Yes! If you leave the default channel enabled it will join the public meshtastic network. But you can run eight channels at once, and the others can have different encryption keys.
The default setting is also to forward any received packets to the mesh, even ones it can’t decrypt.
Wicked! It’s on my list officially, what would you recommend for a node as I know there are a ton of options. Thanks for your help, I’ll stop asking questions after this.
No worries! If you’re starting out you can’t go wrong with a T1000-E. It’s water resistant, has GPS built-in, and ties everything together in a neat package for ~$35. There are plenty of other nodes out there but it’s more of a build your own kit situation. If you’re into microcontroller programming and stuff like arduino/RP/etc then Heltec v3 Lora boards are good tinker hardware.
We also have a community here on mander for meshtastic.
For a good compromise, use Meshtastic. Long-range radio mesh network for texting that phones can use instead of cell networks.
Can one make a general relay meshtastic node, or are they all private relays?
Yes! If you leave the default channel enabled it will join the public meshtastic network. But you can run eight channels at once, and the others can have different encryption keys.
The default setting is also to forward any received packets to the mesh, even ones it can’t decrypt.
Wicked! It’s on my list officially, what would you recommend for a node as I know there are a ton of options. Thanks for your help, I’ll stop asking questions after this.
No worries! If you’re starting out you can’t go wrong with a T1000-E. It’s water resistant, has GPS built-in, and ties everything together in a neat package for ~$35. There are plenty of other nodes out there but it’s more of a build your own kit situation. If you’re into microcontroller programming and stuff like arduino/RP/etc then Heltec v3 Lora boards are good tinker hardware.
We also have a community here on mander for meshtastic.
Heltec v3 on the way, tinkering is more my speed.
Things in this space are moving fast, I did not want to take advice from an online article over a year old and get something and hate it.
Thanks for the information!