CSRA Mesh Events

Mesh Net

Note: We are still exploring how to do a Net over Meshtastic but initial tests have been good. These instructions may change at any time, so read carefully and please participate!

A Net is a formalized way to test equipment, grow skills, and build connections across a communication platform or system. Typically used in the Amateur Radio, GMRS, or other RF communication platforms, we will adapt to usage on our Mesh to helps us practice communication skills and test out our Mesh. 

Typically a Net has a Net Coordinator that directs the "meeting" by organizing who will speak when so as to allow everyone a chance to talk without overwhelming or disrupting each others broadcast. We will be adapting from the APRS style "Net" that acts as a check-in and data collection Net. We'll start by attempting to capture four key data points:

1. Node originator - your node's short name will indicate who sent the message. 

2. General Location - what city (or closest city) are you operating from at the point of sending the check in message.

3. Router - what is the Router with the best connection to your node, or "none" if you can't see any.

4. Active Nodes - How many "active" nodes can you see at this point. By default an "active" node is a node that has been seen by your node in the last hour.

A typical Check-in Message will be formatted as such: "Short Node Name" "CSRANet" "City" "Router" "# Nodes"

Example 1: Mi57 CSRANet Thomson None 3 This example was sent by Mi57 from the Thomson area, unable to see a router, could see 3 other nodes

Example 2: Mi57 CSRANet Evans CSR1 34 This example was sent by Mi57 from the Evans area, closest Router was CSR1, could see 34 other nodes

Once these messages are sent we ask that you record any Check-In messages you receive using the Google Form link below. These responses will be added to a google sheet that can then be shared for evaluation.

Net Info

Our Net will occur every Friday. 

Check in time will start at 7:00PM EST and end at 7:30PM EST. 

We ask that during this time you refrain from using the Mesh for anything besides emergency messages or Net traffic.

If you are able we ask that you use the link below to report your check-in and any other check-ins that you received. You'll need to create a new response for each check-in message you are reporting (there is a link to create another response in the completed page). Depending on what other nodes are around you, you may only be reporting the check-in message you sent or you may report a large number of check-ins that you received. Hopefully its the latter! After you make your report you should be able to view the Net Check Ins and a general report will be posted on the CSRA Mesh Discord as soon as possible.

Over time the collecting of these messages can be used to verify who you can talk to reliably and show the growth of the mesh.

Here are the Questions you will be asked via the Google Form below:

CSRA Net Entry Form

You will be asked the following questions:

Your Node Short Name: This is the Node that you are using, we use this to document who saw the message.

You are reporting: This is to indicate if you are reporting YOUR check in message or somebody ELSE's check in message, we use this to allow people who checked in but were not heard by anyone else to report their own check in.

Date/Time Message Received: This tells us when the message was received for future comparison.

Check in Message you Received: This is the message that you received (or sent), we use this to see who was able to receive from who and give an indication of how far a message will travel across the Mesh.

Thank you for participating!

Net Check-In Report 

CSRA Meet & Mesh

Every 3rd week of the Month the CSRA Mesh meet at a local restaurant for some food, fun, and mesh! All who are interested in the CSRA Mesh or mesh in general are invited to attend. A detailed event will be created and shared on both our Discord & Facebook page for reference. 

There is a loose agenda each month, typically covering the latest trends in the Mesh world, updates on the growth of the local or state mesh, general knowledge sharing and questions answered. This is a great time to get one on one answers to any questions you have or share a Mesh project that you might be working on.

Hopefully we'll see you there!