DisasterRadio

disasterradio@sudoroom.org

111 discussions

Volunteers for Build Your Own Internet Workshop @OmniCommons 27 Jan 2-5pm

by grant＠peoplesopen.net

Hey disaster.radio peoples! Some of you maybe unaware, but SudoMesh/PeoplesOpen is hosting another Build Your Own Internet (BYOI) Workshop on Saturday, Jan 27th 2-5pm at the Omni Commons. We've planned for disaster.radio to have table at the event. I was hoping to confirm a few willing volunteers to work to the table and talk to people about the project. We're expecting to have almost 100 people in attendance, so we'll need all the help we can get. I will be at the event, but may be busy with other organizational tasks and plan on working a table for buildyourowninter.net (http://buildyourowninter.net). I'm hoping to prepare stuff for the disaster.radio table this Monday night at Sudoroom. I'm hoping to have a working demo of the chat app running during the workshop. It still needs to be tested, but we could "hide" some of the disaster.radio prototypes around the Omni Ballroom, so people could connect to them and broadcast a message to all the other disaster.nodes. In the event that the prototypes are not ready, we can show the simulated chat app or maybe the network simulator that Juul has been hacking on. If anyone is interested in volunteering or helping prepare, feel free to respond to this thread or email me directly. Stuff we may need: * An extra projector * An open computer to connect to projector * More working disaster.radio prototypes? (I currently have 4 working prototypes, not sure how many more we have parts for) * Rando electronics parts/equipment to layout on the table * More stickers printed and cut (some designs can be found https://github.com/sudomesh/propaganda/tree/master/stickers) * A short blurb about the project for the event program (I'm currently using a sentence or two from the website) Anyway, hope to see some of you at the workshop. More info about the workshop can be found at peoplesopen.net/workshop (https://peoplesopen.net/workshop). Thanks, grant_____/@paidforby Sent via Migadu.com, world's easiest email hosting

8 years, 1 month

Time for disaster.radio call

by Marc Juul

The last doodle did not have the time (only the date) for the call. The date is set for Monday January 29th. noffle made a new doodle. Fill in which times work for you: https://doodle.com/poll/ez2us3uc3yq3re8i -- marc/juul

8 years, 1 month

bootstrap cash

by Morgan Allen

(also sent o sudo-discuss) A friend was working on this project. They're giving $1000 to people or groups working on interesting things. Disaster Radio should apply. https://decapital.org/

8 years, 1 month

Using ESP32 WiFi mesh as local 'backbone' of preference?

by samuk＠disroot.org

So thinking about the limitations of mesh networks in general, and wondering how your LoRa network would scale. I'm guessing that in common with WiFi mesh reducing the traffic would help, particularly if you ended up with a fairly high node density and a well-used & congested network. So I was wondering if it would be possible to pass off local traffic to a WiFi mesh? (Run on the same hardware) So if I want to communicate with my neighbour two streets away it goes over WiFi, if it's someone on the other side of town it would go over LoRa? In this implementation: https://gitlab.com/BlackEdder/painlessMesh/wikis/home "painlessMesh does not create a TCP/IP network of nodes. Rather each of the nodes is uniquely identified by its 32bit chipId which is retrieved from the esp8266/esp32 using the system_get_chip_id() call in the SDK. Every node will have a unique number. Messages can either be broadcast to all of the nodes on the mesh, or sent specifically to an individual node which is identified by its `nodeId." So could the node could look in its list of connections: https://gitlab.com/BlackEdder/painlessMesh/wikis/home If it has a route over WiFi then send the packet that way, if there is no route over WiFi (Or it's more than X hops away) then broadcast it over the LoRa interface instead. I'm guessing this long range mode is incompatible with the 'Painless mesh' but it could be interesting to look at that too. https://blog.honzamrazek.cz/2017/08/testing-the-wifi-range-of-esp32/ I guess using wifi & LoRa would have power implications? Thanks Sam

8 years, 1 month

DisasterRadio Doodle for next call

by Jenny Ryan

noffle started a doodle last week on patchwork for scheduling up our next call: https://doodle.com/poll/44s6bvwufcunkdtd please mark which days you're available the last week of january! For reference: - Minutes from Call #1 <https://hackmd.io/KYIwZgrAxgzCDsBaADBATATkQFgGzCkQA4YATMRU0gQ2rVyhAEYJgig=#> - Minutes from Call #2 <https://hackmd.io/CwY2DMFYHZ3BaARgZgKYOAEwEwIBwCGE8AjJociQGxV43hA=> - DisasterRadio NSF/Mozilla WINS Grant Submission Draft <https://hackmd.io/EYdgpmDMCcAmAMBaSBGeJEBYBm8WOgCZsNpgwBWYlCkSWFIA#> Action Items from last call: - @juul <@22YV3HX/BGClXH49ZebkcepqRpj7a9f5s0ddwhDSfxk=.ed25519>: technical documentation [done], fix chat bugs [?], video production [done[ ** keep libraries small (esp8266). cap of 2-3 MB on device, bundle should be less than 100 KB, ideally less. Need to test load speed @nanomonkey <@+D0ku/LReK6kqd3PSrcVCfbLYbDtTmS4Bd21rqhpYNA=.ed25519>: circuitboard finalized and hopefully ordered [done: https://github.com/nanomonkey/lora-to-nodemcu-circuit ] - @noffle <@C3iYh/12sO1uvKq1KcZXLFxSySzxOkHxXN8rtNB5MGA=.ed25519>: read documentation, try chat app [?] - @Piet <@U5GvOKP/YUza9k53DSXxT0mk3PIrnyAmessvNfZl5E0=.ed25519>: get kicad going, look at the designs [?] - sierk: graphics and website, help with video [done] - @cel <@f/6sQ6d2CMxRUhLpspgGIulDxDCwYD7DzFzPNr7u5AU=.ed25519>: get the web app working, think about ssb over the protocol - @tunabananas: finish the 501c3 application this week [done, and status approved!], shift to storytelling use cases [MORE TODO], hack on submission questions text [done] - @mix <@ye+QM09iPcDJD6YvQYjoQc7sLF/IFhmNbEqgdzQo3lQ=.ed25519>: get web app working, review / feedback on any writing [?] -- Jenny Help open a people-powered common space in Oakland, California! https://omnicommons.org/donate `~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~` "Technology is the campfire around which we tell our stories." -Laurie Anderson "Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it." -Hannah Arendt "To define is to kill. To suggest is to create." -Stéphane Mallarmé "Anything done for the first time unleashes a demon." --Dave Sim, "Cerebus the Aardvark" ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

8 years, 1 month

ESP32 & LoRa SX1278 fully soldered from $10

by samuk＠disroot.org

I was wondering if you'd seen these boards? https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_2017123102135… It's a SX1278 all soldered together on a ESP32 board for about $10 Would your software run on it? Or would it be a lot of work to port? https://www.cnx-software.com/2016/03/25/esp8266-and-esp32-differences-in-on… Someone has done chat over it: https://hackaday.io/project/27817-lora-chat There is some info here: https://hackaday.io/project/27791-esp32-lora-oled-module I might order a couple to play with Thanks Sam

8 years, 2 months

Hi from the UK - Any boards available?

by samuk＠disroot.org

Hi I'm Sam I was involved in the now defunct http://www.bristolwireless.net/about-us/ for about 10 years, more recently I helped start The Things network in Bristol. I was thinking about hacking together one of these: https://github.com/dmahony/Lora-Chat-Device When I found your project :) I'm curious how you're handling routing? Could the Mesh datagram protocol from Serval be any use to you? https://github.com/servalproject/serval-dna/blob/development/doc/Mesh-Datag… Or is it too heavyweight for the LORA side? I also read on your mailing list that you've had a few boards made up, would you consider shipping a couple to the UK? Thanks Sam

8 years, 2 months

Battery Charging

by John Fitz

Hi All, I've been thinking a bit about solar charging and have come up with a few options. First, this is a pretty good application note laying out the basics of Maximum Power Point Tracking for solar panels: http://www.microchip.com/wwwAppNotes/AppNotes.aspx?appnote=en561417 Also, this is a good overview of charging Li-Ion batteries in general: http://sound.whsites.net/articles/lithium-charging.htm Here are some ideas with pros/cons and approximate costs at 1000 and 10 quantities. 1. Use reputable MPPT ICs BQ24650 ($2 @1k, $4 @10) http://www.ti.com/product/BQ24650 LT3652 ($3 @1k, $4 @10) http://www.linear.com/product/LT3652 LTC4121 ($3 @1k, $4 @10) http://www.linear.com/product/LTC4121 Pros: High Efficiency Excellent Documentation and Support Available at all major parts distributors Wide input voltage range Reliability/long part lifetime Cons: Cost 2. Use Chinese brand MPPT ICs CN3791 (maybe $0.35 @ 1k, $0.68 @10) http://www.consonance-elec.com/seriesCN3791-E.html Pros: Wide Input Voltage Range Decent Datasheet tons of working modules available from Ebay/Aliexpress Cons: Less Efficient (I believe they use fractional open voltage MPPT) Not widely available from US parts distributors Unknown Quality/Reliability (probably good though) 3. Use Name Brand Li-Ion Charging IC MCP73831 ($0.40 @1k, $0.50 @10) Pros: Simple/Compact Widely Available Reliable Cons: Low Input Voltage Range Bad Efficiency (No MPPT built in) 4. Use Chinese Ultra Low Cost Charging IC JZ4054 ($0.06 @1k, $0.10 @10) http://www.szjingzhong.com/enproduct_show.html?id=26 Pros: Lowest cost IC for charging Li-Ion batteries Same footprint as MCP73831 Reliable in my experience Cons: Poor Documentation (No English) Not Available from US Distributors Low Input Voltage Range Bad Efficiency (No MPPT built in) 5. Bootleg MPPT onto option 3 or 4 This is an idea I have, not 100% sure that it will work, but its worth experimenting. The Wemos chip would monitor the Solar Cell voltage and adjust the charger current with PWM to maintain the maximum power point. Here's the basic circuit: [image: Inline image 1] Pros: Lower Cost (only requires a few extra components) Decent Efficiency Cons: Requires Wemos control (maybe updating once a second) Complexity time to test and implement Also, I recommend this chip for buck controverting (stepping down the Li-po voltage to 3.3V): PAM2305 ($20 @1k, $0.40 @10) https://www.diodes.com/products/power-management/dc-dc-converters/integrate… -Fitz

8 years, 2 months

hex sticker designs!

by Jenny Ryan

Was playing around with http://hexb.in/ today and made a disaster.radio hex sticker: https://github.com/sudomesh/propaganda/blob/master/disasterradiosticker.svg also made a cleaner version of the byoi hex sticker grant & bullitt made: https://github.com/sudomesh/propaganda/blob/master/byoi_hex_sticker.svg and one for the sudomesh logo: https://github.com/sudomesh/propaganda/blob/master/sudomesh_hex_sticker.svg i used https://hexi.pics to make 'em can order sets of 500 for $120 at https://www.diginate.com feedback welcome! <3 Jenny Help open a people-powered common space in Oakland, California! https://omnicommons.org/donate `~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~` "Technology is the campfire around which we tell our stories." -Laurie Anderson "Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it." -Hannah Arendt "To define is to kill. To suggest is to create." -Stéphane Mallarmé ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

8 years, 2 months

Disaster Radio Video

by Nico

Hi Team, Here's a sketch video for Disaster Radio. Some parts still need to be finished, mostly the app interface examples. If everyone could share a short video or photo of their face, then I can upload that to the "open community of volunteers" section. If anyone has recommendations for the soundtrack, or other suggestions for the video, I'm all ears. https://youtu.be/HYw7J-zlf8g Please provide videos of yourself or feedback by tomorrow so we can upload the final for that application. Thanks!

8 years, 3 months

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