Meshtastic Nodes

Technical Support and Equipment Meshtastic
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I thought I’d post this here in case anyone was into this stuff.

I’ve got a couple of Meshtastic nodes at my QTH. Both are currently set to a client role but they have different functions.

SRak - This is a solar powered node that was due to be a set as a router to help me get over the hump that is St Bees head. Currently it connected directly to the Isle of Man and provides access to GI and EI (sometimes directly, but mainly through the IoM nodes)

BBS - This one is a bit of fun. It runs a basic BBS/Bot set of scripts that give basic messaging and services like HF Conditions, Weather forecasting, Solar data and stuff like that. Accessing it is simple, just send it a direct message. If you send cmd then it’ll give the options.

If you wanted to set up your own its pretty simple, especially if you have a old RPi kicking about. The Meshing Around like this worked best for me. A bit of detail on mine is on my site if anyone was interested.

edit…

I’ve added in some extra bits and pieces this morning, including a scheduler that can be used for automated messages. It is on its own channel and this can be accessed through the QR code below. Open up the meshtastic app on your phone. Go to second from right icon and use the scan function on the bottom. It should add in a channel called BBSBot

BBSBot
BBSBot790×787 7.27 KB

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2

Hi Alex thanks for that info. Ive still got my meshtastic running here and the MQTT Server. I was speaking with Dean the other day (2e0IWG) from whitehaven, he was saying he is programming a node up to Meshcore https://meshcore.co.uk/

Ive seen this on youtube and it seems better than meshtastics. Ive got a T Deck here ill try with meshcore at somepoint.

Also messing around with UHF Lora boards as well for APRS another board arrived last week to play with.

Do you have commands for the BBS you run ?

Lee

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ps ill give that channel ago when i get chance too looks intresting.
Lee

4

Here you go Lee

Networking

Command Description :white_check_mark: Works Off-Grid
ping, ack Return data for signal. Example: ping 15 #DrivingI5 (activates auto-ping every 20 seconds for count 15) :white_check_mark:
cmd Returns the list of commands (the help message) :white_check_mark:
history Returns the last commands run by user(s) :white_check_mark:
lheard Returns the last 5 heard nodes with SNR. Can also use sitrep :white_check_mark:
motd Displays the message of the day or sets it. Example: motd $New Message Of the day :white_check_mark:
sysinfo Returns the bot node telemetry info :white_check_mark:
test used to test the limits of data transfer test 4 sends data to the maxBuffer limit (default 220) :white_check_mark:
whereami Returns the address of the sender’s location if known
whoami Returns details of the node asking, also returned when position exchanged :round_pushpin: :white_check_mark:
whois Returns details known about node, more data with bbsadmin node :white_check_mark:

Radio Propagation & Weather Forcasting

Command Description :white_check_mark: Works Off-Grid
hfcond Returns a table of HF solar conditions
rlist Returns a table of nearby repeaters from RepeaterBook
solar Gives an idea of the x-ray flux
sun and moon Return info on rise and set local time :white_check_mark:
wx and wxc Return local weather forecast (wxc is metric value), NOAA or Open Meteo for weather forecasting

Bulletin Board & Mail

Command Description :white_check_mark: Works Off-Grid
bbshelp Returns the following help message :white_check_mark:
bbslist Lists the messages by ID and subject :white_check_mark:
bbsread Reads a message. Example: bbsread #1 :white_check_mark:
bbspost Posts a message to the public board or sends a DM(Mail) Examples: bbspost $subject #message, bbspost @nodeNumber #message, bbspost @nodeShortName #message :white_check_mark:
bbsdelete Deletes a message. Example: bbsdelete #4 :white_check_mark:
bbsinfo Provides stats on BBS delivery and messages (sysop) :white_check_mark:
bbslink Links Bulletin Messages between BBS Systems :white_check_mark:

Data Lookup

Command Description :white_check_mark: Works Off-Grid
messages Replays the last messages heard, like Store and Forward :white_check_mark:
readnews returns the contents of a file (news.txt, by default) via the chunker on air :white_check_mark:
wiki: Searches Wikipedia and returns the first few sentences of the first result if a match. Example: wiki: lora radio

CheckList

Command Description :white_check_mark: Works Off-Grid
checkin Check in the node to the checklist database, you can add a note like checkin ICO or checkin radio4 :white_check_mark:
checkout Checkout the node in the checklist database, checkout all from node :white_check_mark:
checklist Display the checklist database, with note :white_check_mark:

Games (via DM)

Command Description :white_check_mark: Works Off-Grid
blackjack Plays Blackjack (Casino 21) :white_check_mark:
dopewars Plays the classic drug trader game :white_check_mark:
golfsim Plays a 9-hole Golf Simulator :white_check_mark:
hamtest FCC/ARRL Quiz hamtest general or hamtest extra and score :white_check_mark:
hangman Plays the classic word guess game :white_check_mark:
joke Tells a joke :white_check_mark:
lemonstand Plays the classic Lemonade Stand finance game :white_check_mark:
mastermind Plays the classic code-breaking game :white_check_mark:
videopoker Plays basic 5-card hold Video Poker :white_check_mark:
1 Like
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Thats cool that, Ill fire up a node later and see what happens. Thanks Alex. Lee

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You’ll need to connect via RF as it won’t do MQTT I’m afraid. Go through one of the IoM nodes if you can’t do that then we’ll need to put a router somewhere :slight_smile:

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Ah right. I dont pick anyone else up from here for some reason. I ordered a yagi from aliexpress a while back but they only sent the cable lol.

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That’s not much help. the yagi gets me to GI regularly and EI every now and again. IoM is pretty stable as well. My yagi was only £15 or something like that and not exactly well matched but survived the winter outside.

The BBS stuff can be linked but for some reason doesn’t like MQTT and the work around would mean a wired connection (which isn’t really a problem if you’re not on a RPi - which I am)

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