If you have strong opinions about #Mesh networking, please let me know.

[m0yng@mastodon.radio]

@Edent not shocking. the repeaters are usually set to advertise with large gaps (I think 12 hours)

Put a ping out on the test channel (hashtag test) and check if "sent" changes to "heard 1 repeat". If so, one repeater heard you and you heard it repeat your message.
Try a couple of times if it didn't work immediately...

If not, try another position!

[dan@mastodon.durrans.com]

@u0421793 @Edent Settings (Cog) > Contact Settings.

This can stop your contacts list getting unmanageable.

[edent@mastodon.social]

@M0YNG thanks. Nothing yet. Trying a different window

[grutzifix@fedifreu.de]

@Edent

1. problem is the window
2. this type of antenna dont like to kink
3. antennas love metal-bases to reduce noise from electronics

[edent@mastodon.social]

@grutzifix ok. Where do you suggest I put it? Not sure how waterproof it is

[edent@mastodon.social]

Aha! I had to unbend the antenna
Now receiving #Meshcore messages. Don't know if any of mine are being seen though.

[dan@mastodon.durrans.com]

@Edent I haven't seen your messages (get to Bristol).

When you send a message do you see any repeats? Under your blue message bubble it may say something like “Heard 1 repeat”. If it just says "Sent" then it is possible no one heard you.

You may be able to hear things without anyone hearing you.

[an0key@chaos.social]

@Edent uk narrow

[edent@mastodon.social]

@dan not seeing any repeats so, yeah, I expect I'm on read only at the moment

[w8emv@a2mi.social]

@Edent oh, antennas and antenna placement can be very weird to understand and to debug. in general it's better to not have your whip antenna near to a big piece of metal because it will couple with it and throw everything off.

recommendation: take a photograph, measure for a day, move something around, take another photograph, do another day's measurements, repeat.

If you can get the antenna outside rather than inside it will make a difference, but that's not always easy

[tinheadned@dice.camp]

@Edent this doesn't help but I assumed Northampton wouldn't have any #meshtastic traffic and now I'm interested

[stereo@freiburg.social]

@Edent @dan

i have one companion device indoor and a repeater on the balcony. how far away are your next repeaters?

[edent@mastodon.social]

@dan @stereo looks like the nearest are 3-6Km away.

[dan@mastodon.durrans.com]

@Edent @stereo 3 to 6km should be fine. Do you have line of sight to them? That makes such a difference.

I ended up putting a repeater in my loft.

[edent@mastodon.social]

@dan nah, dense urban environment.

[dj3ei@mastodon.radio]

Modern window glass is often covered with an invisible, very thin layer of metal intended to keep UV light out. That layer makes it hard for radio waves to pass through.

@Edent @hanscees

[0x0@hachyderm.io]

@rgarner

SaveItForParts did [something similar](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XKhprOtK7wE) recently as well. YMMV I guess.

@Edent @vaurora

[dragon@toast.dragon2611.net]

@tinheadned @Edent I couldn't find anything on Meshtastic or Meshcore when I last tried it, but I was indoors with a piddly little antenna.

[tinheadned@dice.camp]

@Dragon I mean I also don't need another hobby so it's probably for the best. The bit that puts me off amateur radio is talking to *other* grumpy old white guys

[edent@mastodon.social]

Well the #Meshcore is *sort of* working.
With it's new placement I can just about hear one repeater.
I'm receiving some messages, but I guess my antenna is to puny to send any.
My noise floor looks good (I think) and I've discovered a few nodes.
I think I need more power and/or a bigger antenna.
If you're on the mesh, feel free to send me a message and I'll let you know if it arrives (details above).