EMERGENCY DEVICE THAT COULD SAVE YOUR BACON!!!

[@christopherknee5756]

My dad was a ham radio guy. He was ZS5JL and he used to build his own radios. I just wish he was still here to experience some of this cool stuff today.

[@luigicirelli2583]

the emotional angle; for likes

[@Meshtastic]

This is a great introduction to Meshtastic video! Thank you for sharing and we look forward to seeing your next video in the series.

[@andykirby]

You are very welcome, hope it helps and thank you for building something awesome 👌🏼👍🏼

[@TobotronPrime]

I experimented with these, I have some of the lilygo boards that use the large lithium cells - shoved one in a waterproof box up a tree at a local high point and have coverage all around the local area for several miles off of that one mini mast repeater! - easy to connect them up to small solar panels as the lipos are easy to slow charge. Thats my next step to try out in the Spring/Summer.

[@andykirby]

Awesome! Just awesome!!!

[@spr00sem00se]

I look forward to this developing further. An antenna connector would be good so we can put an antenna on the roof amd keep the gadget in the house. .... Can they send photo? Or files? Ive been playing with rattlegram and shredpix and its mint.

[@yamez69]

No file/photo support due to LoRa bandwidth restrictions, air time and protocol design. The devs are working on voice for the 2.4Ghz version of LoRa hardware@@spr00sem00se

[@beeredup]

@@spr00sem00se maybe change the antenna connection to an SMA? is there room? mine are arriving tomorrow and I am looking forward to tinkering :P

[@spr00sem00se]

@@beeredup where did you find these ones? I only found the bare pcb versions, Im excited to see people have added serial port comms to the code to use it as a radio modem, that is a very interesting idea. I may very well investgate this as the backbone for a home alarm/automation system that I want to make. although at 50 quid a pop they are more expensive than a normal wifi module, I could use one to monitor my water tank up on the hill , and it could double as a high location for a mesh node!!

[@silverismoney]

I've had a go with some LoRA stuff. After I had a helium miner, I put up a 868MHz omni on my roof (along with some other antennas I wanted) and I was picking up stuff 30 miles away no problem. Really interesting stuff.

[@andykirby]

Yeah its very interesting, now you could use these to see who's about and keep in contact with others who have a similar setup. 😁

[@DingBatSplat]

@@andykirby In an accidental/deliberate service denial/power down/wide spread internet hack/SHTF situation

[@PeterJavea]

Big thanks Andy. I'm going to order a pair and test here in Belgium where i live. I have been experimenting with an App called Rattlegram which also uses a smartphone, tablet or pc to send SMS messages through any two radios. Ham, CB or other. It also works. It isn't mesh, like LoRa but I can use my base station, set to VOX, and my tablet with the app set to "parrot". Now a local low power neighbor that's in my reception range can send a message, my station receives it, my tablet hears it, and repeats it out 5 seconds later at 50w. Thus serving as a relay. Like LoRa, all this has nothing to do with GSM networks or Internet. An old smartphone without a SIM card suffices. What you're showing here is cheap, legal, super simple and each one serves as relay to others. I like it...

[@bpmc9935]

Hi Andy and thanks for the tutorials! I've been a licensed amateur for 41 years and I'm always finding something new about the radio arts to keep things interesting and exciting. For me, right now, it's Meshtastic & I credit your videos with helping me get my start. I just got my Heltec V3's in the mail yesterday! Brian / KZ6D

[@eliotmansfield]

i think the mining side of helium was to encourage people to setup stations in order to grow the mesh - which wasn't a bad idea

[@andykirby]

Yep, clever idea but now it's making no money this might be a cooler thing to do!

[@petevenuti7355]

I know if two cryptos that are supposed to be supporting wireless portals or vpns but never heard of helium, how many others are there?

[@mstrickk1]

The whole idea behind helium was to set up a LoRa network for tracking IoT devices. They originally were going to let us make our own using RPi's and other SBCs. We would buy our SBC of choice, tophat of choice, and get everything setup and ready to accept a network key. Unfortunately they changed their mind on DIY nodes, maybe for legal reasons but who knows. Once that idea fell apart, it turned into yet another race to the bottom like most other crypto ventures. It's so sad, it could have been the best thing since sliced bread.

[@vividvisions693]

damn some of these terms are still over my head but I understood the "gist" of this! Breaks my heart to know it could of been the best thing since sliced bread =( The more I learn about all of this computer/electronic/code stuff the more fascinated I am. @@mstrickk1

[@mattyjblige]

nasa is the largest user of helium in the world

[@_sandie_123]

Andy Kirby does it again… brings yet another good idea to the table 👌🏼

[@andykirby]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@Brian-S]

Lora has expanded to rc control as well with elrs now too. The max distance currently on a rc plane with it is 126km so lora is definitely very capable for such low powered devices

[@makinganoise6028]

Thats what I was thinking, stick one in the Air. Could be an interesting experiment, on a kite, balloon, drone, rc plane etc.

[@S7EVE_P]

I really like it and now I want to set up a mesh network where I live. I'm rural but I know a few people where I could put repeaters. Be great to see how easy it is to setup the repeaters etc.

[@andykirby]

Yeah do it!! Any unit acts as a repeater with default settings, that's the great thing about it... any station can be messaged directly also.

[@S7EVE_P]

@@andykirby Brilliant...can't wait to experiment. Discreet solar powered units are an option too maybe. Cheers Andy👍

[@Kaimera23]

Here for the tech, hooked by the banging outro tune! 👌🏻

[@DCDura]

A great use for those old phones we have around.

[@yamez69]

That is what I do. Phones and tablets.

[@justiceforall8574]

Fantastic creative content THIS IS WHY YOU ARE A TOP RADIO HAM,experimenting with technology and helping us to understand.Thank-you Andy.

[@andykirby]

Thank you kind sir 😁👍🏼

[@Dave64track]

What a brilliant piece e of kit have to get a couple of these and have a play around with them thanks for sharing.

[@Petzel_KZ9ZAP]

I'm looking forward to seeing more videos on this. I just received two Lilygo T-decks and turned them on yesterday. The test software was able to transmit/receive packets, next step will be testing with Meshtastic firmware.

[@andykirby]

Excellent stuff! I can't recommend meshtastic enough, the dev team has done an amazing job.

[@RingwayManchester]

Just ordered 2. Amazing video

[@andykirby]

Thanks Rog!

[@RevGunn-jq3cq]

​@@andykirbyWhere did you order them from?

[@yamez69]

Great to see you onboard Lewis! Will be great to see some adhoc, high ground, repeating videos from you.

[@tiggydorset9041]

I've just gone and bought some now,. Damn you Kirby :)

[@andykirby]

🤣🤣🤣

[@andykirby]

I take it you are nowhere near me with Dorset in you name! Never know though when there's a lift on its happened before

[@aspectcarl]

And me 😂

[@tiggydorset9041]

@@andykirby I'll make a 100 element yagi and point it in your direction :)

[@ItsRael108]

This is amazing, i sure look forward to using this new wee potential life saving lil blessing thanks Andy for sharing 📡📻

[@psyience3213]

I'm into microcontrollers, I'm building my daughter an auto locking box with an lcd display and opens with a hidden rfid chip. This is LoRa and is amazing technology. If you program it yourself you can choose between being able to transfer larger amounts of data over a shorter distance, or smaller amounts of data over longer distances. You can actually send pictures and stuff over a decent distance. Distances depend on your settings like is said, how much data you're trying to send, and of course meteorological conditions and geological conditions and obstacles. But under ideal conditions they can work well over 100km. I thought I saw 200 somewhere. I'll probably buy the components next.

[@Simon_Rafferty]

I got a 27km range between a 1/4 wave and one of the rubber duck antennas using LoRa on 433MHz (Heltech ESP32 LoRa boards). Although it's not quite as 'off grid' I use the SigFox commercial LoRa network for tracking. It's cheap (£10 per year) and works all over Europe, inc the UK.

[@grumpazoid]

Would you mind sharing some links about how you do tracking over Lora? Are you using the Helltech boards with built in GNSS?

[@Simon_Rafferty]

@@grumpazoid They were just standard ESP32 Lora boards, with an LCD. The GPS was an external board. If they now sell one with it built-in, that's even better. I can't remember where the code came from - I may have downloaded it from somewhere or may have written it! Probably a mixture! The displays both just showed an arrow pointing at the other station and the range. I set off from home in my car. It was still receiving when I reached the sea, showing 27km. It would probably have got further, but I ran out of road. I figured that was enough range to be useful!

[@yamez69]

Great stuff! The power of Meshtastic comes from every node is a repeater. A dedicated repeater with solar power can be done at a low cost. Nodes can repeat both public (default) and private channels. You need a pre shared, locally stored AES256 key to decrypt private channels. The Heltec has a SX1262 chipset which has 160mW output. Did you switch on RX boost? This increases the range at the expense of some battery life.

[@suzyamerica4679]

I'm looking into this because of a group of us do outdoorsing in a remote area that barely gets any cell signal. Interesting topography there. From two spots on the borders of the park, we might have distant line of sight to civilization. Unknown if anyone else has repeaters down there, but we'll find out soon enough. The rough plan is a whole bunch of small repeaters (with batteries) that can be left in the field for a weekend and retrieved a few days later. Most of the high spots can be hiked to. Right now there's no solution for when someone gets injured in there.

[@singletona082]

Honestly this fascinates me not just from an emergency comms perspective but from a general use perspective. Toss a transmitter into your kids bag with a gps dongle. Stationary units if you have a large far., or if you have wooded property. Could be great to have these set up along a biking trail so there's a way for people to signal for help if they end up wiping out Fsr in. Pair with sensors and you have a way to track animal feed and water, or general conditions in a greenhouse or garden. And then there are the possibilities of these being an option if you can convince neighbors to use them. Check on folk when storms or cold hits. And they are far cheaper than ham setups that are t the lowest end non compliant gear.

[@stevefox3763]

Lora has great range and modules for other things are available on multiple frequency's, we use 433mhz, 868mhz and 2.4ghz lora for RC links and on 433 or 868 @1w you can obtain ranges of 70 miles without too much trouble

[@NoName-zn1sb]

multiple frequencies

[@ThomasHart59]

I've been playing with the T-Beams here as well. I have one 26 miles away, and 4000 feet above the valley floor here which serves as a repeater of sorts. So the mobile can send and receive messages to the base while very distant, as long as there is LoS to the mountaintop (and at 4000 feet above the valley floor, 6400 feet MSL, there usually is)

[@andykirby]

That is very impressive, I'd love to see more about this! I will add a discord channel on my server for this stuff if you are interested in sharing!

[@ThomasHart59]

@@andykirby Sure, just send me a link...

[@VapourTrailz]

Looking forward to messing with this, did a lot of HF back in the day but this would be awesome whilst out walking the Cleveland way.

[@ScottOwens28]

This is outstanding! Are you going to do a video on how to set this up?

[@dingdongdaddy589]

I saw one of your other videos on this, then backtracked here. Just bought a couple of these and going to give it a whirl. Pretty neat. 👊🏽

[@wisteela]

Absolutely fantastic. I'm deffo getting into this.

[@tekdragon]

that is amazing! I always wondered if there was an off-grid device that non-ham normies could use as well for emergency comms. I think i'm gonna buy a few of these for my immediate family in the area!

[@davidelkins9894]

2 miles isn’t lomg range. 100 is. I’d need 100 of these to connect at 100 miles. But being on a free band and ability to use others’ devices to mesh with does give it great potential. Can we get enough preppers on board to make a giant mesh grid? And if so, how will the bandwidth hold up to mass use in a grid down scenario?

[@heart4Pahoa]

Very cool, will be looking into this!

[@xTETE48x]

For a long time I have been thinking about developing an application to share your GPS location and print it on a map while I am in the mountains with friends. My problem is that in the mountains there is not always a cell phone signal and I think that this device would be perfect to achieve my purpose.

[@garyhamilton7111]

Great stuff Andy and as usual I stick around for the banging outro!

[@andykirby]

😁👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Love the video! It's great to see Meshtastic gaining popularity and this awesome tech spreading!

[@restojon1]

I live quite locally to you, I'll grab one and we can see if we can get the whole Meshnet thing growing

[@TheCaptnHammer]

For those or you whole like to tinker, this uses LORA. There are hundreds of projects and devices you can put together yourself. I’m working on a Lora project using an M5Stack ESP32 board, fun stuff!🎉

[@0neTwo3]

That’s small and light enough to be lifted by a helium balloon…. You could fly them above ground obstructions. A small balloon might even fit in a backpack for quick deployment for scouting communicating purposes.

[@daphbobo]

thats cool.. and beautiful area you live in.

[@teflone121]

I've had a bunch of these for a few years now. You can easily get massive line of sight distances on these.

[@Bones469]

Hmmm imagine if I "dropped one" on a mountain here in Utah at 10K+ a good 5K or 6K feet over the the average terrain. Solar to USB is cheap too ;-)

[@andykirby]

Yes this is exactly what you do!

[@markjauregui8138]

I would drop mine on Deadmanmountain....

[@Bones469]

@@markjauregui8138 I figure if people can leave Geo-Caches up there, why not a LoRa module? Only problem with our highest mountains like Timp, is they are above the tree& line 😅. You'd have to hike down to find a place to stash it... Hehehe. Invite your rock climbing buddy to poke it in a cliff with a piton... 😂

[@merlinonline67]

The Ham Radio frequency for LoRA in the UK is 439.9125MHz there are several stations up in North Wales providing a LoRA APRS service. OFCOM and the ETCC won't licence any unattended ham LoRA digipeaters on 433 MHz (only 439 MHz). There are people out there who have put together dual mode and dual-band APRS/LoRA digipeater iGates on 2M and 70 cm. Also as regards to Ham Radio and LoRA it is moving towards AREDN and tunneling, even repeaters will have tunneling so they are not reliant on the internet if it goes down

[@andykirby]

Cool info thanks, I'll get a 439Mhz lora node up and running. I think 868mhz is cooler though 😉 and you don't need an NoV!

[@burprobrox9134]

Love a video on setting up a repeater as I live on a big hill

[@andykirby]

All units repeat with the default settings! That's the best bit!

[@KQ4JGS]

Loved that intro! Fantastic video, as always!

[@Ross13ful]

Very Nice Video And Interesting Andy Thanks

[@nzseagull]

Hi That sounds a bunch of fun. Look forward to you updates. Have you a link to the ones you are using the only ones I can find are kits

[@andykirby]

The link in the description. Don't be put off by the kits, you don't really have to assemble anything.

[@SheepdogPreparedness]

Very neat! I need to start looking into this!

[@CognosSquare]

This is really cool. Go on man.

[@Maleko48]

this could be a fun way to let the kids "text" parents at work without running it over the Internet or buying another line of cell service

[@suzyamerica4679]

Hah. You just wait. Within a couple hours the kids will have their own private groups.

[@mumfnah]

I just watched another of your videos with the meshtastic map link, and checked that, and saw a couple near me... Now watching this video, i see they are probably both yours. I'm up the road from where you showed. Ive not heard of these things, but look like could be useful for communicating with friends at festivals and stuff where the phone signal is null. I'm going to look onto more and see

[@davidrumming4734]

Interesting I did hear about mesh networking a while ago but didn’t look into it. So there’s a number of points to this… EMP: this will kill your electronics if the bomb drops - even if that is hundreds of miles away. And it wouldn’t only be your own device, it would be any repeaters and mains charging as well. Prob also powerbanks. But that aside, there are other circumstances which don’t envolve the end of the world where this would still be incredibly useful…..such as a long period without regular cellular coverage either by a digger cutting thru a cable, or storm blowing down a tower, or the gov deciding they didn’t want citizens organising anything behind their backs-civil disorder etc. So the range of this. Firstly it can use other devices as relays to extend its range….does that have to be another of your devices or can it relay thru other people’s devices? If the 2nd option, the limiting factor is (and this includes the aerial relays)….its only as good as the numbers of devices and aerials on the network. I would imagine this stuff is niche, so in a town the size of Swindon you might be the only person with a device - would that work? The product needs to be finalised as well…..so have all the drivers onboard, and all the rest of that stuff. It’s an intriguing idea. Unfortunately it could also be used for illegal activities…..private comms etc.

[@nitekry]

i have several of the Armachats, and ones I have built where you do not need a smartphone medium. take a look at Armachat if you have not seen his work. Also we have tested 5 miles with rough line of sight. granted one was on 6th floor of building.

[@johnmilner0859]

I’m really impressed with that, but even more so with your ability to discover this stuff!

[@beeredup]

oh dear got two on the way :P this looks like a dangerous rabbit hole to jump into

[@markgledhill79]

LoRa really is some amazing technology, I've messed with it using high altitude balloons and sent packages over unbelievable distances considering the 0.5w power limit (the fact your antenna is 20 miles in the air also helps). I really hope this takes off, sort of like a text based CB radio.

[@psyience3213]

It's actually capable of way more than text too. If you program the component yourself you can choose between larger packages over shorter distances or smaller packages of longer ranges. Everyone is so focused on the maximum range at the lowest data levels but this has great applications in smaller areas like a couple mile radius where you could actually transmit a decent amount of data, whether that be from sensors or what. Which also comes with some security concerns, it makes spying pretty easy.

[@wrxs1781]

Good video Andy, not convinced with this gadget.

[@HappyQuailsLC]

Seems like mesh could be integrated as signal relays to solve low power/reception areas for cell coverage

[@IrishHamRadio]

Actually came to this video through the tube train test one… Super interesting Andy… I think you’re gonna get me spending more again on Ali! 😅

[@lunarbluesmusic]

So glad you got on the Meshtastic train Andy I'm going to dig out my 868 filters and amps and rig up my T beams and hopefully expand the network.

[@turnerja100]

Looks interesting, Andy! Ive ordered a pair.

[@andykirby]

Good man!

[@Bob-Horse]

What about encryption, privacy and system safety?

[@yamez69]

There is a default channel which anyone can message on, out the box. You can create 8 additional private channels with AES256 encryption. These private channels require a pre shared key stored in each node. Any node can repeat encrypted traffic, but you need the key to decode.

[@Baelyn]

Great video. Keep spreading the word on this amazing project!

[@Baelyn]

Decentralized secure communications are essential in an emergency. Meshtatic is an affordable, readily accessable way to do that. I am deploying a small local mesh in my home area now. Hopefully this project gains momentum and we get some additional features and hardware in the near future.

[@EmeraldHill-vo1cs]

@@Baelyn I think i'll wait for it to dribble down to an affordable idea.

[@Baelyn]

@@EmeraldHill-vo1cs How is it not affordable now? The cost per unit is less than a Baofeng.

[@EmeraldHill-vo1cs]

@@Baelyn Mate in australia every bloody thing has gone up in price,and keeps on by %50 to %200 regularly. A lot of people cant get a roof over their head cause the place is jammed full. And a number ,if they have $30 spend it on food.You may be flush but a lot arent. Just reality.

[@marcparaiso7020]

Nice intro! Looks like a Blairwitch Project thing hahaha!

[@user-cb3qr9dt2k]

The Chinese government is going to hate this. They recently banned dropbox because it does something similar.

[@DAP-JN3.16]

Fantastic video Andy...bought me and the wife one 😂

[@g4wwk-k2f]

Your links go to deveopment kits, how much each are the complete ones being used?

[@JPspinFPV]

We have been utilizing LoRa systems for radio control links in model aviation for some time. I believe TBS really nailed that down reliably. It's not unheard of to have reliable controls and usable video signal at well beyond 50 miles.

[@andykirby]

Yeah it's great, I only use crossfire on my drones now, it's never ever lost control link.

[@JPspinFPV]

@@andykirby I've also never had an issue with Crossfire. The ELRS devs have been doing some very clever things to ensure packets make it through in higher noise environments.

[@alistairg6770]

Bloody hell Andy. Interesting implications

[@lonewolfhamradio]

Interesting 🧐 Great introduction as well

[@petevenuti7355]

I was doing this kind of thing with old Wavelan equipment back in the nineties (before even 802.11) , doing wireless broadband before broadband was a thing, 915 megahertz is a great band to work in but it limits you to about two megabits per second per neighborhood... That was a lot in the days of early dial-up. Not anymore. I quit in 2003.

[@drsysop]

I am sure it wont be approved in the USA by the FCC as 868 MHz is allocated here for EMS services. 4 meter ham isn't approved here either like 1.2 meter isn't allowed there as it's your DAB+ Radio band.

[@andykirby]

It's 915mhz in the USA

[@InVinoVeritas.]

Fantastic!! Can you provide a link to the Android app to run device w/Bluetooth? Thanks!

[@kevballard1967]

Defo worth a look. Thanks for info.

[@MichaelWebMason]

I can see the application of this in Tenerife where I live as there are areas with zero 4G coverage.

[@zeekbruno4869]

Andy thanks for this brilliant idea…. What do we think the range is?

[@safarikoo]

Cool stuff. I wonder. If I don't turn on the device 24/7. I wonder if it works like other messaging apps like whatsapp which you can send and receive message "OFFLINE" and be able to see it next time you log in or open the app? Can I do it?

[@ct3282]

They are showing out of stock and don’t know if will be getting more on Amazon and the other two links of eBay and allib have something different. Will you please either do another video on which would be your next recommendation if we can’t get these and if we can where? Also pardon the ignorance I’m learning what is the difference in Raspberry pie and these? Thank you for your videos I have enjoyed all the different topics discussed so far I have seen

[@debugin1227]

I prefer emergency bacon to save my beacon

[@ImmortalAbsol]

I know nothing about this sort of thing but could you connect it to the TV aerial on the roof via the existing connections in the house??

[@Darkmiss7078]

So my question would be.. do these need some kind of powered antenna to transmit through or are these directly transmitting to each-other, Basicly if all Global power was to fail, would they still work ?

[@lenbaddeley957]

Where did you buy these units? I cannot find the for sale, I tried eBay and Amazon.

[@Mpoolos]

Great video and idea

[@csabszika]

I tried Meshtastic with an older device and wasn't blown away In noisy, city environment don't expect more than a 200-300m

[@andykirby]

Yes, can't expect miracles, that's where the mesh comes into its own though.

[@skemsen]

I’d love to know more about the cool bicycle

[@kurttaz]

How good is this 😎😎

[@andykirby]

Cool isn't it!

[@douglasarnoldakers]

Getting few of these right now.

[@_droid]

The record distance is way longer than that. 500km or something I can't remember.

[@yamez69]

254 KM LOS

[@chadlimestall9201]

the physical layer of connectivity is the issue not the digital: when you use a phone you are connected to the grid you dont know who remotely accessed your smartphone

[@JohnWeland]

I built 4 or 5 of these Meshtastic devices last year a little bit better antenna. I've gotten just over 4 miles point-to-point with out a repeater node.

[@andykirby]

Nice, it's good isn't it.

[@JimBiddle.]

Keen to have a play with one of these, unfortunately out of stock.

[@MrGShep]

if you can figure out a way to get them connected to the same aerial as my helium miner, that would be a pretty cool add on. and would quickly grow a mesh network where I live with all my friends miners here in the midlands.

[@HappyQuailsLC]

What about the critical fault.#3 on the chip? And these are kits?

[@ShadowScoutSwede]

Awesome video and good information i found it interesting i would like to get a couple of those myself. I have also subscribed to you as well.

[@misqpl]

hi can you provide info on that LEADSTAR monitor , looks interesting .

[@andykirby]

It's a mini TV with tuner built in, will feature soon!

[@MacGuffin1]

Can you set them to use the Helium network?

[@andykirby]

No, well you could put helium mapper firmware on them probably but it's a different thing.

[@MarioVe2]

Thanks Very Interesting, 73's

[@Wildernessoutside]

ordering one in the next couple of days

[@davidruane9005]

Hi Andy can you get these allready in a case and set up?

[@RevGunn-jq3cq]

Great video, what is it called and where can I buy a couple

[@londo776]

just a toy with no practical use today, just use some pmr 446 radios or use h/h cb's when offgrid. i use a garmin inreach when i am in the hills

[@h4rry815]

PMR446 is UHF which primarily depends on Line-Of-Sight, so if your stuck in a forest or on a hill with lots of other hills in the way, you'd have little to no luck with establishing 2-way contact with someone

[@londo776]

@@h4rry815 so the same range there "toys"

[@ericjarvie]

Andy may have point as just how handy these devices to the UK underground resistance come the day of the invasion but seriously these devices are good and i can see lots of intresting applications for them for any out in the feild plus its great to get LORA in your hands having an simple but blacked out Mobile Phone do the work...Thanks go to Andy Kirby as its true this device really could save your life as powering both devices by Solar would'nt be an lot of draw and the enemy well he may never know...!!