[rz2k]

So far all I have done is use toy examples I have found on Github. Mostly I've used a text editor without an IDE to make small edits, then make to configure, build and flash. I've also used the Arduino IDE for the very simplest examples and mostly moved on to PlatformIO with VS Code.

My goal is sensors to monitor conditions like soil moisture and temperature, and control pumps on a water catchment system for landscaping, and potentially fire safety control purposes.

If I extend the functionality to fire safety control, that might involve starting a generator, and being able to fallback to LoRaWAN to accept simple commands to run programs and send updates on conditions. During extended power outages in the past I've found that cell towers stop working within a day or so, while only a couple line-of-sight miles away all of the infrastructure is working perfectly fine.

Note that for every thousand square feet of roof area, you can collect about 10,000 gallons per year if you're in most parts of Silicon Valley (16" rain/year), or 20,000 if you're near Santa Rosa (30"). Part of the inspiration for water catchment was the price of water, and the inspiration for automation was seeing photos of swimming pools filled to the brim surrounded by complete fire devastation after the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa.