Is #Meshtastic really that hard or am I doing something wrong? How can I discover other nodes in my area?
I read I need to have the same modem presets as other nodes (e.g. “Long Fast”) and obviously be on the same region setting (EU868 for me). But what about channels? Does the name matter or are there just 7-8 channels for everyone with the same two settings listed above? And what does the frequency slot number have to do with this all? Should I change it?
#lora #lorawan
@hb9iah It entirely depends on if there are other nodes in range, and if those nodes can bridge to other nodes.
If at all possible get a decent antenna, something 3 or 5dBi, tuned to the frequency (868mhz) that you use.
It's tough if there's not already a mesh built out, but you may be able to find other people in your area through the meshtastic discord or discourse groups.
@belcher I’ve seen a few nodes on the Meshtastic Map but they are likely too far away given the geography in between. However, I just built a ground-plane antenna for 868 MHz. Indoor seems be dead still. I’ll try again tomorrow outdoors 
Please excuse the adaptor mess, I only had BNCs to solder to 
@hb9iah @belcher Getting your antenna up and in the clear will increase your range. I have my 5dBi antenna up at the top of a 9m mast fed with coax similar to RG213 with the node at ground level. There's about 2.5dB coax loss at 91Mhz. Not ideal but many more direct contacts than having the node and antenna at ground level.
@hb9iah don't modify channels as long as you don't know or create closed group... keep fsk key to initial value not to crypt ... try long moderate.. learn howto use mqtt
And enjoy ... maybe....