This is exactly what I've been looking for! Thank you!
this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2025
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It's definitely a cool option for complete off-grid comms. There is the option to use MQTT as well for messaging, but that requires internet to work. I'm planning for no internet, so that's what I 'train' with. You can make it so you are on the 'open' channel for anyone to jump into, directly contact individual nodes, and/or make 'channels' that only other people with the same encryption key can access for group chats. No subscriptions or anything else, plus there are a ton of different hardware types available, antennas, and other options. And overall, fairly inexpensive to get started.
The only real 'difficult' part is if you live near a mountain range. Without other nodes from other people around the peaks or setting up repeater nodes yourself, getting past mountain ranges isn't going to happen.
What are you using for a setup?
Right now, a Heltec 3. Better antenna though, mounted on a pole. I have an even better antenna coming soon with a cable so I can move the unit inside and have it on one of my solar batteries, since the little 3000mah one is good, but won't last long.
Yip, got a stationary (solar) and a mobile node.
T-Beam with increased battery capacity and a T-echo with increased battery in a new casing.
But it is actually more for hobby (paintball/airsoft) than for prepping.