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lrvick parent
If you want something like this with asymmetric encryption, a qwerty keyboard, mesh range extension, and a GUI, try a T-Deck running Meshtastic.
throwaway81523
Lora data rate is still maybe 100x or 1000x higher than I'd want. I'd like something just fast enough for text chat, let's say 10 bps (maybe 3 chars/sec with some data compression), and a fallback slower rate for messaging, like 1 bps or slower (2 minutes for a 50 char messsage). That would give another 20 or 30 db of coding gain for much better range. There could even be a .01bps mode. Finally, put it on HF for worldwide range ;).

This is all deployed by hams down to around 1 cps, by the way (js8call.com).

akvadrako
The Lora radios also have a longer-range 325 bits/slower mode called LR-FHSS which does frequency hopping and has 10-60 dB better sensitivity. Though only the sending part is implemented in the low power chips.
phreeza
I guess this would require a Ham license in most places? Apart from that i would really like a device like you describe (extremely low bps, high range).
throwaway81523
JS9CALL on the ham bands requires a ham license but in principle you could use it on the unlicensed bands as well.
sidewndr46
Do you mean JS8Call?
junon
Isn't there a ban on encrypted amateur signals? Or is this running on a band that allows for it?
Infernal
Yes and yes. In the US, 900-930MHz (nominally the 915MHz band) is available for use with no license required so encryption is fine (similar to your 2.4GHz or 5GHz wifi access point).

People interested in LoRa may also be interested in 802.11ah, or Wifi HaLOW

Xmd5a
>802.11ah, or Wifi HaLOW

Thanks a lot I wasn't aware of this technology. Turns out you can already buy gateways and boards/modules, and it seems it wasn't the case last year.

Any tip on how I can power these things wirelessly ?

Infernal
I have seen low power meshtastic devices serving things like BBSes on solar power, I’m not familiar enough with 802.11ah devices to know if solar would be feasible.
subscribed
Amateur, yes, but this is not amateur radio. This is unlicenced.
windexh8er
The Meshtastic firmware actually has an 'Is Licensed' [0] checkbox if you want to operate with both the privileges and restrictions of operating under that license.

The major upside is transmit power and the downside is not being able to use encryption.

[0] https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/radio/user/#is-lic...

lrvick OP
I would also note that I have never once heard of enforcement on using encryption but we -have- seen enforcement of using too much transmit power without a license.

So if you like, get a license, crank transmit power, then use encryption all you want and don't worry about it.

It will be enforced about as fast as movie torrenting.

ninalanyon
LoRa is surely mostly for machine to machine, Internet Of Things. There are lots of web pages that take it for granted that encrypted communications are not merely allowed but expected.

See, for instance

https://lora-alliance.org/security/

kingkawn
Or get a rak device that has a better antenna and range than the T deck
hackcasual
Oooh, which one has a keyboard?
lrvick OP
t-deck has a keyboard and is ideal for a personal handset.

A G2 Basestation or rak device is ideal for node to node communication to act as a base station for range extension.

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