4 ms·

> You also need a way to communicate back the tracking results, which presumably implies a SIM card and thus more opportunity to get detected (and linked back t

by cure 5y ago

> You also need a way to communicate back the tracking results, which presumably implies a SIM card and thus more opportunity to get detected (and linked back to you). But yes, in theory you can (and always could) do that. I think gp included the lorawan for that purpose. No SIM required.

mckirk 5y ago
Ah right, I had overlooked that, never having seen the word "lorawan" before. I honestly have no idea how widespread LoRaWAN is, but I would be very surprised if it came anywhere close to the coverage you can achieve using Apple users carrying your uplinks around unwittingly. (Especially if you are attempting to track an Apple user.)
scoopertrooper 5y ago
You'd also need a LoRaWAN network to hook into. But most importantly, I doubt you could build a LoRaWAN tracker as compactly as an AirTag. A beacon would use significantly less electricity and therefore require a smaller battery. Below is one of the smallest LoRaWAN modems on the market, which by itself is marginally bigger than an AirTag. Now add batteries, GPS, antennas, and an SoC to drive the whole thing. https://www.murata.com/en-eu/news/connectivitymodule/lpwa/2021/0217 https://www.murata.com/en-eu/news/connectivitymodule/lpwa/20...
- Scoundreller 5y ago
  There are some groups building 'armageddon' mesh-based hand-held communicators like Meshtastic. Converged hardware is already there. The network probably is too in more and more metros if you're not within a few km of what you're trying to communicate with/track. https://meshtastic.org https://meshtastic.org Map: https://canvis.app/meshtastic-map https://canvis.app/meshtastic-map
  - cure 5y ago
    There's also the helium network (https://explorer.helium.com/ https://explorer.helium.com/) which has a surprising amount of coverage, especially in urban areas.
  - Friday_ 5y ago
    This looks interesting, but device itself looks like it wouldn't survive fall on the floor, let alone armageddon. Just joking.
    - Scoundreller 5y ago
      The case is up to you. I plan on using a plastic food jar :)

by cure 5y ago

mckirk 5y ago

Ah right, I had overlooked that, never having seen the word "lorawan" before. I honestly have no idea how widespread LoRaWAN is, but I would be very surprised if it came anywhere close to the coverage you can achieve using Apple users carrying your uplinks around unwittingly. (Especially if you are attempting to track an Apple user.)

scoopertrooper 5y ago

You'd also need a LoRaWAN network to hook into. But most importantly, I doubt you could build a LoRaWAN tracker as compactly as an AirTag. A beacon would use significantly less electricity and therefore require a smaller battery. Below is one of the smallest LoRaWAN modems on the market, which by itself is marginally bigger than an AirTag. Now add batteries, GPS, antennas, and an SoC to drive the whole thing. https://www.murata.com/en-eu/news/connectivitymodule/lpwa/2021/0217 https://www.murata.com/en-eu/news/connectivitymodule/lpwa/20...

Scoundreller 5y ago
There are some groups building 'armageddon' mesh-based hand-held communicators like Meshtastic. Converged hardware is already there. The network probably is too in more and more metros if you're not within a few km of what you're trying to communicate with/track. https://meshtastic.org https://meshtastic.org Map: https://canvis.app/meshtastic-map https://canvis.app/meshtastic-map
- cure 5y ago
  There's also the helium network (https://explorer.helium.com/ https://explorer.helium.com/) which has a surprising amount of coverage, especially in urban areas.
- Friday_ 5y ago
  This looks interesting, but device itself looks like it wouldn't survive fall on the floor, let alone armageddon. Just joking.
  - Scoundreller 5y ago
    The case is up to you. I plan on using a plastic food jar :)