Comment on What is Meshtastic? - Full Guide on How To Get Started
N1ghtstalk3r@lemmy.world 1 month agoYou 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.
N1ghtstalk3r@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Very low cost of entry, mesh capability for redundancy, and its on fairly accessible public bands although it occupies a specific part of it. Also it comes with end to end encryption.
It’s just a far more cost effective solution compared to having a CB radio, where you’d need to be licensed to have certain features.
amongstthetrees@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
Meshtastic has the mesh capabilities that others have mentioned but what’s more immediately important is the ability to direct message others (no need to send private messages to everyone in range) and the ability to share GPS coordinates which is absolutely helpful in an emergency.
helenslunch@feddit.nl 1 month ago
CB doesn’t have mesh capability so the range is far more limited. Plus you may need a license to operate it.