Personal project
DustTrax Off-Grid Communications
A Meshtastic-based platform for off-grid vehicle tracking, location sharing, and messaging beyond cellular coverage.
What I built
DustTrax explores how a group of vehicles can stay connected when cell service disappears. It combines Meshtastic’s open-source LoRa mesh network with purpose-built vehicle nodes, external antennas, custom enclosures, and a mobile mapping experience.
Each node can relay low-bandwidth location and message data across the mesh, extending the group’s reach without relying on cellular towers or a central access point.
How it came together
- Prototyped with ESP32 and LoRa development boards running Meshtastic.
- Explored vehicle antenna placement, RF performance, and durable enclosure design.
- Modeled and fabricated custom hardware for field use.
- Designed a mobile experience for group location, routes, and communication.
What I learned
The project expanded my understanding of RF antenna design, mesh-network behavior, congestion management, embedded development, and the tradeoffs required to turn constrained radio data into a useful mobile experience.