Solarpunk technology

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License Free, Encrypted, Off-Grid, Decentralized Mesh Network Comms: A full guide on how to get started with LoRa devices and Meshtastic (adrelien.com)

submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net to c/technology@slrpnk.net

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This seems like a great technology to build resiliency and redundancy in a community, especially for places where cell service is spotty, or in the odd event where normal lines of communication are blocked.

The LoRa boards can be easily powered with a small solar panel for continuous use, and if put in a high enough place with a good antenna, they can have a surprisingly long range!

In addition to being genuinely useful, they also seem like they'd be a lot of fun to experiment and play around with, printing cool 3D cases for them, or designing a better antenna or repeater setup.

If and of you already have experience with LoRa, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts! :D

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[–] assa123@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 5 months ago (2 children)

This sounds great. Just be aware that broadcasting on certain frequencies is ilegal in some places. You might need a license to broadcast in the ham spectrum, and even then, broadcasting encrypted messages could be prohibited.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 19 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

LoRa is, as far as I know, legal to use in most countries without a license, and do not broadcast on HAM frequencies.

[–] assa123@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

ah, that's great. To complement on the discussion, I found this site with a relationship of the used band and the corresponding legislation https://www.loraantenna.com/lorawan-frequency-plans-by-country-region/

[–] JustEnoughDucks@feddit.nl 6 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

True, but different frequencies per region. So if you used hardware in the wrong region it could be illegal. Still, in the US and EU at least, it is a public open band.

[–] toaster@slrpnk.net 7 points 5 months ago

Fortunately, meshtastic let's you set your region on the mobile apps and it sets it to the legal frequency range in your area. It won't broadcast in the ham spectrum.