Blackout Comms Distance
How Far Can Blackout Comms Deliver?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions. There is not a simple answer, because it depends on many factors. We do many types of tests with varying equipment, and it's really not possible to cover all scenarios. Blackout Comms itself is simply a protocol and firmware that utilize smart meshing and whatever equipment they have available to push packets. You can get very creative with the equipment involved.
Which devices do you have?
External antennas help quite a bit. Custom T-Decks perform much better than T-Deck+ for instance.
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Are you in a rural or urban environment?
Expect much better performance in a rural environment.
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Do your devices have decent line of sight?
Placing a single device in a position with excellent line of sight (roof top, etc) can make a huge difference.
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Do you mean instant deliveries (one hop) or mesh?
Instant single-hop deliveries pretty much follow the standard RF / line of sight / tx power limitations. More watts + better line of sight means further distance.
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Mesh deliveries are a different story. For example, if you set a message to have 24 hour expiry, that means within the next 24 hours, packets can hop as opportunities arise at any time. So if on your trip home from work, you pass a device with outgoing packets, you or the other device may complete another leg of the trip. In this scenario, RF distance is not exactly the limitation, but other factors are.
Simplistic Answers
Your results will vary wildly, but without using amps or specialized antennas, I routinely get 4-5 miles directly between 2 devices. The determining factor is mainly what (if anything) is between you (your antenna) and the device you're trying to reach (hills, houses, trees, etc).
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If you have more than 2 devices, that 4-5 mile distance would be the "per-hop" distance. So if you had 4 devices in a straight line, spaced in a line with each 4 miles apart (with good line of sight), meshing would allow a 12 mile delivery.
Improving Distance
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Carefully plan positions of your links/nodes for best line of sight
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Run links/nodes 24/7 to maximize mesh opportunities
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Make use of better antennas where you can for nodes/links
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Consider running amps on your nodes/links
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Get an amateur radio license and a 20 watt amp
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Get an amateur radio license and build an amped T-Deck or Pager
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For massive distances, our cloud, drones or MQTT might be helpful
Amped Blackout Comms distance testing and results
My Cluster's Performance
I live in a rural area, carefully planned my link/node positions using testing and line of sight maps, and in my rural terrain I have a spotty coverage area spanning parts of 3-4 counties and crossing a state line - without using drones. For specific/planned tests, I have been able to span much further.
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I make use of both 20 and 1 watt amps when possible. It is possible to power both quite easily with solar, so you don't necessarily need shore power for that.
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You really need to figure out what exactly you're trying to achieve and then plan/test accordingly. Even with good planning, the performance you can get will vary with weather and seasonal conditions.
