99/91 meshcore repeater project

Description

Our Problem Today
In the lower mainland, there is a clear gap in the mesh between Richmond, Delta, White Rock, Surrey, and Langley. Often these spots are either in a dead zone or in a receive-only zone, limiting individuals ability to contribute and communicate.

Objectives
The 99/91 Project aims to connect these cities, and areas in between them, by strategically placing four repeaters along both Highway 99 and Highway 91.

Finances
Our goal is to raise $1250 to build and deploy eight Meshcore repeaters in total.
Here is our build list:

Heltec V4 ESP32-S3R2 OLED - $19.90 (Heltec)
Fiberglass Omi Antenna 7dBi - $29.90 (Heltec)
IPEX(U.FL) to N-Type Female - $2.99 (Heltec)
6000mAh 3.7v LiPo - $45.00 (Lees Electronics)
4x4x2 Junction box - $17.99 (Home Hardware)
7.5v Solar panel, 150x85mm - $13.50 (Lees Electronics)

The total price comes to $129.28 before tax and shipping for some parts. We are projecting about $145 per unit (total cost split eight ways), rounded to the nearest hundred, with tiings' 4% fee. We have tried to source as much as we can from local Canadian companies and businesses. If we find any alternative products supplied by Canadian businesses, we will update our build list!


The Timeline & Plan
Our plan has three stages:
1) Funding
2) Location Approval
3) Build & Deploy

Funding and Location Approval works in parallel. Once those two conditions are met, then we can move forward with obtaining the parts, building the repeaters, and deployment. We are hoping to have approval for all our locations in three months time.

Provisionally, we have three potential locations to serve the 91, and two potential locations for the 99.
Locations will be updated as they are confirmed!

Community Named Nodes
If you donate $100 or over, you get to name a node! Whoever comes up with the best name gets kudos for life. The rules are simple, no profanity or explicit naming. Other than that have fun!

Final Remarks
Together we can create a bridge to connect our beautiful communities with resilient, strategically placed, and well-built (over-engineered) Meshcore nodes that will serve us and our neighbours while lasting many years into the future.

Are you interested in hosting a node? Reach out to [email protected] to join the 99/91 Project!

Local Meshcore Communities

Meshcore Canada - meshcore.ca
CascadiaMesh - cascadiamesh.org