2025-10-31 — LinHT Article (by the developers), MESHCON 2025 is a Wakeup Call, Test Bench in a Hand, N8GNJ Standby Battery System, direwolf 1.8, New AllScan USB Radio Interfaces, MMDVM Update
Steve, I don’t know if you’re familiar with the distributor PowerWerx. They’re a great source for most all my DC power distribution components. https://powerwerx.com/dc-power-products
Also, for things like power monitoring, smart chargers, etc it’s very hard to beat Victron. I have a couple of their SmartShunt devices (among other things). The Victron gadgets (power monitors, smart chargers, solar controllers, etc) all have Bluetooth interfaces. They have a nice phone app for reporting data and setting parameters, etc. No Windows computer needed. And their devices talk to each other as needed. No cheap, but great quality.
Craig - I was aware of PowerWerx, but it's been quite a while since I looked at their product line (which includes West Mountain Radio's power products).
I was also aware of Victron though they were a bit out of scope for this project (not just cost). But I've heard the same glowing reports from a few others, including some serious techie boaters. If I had to do a "serious" battery power system (such as a communications van) I would definitely use Victron components.
Re zero degrees charging (and use), I contacted Bioenno, they recommend using an insulated box (I got a picnic cooler for my 100 AHr), 12v silicon pad low wattage heater, and thermostat.
Yes, amateur radio is hamstrung by the encryption and broadcast (and other) restrictions, as well as the licensing barrier to entry. On the other hand, there are many areas of technological experimentation and radio operations where ham radio is a more fertile field. The Venn diagram has enough overlap that both ham and Meshtastic-types can cross-pollinate.
I do know that there is some Meshtastic operation in the San Juan Islands (between Vancouver Island and the WA State mainland). As for the license-free bands, don't overlook the 13.x MHz ISM bands. You won't be doing any fast networking, but there is enough bandwidth available for experimenting and DX propagation.
Paul - The point I was trying to make was that (my perception, anyway) the Meshtastic folks are happily off doing their thing using Meshtastic, etc. using unlicensed spectrum, and they're not looking "next door" at Amateur Radio and finding much that is useful to them.
You've mentioned the 13.x ISM band previously, but I haven't found any references to it. Could you provide some reference for further study?
Regarding encryption, I've come to believe this is an area of Part 97 that's actually quite permissive and progressive. It merely prohibits encoding messages *for the purpose of obscuring their meaning*. For once, the FCC doesn't actually prohibit (or allow) any particular technology, they actually regulate the intent.
To me, this means if I encrypt some messages and then publish the keys in a conspicuous, public location, my purpose is clearly not to obscure the meaning of the messages. This helps when the desire is to reuse Internet technologies that have encryption "baked in".
However, I have yet to hear of a legitimate situation where hams really want private comms not covered by exceptions in Part 97. What they most often want is actually authentication: to prove that something came from them and no one else, be that telecommand of a device or similar. This is also easily done and doesn't contravene Part 97 in my opinion. A cryptographic signature appended to the end of a message does not obscure meaning if the message is unencrypted. Amazingly, ARRL (perhaps by accident) already developed everything we need to do this as part of LOTW:
They could easily publish the root certs and everyone's public keys. Then, you could sign anything with your private key and it would be verifiable. It really just needs someone with the time/funding to tie it all together. Perhaps a fertile area for a grant...
Steve, I don’t know if you’re familiar with the distributor PowerWerx. They’re a great source for most all my DC power distribution components. https://powerwerx.com/dc-power-products
Also, for things like power monitoring, smart chargers, etc it’s very hard to beat Victron. I have a couple of their SmartShunt devices (among other things). The Victron gadgets (power monitors, smart chargers, solar controllers, etc) all have Bluetooth interfaces. They have a nice phone app for reporting data and setting parameters, etc. No Windows computer needed. And their devices talk to each other as needed. No cheap, but great quality.
Craig - I was aware of PowerWerx, but it's been quite a while since I looked at their product line (which includes West Mountain Radio's power products).
I was also aware of Victron though they were a bit out of scope for this project (not just cost). But I've heard the same glowing reports from a few others, including some serious techie boaters. If I had to do a "serious" battery power system (such as a communications van) I would definitely use Victron components.
Re zero degrees charging (and use), I contacted Bioenno, they recommend using an insulated box (I got a picnic cooler for my 100 AHr), 12v silicon pad low wattage heater, and thermostat.
Christian - The insulated box is a very good idea - Thanks!
Meshtastic-
Yes, amateur radio is hamstrung by the encryption and broadcast (and other) restrictions, as well as the licensing barrier to entry. On the other hand, there are many areas of technological experimentation and radio operations where ham radio is a more fertile field. The Venn diagram has enough overlap that both ham and Meshtastic-types can cross-pollinate.
I do know that there is some Meshtastic operation in the San Juan Islands (between Vancouver Island and the WA State mainland). As for the license-free bands, don't overlook the 13.x MHz ISM bands. You won't be doing any fast networking, but there is enough bandwidth available for experimenting and DX propagation.
Paul - The point I was trying to make was that (my perception, anyway) the Meshtastic folks are happily off doing their thing using Meshtastic, etc. using unlicensed spectrum, and they're not looking "next door" at Amateur Radio and finding much that is useful to them.
You've mentioned the 13.x ISM band previously, but I haven't found any references to it. Could you provide some reference for further study?
There is also a small group doing APRS Lora on 440 MHZ using the same inexpensive Lora devices.
https://lora-aprs.live/
Steve N0FPF
Steven - Yeah, I gotta check that out. Thanks for the reminder!
Regarding encryption, I've come to believe this is an area of Part 97 that's actually quite permissive and progressive. It merely prohibits encoding messages *for the purpose of obscuring their meaning*. For once, the FCC doesn't actually prohibit (or allow) any particular technology, they actually regulate the intent.
To me, this means if I encrypt some messages and then publish the keys in a conspicuous, public location, my purpose is clearly not to obscure the meaning of the messages. This helps when the desire is to reuse Internet technologies that have encryption "baked in".
However, I have yet to hear of a legitimate situation where hams really want private comms not covered by exceptions in Part 97. What they most often want is actually authentication: to prove that something came from them and no one else, be that telecommand of a device or similar. This is also easily done and doesn't contravene Part 97 in my opinion. A cryptographic signature appended to the end of a message does not obscure meaning if the message is unencrypted. Amazingly, ARRL (perhaps by accident) already developed everything we need to do this as part of LOTW:
https://github.com/Mihara/lotw-trust
They could easily publish the root certs and everyone's public keys. Then, you could sign anything with your private key and it would be verifiable. It really just needs someone with the time/funding to tie it all together. Perhaps a fertile area for a grant...