MeshCore prominence, merge Jared's outreach info, remove old apps #4
60
index.html
60
index.html
@ -165,6 +165,11 @@
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||||
background-color: #2B3A4E;
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||||
color: #ffffff;
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||||
}
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||||
.btn-learn,
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||||
.btn-learn:visited {
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||||
background-color: #FFB347;
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||||
color: #1F2230;
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||||
}
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||||
.btn-meshcore img {
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filter: brightness(0) invert(1);
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||||
}
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@ -319,37 +324,18 @@
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<div class="btn-groups">
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||||
<div class="section">
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<div class="btn-group">
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||||
<a href="/discord" target="_blank" class="btn btn-discord">
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||||
<a href="https://ctmesh.org/discord" target="_blank" class="btn btn-discord">
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<img src="discord.svg" alt="Discord" />
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<div class="btn-text">
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Join our Discord
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<small>Chat with the community</small>
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</div>
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</a>
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</div>
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</div>
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<div class="section">
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<p class="section-title">Meshtastic</p>
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<div class="btn-group">
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<a href="https://meshtastic.org/" target="_blank" class="btn">
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<img src="meshtastic.svg" alt="Meshtastic" />
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<a href="why-run-a-node.html" class="btn btn-learn">
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<img src="info.svg" alt="Learn about mesh networking" />
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<div class="btn-text">
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Meshtastic
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<small>About the project</small>
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||||
</div>
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</a>
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||||
<a href="https://map.ctmesh.org/?lat=41.734429390721&lng=287.3501586914063&zoom=10" target="_blank" class="btn">
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<img src="map.svg" alt="Map" />
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<div class="btn-text">
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Node Map
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<small>CT Mesh nodes</small>
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</div>
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</a>
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<a href="meshtastic-resources.html" class="btn">
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<img src="info.svg" alt="Guides & Tools" />
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<div class="btn-text">
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Guides & Tools
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<small>Channels, MQTT, setup</small>
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Why Mesh Matters
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<small>Learn about the mesh!</small>
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</div>
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</a>
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</div>
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@ -381,6 +367,32 @@
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<div class="section">
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<p class="section-title">Meshtastic</p>
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||||
<div class="btn-group">
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<a href="https://meshtastic.org/" target="_blank" class="btn">
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<img src="meshtastic.svg" alt="Meshtastic" />
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<div class="btn-text">
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Meshtastic
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||||
<small>About the project</small>
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||||
</div>
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||||
</a>
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||||
<a href="https://map.ctmesh.org/?lat=41.734429390721&lng=287.3501586914063&zoom=10" target="_blank" class="btn">
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||||
<img src="map.svg" alt="Map" />
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||||
<div class="btn-text">
|
||||
Node Map
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||||
<small>CT Mesh nodes</small>
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</div>
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||||
</a>
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||||
<a href="meshtastic-resources.html" class="btn">
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||||
<img src="info.svg" alt="Guides & Tools" />
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||||
<div class="btn-text">
|
||||
Guides & Tools
|
||||
<small>Channels, MQTT, setup</small>
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||||
</div>
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||||
</a>
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</div>
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</div>
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<footer class="site-footer">
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<p><a href="https://ctmesh.org/">CT Mesh</a> is a volunteer-run user group for mesh technology enthusiasts in Connecticut.</p>
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<p><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Content licensed CC BY-SA 4.0</a></p>
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@ -220,10 +220,8 @@
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<div class="community-tools">
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<p><em>These tools use data reported to our MQTT server by nodes across the state.</em></p>
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<ul>
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<li><a href="https://meshcore-map.ctmesh.org/" target="_blank">MeshCore Map</a> <strong>NEW!</strong> - live map showing MeshCore nodes</li>
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<li><a href="https://bdl.meshmapper.net/" target="_blank">MeshMapper</a> <strong>NEW!</strong> — coverage maps for MeshCore. Contribute to the map via apps coming soon!</li>
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<li><a href="https://meshcore-wardrive.ctmesh.org/" target="_blank">Wardrive Map</a> - coverage maps for MeshCore. <em>Note: MeshMapper is in testing and is replacing this soon.</em></li>
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<li><a href="https://meshcore-wardrive.ctmesh.org/wardrive" target="_blank">Wardrive Contribution</a> - upload your wardrive data to improve coverage maps</li>
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<li><a href="https://meshcore-map.ctmesh.org/" target="_blank">MeshCore Map</a> <strong>NEW!</strong> – live map showing MeshCore nodes</li>
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<li><a href="https://bdl.meshmapper.net/" target="_blank">MeshMapper</a> <strong>NEW!</strong> – coverage maps for MeshCore. Contribute via <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/meshmapper/id6758073991" target="_blank">iOS</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.meshmapper.app" target="_blank">Android</a> mobile apps!</li>
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</ul>
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</div>
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307
why-run-a-node.html
Normal file
307
why-run-a-node.html
Normal file
@ -0,0 +1,307 @@
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<!DOCTYPE html>
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<html lang="en">
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<head>
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<meta charset="UTF-8">
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<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, viewport-fit=cover">
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<title>Why Run a Mesh Node? | CT Mesh</title>
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<meta name="description" content="Learn how running a local MeshCore node helps your community with off-grid communication, emergency resilience, and private encrypted messaging.">
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<link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="favicon.png?3">
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<link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="favicon.png?3">
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<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
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<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
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<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Roboto:ital,wght@0,100..900;1,100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">
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<style>
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html, body {
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margin: 0;
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padding: 0;
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.content-box {
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border-radius: 30px;
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padding: 2.5em 3em;
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box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
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position: relative;
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z-index: 1;
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||||
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margin-bottom: 0.5em;
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font-size: 28px;
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|
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.subtitle {
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margin-top: -0.25em;
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.note {
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||||
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
||||
.btn-secondary,
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||||
.btn-secondary:visited {
|
||||
background-color: #2B3A4E;
|
||||
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|
||||
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|
||||
.btn-discord,
|
||||
.btn-discord:visited {
|
||||
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|
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|
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|
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|
||||
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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.page-header img {
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|
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|
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|
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.page-header span {
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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||||
</head>
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<body>
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<div class="overlay"></div>
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<div class="content-box">
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||||
<a href="index.html" class="page-header">
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||||
<img src="logo_sm.png" alt="CT Mesh" />
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||||
<span>CT Mesh</span>
|
||||
</a>
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||||
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<h1 class="page-title">Why Run a Mesh Node?</h1>
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||||
<p class="subtitle">Learn about the mesh!</p>
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<p>A local node is more than a gadget. It strengthens community communication by adding coverage, redundancy, and local routing for everyone nearby.</p>
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||||
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||||
<h2>How the Public Benefits</h2>
|
||||
<ul>
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||||
<li><strong>Resilient network without internet or cellular dependency:</strong> Nodes route locally by radio and create alternate paths, so communication can continue even when phone or ISP backbones are unavailable.</li>
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||||
<li><strong>Emergency communication:</strong> During outages or disasters, local radio links can keep basic coordination available.</li>
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||||
<li><strong>Flexible encrypted communications:</strong> Mesh platforms support public channels for open community traffic, private encrypted channels for groups, and private encrypted direct messages between individuals.</li>
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||||
<li><strong>Accessible mobile apps:</strong> Both iPhone and Android users can manage nodes and messaging from their phones, using Bluetooth to communicate with the radios.</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>Affordable hardware:</strong> Many compatible devices are commonly available for under $100.</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>No operator license required (USA):</strong> On 915 MHz ISM, operation under 1W does not require an amateur radio license, and this is typically plenty of power for local mesh use.</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>Easy onboarding:</strong> Pairing a node, loading channels, and joining local community resources is straightforward for new users.</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Solar and Off-Grid Operation</h2>
|
||||
<p>Many fixed mesh repeater nodes can run from small solar systems and batteries, with no grid connection required. That means:</p>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><strong>Improved resilience</strong> because communication infrastructure can remain active during grid disruptions</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>Install options beyond existing infrastructure</strong>, including remote locations with clear line-of-sight and reliable sun exposure</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>No additional household electric cost</strong> for grid power at the node site</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Why Ham Radio Operators Often Love Mesh</h2>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>It combines RF experimentation, antenna work, and practical local service.</li>
|
||||
<li>It rewards good station design: Elevation, feedline quality, power planning, and interference control.</li>
|
||||
<li>It offers an always-on local network that can complement other emergency and community communication practices.</li>
|
||||
<li>These communities represent some of the largest mesh networks in the world: Over 21,000 MeshCore nodes globally (including about 14,000 repeaters) and over 32,000 Meshtastic nodes worldwide, with adoption levels comparable to APRS and major amateur IP mesh networks in Europe.</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
<h1>Getting Involved</h1>
|
||||
<p>Most users only need a companion/client device. If you want to expand mesh coverage in your area, build a repeater/router node. In MeshCore, a <strong>repeater</strong> is a fixed station that stays in place to relay traffic for the mesh, while a <strong>companion</strong> is a personal device that travels with you for day-to-day messaging. Meshtastic follows a similar pattern with <strong>routers</strong> (fixed relay-focused nodes) and <strong>clients</strong> (user-focused mobile/personal nodes). Contact us on Discord if you want help building or operating a repeater.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Recommended Hardware</h2>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><strong>Heltec LoRa 32 V4</strong> - popular low-cost option and a common first node. Typical price: <strong>$25-$35</strong>.</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>LILYGO T-Echo</strong> - portable handheld form factor with an integrated display and battery support. Typical price: <strong>$40-$80</strong> depending on configuration.</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>RAK4631 Development Board</strong> - a common choice for reliable fixed installations with low-power operation and flexible deployment options. Typical combined core + base price: <strong>$30-$45</strong>.</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Typical Installation Locations</h2>
|
||||
<p>Fixed nodes in strong locations often improve neighborhood coverage for many nearby users, not just the node owner, and even modest elevation can make a big difference. For example, an upstairs attic-window repeater can significantly improve in-home and neighborhood reception, and a few extra feet of height can meaningfully improve overall mesh performance.</p>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><strong>Indoor locations:</strong> Attic or top-floor window positions with clear line-of-sight.</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>Outdoor home locations:</strong> Rooftop mast or chimney mount, balcony rail, garage or shed roof, fences, trees, and old over-the-air TV antenna roof mounts.</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>Hosted or remote sites:</strong> Hilltop, tower, or shared hosted locations with sun exposure for solar operation, including off-grid sites with no utility infrastructure.</li>
|
||||
<li><strong>Mobile deployments:</strong> Vehicle-based nodes for mapping and temporary event coverage.</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
<div class="note"><strong>Safety Note:</strong> Use a spotter when working on a ladder or on a roof.</div>
|
||||
|
||||
<h2>Meshtastic vs MeshCore in CT Mesh</h2>
|
||||
<p>Both platforms are still useful, and many members experiment with both. In the CT Mesh fixed-node community, Meshtastic has gradually been replaced in many deployments by MeshCore as operators have seen stronger day-to-day reliability and broader platform functionality from current MeshCore firmware.</p>
|
||||
<p>If you are starting fresh and your goal is reliable fixed-node service, MeshCore is often the first recommendation from local operators.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h1>Learn More</h1>
|
||||
<p>Start with our local guides, then review official project docs and community channels to choose the right platform for your goals.</p>
|
||||
<div class="button-row">
|
||||
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="meshcore-resources.html">MeshCore Guides & Tools</a>
|
||||
<a class="btn btn-secondary" href="https://meshcore.co.uk/" target="_blank">Official MeshCore Site</a>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="button-row">
|
||||
<a class="btn" href="meshtastic-resources.html">Meshtastic Guides & Tools</a>
|
||||
<a class="btn" href="https://meshtastic.org/" target="_blank">Official Meshtastic Site</a>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="button-row">
|
||||
<a class="btn btn-discord" href="https://ctmesh.org/discord" target="_blank">Join CT Mesh Discord</a>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="button-row">
|
||||
<a class="btn btn-secondary back-link" href="index.html">Back to CT Mesh</a>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<footer class="site-footer">
|
||||
<p><a href="https://ctmesh.org/">CT Mesh</a> is a volunteer-run user group for mesh technology enthusiasts in Connecticut.</p>
|
||||
<p><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Content licensed CC BY-SA 4.0</a></p>
|
||||
</footer>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</body>
|
||||
</html>
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user