Is there a way to mask or hide a repeater node location from RF direction finding? Use case is to mount on a tree near the property boundary (hill) but its close to public access. I am worried someone might ‘repurpose’ my hardware to another location . I have the RAK starter kit on order and will make a solar kit with a 8-10dbi ant, so it will be a a few dollars more than a Heltec.
Thank you
Thoughts:
Will a high gain ant over-shoot foxhunter as they get close???
Can you space out ping(?) time so its harder to direction find
Can you switch off Primary/default channel so its a totally private network?
Can a TinySA (also on order) Direction Find a node? (with a yagi)
It is a radio, doing radio stuff. So anyone with the right equipment can triangulate it.
However:
you can set it up as repeater. Then it no longer sends packages on its own (like battery status and other useful stats)
you can set up the channels how you like them and have the node only repeat your private channels.
Combine that and you have an „egoistic“ node that only serves your client (other than usually everyone, no matter which encryption keys they use) and unless any of your clients is using the mesh this router/repeater should now be radio silent and not findable. However as soon as you send its a radio again, that as stated in the beginning, can be triangulated with the right equipment.
So summed up roughly:
1: maybe, but you’re probably in the dead spot if the antenna way more often than any potential attacker - don’t kick yourself out.
2: with a repeater and only broadcastint your own packages you pretty much don’t send „pings“
3: yes
4: don’t know the specifics but for triangulation any two antenna/device combos should be enough, don’t think directional antennas are needed for this
Will a high gain ant over-shoot foxhunter as they get close???
A skilled foxhunter will find it, but then we’d like to think they would also have some Ham ethics.
Can you space out ping(?) time so its harder to direction find
Sure, but any time it transmits, it’s giving out it’s location.
Can you switch off Primary/default channel so its a totally private network?
AFAIK, yes, but what’s the fun in that?
Can a TinySA (also on order) Direction Find a node? (with a yagi)
Probably not sensitive enough if there’s any distance involved. Why not use another LORA module, or RTL-SDR to ‘see’ the signal.
Thanks Greg & Roland, what you both said seems true and fair…ham etiquette & wheres the fun in that -egoist network, haha. Actually there isnt a single node on the map for over a 100kms so I would love to develop a public one here. (Nth of Newcastle NSW) But as it is im struggling to convince/justify the network to a group. So I am buying 2x T-echos & 2x rak starter kits (solar). So im loath to loose a Rak (repeater). I’m hoping it will provide 14km range to capture everyone potentially in the group (10). Its tricky terrain. Excited to get started and thanks for the input.
Happy to collaborate if we’re anywhere near in range.
There’s good progress happening around Melbourne, thanks to Tommo’s gateway and repeater efforts.
I am also ‘North of Newcastle, NSW, AU’ and working towards a local network. Not a great radio location at home, but when I have a repeater at the escarpment edge, there should be good coverage to Taree and maybe further south. Search APRS.FI for VK2GTH.
Hi Greg,
I hope to get 2 wisblock starter kits this week. Then the fun begins.
Your escarpment project sounds very interesting. I think we may have similar hurdles to overcome. Especially with regard to location. I’m hoping my system will service sth of Forster. Its very unlikely to get to Elands area. At this stage I am trying to be totally off grid ie not relying on internet gateways.maybe later. I also do not have a ham license, although I have considered it. I have so many hobbies on the go that each is spread thin.
Is there a better way to find networks aside the meshtastic map Canvis? Might save me inventing the wheel.
Cheers Troy
The Wisblock are definitely the go for solar pwr nodes, less than 1/10th the power of the esp32 types I have been using!
Have you got a high point for a repeater? If you care to send me the Lat Long, I can do you a RadioMobile propagation map. Still tweaking the parameters…
I did a quick coverage model to get an idea. Untested, but using params that work for others.
. I have the RAK starter kit on order and will make a solar kit with a 8-10dbi ant, so it will be a a few dollars more than a Heltec.