# Temperate Mesh — ATAK / iTAK Guide

**Document purpose:** Explain ATAK and iTAK, how they relate to Meshtastic, and benefits for Alaska use cases.  
**Audience:** Customers, hunting/SAR groups, construction foremen, partners.  
**Note:** ATAK/iTAK are powerful mapping tools—training and clear use policies matter.

---

## What are ATAK and iTAK?

| Tool | Full name | Platform |
|------|-----------|----------|
| **ATAK** | Android Team Awareness Kit | Android (government and civilian ecosystem) |
| **iTAK** | iOS Team Awareness Kit | iPhone / iPad |

Both are ** situational awareness apps**: map display, team positions, markers, routes, and data layers—originally military, now used by SAR, fire, utilities, and outdoor teams.

**Meshtastic connection:** Plugins and integrations can pipe **mesh node positions and messages** into ATAK/iTAK maps—so teams see each other **without cell coverage**, when properly configured with MQTT/gateway infrastructure.

---

## How Meshtastic + ATAK fit together

```mermaid
flowchart TB
  subgraph field [Field]
    nodeA[Meshtastic handheld]
    nodeB[Meshtastic handheld]
  end
  subgraph home [Gateway site]
    gw[Wi-Fi gateway node]
    mqtt[MQTT broker]
  end
  subgraph apps [Team devices]
    atak[ATAK / iTAK]
  end
  nodeA <-- LoRa --> nodeB
  nodeA <-- LoRa --> gw
  nodeB <-- LoRa --> gw
  gw <-- MQTT --> mqtt
  mqtt <-- Wi-Fi/cell --> atak
```

**Plain language:**

1. Handheld Meshtastic devices share positions on the mesh over LoRa.
2. A **gateway** with MQTT uplink sends that data to a broker.
3. ATAK/iTAK devices (on Wi-Fi or cell where available) **subscribe** and show team icons on a map.

**Critical limitation:** ATAK phones in the field still need **some path** to the broker (local Wi-Fi, starlink at camp, or delayed sync)—Meshtastic LoRa does not directly run ATAK on the phone without integration plumbing. Set expectations clearly.

---

## Benefits by Alaska use case

### Hunters

| Benefit | Details |
|---------|---------|
| **Party separation awareness** | See last known positions of hunting partners on a map |
| **Meet-up coordination** | Mark camp, boat pickup, or extraction point |
| **Off-grid comms layer** | Meshtastic texts + map positions when cell is dead |
| **Safety framing** | Still carry satellite SOS; mesh is adjunct, not rescue guarantee |

**Recommended setup:**

- Private encrypted Meshtastic channel for the party
- T1000-E or similar with sane GPS interval (battery vs freshness)
- Optional: one party member with ATAK if gateway/MQTT available at base camp

**Temperate Mesh offering:** Hunter Pack + private channel setup + 1-hr group briefing ($150 group workshop)

---

### Fishermen & marine

| Benefit | Details |
|---------|---------|
| **Skiff ↔ shore** | Coordinate pickups, gear, weather bail decisions |
| **Small fleet** | Multiple vessels in same channel with position awareness |
| **Dock / plant logistics** | Crew coordination where VHF is busy or insufficient |

**Caveats:**

- Salt water and metal decks affect antennas—mounting matters
- Meshtastic is **not** a substitute for required marine safety radio where regulations apply
- Range over open water can be good; island shadowing still applies

**Temperate Mesh offering:** Fisherman Pack + waterproof mounting consult; ATAK optional for larger crews with shore gateway

---

### Construction & trades

| Benefit | Details |
|---------|---------|
| **Job site geofencing** | Mark staging areas, hazards, access roads on ATAK map |
| **Crew dispersal** | Spread crews across large site; know approximate locations |
| **Remote projects** | SE Alaska road/power jobs with no cell—mesh backhaul to trailer Starlink |
| **Equipment coordination** | "Where is the excavator?" without burning cell minutes |

**Recommended setup:**

- Fixed **site repeater** (solar or powered) on high ground or trailer mast
- Private crew channel (PSK)
- MQTT gateway on job trailer Wi-Fi feeding ATAK for foreman/safety officer
- Construction partner installs mast Package B (`02-construction-services.md`)

**Temperate Mesh offering:** Site survey + repeater install + ATAK onboarding for foremen ($500–1,200 project)

---

### Search & rescue (volunteer)

| Benefit | Details |
|---------|---------|
| **Team coordination** | Multiple teams, sectors, and last-known positions |
| **Mutual aid** | Shared picture when integrated with agency tools (advanced; agency-dependent) |
| **Training value** | Familiar TAK-style workflows for volunteers |

**Critical cautions:**

- **Meshtastic + ATAK ≠ official incident command system**
- Agencies may not monitor your mesh—coordinate through official channels
- Encryption, OPSEC, and channel discipline required
- Recommend formal workshop + written team policy

**Temperate Mesh offering:** SAR Team Pack (3+ devices, private channel, group ATAK workshop)

---

### Remote homes & cabins

| Benefit | Details |
|---------|---------|
| **Family check-ins** | Know a spouse returned to cabin on mesh |
| **Neighbor mutual aid** | Community awareness during outages or storms |

Lower ATAK need—standard Meshtastic app often enough. ATAK optional for tech-savvy households.

---

## What we sell vs what is free

| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| ATAK / iTAK apps | Free download (verify current store listings) |
| Meshtastic firmware & app | Free open source |
| Meshtastic hardware | Device purchase from Temperate Mesh |
| **Temperate training & integration** | **Paid** — $75–150/person or group rates |
| **Private MQTT + ATAK wiring** | **Paid** — part of broker setup service |
| Temperate public MQTT broker | **Free** |

---

## Training workshop outline (2 hours)

**Module 1 — Meshtastic refresher (30 min)**

- Channels, privacy, battery profiles

**Module 2 — ATAK/iTAK basics (30 min)**

- Map layers, markers, team tracks, import/export

**Module 3 — Connecting mesh to map (45 min)**

- Gateway role, MQTT uplink, what appears where
- Demo with live nodes

**Module 4 — Scenario drill (15 min)**

- Hunt party separation OR job site roll call

**Deliverable:** Printed quick-reference + team private channel QR (in person)

**Pricing:** $200 flat for up to 6 people · $35/additional person · private group quote for agencies

---

## Hardware recommendations by scenario

| Scenario | Meshtastic hardware | ATAK device | Infrastructure |
|----------|--------------------|-------------|----------------|
| Solo hunter | T1000-E | Optional phone | None required |
| Hunt party (4) | 4× T1000-E | 1–2 ATAK phones | Camp gateway optional |
| Fishing skiff | 1–2 portables | Optional | Shore gateway for map |
| Construction site | Solar repeater + crew portables | Foreman tablet | Trailer MQTT |
| SAR team | Mix T1000 + repeater | Multiple ATAK | Command trailer broker |

---

## Privacy & security for teams

1. **Always use private PSK channels** for team operations—not LongFast
2. **Disable public map reporting** for sensitive operations
3. **Run private MQTT broker** for sensitive team data when warranted
4. **Rotate keys** if a phone is lost
5. Document who can see positions—employment/policy for construction crews

---

## Limitations (say these out loud in every sale)

| Limitation | Why it matters |
|------------|----------------|
| LoRa bandwidth is tiny | Not for video, large files, or constant HD tracking |
| Hop limits | Large teams spread far may lose mesh paths |
| Phone ATAK needs data path | Field ATAK map sync usually needs Wi-Fi/cell to broker |
| No 911 integration | Not an emergency services network |
| Learning curve | Teams need practice before relying on tools |

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## Integration paths (technical overview for partners)

*Customer manual stays non-technical; partners need this summary:*

1. **Meshtastic MQTT JSON** → consumer scripts or official integrations → ATAK CoT (Cursor on Target) where supported
2. **Third-party bridges** — ecosystem changes; verify current Meshtastic docs before promising specific plugin
3. **Private broker** simplifies ACLs so only team ATAK instances subscribe

**Business rule:** Don't sell ATAK integration as "turnkey forever"—sell **setup + training + support window**, with optional subscription for refresh help.

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## Marketing one-liners (ethical)

- "Know where your crew is when the cell map goes blank."
- "Your hunting party on one map—without paying for satellite every minute."
- "Job site comms that doesn't need a cell tower on the mountain."

**Avoid:** "Replace satellite SOS" · "Guaranteed rescue" · "Military-grade secure" (unless accurately scoped)

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*Related: MQTT guide `04-mqtt-explained.md` · Customer manual Section 6.5–6.6 · Marketing `06-marketing-onboarding.md`*