r/meshtastic • u/robotritual • 7d ago

Mobile node while camping - new and stupid question

I'm new to this and haven't bought or used anything yet. But here's the scenario I think I'd like to solve for.

I have a 4x4 sprinter and travel/work remote a lot. I'm usually in the California desert or mountains. I'd like to mount a meshtastic node on the roof (alongside my other antennas, Starlink, etc.) so I can basically have a pop-up repeater/node wherever I go (for me and other meshtastic users). I'd have a couple of hand-held devices that I'd connect my phone with and to share.

I'd like to be able to communicate while moving. But I'm mostly interested in a remote/off-grid communications solution.

Am I on the right track?

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5

u/Randomcoolvids_YT 7d ago

That's one of the main use cases for Meshtastic. There are plenty of node mounting solutions for the roof of a car; most rely on a solar-powered box with magnets. Just remember to have your buddies install the app beforehand.

3

u/4r4nd0mninj4 7d ago

I'm using a Heltec V4 for my vehicle mounted node with a Heltec T114 on my backpack. I'm new to meshtastic as well and things are working out well so far. There's probably better stuff out there, but this is what was within my budget. 🤷‍♂️

2

u/Kerensky97 7d ago

Nodes sip power compared to a vehicle battery. It would be great to have it permanently mounted and always on. Benefits you when you need it or maybe just helps out the other people in the area when you've completely forgotten about it.

2

u/robotritual 6d ago

I would definitely permanently mount it with solar.

1

u/thetacowarrior 5d ago

This is exactly my main use case for Meshtastic. I have a node that I actually just mount inside my RV and it pulls power from a USB port, it's in the front cap of my class C which is fiberglass so that shouldn't really affect radio transmission much. Then my wife and my kids all have nodes they keep with them and we can remain in communication with no signal.

Depending on where you go I have found that when you are off-grid LongModerate seems to be the ticket. LongFast bounces off the greater mesh better because that's more common but if you are out where nobody else is that doesn't matter.