Topic: Mesh Networks

A representative from the non-profit Disaster Tech Lab discusses the efficacy of anti-drone technology in Europe and the deployment of mesh networks during crises. The FBI continues to monitor "aspirational" threats of drone usage by sympathetic actors within the United States.

The hosts discussed "Meshtastic," a 900 MHz mesh networking system that allows for encrypted, off-grid digital communication without traditional infrastructure. The technology uses low-power radio (LoRa) and can be connected to mobile devices or computers. They proposed building a "No Agenda" mesh network group as a modern alternative to CB radio, emphasizing its decentralized and private nature.

Amazon Sidewalk is rolling out a mesh network protocol that utilizes Bluetooth transceivers in smart home devices to share internet bandwidth across neighborhoods. This system allows Ring doorbells, Alexa devices, and smart thermostats to communicate with each other and passing smartphones within a half-mile radius. Concerns are raised regarding the inability of users to easily opt-out of this persistent RF grid that connects private devices to a centralized Amazon-managed infrastructure.

Hong Kong protesters are reportedly using Bridgefy, a Bluetooth-based mesh networking app, to communicate without relying on traditional internet or cellular networks that can be monitored by the state. While the app offers a way to bypass censorship, concerns remain regarding the inherent trackability of Bluetooth signals in retail and urban environments. Other niche apps, such as the "5% Club" for users with low battery, are mentioned as emerging digital trends.

Adam Curry explores the use of the POCSAG protocol by the amateur radio community to build independent pager networks. He suggests that licensed hams could create a two-way messaging mesh network using high-wattage transmitters to bypass commercial infrastructure. The hosts joke about the potential to monetize such a network through subscriptions.

The FCC has proposed the creation of a new "Citizens Broadband Radio Service" in the 3.5 GHz band. Dvorak explains that this frequency, similar to WiMAX, could allow for the development of true city-wide mesh networks that bypass traditional internet service providers. He expresses excitement about the potential for decentralized data networks in Texas.

An experimental 5GHz mesh network running TCP/IP is currently operating throughout parts of Texas using old Linksys routers and open-source firmware. Participation requires a ham radio license, though the community faces internal policing from "snitches" who report minor FCC violations, such as improper station identification, to the authorities.

The hosts discuss ArkOS, a personal cloud system designed to run on a Raspberry Pi. While Dvorak expresses disinterest in building hardware, Curry highlights the difficulty of truly leaving the "cloud" when services like PayPal and email are essential.

Sasha Meinrath of the New America Foundation discussed the launch of "Commotion Wireless," an open-source software designed to create mesh networks using cell phones and laptops. While originally intended for activists to bypass government surveillance, the project received funding from the U.S. State Department for use by dissidents in places like Egypt. Technical limitations, such as the requirement to root Android devices, are noted.

Ian Schuller of the State Department admitted on C-SPAN that the "Internet in a Suitcase" was a meme created for a photographer rather than a literal piece of hardware. The $30 million project actually focuses on developing software to create local mesh networks using existing cell phones and routers. The hosts describe the technology as essentially "Ubuntu on a stick" and criticize the government for rebranding basic intranet technology as a revolutionary tool for dissidents.

Efforts are underway to move the show's infrastructure away from centralized cloud services toward a private, peer-to-peer mesh network. The software Tonido is mentioned as a potential solution for decentralized file sharing among the No Agenda community.

The hosts conclude the episode by urging "sysadmins" to prepare for future crackdowns and to explore mesh networking. They give a final recommendation for Daniel Suarez's books and sign off from their respective locations in Southern California and Silicon Valley.

The FCC National Broadband Plan is criticized for recommending government investment in "digital public media" to curate internet content. The proposal is characterized as an attempt to establish a "Ministry of Truth" that could marginalize independent media outlets by leveraging public service broadcasting funds for internet infrastructure.

The hosts discuss a new Swedish law allowing the legal wiretapping of all internet traffic passing through the country. They predict a future where the mainstream internet is heavily filtered, necessitating the creation of "mesh networks" and an "undernet."

A critique of modern attention spans suggests that most people are too distracted by their own lives to pay attention to alternative media. A prediction is made that future communication will rely on mesh Wi-Fi networks and bartering for food and gold as traditional internet and cellular infrastructures fail.

John C. Dvorak discusses his plans to consult with engineers at Falcon Electric regarding high-end UPS devices to protect computers from power surges. The hosts debate whether a personal mesh network could maintain connectivity if the broader internet infrastructure were disabled by an EMP. They express skepticism regarding the actual threat posed by North Korea, labeling it a "bogeyman" tactic.