I thought about being a “meshtastic pioneer” and in my head that means rebroadcasting on multiple frequency slots just so meshtastic user can connect without me independently having them to tell them what channel and modem preset I’m on. with my research it seems that there isn’t 1 thing I can buy that can work on the entire US(915) band). im curious if anyone would recommend or has installed a radio repeator for meshtastic bands
I don’t think what you’re trying to do is very practical.
For US 915, there are between 52 (SHORT_TURBO) and 208 (LONG_SLOW) frequency slots. Each node has to use the same LoRA parameters (called mode presets in Meshtastic) as well as the same frequency slot in order to communicate (or relay).
LoRa signals are low bandwidth (125, 250, or 500 kHz) so there are a lot of frequency slots. In addition to having one radio for each frequency slot, you would also have to have one for each LoRA parameter preset in that frequency slot. Nodes can only operate in one mode and frequency at a time.
So to cover all cases, you’d need:
- 52 nodes operating in SHORT_TURBO mode
- 104 nodes operating in SHORT_FAST
- 104 nodes operating in SHORT_SLOW
- 104 nodes in MEDIUM_FAST
- 104 in MEDIUM_SLOW
- 104 in LONG_FAST mode
- 208 in LONG_MODERATE mode
- Plus another 208 in LONG_SLOW mode
That’s a total of 988 nodes to cover all, and that’s not even getting into the fact that they’d be talking over each other.
Basically, if you want to be a generic repeater (note the docs clearly state to not run repeater mode willy-nilly), it’s best to stick with LONG_FAST, set your custom channels as primary (if you even want to have custom channels, that is), and create a LongFast secondary channel with the default dummy encryption key. Then manually set your radio frequency to the one used by the default LONG_FAST setting (908.875 MHz).
That’s basically what I do and lets me have my own private channels while also relaying for and being able to make contact with anyone else using the default config.
Edit: Coordination of local frequencies, etc is usually done by forming a Meshtastic community group. Then you could just join (or start) that group and use a standardized frequency and LoRa parameters.
i like how the garage door is shorter than the house
dang nice to know how many devices are needed. I think that switching channels would cut down on the number of nodes, but idk how to auto switch settings. good to know the default setting because I was gonna revert it back.
i should clarify a generic radio repeater that inst meshtastic but is able to repeat LORA signal
i should clarify a generic radio repeater that inst meshtastic but is able to repeat LORA signal
Well, the numbers I gave would be the same since those Meshtastic “modes” are just profiles for different LoRa settings, and the same LoRa Settings + frequency slot still applies (Meshtastic just runs on top of that).
I think what you’re looking for is a dumb signal repeater, but I’m not super knowledgeable of the pros/cons/legality of those for the entire 915 MHz band. You’d be repeating anything in that frequency range, not just LoRa. And those also repeat noise the same as signal. Basically, it could end up making things worse in the long run by introducing noise.
Probably best to just coordinate with or start a community mesh group and settle on a specific frequency and LoRa settings.
starting a community would be hard on my end given I’m an introvert but I have told a few people that live in the same county as me about meshtastic. they like the idea; probably why I want to be a pioneer. I just found the GSM 900 which is a repeater for mobile networks. it looks like it has a similar power output to heltec v3. ill make another post seeing what other people in the community think
Just get 987 neighbors to install one
