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

[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).

[henryk@chaos.social]

@Edent Wait, this is without Internet links in between? That would be fantastical coverage.
My experience here in Berlin (with Meshtastic, though) is that I can't get to a node 4 subway stations (2.5km) from here.

[edent@mastodon.social]

@henryk I can only directly hear one node - about 4km away.

All the others have been seen via the mesh.

[dan@mastodon.durrans.com]

@Edent I’ve sent a message but the chance of it making it to you from Bristol is relatively slim I think!

[edent@mastodon.social]

@dan ta! Nothing yet

[dan@mastodon.durrans.com]

@henryk @Edent MeshCore is radio only, unlike Meshtastic that can propagate via the internet to an extent.

[dan@mastodon.durrans.com]

@Edent I’ve seen messages from Yorkshire and Cheshire before now. There are some strong north/ south links heading along the M5 and M6.

The hams use directional antennas to prioritise distance between the cities.

[jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net]

@Edent Most repeaters send adverts maybe once every 12 or 24 hours. So let it sit a few days for the contact list to fill. You should join the test and ping channel and send a ping to see what replies you get back. That should tell you more about who actually sees you.

[edent@mastodon.social]

@jwildeboer Yup - has been on for 24 hours. Only seeing that repeater directly.

My pings go unanswered and my messages to the test channels aren't delivered.

[jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net]

@Edent Then my best guess is that the one repeater you can connect to is operated by a HAM operator who is allowed to send with higher power. Or has a better antenna with higher gain. One of those will be the reason your packets won't make it

[psfshr@mastodon.me.uk]

@Edent I had to get a repeater in the attic before I got any decent reliable connection.

With radio, height appears to be key

[edent@mastodon.social]

@psfshr I'm on the 3rd floor, which I thought would help.

I do wonder if the solar panels on the roof might block the signal if I put a repeater up there.

[catawu@mastodon.social]

@Edent either put it outside the window or further inside the room. To me, where it is, looks like it would block signal. It would literally “skip” — just a thought.

[psfshr@mastodon.me.uk]

@Edent That I don’t know. We’ve got panels too on both aspects and still got signals. Brick and block I feel is worse ‍️

Ideal seems to be outside in free air, but that’s not always feasible.

Also depends on the direction of what you’re trying to get to, and how much stuff you’re having to go through on the way. Could just try moving to a different window, might be a repeater in a different direction.