MTJCREATIVEApr 3, 2023
Iffy Books

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!

Apr 2, 2023 at 7:04pmWeb
Show threadchristopherApr 2, 2023
@iffybooks the link to your website is broken.
Show threadIffy BooksApr 2, 2023
@christopher Sorry about that! Looks like it's back up.
Show threadJarjan (He/Him)Apr 2, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls Someone needs to tell @pluralistic about this. Reminds me a great deal of Someone comes to town, someone leaves town. (Which is a great book, by the way :)
Show thread[marsh] has moved!Apr 2, 2023
@iffybooks @samn !
Show threadSam Lifson-NeubardtApr 4, 2023
@mrshll @iffybooks I’m going!
Show threadBlippy the Wonder Slug (MOVED)Apr 2, 2023

@iffybooks @pixouls
Are the frequencies involved line of sight, or can they be bounced off the ionosphere? Enquiring minds want to know!

---

I live in a wine producing area. Several vintners live "on my block," and the vineyards really are "right out back." Sunlight is not an issue. Barring climate change.

I like the idea of a solar radio network, and now have silly thoughts about it. If the niche is large enough and wide enough...

Show threadSocialCruddiesApr 2, 2023

@BlippyTheWonderSlug @iffybooks we're using a long range mesh network with devices running meshtastic. from my understanding, it should work fine in your setting, but you may need repeaters in between to extend/reinforce the range.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25983197

Right, I was more thinking a mesh network solar operated to let people report th... | Hacker News

Show threadBlippy the Wonder Slug (MOVED)Apr 2, 2023
@pixouls @iffybooks
OK... Nope. I'm in Germany.
Show threadSocialCruddiesApr 2, 2023

@BlippyTheWonderSlug @iffybooks i'm sorry that is a barrier and i believe it is one that meshtastic is working to address.

there is a german telegram group here if that is ever of use to you. https://t.me/meshtastic_de

Telegram: Contact @meshtastic_de

Telegram
Show threadrolandApr 2, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls Go Philly-alternate-chat-network go! wish we had a program like this in Vancouver!
Show threadSocialCruddiesApr 2, 2023

@roland @iffybooks we will make the zines with guidance publicly available after the workshop, should you like to take it up with your friends. I see here that someone has a slack channel for a bc mesh
https://krisconstable.com/bc-mesh-using-LoRa-devices/

otherwise, i'd point you to @Aepasek for cool work in Canada http://lowcarbonmethods.com/

Bc Mesh Using Lora Devices

The social media post that started it from my friend Murray:

Kris Constable's digital log
Show threadrolandApr 2, 2023
@pixouls @iffybooks @Aepasek lolz of course Kris! I know kris! thanks! i'll (reluctantly) :-) join yet another slack channel. And I'll read your zine when it's published! Super cool, again many thanks!
Show threadSocialCruddiesApr 2, 2023
@roland @iffybooks perfect! what a small world. good luck!
Show threadAnne PasekApr 3, 2023
@pixouls @roland @iffybooks whoa! Very much looking forward to reading!
Show threadL PApr 2, 2023
@iffybooks I’d love to get something like this going in Omaha. Will the kit plans and workshop materials be posted anywhere?
Show threadIffy BooksApr 3, 2023
@bugloaf We're working on a how-to zine now! The project is pretty straightforward and the parts are widely available.
Show threadSwagpuss McGApr 2, 2023
@iffybooks
That is so cool
@pixouls @FinalOverdrive
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 GaugerApr 3, 2023
@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.
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
Show threadIffy BooksApr 3, 2023
@requiem @pixouls @mathiasx Stay tuned for the how-to zine! We'll post it in a few weeks.
Show threadrequiem 🦫Apr 3, 2023
@iffybooks awesome! @pixouls @mathiasx
Show threadStarr AndresonApr 3, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls Doesn't this go against the rules to curtail selling and spam?
Show threadSolApr 3, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls this sounds fantastic!
Show threadBrett ElliffApr 3, 2023

@iffybooks

I live nowhere near Philly but this sounds pretty cool!

@pixouls @lckrohjr

Show threadClinton AaseApr 3, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls I hope you post updates on this project because it sounds super interesting!
Show threadDimitri DhuyvetterApr 3, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls Wow this sounds amazing.
Show threadArchieApr 3, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls Cool idea
Show threadEd SandersApr 3, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls pay close attention to attendees so you know who the cop is. They will be making some slightly off comments & suggestions.
Show threadAndy FamigliettiApr 3, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls I am super interested in this but located all the way up by Pottstown. Is that too far away?
Show threadIffy BooksApr 3, 2023
@afamiglietti79 @pixouls The maximum range with these LoRa devices (with direct line of sight) is 6 miles or so. But you’re still welcome to join us!
Show threadArlekaApr 4, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls we are pretty interested to build something similar in Buenos Aires. I'd really appreciate if you can share instructions on how to build that. Thank you!
Show threadSocialCruddiesApr 4, 2023
@Arleka @iffybooks we would be happy for you to put our guidance into use in buenos aires. here is one meshtastic user who set one up in the city https://meshtastic.discourse.group/t/lora32-433mhz-range-only-750-mts/7453
Lora32 433Mhz range only 750 Mts ?

Hi I get my Lora32 433Mhz in the city and get only 400 Metrs it is normal ? My Hardware x 2 TTGO LoRa32 V2.1 1.6.1 ESP32 LoRa 433MHz x 2 LORA gateway-antena 20Cm Config: Long_Slow tx power 10 DBM : 400 mts tx power 22 DBM : 750 mts The Base is located a 20 Metes altitude in a window , the other one is in my bacpack. Buenos Aires city a lot of buldings. -34.63503227798184, -58.394793078704495

Meshtastic
Show threadMark VandeWettering 📡Apr 4, 2023
@iffybooks @pixouls What a cool idea. Is there anyone in the SF Bay area who are interested in trying to do something similar?
Show threadSocialCruddiesApr 4, 2023

@k6hx @iffybooks i don't know anyone personally. however, when i look up mesh in the bay area, there seem to be two prime projects that may be of interest to you

https://www.sfwem.net/
this includes a mesh chat service but i was not able to click through their local node links. it is also not solar specific. but this may be a good community to reach out to to see if they'd like to join in, as they have connections to an amateur radio group.

there's also a north bay extension of that group specific for sonoma and marin https://www.northbaymesh.org/about

Bay Area Mesh

bay Area Mesh Disaster Internet

Bay Area Mesh
Show threadMark VandeWettering 📡Apr 4, 2023
@pixouls @iffybooks I'm currently working to get an #AREDN network node installed in Emeryville, and hope to get that up and running within the next couple of months. I've also experimented with Lora and #tinygs a bit, it seems like combining the two interests could lead to interesting synergies.
Show threadSocialCruddiesApr 4, 2023
@k6hx @iffybooks haven't heard the term tiny gs before. very neat!
Show threadJurgen ON5MFApr 4, 2023
@iffybooks
Show threadLime Green GnomeApr 7, 2023

@iffybooks

Just adding #Philly #Philadelphia

Lol I just thought of adding the Fields Museum only to find there wasn't an extant hashtag, but there *was* for the Fields Medal. Fedi as F...

@pixouls