Thanks for all the info and recommendations. Based on the map, it looks like there are a few people bouncing around these regions. Do you find that the map is a fairly accurate display of the overall meshtastic network? Or are there quite a few others who aren't displayed here? As for devices, the Heltec V3 looks like a good starter option. I also found this beginner device at a similar price point:

XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 Kit for Meshtastic & LoRa

This thumb-sized LoRa dev kit, featuring the XIAO ESP32S3 and Wio-SX1262 LoRa module,&#...

Do you have any experience with this unit? Do you think it would likewise work for super beginners to experiment with? #meshtastic