First nodes on the air

The first MeshCom nodes are starting to appear in the Chicago area. You can follow them on the live map.

We're not making RF contacts between nodes yet. We're still learning how MeshCom works: the firmware and its settings, how mesh and gateway behave, and how the nodes talk to each other. We'd rather take the time to understand it properly than rush and set up the network the wrong way.

One thing is helping a lot. Some time ago we built a LoRa APRS network, and we still have plenty of hardware left over from that project, including boards, antennas and power gear. Much of it can be reused for MeshCom, so we can test and experiment right away instead of waiting for new equipment.

Next we want to get comfortable with the firmware, make the first RF contacts between our own nodes and start testing range around Chicagoland. We'll post here as soon as the first RF contact happens.