Meshtastic

Basics

• A Decentralized, Mesh Network, based of LoRa (which uses unregulated segments which can make it more accessible than other Radio Bands / Radio Protocols such as VHF / UHF etc
• Mainly used for Text Messages, Low Bandwidth Data Transmission (such as Location Tracking / Location Sharing )
  • Also can be used for IOT / IIOT

Hardware

Tracking Devices

• Main use case would be as an OS Alternative to Apple Airtags or Tile (Tracking Device Company)
  • Need to see if it is reliable enough for Fleet Management / Smart Logistics etc
    • Although the former has some Privacy/Worker’s Rights concerns to be considered as well
      • Helicopter Management / Micro-Management etc
• Seeed Studio makes hardware in the form factor of an ID Badge or so, albeit a bit larger
  • Seeed Studio SenseCAP Card Tracker

Stationary Nodes

• Useful for expanding a network/making it more reliable
• Could be co-stationed on a Radio Mast / Weather Station potentially to save space/cost

Tacticool Semi-Scams

• Buyer beware but there are some groups basically reselling LILYGO ‘s gear in FDM 3D Printed PETG Olive Drab cases etc and marking it up
• There MAY be some other company making actual hardened gear, but yeah
  • ”AT Labs RM-“ is the model
    • Further Digging seems to show AT being an abbreviation for “Applachiatan Tech”
      • Don’t want to draw too many conclusions from just that, they may be chill etc but some of that ties in to some Libertarian / Ultra-Right Wing type stuff so something worth investigating further pre-going all in on them
      • Do seem to make decent hardware though…

External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Meshtastic