[zumzumzum]

How is it offering 'private' communications on the 33cm band? Does this band even offer good performance in hilly or mountainous terrain? These would be short range line of sight only type devices, correct? I'm still fairly new to amateur radio so I could be off. I don't see the advantage of this over something like APRS on 2M, with the exception that you don't need a license.

[punkgeek]

encryption is allowed for low duty cycle digital usage on that band.

I'm also a ham and really into APRS. But not requiring a license is a big plus, also the way these chirping radios achieve their long range with a super high noise floor so the battery life is amazing. i.e. a TTGO TBEAM will run for about eight days on (including the GPS/radio and CPU). And $30 for that board.

[threeio]

I was going to suggest that you look into some of the patents that were the basis for the old Ricochet Networks stuff as its the basis for most of the smartgrid meter tech, but apparently many of them are more recent than I expected and still under the 20 year mark... also might want to post it to /r/amateurradio for feedback... 73 om!

[zumzumzum]

Thanks for the reply! There is SO much to learn in this hobby. I'll definitely be following this project.