Meshtastic
 

Meshtastic is sweeping across England today.
What is it?
https://meshtastic.org/docs/introduction/

The Mesh Network has just started in the USA.
Here's the map of some nodes that are web connected.(most are stand-alone)
https://meshmap.net/

Why do you need it?
In a nutshell, it's back-up communications.
In case your Cell service fails, you can still text your family, using Meshtastic Nodes*.
(*depending on the local Meshtastic network).

I'm the first on my block to start using Meshtastic. :)
How well does it work for me? Not very well, since my area has a shortage of people with Nodes. My walk around range is 2 or 3 miles. But that will change in time.
(The outdoor antenna on the right has the Node connected).
https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...lA&oe=65DE8A39 https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...Lw&oe=65DE7540

Seems it would be great for emergencies. Hope this or something like it catches on and can be implemented. Maybe with people that have solar to keep it powered up? (voluntary of course)
I admit that the installation guide might be over my head, I think a dedicated pc for communication would be cool!

Mesh
 

The people in Austin Tx are interested in some back-up communications. They have a good start on a mesh in their downtown area. https://austinmesh.org/
They had an awful experience with a grid down situation.

We have a Meshtastic group (FaceBook) starting up in New England and a small group starting in the City of Boston.
It might be good for Boston kids who want to text their family or friends on an encrypted channel, using an old phone or tablet. No WiFi or Data needed after the app is downloaded. (Once the city has enough nodes).
I can also see this technology might be used by drug gangs or other criminals. Then maybe banned in Boston

Yesterday, I linked a node 26 miles away from my town, via direct transmission from a local hill. I think these T-Beam nodes output about 0.1 watts on the 906.875 Mhz common channel. It will be nice when more nodes (packet repeaters) are in my area.
There will be no need to go hill climbing.
Coming soon I hope..