My understanding is that it’s peer-to-peer using two or more radio transmitters, so it shouldn’t need access to the internet.
Comment on What is Meshtastic? - Full Guide on How To Get Started
sexy_peach@feddit.org 1 month ago
What exactly could I use this for? I know how LoRaWAN works, but it requires entrypoints into the internet. Does Meshtastic need these? Do I have to set up two nodes to use it for anything? Does it use existing LoRaWAN infrastructure?
Churbleyimyam@lemm.ee 1 month ago
HappyTimeHarry@lemm.ee 1 month ago
Its a totally separate thing from LoRaWAN. Its useful for messaging across town (if you live in an area with enough nodes), and it can do things like report on temperature an humidity or when a sensor is tipped, some devices support GPS too.
N1ghtstalk3r@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Yeah, I personally have a handful of nodes scattered around my local area.
They’re mostly situated with family, so it’s become a sort of adhoc emergency comms network if a hurricane or other natural disaster causes issues for me locally.
adrelien@lemmy.radio 1 month ago
To use Meshtastic you only need 1 device to talk to the others. If you want to talk with a friend each one need to have a device. Other than that you don’t need anything. Get a device flash it then you are good to go
N1ghtstalk3r@lemmy.world 1 month ago
You wouldn’t need internet access for these to work, although there is a public community WAN server you could join to operate under MQTT (which is their internet facing WAN function).
These do need more than 1 node to operate properly, but since it works off the concept of a public mesh (with options to privatize), you don’t need two of your own devices in a developed location.
However, if no one is around or within line of sight… then you’ll have to work a little harder to get contacts/connections going.
sexy_peach@feddit.org 1 month ago
Oh I see so it’s only text based communication basically
N1ghtstalk3r@lemmy.world 1 month ago
For now, yes. There are certain extensions and 3rd party plugins that are seeking to expand on that by adding BBS capability or JS8call (for audio).
There’s limited bandwidth to work with on just the 915mhz band but you’d be surprised what you can push downstream.
sexy_peach@feddit.org 1 month ago
I find it rather useless if it only supports text messaging. Why not use cb radio or whatever at that point? That seems more useful in a disaster situation.