"Off-Internet" Messaging : Ukraine

[necrevistonnezr]

@ei8fdb upvote for deltachat as works on top of and is compatible with already existing infrastructure - email

[timconsidine]

@ei8fdb thank you so much !
Analysis is very helpful and time-saving

I will check all of this out.

Interesting you mention ham radio.
I just passed my Foundation License exam and waiting to get my call-sign.
I'm in touch with the Kharkiv amateur radio club, so they may be able to help relay some messages.
I can't use my licence out there unless I am a Full Licence holder. That will take time, but not needed for now. Ukraine licenses only available for citizens. I have permanent residency but am not a citizen.
Am looking into SDR and repeaters.
Problem currently is that Ukraine martial law has restricted ham radio to avoid it being used against Ukraine forces. But maybe some usage is possible.

Thank you again for your clear summary and direction steer.

[timconsidine]

@humptydumpty yes, indeed.
They have been delivered to Kyiv, but I have no knowledge of any in Kharkiv. I will ask around.
If I was in UKR military, I would seize them for defensive forces !

Thank you for your supportive message

[timconsidine]

@necrevistonnezr helpful recommendation, thank you.
Yes, interesting opportunity.

[jdaviescoates]

It doesn't look like it's active anymore, but this looked like an interesting relevant project

http://www.servalproject.org/

Also old but interesting:

Building an Open Source Cellular Network at Burning Man:
https://blog.p2pfoundation.net/building-an-open-source-cellular-network-at-burning-man/2014/07/29

These days there are also things like Secure Scuttlebutt social networking/ messaging stuff that is resilient to being offline and @rmdes has recently been packaging Go-SSB Room see

https://forum.cloudron.io/post/43713

[timconsidine]

@jdaviescoates brilliant, thank you

[robi]

A rather different approach would be to familiarize yourself with and learn telepathy.

Get a book on Telepathy and spend some time in nature while you wait a few weeks for things to settle soon.

This process will keep you and your family calm and focused.

May you and your family be safe.

[LoudLemur]

@timconsidine It must be terrible to be separated from your family at such a time.

Here is a live map of Starlink satellites:
https://satellitemap.space/?norad=48274

If you know where your family are likely to be, you could start posting a letter each day. Eventually you might be able to establish a back and forth stream of communication like that. If you include a sketch or painting in each letter, even if you aren't good at art, it helps make them more valuable.

https://www.open-mesh.org/projects/open-mesh/wiki

https://yggdrasil-network.github.io/

[timconsidine]

Thanks to all who responded with advice here, and also by private message.

You may wish to know that eventually after difficult journey, my wife + step-son + sister-in-law managed to get to Poland. I am here in Warsaw with them, waiting for UK visa, and hopefully they will to get to a stable home, temporary or longer-term soon (whatever that means, few days, few weeks). Parents-in-law are stuck there, currently in occupied territory so evacuation difficult, and we just have to pray for their safety.

My intention is that we return to Ukraine when it is possible to do so.

Thanks again for all the advice.

[rmdes]

@timconsidine I was thinking Briar like other suggested but also https://cwtch.im/

[timconsidine]

@rmdes thank you will check out cwtch.