Before Powering on Meshtastic LoRa You Must Do This! Off Grid Texting

[@zerofox3d]

Wow. Thanks bud ❤️

[@GeorgeLiquor]

Are you selling the print file, or just the finished product?

[@zerofox3d]

@@GeorgeLiquorPrint files are on my site, release notes include links Amazon for the battery case/switch etc 👍

[@GeorgeLiquor]

@@zerofox3d just printed everything, came out great. Thanks

[@zerofox3d]

You have no idea how happy it makes me that you spotted the little details like the recessed hex nuts, I sweated a lot of tiny things most will never notice (but then that’s what makes good design, when you barely notice it)

[@JuliansRandomProject]

You knocked it out of the park with this one!

[@ryanmartin5668]

You smoked that design for sure.

[@TechAirSpace]

I just made a video about T-Deck. I'm loving it! Meshtastic is amazing.

[@briankendall1978]

Thanks for sharing. I have been following and playing with Meshtastic for about 3 years now. It is really starting to gain a lot of excitement. I hope it takes off like it is in UK here in the US.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

I think it'll take off in cities to start. If it get real popular you'll see it vilified in the media. They'll associate it with the darkweb, silk road or other illicit activities. Most all my hobbies eventually become illegal or heavily regulated :D

[@OH2023-cj9if]

It is definitely taking off now.

[@ehvway]

Yes! Also in the Netherlands! I got a bunch of them now and I show my friends it's a must have!

[@ehvway]

I saw it many years ago, in a video from the guy with the Swiss accent. When I heard the intelligence agencies didn't like it, then I decided to start with MeshTastic! I also will buy a ledger now. The biggest criminals are ruling countries and are a menace to our way of living!

[@TonyLing]

14:40, I used to always pull off the film, but I find with these more recent ones with the green tang, you can carefully remove said tang and leave behind a screen protector which is virtually invisible like a phone or tablet screen protector..

[@26TM205]

In the UK the frequency used is 869.525MHz So those stubby antennas may be for the UK/EU market. Just thought Id point that out Cheers 👍

[@zalllon]

I have no idea what the stuff is, but I feel I need to understand it, or I’m not a true nerd. Subscribed.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Thanks the sub! More to come

[@AlreadyThere1965]

My cases are finally on the way so thanks for the information. I found from another KZbin channel that channel 0 used in the US is actually on 906.875Mhz. I watched the transmission on an SDR and saw that was what is being used. Just an FYI for antenna tuning.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Thanks! May have been my video 😊

[@chrispteemagician]

Love this video, thanks. I just ordered a pair from Alibaba, paid more than I expected but they're on the way. Can't wait to get on air.

[@OH2023-cj9if]

I use Aliexpress. Paid half the cost of what people are stockpiling and selling for on ebay.

[@williambixby3785]

You mentioned getting parts basically for free, I’ve been saving old vape batteries that my friends toss for a few months and already have over 100.

[@metal-beard]

Really cool video. Looking forward to build one for myself soon.

[@bryankerr619]

Great video. Videos on your other use cases would be excellent as meshtastic seems to have many creative uses.

[@tubosolinas]

National Instruments screwdriver...Instant respect!

[@JuliansRandomProject]

lol. thanks :D

[@cjespers]

Thanks for the video. I'm waiting for a couple of the " Bender" cases. I got in on the 3rd batch, he sold a lot of them. I got the side mount antenna, planning on using a 90 degree sma and folding antenna. Fold it over the top.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

You're gonna love it!

[@OH2023-cj9if]

I ordered a couple of Bender cases with aerials on the side so I can go portable. Well impressed with built up area range of 4miles and 10miles without obstruction using my small aerial. Still experimenting. I intend to put a heltec in a plastic pipe with large wire home made aerial and powering it from USB. I will use a schedule slim Jim aerial to give a low angle of radiation and blanket coverage.

[@williambixby3785]

I’m 45 and completely understand what you mean by how far technology has jumped since the 80s and 90s. We literally carry the world’s libraries in our pockets… unfortunately many people just use it to bicker

[@davidcappello]

Nice video! I found it informative and the included links are handy. Speaking of them - is there a link to the tiny switch you are using by chance ?

[@kb5hxt]

unfortunately the antenna you linked is out of stock. Not sure if they will be back soon? Enjoyed the vid, nice attention to detail. Now I want a 3 d printer, lol

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Meshtastic related stuff has been flying off the shelves and prices have double in a year. Could settle down soon... or maybe not.

[@sUASNews]

Have been playing since amost day one, its very cool

[@coastalpoodlerescue]

Network analyzer you got there ? NanoVNA details ?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Generic $60 (was $50) version from Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z5VY7B6

[@BezaleelIsrael]

needed this video like last week. thank you!!!!

[@slabua]

I am one of those who keeps the film on the displays. I just remove the tag. I would hate to have fingerprints on the display. Plus these oleds have a matte grainy surface.

[@cyblue2846]

I watched this video last week and I think I remember you're in Austin. I've gone to the website and messaged the meshtastic group here, but no response so far. Are they still active? A friend and I would like to meet some people to talk about it.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

The AustinMesh folks are pretty active on Discord. Here's an invite: discord.gg/CqkTk3aw

[@huskermike8096]

Making the Antenna at a 90 increases SWR. 1.5 straight and 3.2 at 90 degrees. FYI.

[@tzarreth2970]

14:50 - this is why I am here.

[@salsepulveda494]

Does the 18650 Battery need to be removed if you decide to use the USB C connector to power it up?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Nope. It’ll just get topped off with a full charge and sit there

[@salsepulveda494]

@@JuliansRandomProject I didn't know that I could hook up 5V to the USB C connector and charge the 18650 battery. I thought I had to remove it to use the 5V connection.

[@salsepulveda494]

@JuliansRandomProject What are the four dots at the bottom of the OLED screen? I'm thinking they become brighter as the battery is charging. Is that correct?

[@ruhnet]

Very neat!

[@RabbitHoleAdventures]

Awesome video. Thanks!

[@gtorres1719]

Hey, Do you know if a Micro JST 1.25mm connector battery will directly fit the Heltec? If not what connector does it use?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Can confirm it's JST 1.25mm. Be sure to confirm polarity. I know these fit and are wired correct. amzn.to/3KFByAJ

[@GP.Overlanding]

I noticed the grey box you have on the desk there had a ferrite core on the antenna. using it as a choke? did it make a difference? Just curious.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Sharp eyes. I don’t think it made a difference. I just tossed it on there because I had it and it fit 😊

[@GP.Overlanding]

@@JuliansRandomProject Ah thanks!

[@franklove]

Omg you skip the antenna installation! Does it screw in or snap in?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Snaps into the circuit board (tiny Ipex connector) and screws into the gold SMA connector sticking out of the 3D printed part.

[@turn-n-burn1421]

Question: What is either the part number, or name of the connector wire (you said from Heltec) that you actually connect from the battery power to the Meshtastic control? I'm not finding those.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Micro JST 1.25 Plug - Here are some connected to lipo batteries amzn.to/49jObvY

[@turn-n-burn1421]

@@JuliansRandomProject I'm not finding just the jst connectors. They're always attached to a battery. I have plenty of those 18650s, so would rather use that setup.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

@@turn-n-burn1421 Try this link amzn.to/3wl8Yke

[@turn-n-burn1421]

@@JuliansRandomProject I guess my other message didn't post. But looking in the little plastic case that these boards come in, I happily discovered that the JST connector is included. I'm having a difficult time, but finally got it flashed. Now trying to figure out how to change all of those settings. I did heed the advice and was sure to have the antenna already installed before connecting it. I saved your preferred antenna in my Amazon list, so for now, just trying to complete the setup.

[@wrightdub]

I noticed the other case you were holding at the end of the video, I was trying to print it myself but keep having problems with layer adhesion around layer 60ish on the back plate. Did you see anything like that while printing the back plate?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Not having any issues printing. I’m using PETG with a brim. Maybe check your settings or slicer. Godspeed

[@wrightdub]

@@JuliansRandomProject copy that, thank you.

[@user.A9]

Can the antenna be disassembled and trimmed down to the correct freq?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Yes. Or solder on short lengths depending on which way you want to go. Alternatively, I recently had success adding a counterpoise with copper tape to this 3D printed case. May post a short video.

[@Aluttuh]

Got a couple questions if you or anyone else can answer. Do the heltecs have gps? seems like that would be a more "covert" option. Would be nice to have something that has no ability to relay coordinates. Can you detect/track other nodes without gps?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

The V3 boards from helge care without GPS (one could add a GPS module if they like). Fox hunting a bode would be challenging given the low power but not impossible. More nodes in an area would make it even harder.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

I’ll add that you can easily detect nodes by design the enumerate on a list of nearby nodes. But detecting is not the same a tracking. Godspeed

[@Aluttuh]

​@@JuliansRandomProject Ditto, +1 for the algo

[@naomi-g]

Hey, how's that foldy antenna when it's at a 90deg? how far off from straight?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

If memory serves it had an swr of 1:1 straight up and 1:1.2 when bent to 90deg. So still usable.

[@johnbaczkowski8396]

What 3D printer and type of filament did you use?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Ender 3 V2 printer, PETG for material.

[@Tore_Lund]

100mW? it is 25mW in Europe. are there different TX power versions of the Heltec32?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

If I was making the product or running the factory I wouldn’t have different versions. I’d just ask the user what region their in and then adjust power and frequency accordingly. Same thing we did with the iPhone on launch in Japan. They had a special rule that required the camera shutter sound even if on silent mode. (Something about skirts and subways) Made one phone SKU and adjusted at the end of the line if it was destined for Japan.

[@Tore_Lund]

@@JuliansRandomProject Interesting story. The 868 MHZ band is limited to 25mW here in Europe unless for a single channel in the band for alarms, where 500mW is allowed (2 seconds every 6 hours). So being a ham here doesn't really help me, even it it should be possible to "unlock" my devices for 100 mW, but the old tricks with antenna and placement, will do.

[@themetalprincess]

would of been good to see it actually work and text?

[@JuliansRandomProject]

A future video soon.

[@beekeepersjourney8192]

Amazon link doesn’t work. Thanks for the great video though, I have a few on the way.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Thanks for letting me know! Link updated.

[@glevideo]

Just to make others aware...if you order the antennas from the link provided, check the resonance of those antennas if you have the means to do so. The ones I received were way out of spec and were resonant down around 860 Mhz for one and around 888 Mhz for the other. Both were supposed to be for 915 Mhz. I sent the company a note about that and they promptly issued a refund without requiring me to return them. I'm not sure if I want to order again. Instead I may look for a way to crack these open and trim the length just a little.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Since they make these for so many regions, I wouldn't be surprised if the second shift or a shipping department grabbed any ol' black antenna to ship out to meet demand. Good advice... always check the resonance of your antenna before use.

[@nicolaetuns]

Probably they've packed the wrong ones intended for the European customers. In Europe we are mandated to use 868MHz for LoRa .. which is very close to the numbers reported by you.

[@kennythedragon47]

i very much followed this instruction of "assemble it completely before you turn it on silly"

[@frostyjim2633]

Well, I'm all started and there is nobody out there.

[@JuliansRandomProject]

Keep your node running 24/7 and see if anything pops up in your node list. I had zero here month ago now there’s a few neighbors on. They found me on GMRS and asked if the node named after the country road I’m on was mine :) Also consider building a few for your friends

[@billmilosz]

Plastic cases are all sold out. I have a 3d printer so I got the 3D files.

[@leehewitt9559]

👌