There is #meshtastic in the air :) Just setup my first node - a rak wireless unit. Uses only about 300mah per day including air sensor. Meshtastic is a 915mhz #lora based, very low power, messaging and beaconing system. Quite similar to #amateurradio #aprs . I upgraded the antenna to a 3dBi, but since LORA is line-of-sight and very low power, I get no range. The only nodes I picked up are those on the hills 10mi away. Next: solar panel, the board already has solar charge controller for 1s lipo.

followup:

Once solar works out, the plan is to build a waterproof enclosure and mount the entire unit on a flag pole above rooftops.