Encrypted Comms - Part 3 - DIY Solar WisBlock with Meshtastic

[@RavenwoodAcres]

I am back again, lol. I own three Wisblock and still refer back to this video for programming. Thanks again!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Welcome back, haha! Glad this video helps!

[@RavenwoodAcres]

Very useful video! I own several T-beams and Echo. However, I am new the Rak Wisblock devices. Thanks!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Sure thing! Glad you're enjoying the videos! The WisBlocks are great and I'm planning on doing other videos with them soon.

[@TomSmith-eq1vr]

Quality videos 👍 keep the content coming!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thank you! More to come!

[@JohnWeland]

I’d love to see more on this, like adding telemetry data like gps, weather etc. maybe logging that data to MQTT. I can imagine having these dotted across an area as base or repeating nodes for your mobile assets. I know with the TBeams just point to point I was able to get just over 4 miles. So if I built 6-12 repeater nodes I could cover a pretty large area. But that GPS and weather data would be key.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely be covering this on my Advanced Meshtastic Series!

[@JohnWeland]

@@The_Comms_Channel oh, and using it with ATAKS

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Will look into that as well!

[@Jake-ug2mf]

If you don’t mind me asking what type of terrain were you getting that range? And were the devices at ground level or elevated? We are working on a projects (items in the mail to us currently) where we are trying to connect 2 points about 25 miles as the crow flies, across rural /semi-rural terrain with less than 100’ elevation change between the 2, and we are very curious about the type of range we will see and how many nodes we will need.

[@JohnWeland]

@@Jake-ug2mf the base node was set on the awning of my porch, maybe 8-9ft up from ground level. The train is relatively flat, I suppose. Southwest Minnesota, so cornfields and small, wooded groves.. Small towns, so not a whole lot of concrete like a urban environment

[@gunningopher]

Would it be better to keep the base stations open instead of having the encryption key on them? I would worry that it might be possible for someone to swipe your key if they get their hands on the device, or can connect to it via bluetooth? I'm just getting started planning a mesh in my community and I plan on just having the encryption on the user nodes. No need to decrypt messages at the base 'repeaters' since they will forward packets regardless.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Yes, that is best if you have concerns and will be discussed in a future video.

[@wapphigh5250]

Love it. But a question about privacy. Can you turn off it's geolocation? So location beaming in the device never gets activated? Can it remain invisible within LoRa and on the meshtastic app?...Do you really want a whole lot of misfits turning up?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

This build has no GPS. The WisBlock has GPS modules you can purchase for it, but it's not required. For devices that do have GPS, you can turn it off though. Or better yet, do what I do which is provide a fake location.

[@lijath]

​​@@The_Comms_ChannelI would love to see a video on exactly this, office skating and hiding communication devices covert installations and the like

[@jyunte]

@@lijath It's easy. Go to the three dots menu, then Position. Turn OFF Smart Position, turn ON Fixed Position and enter a LAT and LON (go to Google maps and pick your favorite island somewhere!). Done.

[@SuperJdear]

Thank you this helps me a lot.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Sure thing! Glad my videos helped!

[@lightofhopeph]

Awesome videos and content, superb!!! 1 question for this topic, how do we change the default pin code to avoid other people connecting the device ?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thanks! There's a setting to change the pin in the app

[@lightofhopeph]

@@The_Comms_Channel thank you, it works :)

[@FalconWing1813]

I dont have one of these but I also read where you can change from Long / Fast transmission, to Long / Slow and may help with Range. Just a side note 😀

[@The_Comms_Channel]

That is correct! I'll be covering these options in my "Getting Started with Meshtastic" series

[@jyunte]

Ref setting up your own private channel... what's the difference between doing what you did (changing the default LongFast channel from the main menu system) and going to the Radio Configuration menu and adding a channel in the Channel menu and doing it there?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

No difference really. This would just be for those who aren't worried about extra channels and just want to change from the default.

[@AGeekNamedRoss]

Great content! Keep up the good work! 73!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thanks, will do! Glad you're enjoying the videos! 73

[@davismcdermott3291]

Does moving off the default key require internet for the other party to receive the key. If you have no internet would you be able to have new users join?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

No Internet required. You just have to be to get the QR code to them to scan or give them the PSK somehow.

[@renandearaujo.official]

Question T2c, is that possible to use the rak board without bluetooth? Maybe connected just by USB-C?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

You can via computer and web client. I've not tried on phone though. Is that what you're going for?

[@renandearaujo.official]

Yeah, just evaluating options. Because of the lower power consumption I was wondering if making the field use more stream lined with a “plug and play” kind a setup.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

@@renandearaujo.official Gotcha. I'll test that out and let you know if it works!

[@renandearaujo.official]

Awesome, thank you so much! And congrats on the channel, super solid info.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Sure thing! Thank you! It is possible to do USB only. On Android at least, I have my doubts about iPhone. When you connect your device to your phone, you'll see a device with /usb/ in the name and you'll be able to connect to it from the Meshtastic app and use it without Bluetooth.

[@pattognozzi]

Hi, looking everywhere for advice on overcoming a technical issue with my 4631. Double pressing the button has no effect and I’m unable to enter DFU mode. Is there anyway to factory reset without being able to do that? I still see what com port I’m connected to on the PC, I just have no way to get the 4631 to appear as a drive. I’ve successfully updated the firmware on other units, so I’m familiar with the basics. I’m here because this is an issue I don’t see talked about anywhere.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

I've not run into this issue so I've not had to try this but you may need this flashing tool if nothing else is working store.rokland.com/products/rakdap1-debug-and-flash-tool-nanodap-v-2-3?ref=tc2

[@The_Comms_Channel]

It's pretty involved, but here is the quickstart guide docs.rakwireless.com/Product-Categories/Accessories/RAKDAP1-Flash-and-Debug-Tool/Quickstart/#installation

[@pattognozzi]

@@The_Comms_Channel Thank you. Yes that is pretty involved, unfortunately it’s beyond what I can handle, especially since it looks like I need to buy that usb adapter. If it’s something you’re interested in taking on I can mail it to you for you to keep. Maybe it’s a video worthy project. Otherwise it’s destined for the landfill unfortunately.

[@Lets-follow-HIM]

Excellent thank you for your video

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Sure thing! Glad you found it helpful!

[@TheWingnut58]

Is there a Linux version of, or an alternative for, TeraTerm? I stopped using the Microshaft Winblows malware/virus about 20 years ago...lol

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Don't blame you one bit! Linux is my preferred OS as well. For Linux, the best way to do this is using the Meshtastic Python CLI meshtastic.org/docs/software/python/cli/installation After you get that install, go through the process shown in the video and after flashing the Meshtastic_nRF52_factory_erase.uf2 file you can type in the command below meshtastic --noproto Then hit Enter and you should see "Formatting... Done" if all went well. You may also get by with just doing the standard flashing method shown on my video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZojLfYNud610d9U This solar video shows the complete wipe method which isn't needed in most cases. The stand method is just simply dragging and dropping the appropriate firmware file.

[@TheWingnut58]

Thanks! I appreciate the help....I'll have a WisBlock ordered before the day is over.

[@The_Comms_Channel]

@@TheWingnut58 Anytime! Good luck on the build!

[@JeffPalmer941]

@@The_Comms_Channel Is it possible to put the wisblock into DFU mode without pressing the physical button? I can do 100% of the rest of this remotely with a raspberry pi plugged into the node. But, I don't want to climb a 70' tower every time I want to update the firmware, especially as often as they release. If there is a programmatic way to enter DFU, that would be ideal. Barring that, I may play around with gpio pins soldered to the wisblock to simulate pressing the button twice, or some other hackery.

[@unwin42]

Don’t you need to change the PSK to something random as well, not just the channel name?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Looks like there's no need to do that according to the intro when you first open the app. All you need to do is change the channel name and that will generate a random key for AES256. It can be seen if you pause at the 0:14 point of the video

[@Moneypit_Adventures]

I'm hoping someone can help me as I am not very tech savy and am having some issues. I picked up a T-Beam as a home base node and got it working with the app np. Now I'm trying to build some wisblocks into solar repater nodes. I tried flashing the software by drag and drop with the wisblock connected to my computer. It disconnects the wisblock from my computer but never reconnects on its own. I've also tried nrf52 factory erase and it does the exact same thing. When I run Tera Term I just get a blank screen and hitting enter does nothing for me. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong or missing?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

This is an old method. Use the method in my newer build

[@Moneypit_Adventures]

@@The_Comms_ChannelThat worked perfectly thank you!!

[@user-RADIO-BADGER]

nice job!

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Thanks!

[@DevineState]

u need to replace metal straps with zip ties . the less metal u have on your design the better propagation u have.

[@TUBEORATER]

Been there, done that. Don't do it. Complete disaster

[@The_Comms_Channel]

Working fine for me and many others. You didn't follow the instructions, used a Heltec instead of a WisBlock, and didn't respond when I tried to help you.

[@TUBEORATER]

@@The_Comms_Channel Are you serious? I had the hell tech. I screwed up so much by not getting the unit that you prescribe???..... Now. School me. Better be good

[@TUBEORATER]

@@The_Comms_Channel OK. Where is the help? You are full of it unless you provide me with the straight answers. Hell tech is out of the picture Now, what do I do?

[@The_Comms_Channel]

@@TUBEORATER Since I never mention anything about using a Heltec in this build video, or any build video and after seeing your comments on other people's videos, you're just posting negative comments on whatever random Meshtastic videos you can find... I tried to help you once, but at this point you can go school yourself.

[@TUBEORATER]

@@The_Comms_Channel Been doing that on forums and reviews. CHI junk. You have helped ZERO Yes, I will bad mouth a garbage product until I die. Shyt doesn't work.

[@alexdelarge9425]

Too much work. Don't even have any tools.

[@CatRacer1A2A]

I don't have any tools either, and it seems like an overwhelming amount to learn. The difference between you and me is that I see a significant challenge, dive in and give it my best effort. You on the other hand seem to see a challenge, throw your hands in the air and make sure everyone knows you're not up to the task... Up your game Sir.... up your game....

[@alexdelarge9425]

@CatRacer1a2a Having priorities in life doesn't mean "giving up on a challenge." Calm down. Cut the superiority complex out, and learn others might not take up a project at a certain for a number of reasons besides its just "challenging." In fact, it's not challenging.

[@KlineFilms]

@@CatRacer1A2A I'm planning on building a bunch of these and selling some to people just like you... those who DEF want Meshtastic but don't have the know-how or tools to build and program them. Let me know if you want one.