd3xBQ3Jtc0tuTUhudWdGbU0wQklkT2E1YjVYUkZvZzRMVGlKVlZFTWxJSC1Gc1hsY29lc0txcTJodnVFaHV3S2dYS0Q1cldRbVo2anBiZlRHcEN1UXB4T0R6TkFiMEhTZUs1SU1jSmZKNlo5XzNyT3hFaUN3dTRWcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.rokland.com%2Fcollections%2Frakwireless-products%2Fproducts%2Frak-wireless-solar-connector-cables-solar-wires-5pcs-pid-910116%3Fref%3Dtc2&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - RAK Wireless Battery Connector Cables Battery Wires: [https://store.rokland.com/collections...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXYyTzNzbDNZdDJBaTdEWjhRNUNEWG5vVFN2Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttVUtnajVzMmVkc3JJRW1SdzhRd0RLUmt1X1NhS1ZwU2xYaEZST0tSOUhwd2FtZnNrSzFRT0JNdkpqSUw0NjM3MjFUZTZhYlVQQUo0b3cxNDNXanVvbV95OUVrczRvUTFiNXUydjRzb0w3Y24yNjhQTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.rokland.com%2Fcollections%2Frakwireless-products%2Fproducts%2Frak-wireless-battery-connector-cables-battery-wires-5pcs-for-pid-910115%3Fref%3Dtc2&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - Waterproof Enclosure: (More coming in a few weeks) *MAKE SURE ITS THE FOLLOWING SIZE* (7.9 * 3.9 * 2.8(200×100×70mm)) If that size isn't available, they're out of stock. [https://amzn.to/4b0LWiw](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnBVVFVmTC1VOXYxUFhUNnp5MGhXQkY5Vlg4Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttWmVreTE0eEFocDBwdlB0RnZqVkxoT3JkY2pKa2F4enNvR1JMLWdFdDAtVnhkS3VkSkRnZVNEcDg0MG94c2xLbW9OZ000QjVvUHExS2JKMmx4VlJWYW5TdmpJb1piRWdvOXZsZ1RYX25tczItMXQ1MA&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F4b0LWiw&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - Solar Panel: [https://amzn.to/3HnLgWH](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3RjVUc1WjNNbXZ0TGRNQ1ZGTHdUa2pzeXB4Z3xBQ3Jtc0tuOGdGQ0VMaURMTkFLWlFMSmRyLVFYVFFaY1hORGJRTnp5NGtYWDhIQjRQZlFkYjJvaXlqWFNocTBhbjlaU1Q2Q3NTRFZiSkFlVnB0UnFOeG0yUDlhbWpySERPa24yb19VMlFuS2RaMldFQ1BoeFlYcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3HnLgWH&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - (This Antenna Mount: [https://amzn.to/3U8mTE6](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmNNa1F2RnRrb3laX0t4MklfOW01ODRTMExEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTWw1dUNSMXdjRFNWejdnMXdFU3FjQ1ZhYlY2Zk9MX0NMSmMyUUdyS19oaU5lYkIyeEQxSnJ0MldfeHY4YjdyaS1YYy1XMWlOSUh4QjBBNWdQN0pPdnZYclhGbXZFb0w1TkpKWUZxZzFEQ0MwWlN3aw&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3U8mTE6&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - (Optional) Bracket for mounting the solar panel at an angle: [https://amzn.to/492vOLA](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3ZHUVFTbE45XzhuUzN3c3gzTmczRjFkNTRhQXxBQ3Jtc0ttWVFMbFQzdzZBZ2t5M3V4SDJBMV9mODgtUXdkRjZjeEJaN3Y5ZWNQNjdHVWZjR2Q1dWlpZ1dCZHMzMXpBaE8taUc3TnI1d0dWRXBiaHhvWjl2LVBPWXhFUFoxWW1aTDRoNl94UjN4S1B0XzU0M3c1MA&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F492vOLA&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - USB Cable: [https://amzn.to/4b0Mghe](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXB3d1otdlBJek9EMzhHRFE3WU1KMmlLRUZXQXxBQ3Jtc0tsR2k2cmM0VTdSa0czRkZQTmo4RnhsQ2tIVUl2NkQtaFNGR19pQlRJNzN0cVIzNkt1bHdkQnJTajNsS0FFVUpmOE93VHhsN3YzWVdoSVN5aTBMd21POGRjRHVOdUo2alc2cEpLaUtXX0t4QWRYbURKSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F4b0Mghe&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - Adhesive: [https://amzn.to/3HqEjEu](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWZjWEl4RVFrNks3N3lPLUdYUDc0bHE5YjNPd3xBQ3Jtc0ttNnlrWnhGRU9nU0lMOXl3LWc5X1FqNjVhTW40a1c4WUdYRWZVdkVzWFR2NmNRSTRKdTBya2Jta2VLaW1mcXlhWmNnRU5TSnlkci13bklDbGItUmRibGQ1SVl6Wkk2cXBXcFZOZy1DbjdNWkg1ZVJZYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3HqEjEu&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - Battery Protection Module (If you plan on not using my PCB option which will include this) If you don't plan on using my PCB option (which I plan to include an over discharge circuit), you will need to include Li-ion Battery Protection Modules to your build like Voltaic Enclosures offers since unprotected batteries are being used. [https://www.etsy.com/listing/14211930...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmZIWVVseHJpTlhiTm9HbDR0ekE0eU1lNDB1UXxBQ3Jtc0tuZG1uSzlCNVhkT2IwR1lNTEFxS2YyTUlZN0RFZGpjNnVIek13WWtxS2M5Um9qSTIzeWZ6cXpnYnhBLWFOVE1XaERBMHBDX2hQUlpOUWRubnkyMEtBeEdkWmk4cUtLVzBTZWJya3pwZ2dKN29ObWQtOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Flisting%2F1421193059%2F10-li-ion-battery-protection-modules-pcm&v=_h3UluaqfTw) - Batteries: (6 batteries is going to be overkill for most, but some people like overkill, lol) [https://store.rokland.com/products/sa...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1NFQzFpZVUyWXo2YlViX1pKTU5LNDNhckpsUXxBQ3Jtc0tsLTBTVnFJQmFuejBMVnZUekxudXctQ0RiNFk5ZS1SM0JVN2VBejBUOXNqUkNEN0NWSVJUVGJKOXg3V0ZJbmxRdzBNcllqSDF5Zk0wcmowSm9TWTA3VlBjQ1ZDcW01MnJ0UXdWb2RkdkFiSGR6M3B1bw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.rokland.com%2Fproducts%2Fsanyo-ncr18650ga-3450mah-10a-battery-lilygo-ttgo-meshtastic-t-beam%3Fref%3Dtc2&v=_h3UluaqfTw) # Resources ## Websites - [Meshtastic Docs](https://meshtastic.org/) - [Bay Area Mesh Settings](# [https://bayme.sh/docs/getting-started/recommended-settings/](https://bayme.sh/docs/getting-started/recommended-settings/ "https://bayme.sh/docs/getting-started/recommended-settings/")_ ## Discord - [Meshtastic Discord]([https://discord.com/invite/ktMAKGBnBs](https://discord.com/invite/ktMAKGBnBs "https://discord.com/invite/ktMAKGBnBs")_ - [Bay Area Mesh Discord](https://discord.gg/gW3pHYNW) - ## Youtube - The Comms Channel - <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/htjwtnjQkkE?si=t7Emgooz-2if6naG" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> - <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_h3UluaqfTw?si=FnCRfAYZdQXJBhk8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> -