So just installed a rooftop relay based on a Rak wireless module. I can now reach over 120 nodes (around 20 “online”).

I guess my question now is…now what?

I come from ham radio, so I was hoping to make come connections and maybe have some conversations, but the best I got was a single reply to a CQ, but I got no response from my follow-up.

Does anybody actually have conversations over the general Meshtastic channel? Is it all encrypted channels? Or is nobody talking at all?

Is there any way to determine how much traffic my router is handling?

This is in Seattle, BTW.

  • slazer2auEnglish
    1•5 months ago

    Are you earthing that pole anywhere that is not the radio cable?

    I ask because when I was doing radio installations we would earth the radio/antenna to the pole and earth the pole to the roof. In the pic all I see is metal pole bolted into wood.

    • @ch00fOPEnglish
      2•5 months ago

      If your concern is lightning, we’re in a very low-lightning environment surrounded by taller trees.

      I’ll probably run a ground cable down to the house’s ground post at some point.

  • @BockyEnglish
    1•5 months ago

    Step 1, change it to client mode.

    Nice install!

    • @ch00fOPEnglish
      1•5 months ago

      What’s wrong with router mode?

        • @ch00fOPEnglish
          1•5 months ago

          Oh. That’s interesting. I mean it’s on the roof on a hill with a view of all of downtown Seattle, but it’s not “exceptionally” high I guess.