mesh-network-project/README.md

"What is this?"

I'm building a radio mesh network, kinda like CyberPony to democratize WiFi and have a private and free form of the internet. Most websites hosted will be like the early internet at first, but maybe as time goes on speeds will be better.

Nodes

Note: Prices are in AUD.

Relay

Relays just push the signal further, they sit on your roof or in other high places.
Tip: You can turn your relay into a server that hosts something!
Cost: $75.25

Parts

• Raspberry Pi Pico H ($8.65) | Buy
• SX1262 LoRa Node Module for Raspberry Pi Pico (comes with antenna) ($21.94) | Buy
• TP4056 Charger ($2.11) | Buy
• 18650 rechargable battery 3200mAh 3.7V ($19.95) | Buy
• 18650 battery holder ($4.40) | Buy
• Solar Panel 5V ($18.20) | Buy
• Any way to program and flash the Pico, whether thats USB or another way.

Connector

A connector lets you use the mesh network over bluetooth, they would be somewhere in your house or in your pocket.
Cost: $33.84
Cost (with optional parts): $60.30

Parts

• Raspberry Pi Pico WH ($11.90) | Buy
• SX1262 LoRa Node Module for Raspberry Pi Pico (comes with antenna) ($21.94) | Buy
• Any way to program and flash the Pico, whether thats USB or another way.

Optional parts if you want it to be portable:

• 18650 rechargable battery 3200mAh 3.7V ($19.95) | Buy
• 18650 battery holder ($4.40) | Buy
• TP4056 Charger ($2.11) | Buy

Setting up your device

There are provided .uf2 files in the Releases tab which you can easily flash to your Pico depending on which node you're building.

Setting up your device (building from source)

Depending on whether you're building a relay, you will need to cd into a different directory, but the command is the same. You will need the Raspberry Pi Pico SDK to build, this video is a good place to get that installed.

For relays for example:

1. cd relay
2. mkdir build
3. cd build
4. cmake -DPICO_SDK_PATH=$PICO_SDK_PATH ..

For connectors it's the same but the folder should be "connector" instead of "relay".

This will put a .uf2 file in the current directory, you can now boot your board in the BOOTSEL mode by holding the white button when plugging in the board, and then dragging the .uf2 file into the drive that appears in your file explorer.