Long Island CW Club lives up to the hype
Finally, finally took my first online classes with the Long Island CW Club. If you're even remotely considering this, DO IT! You will have zero regrets.
While I have been making some gains this year learning CW on my own, and a boat load of support from many of you. LICW Club definitely takes it up a notch or two. Such a great bunch of people. Such a well thought out and structured approach to learning CW. I can not recommend enough. Do it. Join.
Meshtasic is amazing for the "makers and tinkerers" but limited for field use
Over the past few months, I've been messing around a bit with LoRa Meshtastic nodes. They are a pretty cool concept and have a ton of potential for Emcomms. The relative ease of use, no need for an amateur radio license, and being off grid mesh network there is not much to not like.
However as I'm finding out and many already know; the nodes thus far are not "field ready." 3D printed case are nice and affordable, but they don't hold up to continuous active use.
As I have unfortunately found out, even the T-Echo is not game time ready.
As I stated in the vlog, this is not necessarily a reason to look away from LoRa. But it is a concern. We got to remember this is something that is really in it's infancy and has a ton of potential; and a ton of growing pains ahead. Biggest hurdle to clear is a easy to make / obtain rugged carrying solution.