The purpose of the test repeater

From time to time you may see the test repeater "Paul M test repeater" appear on the list of contacts or discovered stations, this just means I am out testing with the repeater and it is within range of the existing mesh, say I want to test from a new place that might make a good spot for a repeater, it may also introduce activity you've never seen before, if after the test repeater has gone off you've been in direct contact with another user and it has routed through the test repeater you will need to reset the path, this is done in the contact list by pressing the three dots next to the contact and selecting reset path, if you can still contact the other person, great, if not then be patient while a repeater is added at the chosen site

The test repeater is based on a Raspberry Pi Pico and a Waveshare SX1262 LoRa board (the 868MHz "HF" variant, at time of writing its power source is the Waveshare supplied battery which is only 600mAh and this is topped up periodically by a 10,000mAh (alleged) powerbank and sits on top of my curtain rail in a self-printed zerofox3D Flexo case, as this repeater will be getting tested outdoors I plan to make some changes to it in the comimg month.

The first change is the power source, the battery as fitted doesn't last a terribly long time, my personal daily carry device at time of writing, a Heltec Wireless Tracker in a 3D printed enclosure uses a 2000mAh battery from Amazon (it's EEMB branded and took a good time to discharge on the RAK Wisblock that is to serve as the Anzio Catterick repeater), this battery is suited to this due to weight and runtime and should run the hardware for a reasonably long time.

The next change to make is the case itself, PLA can be used outside if made weatherproof but this case was never (Chris from zerofox3D can correct me on this if I am wrong) designed to be used outdoors, so I am looking into fitting it into a waterproof outdoor enclosure, Amazon have some with clear lids, which could be suited to fitting a solar panel to the inside without drilling, the solar panel will be needed to charge the battery, Amazon again has the solar panels and charge control boards that should help get as much from the panel as possible.

To keep the weatherproofing around the SMA connector and any switches I may also add then I will also have to waterproof the insides, some people use hot melt glue for this but I would be more inclined to use proper sealant if I can get it, the antenna itself, which won't be the antenna currently on the repeater now, will be wrapped with self-amalgamating tape to keep water out of it and the outside of the SMA connector, I keep this in stock.

A final change to make will be means to put this unit up high, one option is a tethered (important!) helium filled balloon, for this I should be able to get away with a standard balloon from a party supplies or gift card shop (the card shop in town sells the helium tanks and balloons), the reason I have decided tethered is because I don't want to lose the hardware and only want to test from fixed locations as the point of a repeater is that it will be a fixed device and I do wish to avoid the wrath of the Civil Aviation Authority and potentially (especially round here) the Ministry of Defence.

The balloon idea is partly based on the fact that others aside from the gentleman in the York area doing it in June 2025 (but cutting the tether and creating a massive link due to the height involved) is down to the fact others are doing that and in history broadcast engineers would use balloon transmitters to ascertain if a site they were planning to build a transmitter at would be suited, I see no reason why this couldn't work with MeshCore (or others) on 868MHz as has been demonstrated.

If tests with the test repeater prove successful that would then pave the way for a more permanent repeater at the site to increase the area of the mesh, subject to getting over any constraints that may prevent a permanent repeater there