• @AlchemicalAgent@mander.xyz
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          2 months ago

          Yes! If you leave the default channel enabled it will join the public meshtastic network. But you can run eight channels at once, and the others can have different encryption keys.

          The default setting is also to forward any received packets to the mesh, even ones it can’t decrypt.

            • @AlchemicalAgent@mander.xyz
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              02 months ago

              No worries! If you’re starting out you can’t go wrong with a T1000-E. It’s water resistant, has GPS built-in, and ties everything together in a neat package for ~$35. There are plenty of other nodes out there but it’s more of a build your own kit situation. If you’re into microcontroller programming and stuff like arduino/RP/etc then Heltec v3 Lora boards are good tinker hardware.

              We also have a community here on mander for meshtastic.

    • @ilinamorato@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      One good thing about a phone over a camera is automatic backup. If you have a burner smartphone uploading all of your images to Dropbox (or whatever) as you take them, and then you think your phone is about to get taken, you can wipe it or even destroy it without losing the photos. Not so a camera.

      Also, a cheap burner phone is way cheaper than pretty much any standalone camera on the market. It’s hard to find a point and shoot digital camera (or any type of film camera) these days that isn’t super pricey, because they’ve become hobbyist items.