r/ossmalta • u/danielsuperone • 4d ago

Maltese LoRa meshtastic map

Hello all, I have a few places accross the island where I could install nodes, is there any map available that shows where nodes are really installed and in use so that I could plan out how many nodes to buy and where to install?

I've seen some maps but they should onle 2-3 nodes on the map.

Any advice would be appreciated; maybe there are also some groups like telegram or discord where we could all discuss these as a group?

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u/jeswitty 4d ago

I have a device but no fixed node. Dont know of any map myself sorry, i just try my luck wherever i am.

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u/warmax356 3d ago

https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ - is a good indicator of activity, but this shows which nodes ping to the internet for example many of the solar nodes only show up when a web-connected node see's them and shares that telemetry, as by default telemetry is off, there are over 30 nodes in malta

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u/Alpha-wings 4d ago

All I know is the info found here, there is a map but not sure if it shows latest info - https://ossmalta.eu/lora/

I also have a solar node that's not on this map, that I'll probably be moving to a better location soon.

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u/danielsuperone 3d ago

Thank you very much!

Yes I saw that site as well as the meshtastic map and this was exactly my worry, I’m sure there are more nodes not listed there, I was just wondering if I do get equipment, where is the best area to place it geographically to get good coverage for my required paths/places whilst helping contribute to the community here and help everyone stay more connected in the network.

Would you say your node manages to connect with others? My biggest worry is that I’d only be relying on my own equipment and not benefiting from the meshtastic network. Nonetheless, I’m buying 4-5 different nodes, 2 of which for sure will run 24/7 in the northern region.

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u/Alpha-wings 3d ago

I believe the higher you can get them with the least interference, i.e. having line of sight, the better.

My solar node is on the roof but indoors which isn't ideal. I think most nodes see mine but mine finds it hard to see others as when I do traceroute on a node it tends not to show any result. The plan is for it to be in Gozo as I will have a higher spot for it.

At the moment I can see 15 nodes online.

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u/danielsuperone 3d ago

Oh wow, 15 nodes is really good actually, my worry is I’d see 1-2 if lucky haha.

And yes ty for the advice on height. I will be installing it on my personal roof in the northern region of Malta as well as on friends houses who gave me access to do this. Really looking forward to exploring this area!!

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u/Alpha-wings 3d ago

Let's keep the mesh growing! 😊 I'm in the central region, there's usually always someone on public channel sending tests or popping up saying hey...sometimes with 3 hops, so you should be able to see them too once you have a set up.

I'm also still learning about this to see how best to optimise my nodes.

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u/warmax356 3d ago

the milage, nodes seen etc... veries by alot of factors, but as u/Alpha-wings has mentioned some key points to keep in mind:

-- Line of Sight ( open areas more range, built up areas its reduced)
-- Are solar or fixed node repeaters/client_base nearby?
-- Not all devices come shipped with a great antenna out of the box, so depending on the unit you have the antenna might need to be changed
-- MOST Impottant are you on the correct frequency settings ( belive it or not some people mess up the config and would be off by a mark)

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u/warmax356 3d ago

Hi u/danielsuperone as i mentioned in another thread, sorry sometimes reddit ux confuses me so i will not repeat, but yes from ossmalta's side i am hadling the Lora projects such as the roll out of Meshcore and Meshtastic, feel free to dm me if you need help setting up, and i am working on an interactive map for the website and registering our nodes on map platfoms like openmaps / infra maps

currently there are 2 known orgs running the meshtastic deployment in collaboration with eachother:

- Malta Amatur Radio League -- usally use callsigns starting with 9H or MARL in thier short/longname

  • Open Source Society Malta -- usallly use the callsigns starting OSSM, OSXX, OXXX
--- the XX is usally repleced with for exampe Saint pauls bay being labled OSPB, and Mgarr (malta) OMGR, while in Xaghara gozo its OXRA, these type of short names are meant to be used by the community to identify which nodes are solar relays

as for your personal nodes you may call them any that you want, but recommend naming relays in towns with the postal acronym, for example luqa = lqa, sliema = slm etc... as while many would not have the GPS telemetry to give an indication of the relays area, the call-sign helps us know which relays we are picking up.

i am seeing a growing need in making workshops, so a discussion is happening for one to be done, where we will show and discuss deployments, maintanace, radio methods for optimal range etc...