Thank you for your contributions. You’re responsible for getting me and a few others I know into establishing a mesh net. Would love a recommendation on a UI host that doesn’t have cellular built in to run ATAK with mesh!
Thank you very much for this helpful info. Question: How does one see the GPS location after following these instructions? I now have a private channel is primary and LongFast as secondary. Both channels work for text. But I see no GPS info even after requesting location of my nodes. Thanks.
Serious question....I got a heltec v3 up and running....now what? I did buy 2 so I can talk to myself.....but what kinda fun can I have now? So far its just me staring at metastatic screen waiting for someone to text me (jk). Im the nerd in the group....do i have to buy 8 more of these things to handout to friends and family? NC, USA.
I'm giving some to friends and family, my hope is others will want to get on the local nodes and use it. Got to plant seeds. Good luck, it's not always easy to find someone to play radio with
PSA: I went to a meshtastic meetup - it was all hacker wannabes and anti-gov't paranoids waiting for SHTF, etc. it was so weird - not the kind of people you want knowing where you are or where you're going. End-users are well advised to intimately understand how this technology works or risk exposure to less-than-well-intentioned people.
Just ran into a problem with one of my t-echo. Worked on a 5000 mile road trip. Now I find that it does not respond at all over the air or with BT. It was doing a blue-red-red flash for quite a while. At some point I got it to boot to flash mode and tried putting latest on, but it didn't seem to work. md5sum of the file and the current.uf2 after the flash did not match. Now it is just doing a red-red flash every 10 seconds or so. Anyone know? I've poured over all the things I can find with google which was close to zero.
Am I being stupid… where in this process are you protecting the GPS? Why isn’t there a toggle just to turn off broadcast of GPS/ other sensors for each channel? Seems like something really obvious that Meshtastic need to add as this work around really isn’t clear. Thanks for your continued videos on Meshtastic.
The video mentions that the GPS location is shared over the Primary Channel, which if you're setup with the default settings, this means your location is being shared with other people on the default settings. We change the Primary channel to have our own encryption key, thus making it where the GPS location is no longer publicly available.
I thought changing the key locks out all others you don't share it with? The primary default channel shares the same default key, does it not so by changing it wouldn't you lose all other nodes? Little confused 😮. Upon watching again...you're cloning Long/Fast primary default channel, keeping all the nodes, & removing GPS?
So how would one accomplish this in todays software not 6 month to ago software, i’ve got more time than I’m willing to admit into this and it seems like such a simple thing….. ugh
Does the Traceroute still work after this is set up? I can traceroute my meshtastic devices, but I haven't received an answer from other people's nodes.
@@The_Comms_Channel Yes, you're right. I got closer to the other node and traceroute worked. I'm getting very poor range with the stock antennas, < 1 mile. I've ordered some new ones, so hopefully that will improve.
I've been messing about with this stuff for some months now, and think I'm pretty good at it, enough to instruct a group of 20 other people how to do stuff, but I always learn at least 1 thing I've missed from each of your videos.
I keep seeing people show how to display the QR code, but nobody has made a video how to use it to import into the config of a radio. I tried, on a new Android phone yesterday, to scan the QR code with the camera and kept getting "there is no app associated..." so the QR code did no good. Then, I sent the 256bit key for the channel I was creating via a message to the Android phone and it still would not import. The Android phone would not take the encryption key. On the iPhone I sent it from, I selected 256bit encryption, but on the Android there was no way to select the level of encryption and it would not accept the PSK. I'll admit I generally do not use Android, so I ended up having to re-connect to the Heltec V3 with my iPhone and manually added the channels, saved, rebooted then gave it back to the person using the Android phone. They were a bit disappointed I had to configure it with an iPhone. Anyone have tips on this? I'm guessing I'm missing something somewhere.
On Meshtastic 2.3.15, under my primary channel 0 LongFast, there is now an option for "Position". Does this work to hide your location on the primary channel?
For some reason my meshtastic config UI looks quite a bit different from yours in the video, but there are enough similarities where I could mostly muddle through. However, I am stuck on changing the name and key of the PRIMARY channel - the UI simply won’t let me do it. There is a SUBMIT button (no SAVE button) but pressing SUBMIT does nothing even after a device reboot. I am connecting via a USB serial port. I’ve been able to make all the other config changes in your other Advanced videos but this one to protect GPS location just doesn’t want to take.
I realize it's an old post, but anyway.... In the Android app UI, you can move channels around by selecting it from the left, and slide it to the top as channel 0, that should do it. Also, in the latest versions, one can set to not share location on primary channel, and slide to share on secondary channels, including precision settings... Will test various combinations.
If I want to setup a bunch of Meshtastic nodes for my family do I just setup one, then scan the QR code for all the other nodes and change their name? Will scanning the code wipe my Meshtastic app setting from the previous node?
When you select the region(US for me) does it automatically set the proper LoRa channel? All my devices defaults to channel zero on the IOS app. Do I need to change them all to ch20? It’s confusing because the IOS and Android apps have some variation in menu structure. Unless this is based off an older update that has since changed many features.
Great video! Thanks! I'm setting up a three node family Meshtastic network but I'd like my device to be able to also communicate with the Meshtastic public, and I may be able to install a repeater that would connect me to friends in the area so I'd need another channel for them. This video had all the info I needed to do all of that. Hopefully the app will soon have the functionality of the web interface so no Chromium browser is needed and all configurations can be done offline.
Sure thing man! I'm glad the videos have helped you out! My goal is to help people keep in touch on their own terms and I'm glad the videos are helping. Thank you so much for the support!
Im finding myself really confused about MQTT and what is possible and what is safe as far as using the internet to pass communications around. I would love a good dive into various actual use cases for internet usage. And also an explanation of how to set up different configs
Thanks for your very informative series. Following your instructions, I've now set up two channels, Zero and One, and BT transmitted the configuration to my T-Echo. Does the device now listen on both channels simultaneously (since the frequency is the same), or do I need to switch between the channels manually? Thanks again!
Sure thing! Can be confusing, but "Channels" in the Meshtastic world are really just chatrooms. You'll pick up messages on both simultaneously; no need to switch back and forth.
I'm not sure if it's possible from iOS. I know you can't on Android so that may be the case on iOS. If you follow the part of the video that goes through the Web Client, you can set it up there.
I did with one of my nodes as instructed. Then I took my other node and reset it to factory settings to make sure it completely "forgot" about the other node and act like some stranger with a meshtastic device. As intended I didn't have the 0 Private channel, just the default LongFast, but I could still see the other node on my map or click "request position". What might I be missing?
Was there an update since thise video released or is it different on the iphone? I'm trying to follow alone on my iphone but I see no section where I can input a channel number in LORA config.
I've been running into various channel related issues but after viewing this video I feel much more confident as to how to set up my devices moving forward. Many thanks from Sweden.
Is there a way to quickly share and change channels between multiple LORA devices that are “connected” but don’t have an associated phone? i.e. i have 6 LORA devices but only 2 phones. How do i quickly share and change channels between all of them?
If they don't have a phone, then you'd probably want to set those up on an admin channel and remotely make changes to them. Here's a video with how to do that ua-cam.com/video/SQdpCvOztMs/v-deo.htmlsi=WUG0uykkBtxsFpUv
Thank you! Wow that was a quick response. Your stuff is awesome. I’d love to see your series continue to dive into tactical comms. Getting actual long range out of these things is great, but no interest in making anonymous contacts like so many other YT’s focus on.
@@The_Comms_Channelyeah, sorry, didn't have time to watch. Some useful info, thanks for sharing. Greetings from Moscow we have about 75 nodes here (around 40 active 24/7). Hopefully it's just the beginning for this tech
Thanks for the video. I followed your instructions and everything matches in the web app and the mobile app. But now my T-Echo screen only shows the (new encrypted) primary channel and not the public LongFast. Is that expected?
So is the LoRa data rate per channel or per transceiver? If per transceiver do all devices have to match or can a device on the edge of range use a slower rate.
I bought 4 tdecks, flashed them and everything however can't see messages on noone of their screens . When I pair them with a phone everything works flawlessly through the apps but just can't use them as a standalone due to messages not showing up on screen? All it says is that it can see the other devises and that they joined? But not what I type? But yet on the app I can see what I type?
why didnt it save the name “LongFast” to Channel 1? even when you opened the web interface when you went to channel 1 the “Name” section was blank.. Shouldn’t it have saved “LongFast” in order to operate as the public channel? what happened? It saved your “private” and “family” names but not the new public “LongFast” channel you saved in position 1???
One thing I am not clear on. Will a node configured only for Longfast default channel forward private channels (like your private primary channel) or will it only forward the standard Longfast channel that it is configured for? Thanks for the great channel!
Hello, could you do a video on how to physically install and set-up these devices such as how you have your “home base” set-up and how to locate an ideal high point and possibly install another node as a repeater. I would like to have a home base but idk if I should build a solar unit or have one inside my home or both. Thank you.
Good idea. I'm working on a new version of the solar build and will look into incorporating this into that video or perhaps make it its own video. Thanks!
@@The_Comms_Channel I didn't realize it would just post "Thanks!" I wasn't going to write anything, but now I will... lol. Your series on Meshtastic devices and general info have been instrumental in getting started with it for me, and sharing with friends to get into as well. Very good presentation and information!
Ah, I didn't know that either, haha. I was wondering why so many just said thanks, lol. I appreciate you saying that! I'm glad the video series has been helpful and I hope it continues to do so with the upcoming videos!
You're quickly becoming the go to for everything meshtastic. Thanks for this informative series!
I appreciate you saying that! I'm glad you're finding the videos useful!
Thanks for covering the specifics of this really useful feature; great for compartmentalizing comms
Thank you for your contributions. You’re responsible for getting me and a few others I know into establishing a mesh net. Would love a recommendation on a UI host that doesn’t have cellular built in to run ATAK with mesh!
Sure thing! Thank you for your video with great strategic info on incorporating Meshtasitc into a comms plan
Welll made videos! Thanks for that. Why not make "Send Position" a selectable option per channel? Worth a feature request?
I think they did now
Thank you very much for this helpful info. Question: How does one see the GPS location after following these instructions? I now have a private channel is primary and LongFast as secondary. Both channels work for text. But I see no GPS info even after requesting location of my nodes. Thanks.
Serious question....I got a heltec v3 up and running....now what? I did buy 2 so I can talk to myself.....but what kinda fun can I have now? So far its just me staring at metastatic screen waiting for someone to text me (jk). Im the nerd in the group....do i have to buy 8 more of these things to handout to friends and family? NC, USA.
I'm giving some to friends and family, my hope is others will want to get on the local nodes and use it. Got to plant seeds.
Good luck, it's not always easy to find someone to play radio with
Get outside and explore. There's lots of nodes out there to discover.
PSA: I went to a meshtastic meetup - it was all hacker wannabes and anti-gov't paranoids waiting for SHTF, etc. it was so weird - not the kind of people you want knowing where you are or where you're going. End-users are well advised to intimately understand how this technology works or risk exposure to less-than-well-intentioned people.
Just ran into a problem with one of my t-echo. Worked on a 5000 mile road trip. Now I find that it does not respond at all over the air or with BT. It was doing a blue-red-red flash for quite a while. At some point I got it to boot to flash mode and tried putting latest on, but it didn't seem to work. md5sum of the file and the current.uf2 after the flash did not match. Now it is just doing a red-red flash every 10 seconds or so. Anyone know? I've poured over all the things I can find with google which was close to zero.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the support!
Thanks again
Sure thing! We'll keep the videos coming!
Am I being stupid… where in this process are you protecting the GPS?
Why isn’t there a toggle just to turn off broadcast of GPS/ other sensors for each channel?
Seems like something really obvious that Meshtastic need to add as this work around really isn’t clear.
Thanks for your continued videos on Meshtastic.
Im thinking next vid will show turning on/off gps for certain private and public channels
The video mentions that the GPS location is shared over the Primary Channel, which if you're setup with the default settings, this means your location is being shared with other people on the default settings. We change the Primary channel to have our own encryption key, thus making it where the GPS location is no longer publicly available.
I thought changing the key locks out all others you don't share it with? The primary default channel shares the same default key, does it not so by changing it wouldn't you lose all other nodes?
Little confused 😮.
Upon watching again...you're cloning Long/Fast primary default channel, keeping all the nodes, & removing GPS?
Creating a new secondary channel with the name LongFast and default key AQ== will put you back on the public channel and keep your location private
@@The_Comms_Channel
Cool, see my follow-up/edit to previous post...I think I got it now. 😊
Thanks
Sure thing! Thank you so much for the support!
So how would one accomplish this in todays software not 6 month to ago software, i’ve got more time than I’m willing to admit into this and it seems like such a simple thing….. ugh
Meshtastic's UA-cam has a good video on the latest way to do this
ua-cam.com/video/JGlWoDrpLNk/v-deo.htmlsi=ijjejwJT_x-bNj4I
Does the Traceroute still work after this is set up? I can traceroute my meshtastic devices, but I haven't received an answer from other people's nodes.
It should. Send to be working for me. You do need a good signal for traceroute to work
@@The_Comms_Channel Yes, you're right. I got closer to the other node and traceroute worked. I'm getting very poor range with the stock antennas, < 1 mile. I've ordered some new ones, so hopefully that will improve.
I've been messing about with this stuff for some months now, and think I'm pretty good at it, enough to instruct a group of 20 other people how to do stuff, but I always learn at least 1 thing I've missed from each of your videos.
I appreciate you saying that! I'm still learning new things with my research for every video.
I keep seeing people show how to display the QR code, but nobody has made a video how to use it to import into the config of a radio. I tried, on a new Android phone yesterday, to scan the QR code with the camera and kept getting "there is no app associated..." so the QR code did no good. Then, I sent the 256bit key for the channel I was creating via a message to the Android phone and it still would not import. The Android phone would not take the encryption key. On the iPhone I sent it from, I selected 256bit encryption, but on the Android there was no way to select the level of encryption and it would not accept the PSK. I'll admit I generally do not use Android, so I ended up having to re-connect to the Heltec V3 with my iPhone and manually added the channels, saved, rebooted then gave it back to the person using the Android phone. They were a bit disappointed I had to configure it with an iPhone. Anyone have tips on this? I'm guessing I'm missing something somewhere.
You and S2 underground dropping meshtastic videos, I can only get so hard 😂
🤣🤣🤣
Seek medical help if it lasts for more than 4 hours.
On Meshtastic 2.3.15, under my primary channel 0 LongFast, there is now an option for "Position". Does this work to hide your location on the primary channel?
For some reason my meshtastic config UI looks quite a bit different from yours in the video, but there are enough similarities where I could mostly muddle through. However, I am stuck on changing the name and key of the PRIMARY channel - the UI simply won’t let me do it. There is a SUBMIT button (no SAVE button) but pressing SUBMIT does nothing even after a device reboot. I am connecting via a USB serial port. I’ve been able to make all the other config changes in your other Advanced videos but this one to protect GPS location just doesn’t want to take.
New update since the video has dropped
I realize it's an old post, but anyway.... In the Android app UI, you can move channels around by selecting it from the left, and slide it to the top as channel 0, that should do it.
Also, in the latest versions, one can set to not share location on primary channel, and slide to share on secondary channels, including precision settings... Will test various combinations.
If I want to setup a bunch of Meshtastic nodes for my family do I just setup one, then scan the QR code for all the other nodes and change their name? Will scanning the code wipe my Meshtastic app setting from the previous node?
When you select the region(US for me) does it automatically set the proper LoRa channel? All my devices defaults to channel zero on the IOS app.
Do I need to change them all to ch20?
It’s confusing because the IOS and Android apps have some variation in menu structure. Unless this is based off an older update that has since changed many features.
Pretty sure it changes frequency but not channel
Waiting for info on how to remote config via the admin channel.
Thank you very much for everything so far. 👍 I also sent a "Thanks".
Sure thing! That video should be out next week!
Great video! Thanks! I'm setting up a three node family Meshtastic network but I'd like my device to be able to also communicate with the Meshtastic public, and I may be able to install a repeater that would connect me to friends in the area so I'd need another channel for them. This video had all the info I needed to do all of that. Hopefully the app will soon have the functionality of the web interface so no Chromium browser is needed and all configurations can be done offline.
Awesome! I'm glad the video was able to help!
This solved a lot of unanswered questions i had. Keep it up, its much appreciated.
Sure thing! I'm glad this video helped! Much more to come!
Great information. I am just learning and this was new information that will be of great use. Thank you, I subscribed.
👍
Sure thing! Thanks for the subscription!
Thank you for the LoRa channel number info.
Any time!
I just updated the firmware to 2.3.13 and the default longfast has an option now to disable position. Is this the same?
That's the better way to go about it now that they've added that option in newer firmware
The new app is totally different. Trying to find the channel number location in the app now
Figured it out, the iphone app does not have this feature, only the android app
Thanks man. I would not be able to communicate with my family off grid without you.
Sure thing man! I'm glad the videos have helped you out! My goal is to help people keep in touch on their own terms and I'm glad the videos are helping. Thank you so much for the support!
Im finding myself really confused about MQTT and what is possible and what is safe as far as using the internet to pass communications around. I would love a good dive into various actual use cases for internet usage. And also an explanation of how to set up different configs
Thanks for your very informative series.
Following your instructions, I've now set up two channels, Zero and One, and BT transmitted the configuration to my T-Echo.
Does the device now listen on both channels simultaneously (since the frequency is the same), or do I need to switch between the channels manually?
Thanks again!
Sure thing! Can be confusing, but "Channels" in the Meshtastic world are really just chatrooms. You'll pick up messages on both simultaneously; no need to switch back and forth.
So, I've already understood part of the MT world. At least. Thanks. ;)
Please keep up the phanenomal work!
Will do!
This is great. Would you mind doing a similar video but for the iOS users? Can't figure how to make the private channel defaut on the iphone app.
I'm not sure if it's possible from iOS. I know you can't on Android so that may be the case on iOS. If you follow the part of the video that goes through the Web Client, you can set it up there.
@@The_Comms_Channelif you cant change this on android or ios what are you using in the video? (prior to getting on the web interface)?
I did with one of my nodes as instructed. Then I took my other node and reset it to factory settings to make sure it completely "forgot" about the other node and act like some stranger with a meshtastic device. As intended I didn't have the 0 Private channel, just the default LongFast, but I could still see the other node on my map or click "request position".
What might I be missing?
Was there an update since thise video released or is it different on the iphone? I'm trying to follow alone on my iphone but I see no section where I can input a channel number in LORA config.
I've been running into various channel related issues but after viewing this video I feel much more confident as to how to set up my devices moving forward.
Many thanks from Sweden.
7:27 When private key is stored on the meshtastic server they have control over it?!
No keys are stored on Meshtastic's servers
@@The_Comms_Channel Tnx 😊
Is there a way to quickly share and change channels between multiple LORA devices that are “connected” but don’t have an associated phone? i.e. i have 6 LORA devices but only 2 phones. How do i quickly share and change channels between all of them?
If they don't have a phone, then you'd probably want to set those up on an admin channel and remotely make changes to them.
Here's a video with how to do that
ua-cam.com/video/SQdpCvOztMs/v-deo.htmlsi=WUG0uykkBtxsFpUv
Thank you! Wow that was a quick response. Your stuff is awesome. I’d love to see your series continue to dive into tactical comms. Getting actual long range out of these things is great, but no interest in making anonymous contacts like so many other YT’s focus on.
Sure thing! Will definitely get into more of that as well!
Sounds like this should be baked in lol, hopefully in a future update
If authorities or even semiskilled person will need to find you it will take them very little time to do so.
I think you're confused about what this video is even about.
@@The_Comms_Channelyeah, sorry, didn't have time to watch. Some useful info, thanks for sharing. Greetings from Moscow we have about 75 nodes here (around 40 active 24/7). Hopefully it's just the beginning for this tech
Thanks for the video. I followed your instructions and everything matches in the web app and the mobile app. But now my T-Echo screen only shows the (new encrypted) primary channel and not the public LongFast. Is that expected?
Sure thing! I see the same behavior on all of my devices. I believe the firmware only has a screen for the primary channel at this time.
Thumbs up!!
So is the LoRa data rate per channel or per transceiver? If per transceiver do all devices have to match or can a device on the edge of range use a slower rate.
All devices need to have matching LoRa settings to communicate. Check out my video on LoRa here:
ua-cam.com/video/LkSEeOLaKXs/v-deo.html
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the support!
I bought 4 tdecks, flashed them and everything however can't see messages on noone of their screens . When I pair them with a phone everything works flawlessly through the apps but just can't use them as a standalone due to messages not showing up on screen? All it says is that it can see the other devises and that they joined? But not what I type? But yet on the app I can see what I type?
why didnt it save the name “LongFast” to Channel 1? even when you opened the web interface when you went to channel 1 the “Name” section was blank.. Shouldn’t it have saved “LongFast” in order to operate as the public channel? what happened? It saved your “private” and “family” names but not the new public “LongFast” channel you saved in position 1???
It's saved. It just doesn't show up on the web interface
One thing I am not clear on. Will a node configured only for Longfast default channel forward private channels (like your private primary channel) or will it only forward the standard Longfast channel that it is configured for?
Thanks for the great channel!
As long as the LoRa settings match, they will forward everything even if it has a different encryption key.
Hello, could you do a video on how to physically install and set-up these devices such as how you have your “home base” set-up and how to locate an ideal high point and possibly install another node as a repeater. I would like to have a home base but idk if I should build a solar unit or have one inside my home or both. Thank you.
Good idea. I'm working on a new version of the solar build and will look into incorporating this into that video or perhaps make it its own video. Thanks!
Danke!
Can the default channel be renamed to Public?
No, it has to keep the name LongFast I'm afraid. Thanks for the question!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the support!
So on the app for iOS there is a smart position toggle. Is flipping that not to share accomplishing what you’re talking about in this video?
No. What that does is discussed in the first video in this series.
@@The_Comms_Channel Roger that! I’ll go back and take a look. Thanks!
Thanks!
Sure thing! Thank you so much for the support!
Thanks
Sure thing! Thank you so much for the support!
Thanks
Sure thing! Thank you for the support!!
Thanks!
Sure thing! Thank you so much for the support!
LET'S GOOOOO 🎉
🤓⌚
You're the Meshtastic boss!! 😊
Thank you! I'm glad so many people are finding the videos helpful!
@@The_Comms_Channel You showed WV node on map in one of your videos, are you from there? I'm from MD originally but now live in WV. 👍
Danke!
Bitte!
Thanks!
Sure thing! Thank you so much for the support!
@@The_Comms_Channel I didn't realize it would just post "Thanks!" I wasn't going to write anything, but now I will... lol. Your series on Meshtastic devices and general info have been instrumental in getting started with it for me, and sharing with friends to get into as well. Very good presentation and information!
Ah, I didn't know that either, haha. I was wondering why so many just said thanks, lol.
I appreciate you saying that! I'm glad the video series has been helpful and I hope it continues to do so with the upcoming videos!