Projects:Meshtastic
Hackerspace Nijmegen has a Meshtastic node. It is configured to connect to the space WiFi.
The goal is to have a node that prints all received messages to a display in the hackerspace.
Status: node should be 24/7 online with the name 'Hackerspace Nijmegen', or short 'HSN'. We can succesfully read incoming messages with a python script on a machine on the same WiFi network, but don't do this continuously yet.
See also: Projects: Meshcore
Specs:
Hardware:
- Heltec Vision Master E290
- Professional Lora Antenna with 4,5m coax
//TODO:
- run https://github.com/brad28b/meshtastic-cli-receive-text on a RPi or the server, and output incoming messages to the screen
- find out how to switch of https to connect over local network via the browser app.
- set correct location and add MQTT to set it on the meshtastic map
//DONE (10-06-2025)
- update to the latest firmware
- swap battery for power supply
- set static IP (via DHCP, Router always supplies same IP: http://10.138.66.187/)
- place on the highest possible point in the building
//Done (17-06-2025)
- added professional antenna (to gain highest possible point.
- fixed user to dialout group (see tips)
- learned to check VPN (see tips)
//Done (08-07-2025)
- added nginx reverse proxy to meshtastic.space.hackerspacenijmegen.nl to provide https to client.meshtastic.org
Useful links:
https://meshtastic.org/docs/software/python/cli/usage/
https://client.meshtastic.org/(use webgl browser like chromium)
https://flash.meshtastic.org/ (use webgl browser like chromium)
for more meshtastic background:
Tips:
- When you enter the Heltec E290 (Esp32) device to flash or control with the browser, press boot button while plugging in.
- When your machine shows the device to be present (lsusb), but the webclient cannot connect (
Could not open serial port /dev/ttyUSB0)check if your username is added to groups (cli: groups). - To add:
sudo adduser your_user dialout
When your machine will not connect over USB - serial:
dmesg | grep tty- check permissions:
ls -l /dev/tty**** - add your user to the dialout group:
sudo usermod -aG <user>(where -aG = Add group) - reboot
- When you cannot connect over http to the device with the meshtastic smartphone app, please check IF YOU HAVE YOUR VPN TURNED OFF! (grmbllh!@#$!)
Hackers involved:
Voorstad, Jay9