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Connected Landscape

Communications

Meshtastic, amateur radio, GMRS, Ethernet, fiber, Wi-Fi bridges, PoE, cameras, and the paths information takes across the property.

Signals make distance visible.
Satellite map of Boulder Gardens with four overlapping colored Meshtastic coverage areas marked by stars
Approximate overlapping coverage from four mapped outdoor nodes. Actual range varies with terrain, elevation, antenna placement, and conditions.

Field Report 015 · Communications

Long-range radio across a rugged landscape

Boulder Gardens uses a small LoRa mesh to connect people, vehicles, remote sensors, and solar-powered stations across the sanctuary. It carries low-power messages, location data, and telemetry into terrain where cable and Wi-Fi are impractical.

The network follows a simple rule: run cable where practical, use Wi-Fi where appropriate, and use radio where distance, terrain, or mobility makes it useful.

640 acres 5 fixed stations 4 mobile radios 5,100+ feet across fixed sites
Read Field Report 015 →

Hilltop Relay · September–October 2026

Power restored and charge control upgraded at the Mojave Wi-Fi relay

Mojave Wi-Fi hilltop relay power system after battery replacement
Hilltop relay · September 30, 2026

Communications + Energy

A more serviceable relay station

Two 12-volt EverStart Group 29 deep-cycle batteries now form the relay's 24-volt battery bank. The batteries were moved outside the electronics enclosure, while the network and charge-control equipment were reorganized on a plywood mounting board for easier inspection and maintenance.

In early October, the aging BZ Products M20+ controller was replaced with a digital solar charge controller providing a direct battery-voltage display and easier on-site monitoring.

On October 21 the new controller displayed approximately 28.8 volts across the 24-volt flooded lead-acid bank. That is a plausible charging voltage, although a single reading does not by itself establish the controller's charging stage or long-term behavior.

Read Field Report 020 → Read Field Report 028 →

Field Reports

Observations connected to Communications

Replacement solar charge controller at the Mojave Wi-Fi hilltop relay
October 21, 2026 · Hilltop Relay Station

Energy + Communications · Hilltop Relay Station

Mojave Wi-Fi Hilltop Relay — Solar Charge Controller Replacement

The hilltop relay received a replacement digital solar charge controller. An October 21 inspection showed the 24-volt battery bank at approximately 28.8 volts.

Read the full observation →
Meshtastic Radio Communications
August 31, 2026 · Boulder Gardens Sanctuary

Sensors & Data · Boulder Gardens Sanctuary

Meshtastic Radio Communications

Boulder Gardens uses Meshtastic to connect people, vehicles, remote sensors, and fixed relay stations across 640 acres of rugged desert terrain. Five fixed stations and four mobile GPS-equipped radios form the core of the network.

Read the full observation →
Hilltop Internet relay station.
August 6, 2026 · Hilltop

Sensors & Data · Hilltop

Hilltop Internet relay station.

Inspected and documented the hilltop Internet relay station that connects Mojave WiFi with the Bus area and the Boulder Gardens Command Center.

Read the full observation →
Fieldstation Solar System
July 31, 2026 · Command Center

Energy · Command Center

Fieldstation Solar System

Six solar panels, a LiFePO₄ battery bank, and a Schneider inverter form the electrical heart of the Boulder Gardens Fieldstation.

Read the full observation →
01

Meshtastic

Solar relays, mobile nodes, base stations, range, and message paths.

02

Radio

Amateur and GMRS equipment, antennas, repeaters, and field use.

03

Ethernet & Fiber

Backbone links, media converters, switches, and cable routes.

04

Wi-Fi

Bridges, mesh access, coverage, dead zones, and remote areas.

05

PoE

One cable carrying both data and power to field equipment.

06

Fire Watch

Remote visibility, cameras, positioning, and controlled power.