I'd like to see WiFi, with a simple web messaging UI, just like the chatterbox LCD interface. The best location for a node here is in the attic, but access is then poor. With WiFi and a simple bultin web server I can use a mobile or pc on my LAN to use the mesh. If you're considering using WiFi for Comms, you can add a MQTT interface, but personally I wouldn't bother with that.
That is an interesting idea. I have a couple of thoughts related to that... 1) I have sort of the same scenario at home. I want the devices I carry around to be very portable (pocket sized), but also be able to benefit from a taller, more sensitive antenna. So, the out-of-the-box solution for this, which I use and works quite well, is to have 2 ChatterBoxes. One that is fixed in a location and you just leave powered on all the time, probably never even look at. The second is the one you actually use and carry around. Both devices will automatically figure out the device with a larger antenna has a farther reach and it will automatically be treated as sort of a "base station", you don't have to configure that in any way. The base station will also automatically hold packets for you if you leave far from the area and come back, and will instantly deliver the messages you missed as soon as your mobile device gets near enough. 2) Although not really advertised yet, the ChatterBox supports other interfaces, LoRa was not the first choice actually (just turned out to be the best). The software can also handle WiFi (UDP multiast within your network) and Wired (serial or CAN) and can do 2 of these options concurrently and seamlessly without you having to worry about which one it uses. In fact, it can stripe message packets for a single message across multiple channels for ultra-high security...again, this isn't really advertised or out-of-the-box functionality. I imagine helping customers set this up would require a lot of "handholding" in some case, and unfortunately I won't have time for that. The necessary hardware for accomplishing either of these is quite cheap, but not included by default in a base model. I'm not including a WiFi module out-of-the-box for a few reasons, but could add it as a "backpack" that sort of snaps onto the back. ChatterBox switches seamlessly between LoRa, WiFi (UDP multicast), and CAN/serial. If all those were connected at once, it would prefer wired, as that's very fast and most secure, followed by WiFi so as not to tie up LoRa bandwith, and finally LoRa. 3) I can definitely see the convenience of being able to interface with ChatterBox via laptop or a mobile app, not needing to carry the device with you, and also not having to buy a second ChatterBox that is essentially a dedicated base station. However, the big tradeoff there for some people is security. The moment any device with an OS or internet connection has access to send/receive/read messages, it could become a privacy concern for anyone else within the cluster that would securely broadcast a message or send one to you directly. That's the part that gives me pause in solving the mentioned scenario by opening the device up to apps and PCs (at least for now)
I would like to start by saying that this is amazing, please do not let messages like the rest of this one discourage you from getting this done. Good Job! Now, I would love to have something like that instead of another device to work with my cell. But I do not want to buy something that will make me wait to see if it is going to catch on. So with that said, if you figure out how to share with Meshtastic, by all means, count me in. I already subscribed so I am going to keep an eye on you and make sure that I bug you if I do not see you posting about this. Keep it up and make sure you know that I will test this as soon as I get my hands on one of them.
These are built using completely different encryption/security methods, and somewhat different goals. As is, meshtastic and ChatterBox are not compatible, but of course that could be changed at some point. They use the same range of RF frequencies.
I would like to see implementation of a blackout mode. This feature would allow users to operate in environments where they do not wish to be seen, such as when using night vision. I suppose i could just turn it off buuuut food for thought
This is already in the works. It will likely be called "gray mode" or something similar. Essentially, it turns off all pings and relies on cached mesh graph data for routing. It would be up to each device whether they have this setting toggled off or on. In this mode, the device would be radio silent unless you send a message or receive one that requires acknowledgement. Encrypted broadcast messages do not require acknowledgement, only direct messages require acknowledgement.
