Add Denver Mesh node categorization analysis

- Comprehensive analysis of 128 active nodes
- 8 node categories identified with classification methodology
- Ready for use in Potato Mesh web platform map visualization

Author: trose

denver-mesh-node-categorization.md

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+# Denver Mesh Network Node Categorization Analysis
+
+**Date**: September 18, 2024  
+**Data Source**: Meshtastic CLI `--nodes` command output  
+**Total Nodes Analyzed**: 128 active nodes  
+**Method**: Automated parsing and keyword-based categorization  
+
+## Executive Summary
+
+This analysis categorizes 128 active nodes in the Denver Mesh network into 8 distinct categories based on node names, hardware types, roles, and operational characteristics. The findings will inform node classification algorithms for the Potato Mesh web platform's map visualization feature.
+
+## Categorization Methodology
+
+### Data Collection
+- **Source**: Meshtastic CLI output via `meshtastic --nodes > nodes_raw.txt`
+- **Fields Analyzed**: User name, AKA (short name), Hardware type, Role, Location data, Battery status, Last heard timestamp
+- **Parsing Method**: Python script parsing tabular CLI output with keyword matching
+
+### Classification Criteria
+
+Each node is categorized based on the following priority order:
+
+1. **Hardware Type** (Primary)
+   - `T_DECK` → T-Deck Nodes
+   - `T_ECHO` → T-Echo Nodes
+
+2. **Role-Based Classification** (Secondary)
+   - `ROUTER`, `ROUTER_LATE` → BBS Servers
+
+3. **Keyword Analysis** (Tertiary)
+   - Node name and AKA analyzed for category-specific keywords
+   - Case-insensitive matching against predefined keyword lists
+
+## Node Categories & Classification Logic
+
+### 1. BBS Servers (8 nodes - 6.2%)
+
+**Classification Indicators:**
+- **Role**: `ROUTER`, `ROUTER_LATE`
+- **Keywords**: `bbs`, `station`, `repeater`, `rptr`, `postal`
+- **Hardware**: Primarily `STATION_G2`, `RAK4631`
+
+**Examples:**
+- `LRA rptr. W0XYZ` (Role: ROUTER)
+- `POSTAL REPEATER` (Keyword: "postal")
+- `Roadie-Station` (Keyword: "station")
+
+**Map Icon Recommendation**: 📡 (Antenna/Tower)
+
+### 2. Weather Stations (1 node - 0.8%)
+
+**Classification Indicators:**
+- **Keywords**: `weather`, `temp`, `sensor`, `environmental`
+- **Hardware**: `TRACKER_T1000_E` (environmental tracking device)
+
+**Examples:**
+- `WnQ Temp` (Keyword: "temp")
+
+**Map Icon Recommendation**: 🌡️ (Thermometer) or 🌤️ (Weather)
+
+### 3. Mobile Nodes (7 nodes - 5.5%)
+
+**Classification Indicators:**
+- **Keywords**: `mobile`, `car`, `vehicle`, `rover`
+- **Hardware**: Various (RAK4631, HELTEC_V3)
+
+**Examples:**
+- `KF0KIT/Patzy - Mobile Node` (Keyword: "mobile")
+- `Wormhole Mobile 01` (Keyword: "mobile")
+
+**Map Icon Recommendation**: 🚗 (Car) or 📱 (Mobile device)
+
+### 4. Base Stations (17 nodes - 13.3%)
+
+**Classification Indicators:**
+- **Keywords**: `base`, `home`, `qth`, `fixed`
+- **Hardware**: Various (RAK4631, HELTEC_V3, STATION_G2)
+
+**Examples:**
+- `GZ Home Base` (Keywords: "home", "base")
+- `Justin Base 9bb6` (Keyword: "base")
+- `NV0N QTH` (Keyword: "qth")
+
+**Map Icon Recommendation**: 🏠 (House) or 📍 (Fixed location)
+
+### 5. Solar Nodes (12 nodes - 9.4%)
+
+**Classification Indicators:**
+- **Keywords**: `solar`, `sun`, `☀` (solar emoji)
+- **Hardware**: Various with solar power capability
+
+**Examples:**
+- `W3OO Solar Heltec V4` (Keyword: "solar")
+- `NV0N Solar Node` (Keyword: "solar")
+- `Noland (W0DRZ) ☀️` (Emoji: "☀️")
+
+**Map Icon Recommendation**: ☀️ (Sun) or 🔋 (Solar panel)
+
+### 6. T-Deck Nodes (3 nodes - 2.3%)
+
+**Classification Indicators:**
+- **Hardware**: `T_DECK` (Primary indicator)
+- **Modern keyboard-equipped devices**
+
+**Examples:**
+- `trose[denvermesh.org]` (Hardware: T_DECK)
+- `NOT-A-RUBICON 2` (Hardware: T_DECK)
+
+**Map Icon Recommendation**: ⌨️ (Keyboard) or 🎮 (Gaming device)
+
+### 7. T-Echo Nodes (6 nodes - 4.7%)
+
+**Classification Indicators:**
+- **Hardware**: `T_ECHO` (Primary indicator)
+- **Compact handheld devices**
+
+**Examples:**
+- `Elm2` (Hardware: T_ECHO)
+- `Spacestation-13` (Hardware: T_ECHO)
+
+**Map Icon Recommendation**: 📱 (Phone) or 🔊 (Echo device)
+
+### 8. Other Nodes (74 nodes - 57.8%)
+
+**Classification Indicators:**
+- **Default category** for nodes not matching other criteria
+- **Mixed hardware types and purposes**
+
+**Map Icon Recommendation**: 📡 (Generic radio) or ⚙️ (Generic device)
+
+## Implementation Recommendations for Potato Mesh Web
+
+### 1. Classification Algorithm
+
+```python
+def classify_node(node_data):
+    # Priority 1: Hardware-based classification
+    if node_data['hardware'] == 'T_DECK':
+        return 'tdeck'
+    elif node_data['hardware'] == 'T_ECHO':
+        return 'techo'
+    
+    # Priority 2: Role-based classification
+    if node_data['role'] in ['ROUTER', 'ROUTER_LATE']:
+        return 'bbs_server'
+    
+    # Priority 3: Keyword-based classification
+    name_lower = (node_data['user'] + ' ' + node_data['aka']).lower()
+    
+    if any(kw in name_lower for kw in ['solar', 'sun', '☀']):
+        return 'solar'
+    elif any(kw in name_lower for kw in ['mobile', 'car', 'vehicle']):
+        return 'mobile'
+    elif any(kw in name_lower for kw in ['base', 'home', 'qth', 'fixed']):
+        return 'base_station'
+    elif any(kw in name_lower for kw in ['weather', 'temp', 'sensor']):
+        return 'weather'
+    elif any(kw in name_lower for kw in ['bbs', 'station', 'repeater', 'rptr']):
+        return 'bbs_server'
+    
+    return 'other'
+```
+
+### 2. Icon Mapping
+
+```javascript
+const nodeIcons = {
+    'bbs_server': '📡',      // Antenna/Tower
+    'weather': '🌡️',         // Thermometer
+    'mobile': '🚗',          // Car
+    'base_station': '🏠',    // House
+    'solar': '☀️',           // Sun
+    'tdeck': '⌨️',           // Keyboard
+    'techo': '📱',           // Phone
+    'other': '📡'            // Generic radio
+};
+```
+
+### 3. Database Schema Considerations
+
+```sql
+-- Add node classification fields
+ALTER TABLE nodes ADD COLUMN category VARCHAR(20);
+ALTER TABLE nodes ADD COLUMN classification_confidence DECIMAL(3,2);
+ALTER TABLE nodes ADD COLUMN classification_method VARCHAR(20);
+```
+
+### 4. Map Visualization Features
+
+- **Color coding** by category
+- **Icon overlays** based on node type
+- **Filtering** by category
+- **Statistics** showing category distribution
+- **Legend** explaining category meanings
+
+## Data Quality Notes
+
+### Strengths
+- **High confidence** in hardware-based classifications (T-Deck, T-Echo)
+- **Clear role indicators** for BBS servers
+- **Consistent naming patterns** for solar and mobile nodes
+
+### Limitations
+- **Keyword matching** may miss nodes with creative naming
+- **Role field** not always populated consistently
+- **Some nodes** may serve multiple purposes (e.g., solar base stations)
+
+### Recommendations for Improvement
+1. **Manual review** of "Other" category nodes
+2. **User feedback** mechanism for category corrections
+3. **Machine learning** approach for better classification
+4. **Additional data sources** (telemetry, usage patterns)
+
+## Network Health Insights
+
+- **Strong infrastructure**: 8 BBS servers provide backbone connectivity
+- **Solar adoption**: 9.4% of nodes are solar-powered (good for resilience)
+- **Modern hardware**: 2.3% T-Deck, 4.7% T-Echo adoption
+- **Mobile coverage**: 5.5% mobile nodes for portable communication
+- **Weather monitoring**: Limited environmental sensing (0.8%)
+
+## Conclusion
+
+This categorization provides a solid foundation for the Potato Mesh web platform's node classification system. The methodology is transparent, reproducible, and can be easily implemented in the web application. The 8-category system provides sufficient granularity for meaningful map visualization while remaining manageable for users.
+
+**Next Steps:**
+1. Implement classification algorithm in Potato Mesh web
+2. Create icon set and styling for each category
+3. Add filtering and statistics features
+4. Gather user feedback for classification accuracy
+5. Consider expanding categories based on usage patterns