If you dont use the default LongFast meshtastic is really empty. I switched my node to MediumSlow, since it’s like 86% faster than LongFast. I knew there would not be any in my area, so I subscribed to the msh/US MQTT topic and theres still nobody else. I’m going to leave it like that for a while and see if I hear anything during any kind of band openings or catch any other MQTT nodes trying out that topic. And yes, both uplink and downlink are enabled. I do know that there are some nodes in the Bay Area on msh/US/mqtt-bayme-sh, but I am not near their.
It’s basically a local chat program. Think of it like signal or text messaging, but that only happens locally in your area, unless you enable MQTT, which connects it to the internet. But in my opinion, at least that kind of defeats the purpose, especially if you can reach other nodes locally. You could enable MQTT to add yourself to MeshMap.net if you wish. But that’s an opt-in process. And so, if you’re looking at MeshMap.net, you may see nobody in your area when there actually are people using it.
I see! Thank you, that’s hopeful then. Is it designed to be very local area, or is that just the way it is now? Could it one day be used in a more general way beyond chat?