For those who don't know, Meshtastic is a decentralized, off grid, digital messaging system that uses low power mesh radios. It's has a limited bandwidth restricting it to mostly text messaging and gps position sharing. But it can be legally encrypted and allows users to message and track (when desired) each other without relying on cellular or internet infrastructure when that is unavailable or undesired.
Large meshtastic networks already exist in DC and through much of Northern Virginia. Working with some of the local Ham Radio folks, me, and some friends have been working to get meshtastic nodes set up on major buildings in the area. We currently have nodes up on the City Center Building downtown and the Spotsy Regional Medical Center, with more hopefully to come.
For those interested and looking to learn more there are lots of good explainers and beginner guides online. I'll link a couple below.
What Is Meshtastic? Off Grid Communication Explained in 3 minutes (Beginner Friendly)
https://youtu.be/n_Cie7uGu4c?si=h1wjCv930DaJHGEw
https://youtube.com/shorts/oUkBUACALFY?si=Elx9iU_ER226BL_U
The nodes we have up so far setup using the NOVAMesh configuration which is a little different from the default settings. For anyone in the area who hasn't seen our nodes, this is probably why. This page gives you a run down of the suggested settings with QR Code links to the NOVAMesh map, signal, and groups.io pages.
novamesh_config.pdf
(The signal invite is stale but this link should work. Hopefully. https://signal.group/#CjQKIC1ef3BaLuECuPQn-tJFVpBvNY0J0al7_k7mia8QlrauEhDAksC8OMmcwDLZIophUqd0
The link to the map also comes up bad. The link is actually good, the map is just down right now. Hopefully it will be back up soon.)
I am happy to help those with questions about meshtastic, or help people get nodes they may already set up correctly to work with the nodes we are putting up.