# Temperate Mesh — Customer Instruction Manual (Outline)

**Document purpose:** Master template outline for the personalized manual delivered to every customer.  
**Format:** PDF or printed booklet + link to temperate.app  
**Customization:** Fill in `[CUSTOMER]`, `[DEVICE]`, `[USE CASE]`, and settings tables per sale.

---

## Cover page

- Temperate Mesh logo / temperate.app
- **Your Meshtastic Guide**
- Prepared for: `[CUSTOMER NAME]`
- Devices covered: `[DEVICE LIST]`
- Use case: `[Home / Hunt / Fish / SAR / Construction / Travel]`
- Date configured + support contact

---

## Section 1 — Welcome & what you bought

### 1.1 What Meshtastic is (plain language)

- Off-grid text messaging and location sharing over **LoRa radio**
- No cell plan, no monthly carrier fee for mesh messaging itself
- Works device-to-device; messages **hop** through other nodes
- **Not a replacement for 911** or satellite SOS—see Safety (Section 8)

### 1.2 What makes Southeast Alaska different

- Islands, fjords, and dense forest block radio signals
- Rain and moisture affect range and hardware
- More **fixed repeaters** in good locations helps everyone
- You're joining **Temperate Mesh**—community defaults on LongFast / US region

### 1.3 Your devices at a glance

| Device | Role | Primary use |
|--------|------|-------------|
| `[DEVICE 1]` | `[Portable / Home / Repeater]` | `[DESCRIPTION]` |

---

## Section 2 — How the mesh works

### 2.1 Nodes, hops, and repeaters

- Every powered-on device is a **node**
- Messages travel up to N **hops** (configured limit—explain customer's setting)
- **Repeaters** (often solar, fixed high) relay without a person carrying them
- More nodes = more paths = better reliability

### 2.2 Why your node helps the whole community

Simple diagram concept:

```
You ──► neighbor node ──► hill repeater ──► town node ──► ...
```

- Even if you only send occasional messages, your node may **relay** others' traffic
- Fixed home nodes and solar repeaters are **high value** to the mesh
- Thank-you framing: "You're part of regional resilience"

### 2.3 Range expectations (honest)

- Handheld in forest: often **0.5–3 km** node-to-node; varies wildly
- Elevated outdoor repeater: **many km** over water or open terrain possible
- **No guarantee**—terrain dominates

---

## Section 3 — Getting started (your device)

### 3.1 Apps & connections

- Install Meshtastic app (Android / iOS) or use Web client
- Connect via Bluetooth to portable devices
- Wi-Fi devices: explain `[IF APPLICABLE]`

### 3.2 Your node identity

- Node name: `[CONFIGURED NAME]`
- Node ID: `[!xxxxxxxx]` (for support reference)

### 3.3 Charging & power

- Device-specific: T1000-E magnetic USB, RAK USB-C, solar self-powered, etc.
- Battery life tips for `[USE CASE]`

---

## Section 4 — Channels & privacy

### 4.1 Primary channel (LongFast)

- You're on **LongFast** channel index 0, region **US**
- Default PSK is **public**—anyone on LongFast can read traffic
- Good for: community mesh, map visibility, general chat
- **Do not share secrets** on LongFast

### 4.2 Private channels (if configured)

- Channel name: `[PRIVATE NAME OR "Not configured"]`
- How QR sharing works—in person only
- **Never post QR screenshots online**

### 4.3 Position & privacy settings

| Setting | Your value | What it means |
|---------|------------|---------------|
| GPS mode | `[ENABLED / FIXED / DISABLED]` | |
| Position broadcast interval | `[SECONDS]` | |
| Smart broadcast | `[ON/OFF]` | |
| Map precision (if MQTT) | `[VALUE]` | |

Explain why we chose these for `[USE CASE]`.

---

## Section 5 — Settings reference (your configuration)

### 5.1 Radio & region

- Region: **US** (required for legal power/frequency)
- LoRa preset: `[LongFast / other if changed]`
- Hop limit: `[N]`

### 5.2 Device role

- `[CLIENT / ROUTER / REPEATER]` — explain what their device is doing

### 5.3 MQTT (if enabled)

- See dedicated MQTT guide: `04-mqtt-explained.md` (include or link)
- Your settings table:

| Setting | Value |
|---------|-------|
| MQTT enabled | `[true/false]` |
| Broker | `[mqtt.meshtastic.org / Temperate / private]` |
| Uplink | `[true/false]` |
| Downlink | `[true/false]` — warn if public channel |

### 5.4 Optional modules

- Telemetry, ambient sensors, external GPS—if applicable

---

## Section 6 — Use-case playbooks

*Include only the sections relevant to customer; mark others "optional reading."*

### 6.1 Home base node

**Goal:** Always-on relay at your house; optional MQTT gateway.

| Topic | Recommendation |
|-------|----------------|
| Placement | Near window or external antenna |
| Power | USB adapter; UPS optional |
| Role | Router/repeater if always powered |
| MQTT | Uplink only on public channel; Wi-Fi required |
| Privacy | Fixed position for stationary node |

### 6.2 Hunting

**Goal:** Group awareness in backcountry; battery conservation.

| Topic | Recommendation |
|-------|----------------|
| Device | T1000-E or portable |
| GPS | Periodic, not continuous |
| Channel | Private PSK for hunting party |
| Safety | Still carry satellite SOS; mesh ≠ rescue |

### 6.3 Fishing & boating

**Goal:** Vessel-to-vessel or shore coordination.

| Topic | Recommendation |
|-------|----------------|
| Waterproofing | IP65 devices; dry bag backup |
| Antenna | Keep vertical; metal cabin affects signal |
| Range | Open water helps; island shadowing hurts |
| Regulatory | Distinct from VHF marine radio—both may be useful |

### 6.4 On-the-go / travel

**Goal:** Pocket node for trips through mesh-covered areas.

| Topic | Recommendation |
|-------|----------------|
| Battery | Lower broadcast rate |
| Role | Client (not repeater) to save power |
| When traveling outside SE AK | Region stays US; mesh may be empty elsewhere |

### 6.5 Search & rescue (volunteer teams)

**Goal:** Team coordination off-grid—**with strict limits**.

| Topic | Recommendation |
|-------|----------------|
| Private encrypted channel | Required |
| ATAK/iTAK | See `05-atak-itak-guide.md` |
| Coordination with agencies | Meshtastic does not integrate with 911 |
| Training | Recommend group workshop |

### 6.6 Construction & job sites

**Goal:** Crew comms where cell is weak; optional location for equipment.

| Topic | Recommendation |
|-------|----------------|
| Fixed site repeater | Solar or powered enclosure on trailer |
| Dust/water | Enclosure rated for environment |
| Daily use | Private crew channel |
| Liability | Company policy on location tracking |

---

## Section 7 — Maintenance & troubleshooting

### 7.1 Monthly checklist

- [ ] Charge or verify solar node healthy
- [ ] App connects via Bluetooth
- [ ] Test message to known neighbor node
- [ ] Check firmware update in app

### 7.2 Common issues

| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---------|--------------|-----|
| No nodes seen | Out of range, phone BT off, device asleep | Move, wake, reboot |
| Messages not sending | Hop limit, no path | Need more repeaters nearby |
| MQTT not on map | Uplink off, no gateway, wrong topic | Review Section 5.3 |
| Battery drain | GPS too frequent, router role on portable | Adjust profile |

### 7.3 Firmware updates

- When to update (security, features)
- Offer paid refresh: Temperate Mesh support

### 7.4 Who to contact

- Temperate Mesh support: `[EMAIL/PHONE]`
- Community: `[LOCAL GROUP IF ANY]`
- Official docs: [meshtastic.org/docs](https://meshtastic.org/docs/)

---

## Section 8 — Safety, legal, and etiquette

### 8.1 Not emergency services

- Meshtastic is **community communications**, not 911
- Carry appropriate SOS device for serious backcountry/marine risk

### 8.2 RF & regulations

- US ISM band operation via Meshtastic firmware settings
- Respect privacy; don't track people without consent

### 8.3 Mesh etiquette

- Don't enable downlink on public channels without understanding load
- Don't spam telemetry on busy meshes
- Help newcomers when you can—you benefited from others' repeaters too

---

## Section 9 — Growing the mesh (optional advocacy page)

- Invite neighbors with plain-language explanation
- Refer them to Temperate Mesh for setup
- Consider hosting a **home repeater** or **solar install** if property allows
- Temperate Broker (free): `[STATUS / LINK temperate.app]`

---

## Appendices

- **A.** QR code for private channel (print separately, hand-deliver)
- **B.** CLI commands used during setup (for advanced users)
- **C.** Purchase receipt & warranty
- **D.** Install photos (if construction job)
- **E.** Maintenance plan terms (if subscribed)

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## Internal checklist (do not deliver to customer)

Before printing/delivery, tech partner verifies:

- [ ] Region = US
- [ ] Primary channel documented
- [ ] Private PSK QR not embedded in public PDF
- [ ] MQTT downlink off unless intentional
- [ ] Customer verbalized "not for 911"
- [ ] Support subscription terms signed if applicable

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*Companion docs: `04-mqtt-explained.md` · `05-atak-itak-guide.md`*