Iffy BooksApr 2, 2023

We're looking for help to build a wireless, solar-powered chat network across the Philly area! Are you interested in learning about off-grid solar power? Do you have a sunny place on your roof, in your yard, or near an upstairs window where you can leave a small radio transceiver? This workshop may be for you!

Each participant will receive a free kit with all the parts needed to build a solar-powered LoRa radio node. You'll assemble the kit, mount it in a weatherproof enclosure (provided by you), and use the Meshtastic app to start sending encrypted text messages.

Registration opens Monday, April 3rd at 8:30 p.m. You can sign up on our site:
https://iffybooks.net/event/solar-chat-network

Supplies for this workshop are provided by a grant from the Engaged Humanities Studio at Swarthmore College. Many thanks to @pixouls for helping plan the event!

Show threadrequiem 🦫Apr 2, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls me & @mathiasx want to do this here, I’ll follow the links but if you have a starting point for new “chapters” point us to it 😁
Show threadMatt GaugerApr 3, 2023
@requiem @iffybooks @pixouls I’ve got the esp32 hardware to start, just no nodes that I’ve seen on meshtastic around here. It’d take quite a few nodes to bridge the distance between @requiem and I though.
Show threadrequiem 🦫Apr 3, 2023
@mathiasx I designed some solar-powered birdhouses that incorporated Wi-Fi bridges years ago; we could just nail them up along Highway 94 @iffybooks @pixouls
Show threadMatt Gauger
@requiem @iffybooks @pixouls that could work. I’m also trying to figure out how to convince neighbors to house a node in their backyard when it’s hard to show value to them immediately.
Apr 3, 2023 at 12:57amWeb
Show threadSocialCruddiesApr 3, 2023
@mathiasx @requiem @iffybooks even if they don't need it now. it'll be useful for emergencies. if they've experienced earthquakes or the aftermath of rains that take down power lines, that could do it. for some people, that collapse scenario is an every day thing.
Show threadMatt GaugerApr 3, 2023
@pixouls @requiem @iffybooks it is admittedly kind of a hard sell because people here would probably say they’d appreciate more food, water, gas in their car (🙄) or keeping the electricity on. But I understand what you mean.
Show threadSocialCruddiesApr 3, 2023
@requiem @iffybooks @mathiasx yes. If they had a way to easily communicate with their neighbors so they could get those things faster it could help.
Show threadrequiem 🦫Apr 3, 2023
@mathiasx tell them the copper in it will heal their arthritis and improve virility @iffybooks @pixouls