Hey everyone,
Posting here at the suggestion of chainmaildave on Reddit. If this belongs in a different forum let me know.
Found out about this a few weeks ago and I find it pretty interesting. If you're into electronics or tinkering, or maybe have an interest in ham radio, definitely check out the Meshtastic project.
Meshtastic is essentially an open-source off-grid messaging system that uses specific electronic boards and other low-cost hardware to transmit text messages over radio frequencies. Essentially the same as ham radio but instead of transmitting voice, it transmits text. The nice thing about this is it doesn't require a licence as ham radio does.
Essentially you create what's called a "node" with a real simple electronics board, along with an antenna. You then use your phone to connect to the node via either WiFi or Bluetooth, open the Meshstatic app and send a message out via text. The node then transmits this over radio frequencies and waits to see if it gets a response from another node. All of this happens "off-grid" meaning your cell phone provider has nothing to do with it.
Is Meshtastic going to replace your basic text messaging in your phone? No, of course not. This is just an interesting way to learn a little about electronics and radio frequencies. Plus its fun to know its all completely off-grid.
A YouTube channel called Ham Radio Crash Course does a good job explaining it more: https://youtu.be/DumgHz56IjI?si=ruRxdx5QZq1wBMG0 Don't worry about any mention of soldering, there's newer boards called Heltec V3 that don't require any soldering. I've gotten one node set up so far and it has successfully connected to another node in the area. Its something that I'll be looking at different antennas and locations to get the best signal.
Thought this might be worth sharing to other tinkerers out there if you'd like to check it out!
https://www.meshtastic.org/