How did it go? I was planning to set one up on a building that overlooks a valley where most my family live. Maybe use a high gain antenna pointing north where everybody lives, and an amp of needed.
@@Number4lead if you have a decent location like that, where everyone has line of sight, setting up a device in router mode could work well(probably wouldn't need an amp either). My urban testing has been, as expect, patchy. Although i get surprised some times when a signal does find its way through somehow.
Cool! I remember some people building devices like this a while ago but it required a bunch of soldering and DIY software. Great to see you can just buy them and use them now.
I have been following this project for several months now. Was just waiting on some new features from Meshtastic for more capabilities with messaging direct users or other groups instead of just one group where everyone can see the message. Just picked up some hardware. My goal is to cover my neighborhood with a 5 mile radius. I have a few friends that will let me install on their houses. Each one will have a 5000mah battery with 10w solar panel to charge it. Its an interesting prepper project. Of course standard radios would work fine but this has other pros.
Ive gotten 27 miles in MD with a high altitude holystone drone the hs360 woth a emshtastic beam syrapped to it and the antennae pointing toward the ground then it become my high altitude repeater ...works great ...update. Got 89 miles...holy shit
No way. That's crazy. Do you have someone else picking up? And you fly the drone? Or can you leave the drone and it can land itself when it runs low on power?
@@justaregularguy3827 man that's crazy I didn't even think consumer drones went that high. Isn't it possible to get a kite to stay high up for a long time? That would be crazy. I know air space things make it prohibitive in some areas but if not a kite a nice mylar helium balloon or old weather balloon? With a tether. Idk if it's possible to tether an airborne object anywhere but it's not gonna be taller than some of the cell towers out there. Maybe. One can dream
Using different hardware it can be. They have preprogrammed hardware on the project website. Also, the TTGO PAX (or TTGO LORA32 v2) is a simpler hardware model with no GPS. As you use the phone anyway, the Meshtastic App connects via bluetooth and provides its GPS to the meshtastic protocol for positioning. Upload firmware -> connect via bluetooth -> Use phone app to configure device. Either power it via the phone OTG, a battery pack to its microUSB or a slim LiPo battery directly with the provided cable.
That range test plugin sounds useful I hope they keep it I got two I'm messing with to get working I may need to reflash the firmware as they came with meshtastic installed and don't seem to want to send messages but will both connect to same channel and show location
I would encourage folks to try this stuff out and the meshtastic team is pretty darn cool, but know that this not at all ready for prime time. I am a techie with some serious professional experience in related fields, but I feel like I have fell down a rabbit hole trying to get this set up and ready for my community!
I'd love to know more about using this with a computer. Most of the videos about this mention the phone/tablet aspect and only mention the fact that it can be used with a laptop or something in passing, never really elaborating.
I am planning to use this to communicate with a friend of mine that lives around 7km away in a different village, since her parents always turn the wifi off after 8pm because they think its bad for health. Do you think that that would work?
Thanks very much my dear. Please, I would like to know if the device will work in Africa especially in Nigeria and Cameroon. I wanted to buy the device but I am not very sure if it will work very well in Nigeria and Cameroon. Please, I am waiting for your reply. Thanks very much
On the site of the HW board they mention 20 dBm output power (100 mW). However, in Europe the max allowed power in 433 MHz is 10 mW, and in 868 MHz is 25 mW. I wonder if the board uses the max power in all frequencies (100 mW), or different per frequency band, or it is user configured...
Any solar to 5v device will work as the microusb both powers and programs it. Some boards have dedicated solar sockets but may require more technical knowledge.
Hallo! I didn't understand: Can i use it without wifi provider? Is there anywhere to send receive data with Sat but without Internet? Thank and sorry for the bother. @}-,-'--------- Gianfranco
This channel has a few videos on the subject, he is Swiss (not EU but similar) but quite knowledgeable and explains the frequencies required in each region ua-cam.com/channels/u7_D0o48KbfhpEohoP7YSQ.html (Andreas Spiess)
@@kenttheboomer721 Ahh kids these days, a text message is the only way they know how to talk, my kids would rather send a discord message from the next room rather than talk (my wife hates it)
Yes, they can work together, although the iOS version is slightly behind the Android version in terms of features etc. but it appears to be very actively in development
Channels are shared via QR codes. Have one phone generate the unique channel code and have other phones scan the code to configure their primary channel. (Phones can only use a single channel for now)
Could one setup a meshtastic mounted on top of a block of flats to act in the same way as a digipeater works interms of receiving a encoded message and then rebroadcasting it back out to help get further coverage?
So anything sent over the network is readable by everyone, and I have to monitor every message to see the messages intended for me? Can the senders be identified and filtered? I am trying to figure out how a conversation might work with many people trying to communicate on the same channel. Interesting technology, and it's cool, but I wonder how to use effectively if you can't use call signs, etc. Thanks.
All communication is AES encrypted with a shared key (the channel). There are ~6 default channels configured. To create a unique channel, go to the channels settings and click the 'generate' random button. Use the resultant QR code to configure all the other phone apps. You will only see messages encrypted for that channel. You can rename nodes to the users name if preferred.
Technically no, as long as you have the firmware installed and configured, you just connect to the device using Bluetooth and use the app on the phone/tablet. If you want to use the web server feature, then yes, you need to be connected to your WiFi. All stated in the video.
No internet required. The units can connect to phone via bluetooth or operate as a wifi access point (that goes nowhere) which you then connect to with your phone. I think the android app supports serial OTG so you can cable them together. No internet means you will miss out on the GPS map feature though.
Just purchased a "LILYGO® TTGO Meshtastic T-Beam V1.1 ESP32 LoRa" . Has anyone else had a problem simply putting a battery in the back of this thing? The battery bracket seems to be just a hair too small for a standard 18650 battery. Anyone else have this issue? Or is it just me?
Attention Europe Ama zon buy ers: When buy boards from Amaz on V1.1 and also buy the Display, the display pin GND and VCC need modify (wider set). Battery: You need the short battery size 65mm (6.5cm) Longer battery not fit easy inside the battery holder. This not mention in video.
@@MichaelBransonCoach there are 2 types, short with outer pins and one with overload protection is longer whit flat contact pins and this last one not fitting!!!
@@lumixS5M2 Your right. You need the unprotected ones that have equally flat ends, not a pointy one. Mine is the NCR18650B. Some torches and vapes use these batteries. In the meantime you can use a power bank. If your using old batteries, they might have tabs spot welded to them. You can carefully peel this off with pliers. If you did have a tabbed battery, you could un-solder the battery holder and solder the battery in its place.
Hackers and makers should team up globaly to purchace cheap chinese lora boards, get them ready for encrypted mesh and supply the heros defending Ukraina!
Mr Minds! Your production value is amazing. Thanks for spreading the good word!
You’re welcome 🙏
Please do make many many more videos exploring the various features on LORA!
Its been interesting range testing for the last year with these with family. Hopefully more devs and users join with the recent videos from hams.
How did it go? I was planning to set one up on a building that overlooks a valley where most my family live. Maybe use a high gain antenna pointing north where everybody lives, and an amp of needed.
@@Number4lead if you have a decent location like that, where everyone has line of sight, setting up a device in router mode could work well(probably wouldn't need an amp either). My urban testing has been, as expect, patchy. Although i get surprised some times when a signal does find its way through somehow.
Im excited to see this added to Neighborhood managed Security systems.
Cool! I remember some people building devices like this a while ago but it required a bunch of soldering and DIY software. Great to see you can just buy them and use them now.
I have been following this project for several months now. Was just waiting on some new features from Meshtastic for more capabilities with messaging direct users or other groups instead of just one group where everyone can see the message. Just picked up some hardware. My goal is to cover my neighborhood with a 5 mile radius. I have a few friends that will let me install on their houses. Each one will have a 5000mah battery with 10w solar panel to charge it. Its an interesting prepper project. Of course standard radios would work fine but this has other pros.
I’m pretty sure I read they had released an alpha for direct messages, or at least they were soon to.
Thanks for making this video. Please make more videos about this I am looking into get my own boards and want to know more and more about this stuff.
More coming real soon :)
I’m with you. Just need to know what exactly to buy.
@@GrowmechanicI'm I'm that boat right now..
Thanks for the review of Meshtastic! This is really great!
You’re welcome, it’s a great project and I plan to do much more in the future.
Ive gotten 27 miles in MD with a high altitude holystone drone the hs360 woth a emshtastic beam syrapped to it and the antennae pointing toward the ground then it become my high altitude repeater ...works great ...update.
Got 89 miles...holy shit
No way. That's crazy. Do you have someone else picking up? And you fly the drone? Or can you leave the drone and it can land itself when it runs low on power?
@@SimEon-jt3sr my tbeam to the second at 2000 ft above me on the holy stone then to the 3rd one my buddy had at his home near upper maryland
@@justaregularguy3827 man that's crazy I didn't even think consumer drones went that high. Isn't it possible to get a kite to stay high up for a long time? That would be crazy. I know air space things make it prohibitive in some areas but if not a kite a nice mylar helium balloon or old weather balloon? With a tether. Idk if it's possible to tether an airborne object anywhere but it's not gonna be taller than some of the cell towers out there. Maybe. One can dream
Thank you for pronouncing 'kilometres' correctly.
If this was basically plug and play, I'd be all for it.
Using different hardware it can be. They have preprogrammed hardware on the project website.
Also, the TTGO PAX (or TTGO LORA32 v2) is a simpler hardware model with no GPS.
As you use the phone anyway, the Meshtastic App connects via bluetooth and provides its GPS to the meshtastic protocol for positioning.
Upload firmware -> connect via bluetooth -> Use phone app to configure device.
Either power it via the phone OTG, a battery pack to its microUSB or a slim LiPo battery directly with the provided cable.
Nice but I'm having enough of a time getting others to use 1200/9600 Packet. I doubt this would be adopted here.
That range test plugin sounds useful I hope they keep it I got two I'm messing with to get working I may need to reflash the firmware as they came with meshtastic installed and don't seem to want to send messages but will both connect to same channel and show location
I would encourage folks to try this stuff out and the meshtastic team is pretty darn cool, but know that this not at all ready for prime time. I am a techie with some serious professional experience in related fields, but I feel like I have fell down a rabbit hole trying to get this set up and ready for my community!
Thanks for the heads up
Any audio versions of this tech?
I'd love to know more about using this with a computer. Most of the videos about this mention the phone/tablet aspect and only mention the fact that it can be used with a laptop or something in passing, never really elaborating.
Do you mean from a serial port/usb level or the web interface?
@@TechMindsOfficial I mean like sending messages from a laptop/PC to a phone or whatever, however that works.
They look fun 👍👏👏
Great video i am thinking of getting one. Just because 😁 like these as it has a battery holder on the back
73
Go for it!
I am planning to use this to communicate with a friend of mine that lives around 7km away in a different village, since her parents always turn the wifi off after 8pm because they think its bad for health. Do you think that that would work?
More please... 😁😁 I just wish the prices of tech generally would stop creeping up...
Oange Dongle does similar function in much cleaner way, just connect the dongle to you phone
Thanks very much my dear. Please, I would like to know if the device will work in Africa especially in Nigeria and Cameroon. I wanted to buy the device but I am not very sure if it will work very well in Nigeria and Cameroon. Please, I am waiting for your reply. Thanks very much
On the site of the HW board they mention 20 dBm output power (100 mW).
However, in Europe the max allowed power in 433 MHz is 10 mW, and in 868 MHz is 25 mW.
I wonder if the board uses the max power in all frequencies (100 mW), or different per frequency band, or it is user configured...
Do you know if a license is required at these freqs? 433 is ham radio freq, but 800 is not best I can tell
These devices would be brilliant as emergency come for hikers...
A plugin to utilize meteor burst communication could add even further to the cool factor!
so - in order to work - each mobile device needs to be within bluetooth range of a LORA unit?
Good job
Thanks
Hi ! Can you do a video about caribouLite SDR ?
I am very interested in Meshtastic LORA WEB server. I look forward to new videos!
Would be good if there was some stations within range..
is it possible to make a mesh network with 4 LoRa nodes?.... and all the nodes communicating with each other with LoRa RMF 96?
Meshtastic is all about the mesh. Its the default in this system. It also has settings to make a node into a relay only unit.
I'm still looking for a good use for LORA. Maybe useful for big farmers tracking their machines out in the field?
Great video, was the LCD screen soldered or did you have to manually do it? I’m not great with soldering I’m afraid.
I had to solder it, luckily it’s only 4 pins. You may be able to find them presoldered .
Please show us how to solar power one of these boards. Im not finding much online. Thanks
Any solar to 5v device will work as the microusb both powers and programs it. Some boards have dedicated solar sockets but may require more technical knowledge.
Hallo!
I didn't understand: Can i use it without wifi provider?
Is there anywhere to send receive data with Sat but without Internet?
Thank and sorry for the bother.
@}-,-'---------
Gianfranco
Is this all legal in europe (austria)? Would be great when skiing with my kids and talk to them all at the same time. Great vid 👍😎👌
The 433mhz and 868mhz versions are legal in Austria
This channel has a few videos on the subject, he is Swiss (not EU but similar) but quite knowledgeable and explains the frequencies required in each region
ua-cam.com/channels/u7_D0o48KbfhpEohoP7YSQ.html (Andreas Spiess)
You say, "talk.." I'm pretty sure it only transmits SMS text messaging.
@@kenttheboomer721 Ahh kids these days, a text message is the only way they know how to talk, my kids would rather send a discord message from the next room rather than talk (my wife hates it)
I think the record is something like 800km but it's a signal bounced off the stratosphere.
Remarkable and interesting.
I thought Lora had a satellite network?
How can i use it as repeater
How does Meshtastic exactly work with iOS? Can you use an existing channel from an Android?
Yes, they can work together, although the iOS version is slightly behind the Android version in terms of features etc. but it appears to be very actively in development
Channels are shared via QR codes. Have one phone generate the unique channel code and have other phones scan the code to configure their primary channel. (Phones can only use a single channel for now)
Could one setup a meshtastic mounted on top of a block of flats to act in the same way as a digipeater works interms of receiving a encoded message and then rebroadcasting it back out to help get further coverage?
Of course, it acts as a central node in a mesh.
It has a device router mode for just this. Easy to turn it on.
Are you Moss from The IT Crowd?
Yes…
@@TechMindsOfficial in terms of coolness, absolutely 👍
minute 6.10 how to open and write program in windows? someone pls help i need to change my radio frequency
Can a frequency be set?
So anything sent over the network is readable by everyone, and I have to monitor every message to see the messages intended for me? Can the senders be identified and filtered? I am trying to figure out how a conversation might work with many people trying to communicate on the same channel. Interesting technology, and it's cool, but I wonder how to use effectively if you can't use call signs, etc. Thanks.
User names work now. Secondary channels and direct messaging is supported on the device, the clients (android/iOS/web) are catching up.
All communication is AES encrypted with a shared key (the channel). There are ~6 default channels configured.
To create a unique channel, go to the channels settings and click the 'generate' random button. Use the resultant QR code to configure all the other phone apps. You will only see messages encrypted for that channel. You can rename nodes to the users name if preferred.
Don't need internet?
im guessing that i need to be connected to my wifi and internet to make this work ?
Technically no, as long as you have the firmware installed and configured, you just connect to the device using Bluetooth and use the app on the phone/tablet. If you want to use the web server feature, then yes, you need to be connected to your WiFi. All stated in the video.
thx
No internet required. The units can connect to phone via bluetooth or operate as a wifi access point (that goes nowhere) which you then connect to with your phone. I think the android app supports serial OTG so you can cable them together. No internet means you will miss out on the GPS map feature though.
What is the frequency range of the radio?
Depends what model you purchase. Either 433 or 868/915 I believe. Although I’m sure my 868 works on 433 but I need to double check that.
Will this unit work with wifi cameras?
no. Lora is for small data packets only.
I thought u can just use the boards to do the texting?
Is there amplifiers to legally boost the signal between the units?
Get a better antenna could look into getting a low noise amplifier too for it but will require separate power
I am hopefull that sensors can be connected to un used I/O to generate messages.
You can do this now. Meshtastic has MQTT built in and support for a selection of sensors.
@@KeithMon Thanks
Just purchased a "LILYGO® TTGO Meshtastic T-Beam V1.1 ESP32 LoRa" . Has anyone else had a problem simply putting a battery in the back of this thing? The battery bracket seems to be just a hair too small for a standard 18650 battery. Anyone else have this issue? Or is it just me?
You need a flat top 18650
@@kf5hcr176 Thanks. Took me a few months to figure that out. I didn't know that they existed at the time.
Meshtastic is grate.... However it has a long way to go from being absolute.
Meshtastic can act as a radio network for the ATAK system....
Attention Europe Ama zon buy ers: When buy boards from Amaz on V1.1 and also buy the Display, the display pin GND and VCC need modify (wider set). Battery: You need the short battery size 65mm (6.5cm) Longer battery not fit easy inside the battery holder. This not mention in video.
Battery is the 18650. It is a 3v unit. Widely available online or in older Tesla's ;)
@@MichaelBransonCoach there are 2 types, short with outer pins and one with overload protection is longer whit flat contact pins and this last one not fitting!!!
@@lumixS5M2 Your right. You need the unprotected ones that have equally flat ends, not a pointy one. Mine is the NCR18650B. Some torches and vapes use these batteries. In the meantime you can use a power bank. If your using old batteries, they might have tabs spot welded to them. You can carefully peel this off with pliers. If you did have a tabbed battery, you could un-solder the battery holder and solder the battery in its place.
What’s the point?
Why comment?
Point to point , lol
Gi
I understand non of that. I think you skip over stuff or generalize when doing specific or something.
Hackers and makers should team up globaly to purchace cheap chinese lora boards, get them ready for encrypted mesh and supply the heros defending Ukraina!