MeshCom LORA Messaging For Ham Radio Users

Here we check out MeshCom, a lora based messaging system built by hams, for hams. With APRS and Hamnet integration using popular lora devices.
T-Deck
www.banggood.com/custlink/3vv...
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dlb...
T-Beam
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEK...
MeshCom Website
icssw.org/en/meshcom
Firmware Web Installer
icssw.org/en/meshcom-esp32-in...
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[@Hex-Mas]

Meshtastic has done a lot of good updates to web interface. This is a God send for devices that don't use android or ios.

[@kwinzman]

This is a closed source fork of an older Meshtastic version. It may have some good extensions specific to hams, but I don't want to use it because I don't think closed source has a place in ham radio! I prefer mainline Meshtastic with my callsign in ham mode.

[@TsiolkovskySportingLocks]

just set one up yesterdsay - awaiting another so i can make a mesh but seems fun so far.

[@neilbchilton]

Thanks Matt, it's an interesting project from the ICCSW group. I've setup one here today (fairly easy with the app, not so much with a serial connection method). I seem to be the only one in the UK at the moment so unless that changes it may not stay on too long... Don't have NOV so didn't leave repeater setting on but tested for a short while and it sends quite a lot of messages so would be a bit of a noise generator on 70cm locally. The Quansheng with updated spectrum scope firmware is really useful for seeing that. And for 15 quid can't go wrong if used only for that!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I think when I checked there were a couple of UK stations with their gateways on. Trouble is that the default frequency is on our UHF repeater output, but the firmware now allows for changing the frequency. I guess if this becomes popular here in the UK then there will need to be a standard frequency that everyone uses. Cheers

[@Digit4allGROUP]

@@TechMindsOfficial You can change frequency via terminal , but up to 437.750MHz. I'm concerned about where in the bandplan there is a 250kHz space for such a transmission. You can change the BW to 125kHz via the terminal, but you cannot set it to 439.9125MHz where LoRa APRS operates in the UK. Were you able to send a message from Meshcom to APRSIS?

[@Robman01]

Dude really cool

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Glad you think so!

[@SpectrumIntruder]

You should cover reticulum

[@dangermandave67]

UHF maximum power is 2W ERP in Europe. These LoRa devices usually output much less than that. Would it be possible to run the signal through a UHF amplifier to get to max legal power?

[@Robman01]

You should talk about what lorawan

[@letmelooktv]

It would be epic if they supported devices like Pi's the are a lot of pi/debian devices out there with lora going cheap since helium has gone wobbly. I have a Pi 4 with a RAK lora and gps hat on my desk right now waiting for a good use.

[@merlinonline67]

Adafruit LoRa Radio Bonnet for use with Rsp Pi

[@letmelooktv]

@@merlinonline67 that's just a adafruit hat running on the things network isnt it?

[@systemfive7]

For that, check out the systems based on Reticulum and LXMF (Sideband and Nomadnet programs). Super flexible, runs on almost anything and can run over both LoRa, WiFi, Ethernet, packet radio modems, serial or even... paper. Networks are fully interconnectable and routable too.

[@TheAtomicZombie10]

I tried it out for a few days, it seems very popular in the German speaking regions, but nowhere else. LoRa in general is really popular in Germany and I can’t quite work out how it happened.

[@user-xu9tz2mb7y]

Privacy, simple as.

[@chrisherd991]

Can you change the frequency to 915MHz?

[@merlinonline67]

I think this as far as Ham Radio goes is a bit redundant, yes I said redundant. Jason Rausch K4APR and Rémi Bilodeau VE2YAG have developed ESP32-APRS Mini Terminal which works on 2M and also is LoRA capable, which gets away from licensing problems in the 70cm in the UK, yes you may be able to use this Meshcom product on 70cm but you won't get a NOV for a digipeater iGate.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Why wouldn’t we get an NOV for 70cm in the UK? We have Lora APRS gateways and digipeaters on 70cm in the UK already, in fact at my last QTH I had an NOV for a Lora APRS. So, what’s the difference? Or is your comment your own personal thoughts?

[@IanHaver]

How about the built in encryption of lora, does Meshcom overcome this ?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Meshcom cannot have encryption due to it being used on Ham Radio frequencies.

[@carlosfernandes5299]

Hi, do I need a license to use these Meshtastic devices or LoRa in europe?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

MeshCom yes, as it uses a ham band. Meshtastic however can be used on 868 or 915mhz (for us) without a license

[@sorinl8467]

No if you use legal frequencies for your area. 433 mhz and 868 mhz are frequencies assigned for EU space.

[@vampirelordredfang]

There is lora ax.25

[@StefCoders]

Hiya! Why not make a video on the Quansheng UV-K5 (8) with modded firmware, you can listen or transmit to any frequency (not really legal in certain bands.)

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I have already, thanks 🙏

[@garyhamilton7111]

It doesnt transmit very well

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Agreed, it’s pretty crap, don’t know why so many KZbinrs make content on it, it’s terrible even when modded.

[@StefCoders]

I've seen, the power is miliwatts and gets into the microwatts. Better to get a TalkPod, the AM sounds better.@@TechMindsOfficial

[@n8mail76]

I'm confused why they would lock the software to one band. Lame excuses make me wonder.

[@kwinzman]

And it's closed source privately developed. The firmware, the backend, and the app's code are all secret. I am sure it's great, but I would rather stick to open source Meshtastic which also works on multiple bands. We don't need any more proprietary software. Especially when it comes to emergency communication.

[@Superfandangoo]

Not sure I am missing anything here, not being rude nor trying to belittle your greatly appreciated videos, I can't see the point of this in radio. Intresting gadget I guess for some one. you must have a garage full of the reviewed items, god nows how you remember how to use it all

[@TobotronPrime]

HAM is a spectrum of gadgets and different protocols, this is just further down one end - I've tried the meshtastic software with these and was able to make a mini mobile network in my area for text messaging; if enough people were to makepublic nodes in high places you essentially create a multi skip mesh messaging network that could cover the country. I'm sure as it matures people will find more interesting and smarter ways to use it - this is just the beginning!

[@letmelooktv]

its relevant because its experimentation with radio. that's a big part of radio ham operating for many. Not everyone just gets on 160 meter band and chews the rag about their missed hip operation... 😂🤣😂

[@merlinonline67]

@@TobotronPrime Trying to reinvent the wheel

[@sorinl8467]

The main advantage of Mesh networks is that can be an alternative off-grid and maybe backup communication system in particular in emergency cases when all other networks are down. Second you don't need a radio license. The big isue is it's nature: you need enough devices to cover an area and make a reliable network. Ham radio is a term more used for radio amateurs communication. LoRa is different because was developed as low power data transmission.

[@arthurpitcher601]

I haven't a clue what you're talking about.

[@sorinl8467]

😂

[@sorinl8467]

There are many LoRa projects so it's normal. Many people make confusion between Meshstatic and MeshCom.