https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/Engineering a Connected World! By connecting engineers to powerful new ideas, the latest technologies, and to each other, the element14 Community is creating innovative solutions to everyday problems.en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/55550/seeking-feedback-for-kit-on-upcoming-led-design-challenge/237685Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:52:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:a4ce4ef5-49e9-463f-8c76-37296a6e3743beacon_daveProbably something like this: https://www.xvxchannel.com/en-gb/collections/keycaps/products/spider-web-imd-keycaphttps://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/55550/seeking-feedback-for-kit-on-upcoming-led-design-challenge/237675Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:11:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:7dbb2eaa-ae31-4dcb-b2f8-8e6027e22cd2EmmanueldioHello dear, this like is broken said 404 https://www.xvxchannel.com/collections/keycaps/products/xvx-spider-web-version-pattern-oem-profile-imd-tech-keycap- set I really want to check this out.https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237640Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:40:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:f7dfe1d5-b12e-416b-9f1a-9018dbd52876beacon_dave[quote userid="18385" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk"]What parts would make up a kit to design for energy recovery, efficiency, but to produce something useful?[/quote] For someone wanting to explore LoRa functionality out in the field, then perhaps something like this: https://lilygo.cc/products/t-display-p4 would be a starting point ? A near ready-to-use pocketable format but with some GPIO exposed to extend the functionality. [quote userid="18385" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk"]Meanwhile... I'm trying to resist buying meshtastic nodes.[/quote] There appear to be variants specifically for the likes of Meshtastic or MeshCore: https://lilygo.cc/collections/lilygo-with-meshtastic https://lilygo.cc/collections/lilygo-with-meshcorehttps://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237622Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:26:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:9a2d5be9-fb98-4d69-9a8d-241c560e2726cstanton[quote userid="41967" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237621"]If you are an individual, then you are likely going to have to configure your equipment to match whatever mesh network technology is actively being used in the area you are in. [/quote] There're discussions about this and how it's setup on the meshtastic subreddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/meshtastic/comments/1e9khyg/primary_channel_frequency_selection/ https://www.reddit.com/r/meshtastic/comments/1howp8k/frequency_slot_changes/ [quote userid="41967" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237621"] it could probably test a LoRa based mesh network[/quote] Looks like there are some enterprise solutions for coverage which I didn't expect: https://netmoregroup.com/news/netmore-lorawan-expands-to-norway-through-collaboration-with-eidsiva/ https://tektelic.com/projects/smart-city-lorawan-network/https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237621Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:19:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:42327a08-750a-46bc-ae80-db4b2e3100d9beacon_dave[quote userid="18385" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237606"]where if I'm an individual[/quote] If you are an individual, then you are likely going to have to configure your equipment to match whatever mesh network technology is actively being used in the area you are in. You are also relying on other individuals in the immediate vicinity to be using the same mesh network technology in order to relay the messages ( assuming that there aren't sufficient repeaters already fully covering the area ). If you are part of a large group, then your group can choose which is the most appropriate mesh network technology to use. Downside is that if there are beacons and repeaters available, then you won't be able to benefit from them. So one challenge here could be standards and we all know that " the wonderful thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from ". [quote userid="18385" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237606"]where if I'm an individual hiking in Norway, which in Norway you can pretty much go anywhere because 'everyone owns the land'[/quote] I've always been interested in skiing the 'Peer Gynt Trail' between Espedalen and Skeikampen in Norway. At around 90km in distance, it could probably test a LoRa based mesh network. Especially if you have several individuals in your group travelling at different speeds and joining the trail at different points.https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237611Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:20:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:b19cf69d-36f3-4120-8d47-3227117fb56dveluv01Indeed, Meshtastic does have a lot of potential that extends beyond just messaging. Recently, I'm experimenting on setting up Meshtastic sensor nodes for environment telemetry using an I2C temp and humidity sensor. The best part is how easy it is to configure everything through the Meshtastic app via GUI. While I'm still experimenting about the private channels on the meshtastic, I would like to try to send edge AI telemetry data through the mesh network.https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237607Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:19:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:44a09a64-f9db-4b53-aef0-4e1d6285c5f0JWxit depends on the effective range - especially in the forest and/or hills/mountains/line-of-sign obstacles; but maybe solar-powered repeaters in high places would do the trick (another question how effective would be solar power in the given geographical location)https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237606Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:a9a3cf25-4578-4ff5-b65f-4573ebfdcb4fcstanton[quote userid="41967" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237604"] I guess that in a lot of circumstances that isn't really an issue and is perhaps even greatly outweighed by the amount of information that can be quickly exchanged via speech. However if you have the likes of 200 volunteers out on a hillside helping to tackle a wildfire, then with LoRa you perhaps have the ability to autonomously transmit GPS coordinates along with other sensor information, at regular intervals back to a mobile base camp to be able to log last known location. [/quote] There's also the 'beacon notification' opportunity here, where if I'm an individual hiking in Norway, which in Norway you can pretty much go anywhere because 'everyone owns the land', if I don't have phone signal, perhaps a mesh network of this could notify me in case of landslide or fire, or simply "hey I have spare hot dogs to share if anyone's around". [quote userid="41967" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237604"]Any insights into how it is actively being used in these situations ?[/quote] It's growing in popularity, emfcamp had a collection off people carrying this kit around and you can see casual conversations on reddit and online as to people carrying it around for hiking. I don't have a direct report or metrics to share. Another term for this is 'meshnology' as people pick it up.https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237604Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:44:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:5ffe044d-75f8-43af-aed8-101aa9700591beacon_dave[quote userid="18385" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237602"]Doesn't that require knowing what channels are in use? and that it's not encrypted?[/quote] I guess that in a lot of circumstances that isn't really an issue and is perhaps even greatly outweighed by the amount of information that can be quickly exchanged via speech. However if you have the likes of 200 volunteers out on a hillside helping to tackle a wildfire, then with LoRa you perhaps have the ability to autonomously transmit GPS coordinates along with other sensor information, at regular intervals back to a mobile base camp to be able to log last known location. [quote userid="18385" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237602"]For meshtastic, it ranges from camping festivals to hiking.[/quote] Any insights into how it is actively being used in these situations ?https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237602Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:45:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:e3f72923-e80a-4665-ad58-8b8d843489e5cstanton[quote userid="41967" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237600"]I guess in a lot of circumstances, it wouldn't be as practical as using something like a PMR446 radio system[/quote] Doesn't that require knowing what channels are in use? and that it's not encrypted? [quote userid="2238" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237595"]I wonder if people really use these in the wild for messaging?[/quote] For meshtastic, it ranges from camping festivals to hiking. A benefit of it is that you can be purely a 'receiver' of messages, like the paging system, rather than a self identified node or two way node. There's an element of passive anonyminity that makes it appealing. [quote userid="460391" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237601"] does they have - for example - better effective range than popular analog radio in typical wilderness setting[/quote] It would appear so, that and people are hacking on these 'nodes' to provide sensor data. A combination of providing 'status' information in a purposeful update compared to a beacon, etc. [quote userid="16637" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237591"]Unfortunately, it needs a Lora Gateway[/quote] You should look into meshtastic a bit morehttps://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237601Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:15:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:47c3f8c5-4207-4eec-a135-95cc68ec52abJWxand what would be the advantage over handheld radios... does they have - for example - better effective range than popular analog radio in typical wilderness setting? I can understand military advantages - short bursts of data could limit the possibility of locating the transmitter, but for civilian use? Maybe there could be some cultural factor involved - if young people are really not used to phone calls and prefer messaging, text terminal could be considered more friendly than a voice radio...https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237600Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:21:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:a1570d80-30f1-4d19-b858-b00f7b9f26c6beacon_dave[quote userid="2238" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237595"]I wonder if people really use these in the wild for messaging[/quote] I guess in a lot of circumstances, it wouldn't be as practical as using something like a PMR446 radio system. However if you mainly want to transmit small amounts of data, then it could be advantageous, especially if you want to log it. I've seen an emergency text pager system based on LoRa. [quote userid="2238" url="~/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237595"]I could power one from my solar hat[/quote] If you add a GPS receiver/compass and a LED ring to your hat, you could perhaps use it to indicate the location of another hat (or beacon) relative to yours.https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237596Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:53:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:af3f4960-6e5f-4a6d-b5ae-222e97a56bcfscottiebabeAwesome. ☀https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237595Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:55:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:4ad22912-96bd-48b5-89f0-4c8687951f9fralphjyI wonder if people really use these in the wild for messaging? I could power one from my solar hat .https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237594Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:53:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:3c760bbd-fcd1-4d4d-951f-aabf888bc421beacon_davePotential to distribute a number of solar powered sensor nodes over a fairly large area and have the data relayed between them back to a receiving node which just has to be in range of any one of them.https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237593Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:47:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:73879728-851e-438c-8719-ff22f3399b1ebeacon_davePrices appeared to be coming down a few years back https://community.element14.com/technologies/internet-of-things/b/blog/posts/low-cost-lorawan-gateways but they may have crept back up again. I was thinking that converting your Just Encase weather station project https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/just-encase/b/blog/posts/just-encase-solar-super-capacitor-experiment-1079614936 from Bluetooth to LoRa might be interesting.https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237592Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:57:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:b9808eb6-ff3d-4c6a-be62-51ed3f2fd864ralphjyOne thing that is attractive about mesh networks is that they can work peer-to-peer without requiring an internet connection, so you don’t need a gateway although you could use one.https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237591Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:21:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:11b78c41-a246-4332-9079-e835d5a08862dougwI think this is a great topic for a design challenge. Unfortunately, it needs a Lora Gateway. The cost of a gateway is the main thing holding me back from exploring this area. Turning a gateway into a solar powered gateway would be a project that has the gravitational pull to attract a wide range of activity.https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/f/forum/57138/the-world-s-on-fire---embrace-solar-punk/237590Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:05:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:cfb737b7-8282-4c7e-a773-2ac749418952cstantonWhat's a little dyson sphere between deities and mortals?