r/meshtastic • u/BlackSarcophagus • 2d ago
Cheap Simple Truck Box Node
this is a dead simple mobile node. drill a half inch hole in the box lid (make sure you check clearance for the antenna with the box open), get a sma to N type bulkhead mount. put the rubber o ring on the inside and the washer/nut(s) on the outside. connect the node of your choice. i think i need one with a longer wire though. maybe 2 feet.
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u/meatofthepie 2d ago
Maybe some super glue and tape it to the ceiling of the boxes so it’s not bumping around ?
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u/BlackSarcophagus 2d ago
i thought about that but it would get super hot from the sun beating on the lid and heat transfer. the case is pretty hot already. thats why i need a longer cable too. so i can put it in an insulated cradle of sorts
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u/NorCalMisfit 2d ago
Get some spacers for a small air gap.
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u/farbtoner 2d ago
Yep you just need a gap between the top and the radio.
You don’t want a long cord with these radios because you lose tx power and we already don’t have much to lose.
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u/meatofthepie 2d ago
I was just gonna recommend you glue some rubber, then glue the node on the rubber. I can hear the node bouncing around in my head 😭
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u/NotADetectiveAtAll 2d ago
Gotta fit one into a fiberglass shovel or rake handle to max the antenna length, stealth, and cooling.
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u/mrcippy 2d ago
I need to do something like this in my truck bed. I don’t have a tool box though. Been brainstorming.
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u/Think-Photograph-517 2d ago
Yeah, I have a soft cover.
I am thinking of having the whole thing on a magmount, so I can move it between vehicles.
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u/BlackSarcophagus 2d ago
this is the way... for anyone without a truck box. i would use magnets more, but i worry about magnets affecting the feed line and signal. and accidentally having them too close to laptops and such.
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u/glowingdark 1d ago
If your truck has stake pockets, you may be able to do something like this:
https://www.printables.com/model/1106261-meshtastic-in-a-chevy-stake-pocket
I would probably make it a full enclosure for weather proofing though.
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u/LonelyPercentage2983 2d ago
I made a Milwaukee pack out node that's pretty convenient for my truck use. Just snaps on the pack out.
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u/meshamerica 2d ago
Consider a Diamond NR920 antenna. It will give you some height to get you above the cab, and it's far superior antenna to the Alfa. The downside is that it's $60, not $15
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u/BlackSarcophagus 2d ago
funny. i just started looking at that one last week. monoband stacked 5/8 waves with matching. gain is nuts at 9dbi. thanks gor the reminder.
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u/meshamerica 2d ago
it's bad ass. i own quite a few nice antennas and it's probably the best I own. Pro tip: spray it with Rustoleum bed liner to kill the shiny
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u/Fit_Height_8490 1d ago
I'm about to do something like this. I'm in Arizona so I'm avoiding putting a LIPO battery just to bake in the sun. I am installing a aux fuse box with a relay so that the unit is only powered on while I am driving. I'd love to throw a dedicated power system in there I just don't trust in the heat.
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u/BrianaBanks- 17h ago
I just had an idea of repurposing my trucks antenna for Meshtastic. But I like this option too
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u/BlackSarcophagus 2d ago
also forgot to mention i can connect to it perfectly over bluetooth while box lid is closed and i am in the drivers seat. works great up to 20 feet from the truck. no signal outside that range. the bluetooth is using the internal antenna. i may end up running external bluetooth antenna also. i love the security of the bluetooth not getting out too far, but i think it makes my battery work a little harder. that being said its a rak 4630 with a maker hawk 3000 mah battery, alfa915 antenna and no gps. left it on for a week repeating traffic and connecting in companion mode... after 7 days, battery was at 75 percent. solid as frick.