Gotenna & Helium, a match made in heaven?

I think Gotenna Mesh should be updated to be compatible with Helium hotspot devices.

Both networks would benefit from this. The Gotenna Mesh network would benefit by gaining a bridge to the internet and more relay nodes to further extend communications. And the helium network could benefit if Gotenna Mesh relays were able to help pass along small bits traffic between helium hotspots that are not in range of each other.

This would be very useful for improving coverage for emergency communications.

Both devices operate on the 900MHz ISM band and both at very slow baud rates. Compatibility might be possible if both companies worked together to update their firmware & software to work together.

If you compare the helium network map to the Gotenna Mesh map it’s obvious how they could really help each other fill in the coverage map:

https://www.helium.com/

1 Like

Helium is a gas. If you refer to anything else, more info will be necessary.

https://www.helium.com/

@danielagotenna @Alon1 @anon62894636 @Abe @nazrink @Nate_Havens @christienovo

I didn’t know who to send this info to so I tagged a few of you.

I have shared this idea with Frank Mong (@fmong on Twitter) who is part of the Helium team and they have shown interest in collaborating with GoTenna to make your two networks compatible with each other.

This has the potential to vastly expand the coverage of both networks. It could open the door for goTenna to utilize Helium hotspots as internet gateways as well as relay stations.

Like GoTenna Mesh, Helium hotspots also operate on the 900MHz band and also utilize very slow baud rates. If both devices received firmware updates as well as updates to their iOS/Android apps then it might be possible to make them compatible.

If done, this would breath much needed new life into the expansion of the GoTenna Mesh network, GoTenna Mesh community and would be a great selling point to attract new customers.

https://www.helium.com/

There are now almost 8,000 helium hotspots deployed across the country:

I thought only the original GoTenna operated in 900Mhz and the Mesh wasn’t compatible with that?

Hello Andy,

goTenna Mesh operates on 902 - 928 MHz

Here is a full spec list.

Thanks,
Naz