Video Summary - Reticulum - 3x LoRa Range Test

Tech Prepper: Reticulum LoRa Range Test (3x Range) — Subtitles Summary

The speaker continues RF range testing in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest to push LoRa distance “with the lower device.”
He frames the goal as a RF site survey: testing coverage at specific camp/stop coordinates to confirm the network works where he actually needs it, not just chasing maximum range.

Roof/field antenna upgrade
- Replaced/added a better antenna using a custom quarter-wave ground plane antenna (amateur radio principles applied to ~915 MHz).
- Used an antenna feed system that interfaces with his LoRa node (described later in the office build section).
Field station antenna experimentation
- At the far test positions, he compared multiple antenna setups on tests similar to the 960 m / position 2 trials:
  - Custom cut antenna on a tiger tail / counterpoise arrangement.
  - Another previously used antenna setup (worked after several attempts).
  - A rubber duck without tiger tail (required many attempts; improved with tiger tail).

Position 2 (previously difficult)
- With the new configuration, he reports the message did go through.
- The “took some doing” section highlights that antenna pairing matters (best results with proper counterpoise/tiger tail and matching configuration).
Position 3 (new “benchmark”)
- He reaches about 1600 m (~1 mile) “as the crow flies.”
- The subtitle text references “position 3, 600 m new antenna camp” (some inconsistency in wording), but the key point is the new antenna enabling ~1 mile-class results.
Position 4
- Reaches about 2 km, then converts/logs results using UTM coordinates.
- Emphasizes UTM/easting/northing for meter-based distance math (addition/subtraction to estimate traveled distance).
Position 5 (farthest achieved for the day)
- Reports ~1.8 miles / 2880 m / 2.88 km point-to-point, marked as “position 5 delivered.”
- Notes he’s nearing the “5k mark” traveled in one direction and expects continued ability to reach further up nearby terrain (plateau).

He states that in an earlier video test with a stock rubber duck, results topped out around roughly 400–500 m.
After the antenna swap to the quarter-wave ground plane + proper feed/counterpoise techniques, he cracks ~3 km, describing >3x distance improvement.
He intentionally tested stock equipment first to set expectations for viewers buying board/case/kit with stock antenna.

He explains the quarter-wave concept:
- Quarter-wave length is based on the frequency wavelength.
- Approximation for 915 MHz:
  - Full wave ~ 12.9 inches
  - Quarter wave ~ 3 inches (then adjusted using velocity factor)
Mentions an online calculator (by M0 UKD) using:
- Frequency: 915 MHz
- Velocity factor: 95%
Dimensions he quotes:
- Vertical element ~ 3.07 in
- Radials ~ 3.43 in (about 4 radials; longer than a simple quarter-wave due to tuning considerations)

Vertical element
- 1/8 in brass tubing for the vertical element, trim-able (marked at ~4 in initially).
Mount / connector
- Uses an SO-239 chassis mount (warning: some Amazon versions may be lower quality).
Soldering care
- Only solder where needed so the dielectric doesn’t melt.
Radial connection
- Uses #12–10 gauge ring terminals (plastic terminals removed).
- Notes using crimpers with interchangeable dies for good metal-on-metal crimp quality and an “audible click.”
Weatherproofing
- Adds heat shrink for basic waterproofing.
- Uses small caps (from alligator clip tips) as end caps.
Mechanical design
- Radials at 45° angles.
- Mounting uses PVC conduit and a cap so the assembly can be installed/removed.
Feed line
- PL259 to SMA male, initially ~12 inches, plans to shorten to ~6 inches.
- Notes using RG58 on hand is “not great,” implying improved coax is desired.

For whip/vertical antennas (monopoles), he stresses the need for a ground/counterpoise.
He describes making a tiger tail / counterpoise as:
- A wire cut to about quarter wavelength (~a little over 3 in for 915 MHz).
- Acting as the “negative side”/reference for monopole behavior.
He reports tiger tail improved performance with:
- the stock rubber duck, and
- the re-used 2 m / 440 dual-band antenna (after trimming and measuring).

He claims he reached proof of concept for:
- Wi‑Fi interoperability (wife on phone)
- communication with neighbors using lower gear
- reliable coverage in his specific terrain with minimal equipment
He states he’s building out Reticulum and wants to explore another interface type:
- I2P (anonymity/privacy overlay on top of the internet)
He also mentions experimenting with HF on the bench (dummy loads), but isn’t ready to show true long/mid/short-range HF tutorials yet.

Mentions limited remaining stock of a “TTP land nav kit” (19 units left) and encourages support.
Mentions planning to buy more LoRa and radio gear for a Reticulum network.
Mentions Buy Me a Coffee support to help fund gear.

Speaker: “Tech Prepper” (channel host)
External source referenced for construction: Smoking Ape (quarter-wave ground plane build video)
External calculations tool referenced: M0 UKD (quarter-wave dimension calculator)
Antenna brands referenced for future testing: Alpha (915 MHz outdoor antenna) and U Muzzi Works (915 MHz whip)