Ultimate Meshtastic RAK Wireless Node Setup Guide
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
- I picked up a new Meshtastic Node from Etsy that contains a RAK Wireless board and a weatherproof enclosure. It is made to be deployed outside, maybe up on a tower or at a high point to increase range. Let's take a look.
This video is sponsored by www.pcbway.com - check out their 3D Printing options for getting your own Meshtastic case printed.
Links in video:
--My Meshtastic Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/hamradio2...
--Device in this video: www.etsy.com/shop/GarthVH?
--Flasher Website: flasher.meshtastic.org/
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Thanks for watching!
#Hamradio #kc5hwb #meshtastic - Навчання та стиль
I have become obsessed with Meshtastic!!!!
mee too ... We are man's , and we like to create somethink , experiment etc
I have one of the RAK devices mounted outside with a larger solar panel and it's been up for ~3 months now with no issue other than I can't easily update the software with it sitting up on a pole. I based mine off of "The Comms Channel - New 2024 Off-Grid Solar Meshtastic Build" guide. I don't use the same batteries or panel but what I have is effectively the same. The RAK devices use *significantly* less power than the Heltec devices; a single 18650 is more than enough to ride out several cloudy days. I do have mine set up as a router and if it was getting constant, heavy traffic the single battery might not be enough but for now it's plenty. Right now it just pings off of a few neighbors that I can see and what devices I have at home.
Awesome
He has a few videos and some with updates. This is where I built might from... it was a lot of fun! ;) Make sure and watch the videos and see if you might want to build a little different. ;)
Want to see that meshtastic truck setup....
Looking thru the docs there appears to be a way to change the frequency your device can be on, I am going to test that by changing all 5 of mine and testing the distance or range of the devices. I have one that will be on the roof with a bigger antenna and charged by solar with 2 3000mah batteries so it can stay up over night and make it a repeater. I am on the shore so Inhabe nothing but water over to manhattan and the 5 Boris making it a good test. I will get in the truck and start making tests I different directions.
Can you show a tutorial on how to add a keyboard? I want this to be stand alone
Too late. It's already to hot 🤣🥵I have that same node but I really want to know the devices around the RAK device and how those work. There are a number of jumpers on that board mounted below the RAK device and I would LOVE to know more about it. Wish that Garth supplied links to the devices he used for documentation purposes. Also, I would love to be able to add a sensor in the meshtastic device to show the amount of solar being generated. Much like what Mike gets in his Geek boxes.
Yeah seeing how much solar is coming in would be nice
That great. Would like a follow up on how that does. You can add a USB solar and use RTV blue silicone to make water proof. the 2 solar will be fine together . With 18650 cells . you want Japan made ones . like Sony or Panasonic . The Korea made battery is go as well. just stay away from China 18650 cells. you want the 3.7V ones. the 3.2V LFP are for different use. they have them in 18650 . check before you buy. 73's
Thanks
Now this is my idea of a proper meshtastic node. Something that is a self powered device, and operate 24/7. Place several of these around your area, and its virtually unseen or ignored! Camo the boxes properly (like you're Geocaching!) and they'd dissapear!
Otherwise you have get various friends, family and businesses Permission to plug in and continously Power your little units, all around town or the country side. (Personally, thats to many loose variables, that can crash your spider web 🕸 - network!)
Too late! Its hot!
What have you found is the best ready to go units? I want something that I can get with case battery solar panel good antenna etc that I can just do the firmware and mount
If I have access to a high location in my town. Could I mount one of these devices there to act as a repeater to receive messages and pass them on to others in a network ? The messages could be held in a buffer and transmitted after completion.
The make actual repeaters for Meshtastic but I am not sure how they differ from this unit. But yes, what you are saying should work...not sure about the buffer though
When I was at Hamvention I talked to one of the guys from FL who was putting up a network of these in his county to act as an additional emergency comms system. They had access to several water towers/etc and were testing battery sizes and some other things because they would only get access to some of these locations once and may not be able to climb again for maintenance.
Received this same unit the same day you put this video up. Overall, pretty disappointed. The power system is a failure. I put this out in noonday sun on a severe clear day and there’s still not enough power. It basically seems to have enough power to make the initial Bluetooth connection, then it dies. I ASSUMED (my fault) that the battery would run the unit in the event of insufficient sun. Nope, it appears that the battery only preserves settings. Charged the battery on an external charger to make sure. Runs fine on an external USB-C power supply, but, it shuts down when external power is disconnected. I understand the goal of waterproofing the box, but, needing to remove the lid to apply power isn’t practical.
The new enclosure with bigger solar panel is SKU:910421 directly from Rak wireless
“ Unify Enclosure IP67 150x100x45mm with pre-mounted M8 5 Pin and RP-SMA antenna IP Rated connectors”
Garth has a couple also
Lilygo techo works good