Tag Archives: meshtastic

#weeklyreview 06/2025

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Again a mixed week

Took Monday off to drive a friend to an examiner for his insurance to assess that he’s not capable of working in his job. He’s got severe ME/CFS, can’t sit or stand upright without passing out in a matter of minutes, has the attention span of squirrel before his brain fog kicks in etc. The examination was originally meant to be 2 days of 4 hours examinations each. But it was clear from the start that he’d not be able to do that. The bloody examiner sit’s in a non-accessible building in the south of Berlin. My friends needs a wheelchair to move around. Of course the building neither had an elevator nor a ramp or something. So it took my friend about 25 minutes to rob in his bum up to the 3rd floor. Yeah… because he can’t stand upright and just walk. And he’s also a bit heavy so can’t be easily carried. And our brilliant health system also does not pay for transport and carrying him upstairs anymore. You’d need three persons to move him, but the default staff on official ambulance cars is only two.

Overall a rather humiliating and exhausting experience for him. I’ll just hope that he’ll finally get’s the deserved payout from his insurance.

The good thing was though, that I 4 hours to roam around in Friedenau and was able to give my good friend Boerge as visit in his new home 😀

A black and white image of an ornate, old brick house with intricate architectural details. The building has a steeply pitched roof and multiple windows with decorative frames. A silver car is parked on the street in front of the house, and leafless trees surround the scene, giving a wintery feel.
Black and white photograph of a large historic building with a tall, rectangular tower and a turret. Bare trees line the street in front, with parked cars and a graffiti-covered truck visible. The sky is overcast, adding a dramatic effect.

Tuesday & Wednesday I was fighting with work bureaucrats the get an exemption for using my corporate USB Disks to free off space on my internal hard disk for experiments mit LLM models. I get the need for rules and restrictions etc. But there must be a way to not prevent people from doing their work. There is all this mandatory security training and tools etc. But I think there should be a way for people to somehow prove that they know what they’re doing and get rid of the usual corporate shackles that prevent you from doing stuff and cripple your expensive corporate hardware.

Baltic Sea

For the rest of the week (which was the Berlin winter holiday week for schools) my daughter and me took off to Usedom island. This time we stayed in Świnoujście on the polish side of the isle.

The weather left room for improvement the first two days with grey clouds, cold wind and drizzle. But that’s kind of what we came for. The sea is awesome at any weather and our hotel had a Spa area where we spent time in the pool and sauna 🙂 I also got a fair bit of reading done on my kindle in the sauna. “The dawn of everything” is really good.

We explored the local restaurants and roamed around the city, beach and piers a bit.

On Saturday we took a trip to the German side and payed Gulliver a visit and had good pizza on the pier restaurant in Heringsdorf.

A hazy offshore oil rig is visible on the horizon, set against a gray, overcast sky. In the foreground, gentle waves ripple across the ocean, and a small red structure, possibly a lighthouse or buoy, sits on a distant breakwater.
A large apartment building with rounded balconies on one end, featuring multiple stories and a uniform facade. The building is situated along a street lined with parked cars and bare trees. A bicycle path sign is visible, and the sky is overcast.
Black and white image of numerous seashells scattered across sandy ground, with some grass visible along the edges.
A bottle of Tsingtao beer and a filled glass placed on a bar table. The background features dim lighting with decorative string lights and blurred restaurant elements.
Black and white photo of a solitary lighthouse with windmill-style blades, positioned at the end of a stone jetty, extending into a calm sea.
A black and white image of a lighthouse tower. The tower is white with a dark stone base, featuring a small plaque and a door accessed by stone steps. The lighthouse stands on a concrete platform by the sea, with a faint view of the horizon line in the background.
A black-and-white photograph shows a solitary figure walking away on a sandy path towards the ocean, flanked by grassy dunes and fenced with wire. The sky is overcast, and the path leads to the beach.
A pile of assorted seashells scattered on a sandy surface, creating a textured and natural pattern. The image is in black and white, emphasizing the contrast between the shells and the sand.
A black and white image depicting a narrow, rocky path leading to a small, white lighthouse with windmill-like blades. The lighthouse stands at the edge of a calm sea under a cloudy sky. A lone figure is visible on the path near the lighthouse.
A narrow, rocky pier leads to a white windmill-like structure at the end, extending into a calm sea under a cloudy sky.
Seagulls gathered on a sandy beach near the water's edge. The ocean is calm with gentle waves under a cloudy sky. A distant breakwater with a red and green lighthouse is visible on the right.
Pathway leading to a beach, flanked by sand dunes with grass and wire fencing. Overcast sky and two people walking in the distance near the waterline.
Moai statue on a grassy hillside under a cloudy sky, with a chain fence surrounding it.
A glass mug filled with hot chocolate on a silver tray with a lace doily. In the background, there's a blurred glass of whipped cream-topped beverage. The tray also has a small white plate with a piece of biscuit.
A pepperoni pizza sits on a white plate atop a wooden table. Additional pizza is partially visible in the background. Beside the first pizza, there are salt and pepper shakers.
A bottle of Asahi beer and a glass with amber liquid are on a dark, marbled table. Next to them is a bottle of Acqua Panna water. In the background, two people are partially visible, one holding a glass. A white napkin is in the foreground.
A person wearing a white sweatshirt cuts a large, cheese-covered pizza with a knife. The pizza, with a golden crust, is on a white plate on a wooden table.
A slice of cheesecake dusted with powdered sugar, accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream sprinkled with chocolate shavings, and a small metal pitcher of chocolate sauce. It is served on a white square plate on a marbled tabletop.
Nighttime view of a lively outdoor plaza with illuminated restaurant terraces and string lights. The plaza features modern architecture, with curved buildings and a tiled walkway. A few people are walking in the foreground, adding life to the scene.
A plate of roasted meat topped with arugula, served with roasted vegetables and a small dish of mustard sauce. A bottle of water and a plate of fries are visible in the background, all set on a geometric-patterned table.
A vibrant parrot with red and blue plumage perched on a natural wooden branch, surrounded by a subtle, blurred background of a birdcage.
A vibrant green parrot with an orange beak perches on a branch, set against a blurred indoor background.

In the afternoon the sun finally came out and people were flocking to the beach for a walk. We saw the TF Line ferries coming in and eventually had really good Sushi at the Hilton Hotel Sushi Bar and Grill.

A bowl of ramen with various toppings, including mushrooms and fish cake, is garnished with a tempura shrimp on skewers. The bowl is set against a dark, textured background with a side dish and napkin nearby.
A bowl of ramen with sliced beef, mushrooms, leafy greens, an egg topped with sesame seeds, and narutomaki. It is on a dark textured table with a neatly folded napkin and a small dish with a piece of sushi beside it.
A platter on a dark marble table featuring assorted sushi, including sashimi, rolls, and nigiri, garnished with an orchid, ginger, and wasabi. Accompanied by a glass of clear liquid, a carafe, an empty bowl, a glass of amber beverage, and a dish with a white napkin.
A serene beach scene at sunset, with the sun low in the sky casting long shadows on the sandy shore. Several people are walking and enjoying the view near the water’s edge. The sky is a mix of soft oranges and blues, with a few scattered clouds. Buildings and a crane are visible in the distant background.
A scenic coastal view showing a narrow path leading to a white windmill-like lighthouse. People are walking along the path, and the calm sea surrounds them under a clear sky with a faint streak of clouds.
A large TT-Line ferry named "Huckleberry Finn" is in the water, illuminated by the setting sun. The vessel is white with blue and yellow accents, and features prominent smokestacks on top. A bird is seen flying nearby over the calm sea.
A sandy beach in the foreground with calm ocean waves. In the distance, an offshore oil rig is visible alongside two ships. The sky is clear and blue, creating a serene maritime scene.
Long shadows of two people on a sandy beach with people walking near the water in the background. The sky is clear and the sea is calm.

Overall a rather relaxing four days at the Baltic Sea.

But there was not a single node on the whole Baltic Sea. I was carrying my T-Echo the whole time to check for any nearby radios. Nothing, nada, zilch.

#weeklyreview 04/2025

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Another busy week behind. Started with some Kimchi making that almost ruined the kitchen. The kimchi usually ferments over a few days. My batch didn’t do much fermentation for the first few days. So I had closed the lids. But then my daughter noticed that they were starting to bulk and leak. Upon opening the lid almost exploded

Apart from that it came out pretty delicious. The Recipe can be found here:

Three glass jars filled with kimchi are placed on a kitchen countertop. The jars have metal clasp lids, showing a vibrant red and orange mix of fermented vegetables. A large spoon is on the counter nearby, with kitchen utensils and a mug visible in the background.

A night at the Opera

Tuesday was a big day. Birthday of my wife and to celebrate the event we had tickets for the “Dreigroschenoper” at the Berliner Ensemble.

I have to admit I hadn’t been in an Opera before, so I have nothing to compare it with. Had heard about the Dreigroschenoper and of course know the iconic song about Mack the knife.

It was spectacular. The building, the cast, the stage setup, the show. Will probably do this more often 😉 The kids had mixed feelings about it. It was a bit too long and too late in the evening for our youngest one to enjoy. But the two older ones did appreciate.

Street view of the Berliner Ensemble theater at night, with a brightly lit entrance and people walking by. A prominent red neon sign on the roof reads "Berliner Ensemble." A large, illuminated poster of a performer in costume is displayed above the entrance. Cars are parked along the street, and string lights add to the atmosphere.
Ornate theater ceiling with intricate designs and a large, central chandelier. A person with a beard is visible in the foreground, looking up. The image captures the grandeur and elaborate interior decor of the theater.

More Meshtastic

I got really excited about Meshtastic stuff and kept tinkering with the devices I’ve got. Of course that involved 3D printing various cases. So a hobby that addresses all the nerdy senses 😀

At good weather Berlin can see nodes from far away. I’m trying to get a feel for coverage and range. Means how reliable messages are delivered within the city through the mesh.

Got quite a bunch of ideas in my head how this could be used and possibly be applied/expanded in rural areas.

However… when driving to the countryside on the Weekend the mesh pretty much ended on the edge of Berlin. In Templin and around I couldn’t see a single node. There were at least two to be seen in Zehdenick. There is clearly room for improvement.

White plastic device with a small digital screen displaying technical data, including voltage and GPS information. It is connected via cables and resting on a desk.
White plastic enclosure containing an electronic circuit board with microchips and connectors, featuring external cables attached.
Black and white photo of a cityscape featuring a large building labeled "Charité" in the distance. Foreground shows rooftops of several lower buildings. The sky appears overcast.
Black and white cityscape depicting a mix of historic and modern buildings. A rooftop dominates the foreground, featuring large graffiti art of expressive faces. The background includes both classic architecture and modern high-rises under a clear sky.
A black and white photo of a cityscape with modern apartment buildings in the foreground. In the background, a tall chimney emits smoke, and a contrail stretches diagonally across the sky.
Black and white cityscape featuring a prominent TV tower rising above the skyline, surrounded by various building silhouettes. The foreground includes buildings with geometric patterns and visible rooftop structures. The sky is clear with thin clouds.

Gardening Season

The gardening season starts with seeding tomatoes and chilli and grow them seedlings indoors at first. My wife set up the first batches on the weekend.

Seed trays with transparent lids and labels for different plants sit on a floor near a window. A bag of fireplace briquettes is visible outside the window, and there is a red curtain to the right.

#weeklyreview 03/2025

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Ice swimming

A few weeks too late for a white christmas it was snowing on the weekend and actually cold enough for the snow to stay. Nevertheless went running with a friend on Sunday and of course swimming. This time there was about 3-5m of ice on the shore before the open water started.

Thats always a bit tricky as the ice shards are quite sharp. And it’s really frickin’ cold to break them and push them away with bare hands. But we managed and it was a beautiful swim in the cold water and the sun was shining. Water temperature was about 2º C.

Still got some cuts and bruises from the ice, but not as bad as last year.

Close-up of a person's lower leg with a visible scratch and small red marks on the skin. The background shows a textured carpet and part of a wooden chair.
A person in a bright yellow jacket runs through a snow-covered forest path, surrounded by tall trees under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of skin with a large bruise displaying a mix of yellow, purple, and green hues.
A serene winter lake scene with partially frozen water near the shore, surrounded by dry reeds. The background features a forest of tall, dark trees under a partially cloudy blue sky, reflecting on the lake's surface. Snow covers parts of the shoreline, adding to the wintry atmosphere.

Ice shower

The shower in the gym still doesn’t have warm water. So the week continued with cold showers after the exercise 😉

Close-up of two feet wearing lime green and white socks on a tiled floor. The socks have black text: the right sock reads "R 10-12 NEUTRAL RUN," and the left sock reads "L 10-12 NEUTRAL RUN."
Close-up of a Bluefin Fitness exercise machine display showing workout data: duration is 30 minutes, distance is 14.47 km, calories burned are 842.6 kcal, average speed is 28.9 km/h, and average power is 137 watts. Control buttons and a knob are visible below the display.
Close-up of a Concept 2 PM5 rowing machine monitor displaying workout details. It shows a 2x500m/1:00r interval session, totaling a time of 5:56.9. The display includes split times for each 500-meter segment, stroke rate, and other metrics. Buttons for "Units," "Display," and "Menu" are visible below the screen.

18 at last

Our 2nd child turned 18 this week. Time flies …

Kiddo doesn’t like presents nor a party. So a family coffee was all that was tolerated. 🤷

At least my wife payed us a visit in Berlin for this occasion 🤗

Dunkin' donut box on a table, encircled by lit tea candles. On the box, there is an easel holding a small canvas painted with a blue and yellow design.

Pixelfed – another attempt

Since the enshittification of the commercial networks goes on many of their users seems to be migrating currently to Pixelfed.

I had an instance in the past, but were not happy with the buggy setup and flaky support. So eventually deleted my instance.

But with this new influx of users and the native iOS being available now I thought I give it another chance and did a new installation. Not without hiccups of course. But I think I’ve got it running reasonably well.

I’ve also downloaded my data archive from Instagram. Then I saw a friend posting batches of photos from his Insta Backup and thought that’s a nice idea, to post them month wise. But a tool to do that posting from the backup folder would be nice.

So I asked ChatGPT for help and came up with https://repos.mxhdr.net/maxheadroom/insta-import-pixelfed

This does the job ob posting all images in a certain folder in batches of configurable size.

This looks like this:

Meshtastic

Finally had ordered a Meshtastic device and got it delivered. That was inspired by the tinkering of Jan Wildeboer and is stories about the mesh networking capabilities oft the OLPC. I went with a LILYGO T-Echo

↬social.wildeboer.net/@jwildeboer/113137588284826911

↬social.wildeboer.net/@jwildeboer/113191557900339340

This is a protocol on top of the free 868MHz packet radio frequency that can be used for message exchange and routing. The good thing about the mesh network is, that there is no central infrastructure. The messages are just passed from node to node in a store/forward fashion. It resembles a little bit the robustness of the early Internet with multiple paths and redundancy and resilience in mind.

A small electronic device labeled "LILYGO T-ECHO" with various ports and components, including a black antenna and a strap attached with a clasp. The device displays technical specifications and a layout diagram. It's resting on a light surface with part of a cap visible in the background.
Image of an open electronic device showing internal components. A lithium battery labeled "TEWAYCELL 3.7V 650mAh" is prominently visible, surrounded by various circuit boards, wiring, and connectors. The casing is white and partially disassembled, revealing detailed hardware elements inside.
Map showing a network of nodes around the Berlin area. Various colored circles represent node locations, labeled with alphanumeric codes. Key locations such as Teltow, Oranienburg, and Ludwigsfelde are visible. The map is in dark mode, and a toolbar is at the bottom displaying different options.
Screenshot

I can see dozens of nodes in Berlin and if the weather conditions are right, then even nodes from Poland, Hamburg, Halle (Saale), Zeitz etc. This is pretty amazing.

This can be seen on https://meshmap.de/

confused

overall I was little thrown off this week as there were so many unusual events and meet-ups that I got confused with the weekdays. We also didn’t went to the countryside on the weekend, which added to the confusion 🤪