Comment by 🚀 stack
LoRa is not open source or patent-free. It is a proprietary modulation/physical-layer technology developed and owned by Semtech; the physical layer and many aspects are covered by patents and controlled by Semtech’s licensing.
LoRa radios may be inexpensive but what is inside is unknown.
Semtech was founded to serve military and aerospace markets in the 1960's. LoRa is actively deployed by the DOD in a number of projects. Semtech is in constant conversation with the US Government.
I don't think I want to waste too much effort on an off-grid project that is is controlled by a defense contractor. You may do as you wish.
2025-12-27 · 4 months ago
6 Later Comments ↓
👻 darkghost · Dec 28 at 02:06:
It's pretty amazing stuff. My area shows nodes up to 50 miles away. Not quite as far as APRS, but you don't need a licence to participate.
🚀 auzzie32 [OP] · Dec 30 at 17:37:
Hi darkghost! We've had a bunch of fun with it. I'm also a ham and enjoy some APRS action. I have plans to get my Acurite 5n1 station currently logged with WeeWX to be broadcast over APRS. Currently there are 2 other weather stations in Bismarck on APRS. I'd also like to set up a digipeater on a tower I have access to, should be able to double our current range.
🚀 auzzie32 [OP] · Jan 02 at 20:21:
Hey stack! Yeah I know it's proprietary, I understand where the open-source is and isn't. The ESP32 firmware is interfacing with a black box radio. PGP is also an encrypted messaging technology that uses old US Gov ideas (ARPANET/Internet) to haul the message, so it can be done pretty safely. <tinfoil> Maybe the radios have a remote disable function like the Internet, maybe not. </tinfoil> I wish the project was FLOSS all the way down but it isn't, and I don't see another project like it that allows easy communication with non-hams.
👻 darkghost · Jan 02 at 20:55:
The ham test is a major hurdle for people. I can't fathom why.
For me it's pure paranoia about submitting even more information to the Govmint, and it is publically available...
Agreed that it's probably not worth worrying about the government contractor origin story, although for those who are tin-hatting, it's probably a consideration that for any military communications tech that is released to the mortals, there probably exists a ready-to-go way to infiltrate or jam it.
I noticed that new Bluetooth protocols have some versions that go over a mile (speaking of other non-open-source tech)...
Original Post
AMA: mesh builder in ND — Hi Gemheads! I want to start a conversation with anyone thats interested in deploying Meshtastic (or MeshCore, same hw) infrastructure. We have a few nodes up on towers to cover our plains geography. I and a buddy trained in tower climbing to be able to install and maintain nodes that would be cost prohibitive without volunteered time. Most nodes are built in house. We've had a couple node failures from charging and water issues,...
💬 7 comments · 2025-12-27 · 4 months ago · #bismarck #meshtastic #northdakota