Meshtastic - the future?

 As I mentioned yesterday, there is a small, but dedicated group of experimenters. In my view, these experimeners will increasingly use licence-free bands such as LoRa at 868 or 915MHz.

In my view, Meshtastic and Meshcore are in their infancy. Given this, I expect we will see maturity in the next 10 years. In theory, these rely on mesh networks and don't depend on the internet. In big cities where coverage is good, this is fine. In rural areas, or areas with poor coverage, meshes may not reliably cover an area. Over time, these gaps are likely to be filled in.

I can imagine we will see "mature" data transceivers in the near future.

Is this where real experimenters will be found?

Meshtastic node

Quite a few people are experimenting by sending data over LoRa Meshtastic which is around 898MHz in Europe and does not need amateur radio or the internet: it is licence free.   I see MLS is selling a solar powered node at about £64.

In rural areas the problem is often coverage gaps. Such a node might help.

I have not experimented, but am tempted.

Meshcore and Meshstastic

These feel like the future. 

More and more people are looking for a means of communication that does not depend on the internet. These are mesh based messaging systems, so the more nodes the better.  In urban areas there are more and more nodes springing up. In rural areas, nodes may be far apart.

They use 868MHz in Europe (I think), licence-free LoRa. Units - including solar powered external repeaters suitable for mounting on houses - are available on-line at low cost.

I have the feeling things will mature in the coming years. At the moment it feels like the early days of the internet.

In about 10 years' time I can see this getting there. It's not there yet.

It would appear there is far more experimentation (and licence free!) than with traditional amateur radio. In the future I can see ISM and other licence free systems replacing amateur radio.

Meshstastic video

 This video may help explain meshtsatic concepts.

Meshtastic

Last Friday the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) had a talk on Meshtastic . This is a form of "off grid" mesh communications. 

This uses LoRa and ISM bands. It is yet another form of experimentation that does NOT need amateur radio. 

Operation on the ISM bands is licence-free.