That is insane. You would think something like this would be full of people that are the "off grid" or "prepper" types. Rather, it sounds like its a bunch of blue haired freaks with nose rings that don't know what bathroom to use.
You need to use this type of tech with a phone or computer, and that technology attracts the reddit crowd. I haven't been in mesh long, but I did do a lot of searching online when I started and ran across some of those reddit subs, including one that was just spazzing out that people like the truckers during covid could potentially send stuff across nodes it owned, and how it would rather shut down than let that happen.
Preppers are buying bags full of Baofeng UV5R handy-talkies. No one is going to give a fuck about licenses during an emergency, and the amateur rules (at least in the USA) allow for general use in the event that life is at risk.
Totally agree. Rules don’t matter when it matters. Now don’t go dipshir talking on a freq that you are allowed in until SHTF.
Or look in the obits, for “ham radio” find the guys name, search for his call sign, then coop that.
Not that I’d do that, but I thought how easy it would be when a friend ham died.
As long as you know the lingo and can walk the walk no one will think twice about an old ham on channel.
Or claim to have dementia sometimes and forget your cq’s and dx’s.
Your chances of getting anyone to even notice you on 2M if you jump on and use a channel for 5 minutes is not even on the radar.
Asshats spam the Hamvention talk-in and no one pays it attention.