Utilising cheap wireless modules and open source software to communicate over long distances using AX25 and IRC in the unlicensed ISM bands.

-Summary 

-Features 

-Deployment/Usage 

-Contributing 

I created this project to allow people to form their own networks that don’t rely on a centralised service provider.

This is ideal for:

• Privacy minded individuals

• People living under oppressive governments

• Remote communities

Using the LoRa radios allow us to reach much further than standard Wifi but at heavily reduced data rates.

You won’t be able to send large files like videos, however the reduced bandwidth of the radios can send data over much further distances.

Link to other Lora Range tests

The small amount of data can still provide us with chat and other basic text services.

Simple ncurses menu to operate, no Linux knowledge required.

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) over LoRa radios to chat over long distances 

Encrypted IRC Messages

Fetch News, RSS feeds, Wikipedia Summaries from Clients with Internet Connection.

AX25 with TCP/IP networking

Highly Extensible, add your own servers for whatever you like (bandwidth permitting)

link: See my server setup running Mystic BBS, ax25 node, etc  

Radio:

RF95 connected via SPI to Arduino with ATmega328

I prefer to use a module with the RF95 pre-soldered, this costs more but the time saved is invaluable.

Premade Modules

Moteino Mega:

https://lowpowerlab.com/shop/product/119

TTGO Lora V2:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/TTGO-LORA32-V2-0-433-868-915Mhz-ESP32-LoRa-OLED-0-96-Inch-SD-Card-Blue/32846302183.html

Computer:

This should work on any Linux device that allows connection to the radio via UART or USB.

I use a Raspberry Pi Zero W with the radio connected via UART

link to ‘My Hardware’ Page

The Raspberry Pi Zero W allows for many different connection methods.

• Run a WiFi hotspot for areas without an Internet/Network Connection

• Use it in Wireless client mode to connect to your existing network.

• If you connected the radio via UART the spare USB port could be used for the many of the Pi’s OTG modes.

• Or use the USB port for a network adapter (RJ45 Network Connection etc)

• Bluetooth to Serial or Bluetooth PAN networking

• Many other possibilities using the Pi’s GPIO pins

E32-915T30D Lora Long Range UART SX1276 915mhz 1W from CDEBYTE store on Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2Pc-Lot-CDEBYTE-915MHz-8000m-Long-Range-SX1276-Wireless-Transmitter-rf-Module-E44-TTL-1W-UART/32802838747.html Great store on Aliexpress, worth having a look as they often have excellent deals.

Raspbian (debian) Stretch Lite: 

https://downloads.raspberrypi.org/raspbian_lite_latest

Arduino-Kiss by Folkert van Heusden:

https://github.com/flok99/arduino-kiss

or instead of Arduino-Kiss by Folkert van Heusden you can try a modified version by Josef Matondang (github: josefmtd) which cleans up the code and makes it more efficient (no CRC etc): 

https://github.com/josefmtd/ax25-packet-network

Weechat crypt.py plugin
https://weechat.org/scripts/source/crypt.py.html/

Weechat IRC client

MiniIRCd IRC server

For more of the software used please see the installation instructions: https://github.com/dmahony/Lora-Chat-Device/wiki/Installation-Instructions

Link to Installation Instructions: https://github.com/dmahony/Lora-Chat-Device/wiki/Installation-Instructions

This project is completely open source, contributions are encouraged.

Please contact me at [email protected] 

TODO list:

Create installation script with prompts to set callsign, IP address, UART or USB radio connection etc.

Create a Printed Circuit Board that holds a cheap Arduino / esp32 and LoRa chip

Maybe a web interface? There is an excellent frontend for WeeChat called GlowingBear:
https://github.com/glowing-bear/glowing-bear
(May need modification to work offline)

Modify linux AXcall program to not require valid Amateur radio callsigns, current workaround is to use a valid callsign as the source address.

Create Minimal sized image for fast deployment