A small signal
across longer distances
at low power

About these experiments · Last updated August 19, 2026

First, make two nodes hear each other.

LoRa is interesting for this application because it requires little power, can be run off of small batteries and trickle solar chargers, and can send data vast distances. Right now I’m trying to establish communications between two test boards, figure out how to monitor them, and figure out their basics.

Right now I’m using these LoRa development boards ↗. They are test hardware, not a settled platform. I still need to figure out the radio setup, protocol, enclosures, antennas, and power system.

01 · Garden

Sense Soil · temperature · water · battery

LoRa

02 · Base

Receive Inspect the link · upload readings

Wi-Fi

03 · Homelab

Store History · monitoring

What this test needs to answer

Can the nodes talk?

Prove a repeatable point-to-point message path before adding sensors, dashboards, or automation.

What does the land change?

Walk the property and observe how distance, trees, elevation, weather, and antenna placement affect the link.

Can the power stay small?

Measure sleeping and transmitting, then size a modest battery with a trickle solar charger for unattended use.

Up next

I’m currently working on establishing a basic connection and getting to know the development boards.

1. Exchange a known message between two nodes.
2. Log signal quality and failures at useful locations along the property.
3. Figure out the required sensors and circuit.
4. Print an enclosure and establish a sensor schedule.
5. Develop a consumer to store the data in my homelab.