Meshtastic License Free Off-Grid Comms MADE EASY!

Meshtastic is a great way to use a license-free communications system via text messaging. It uses LoRa, which is a long-range radio system, to communicate. I've had a few of these devices for a while and I am getting them setup to take to Dayton Hamvention next week. In this video I show how to flash 2 different models of units and how they work together.
This video is sponsored by LDG Electronics - save 20% off of everything from LDG at the Dayton Hamvention of 2024. Stop by the Gigaparts booth to see their full line of products.
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Thanks for watching!
#Hamradio #kc5hwb #meshtastic

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks for the shoutout!!

[@HamRadio2]

Any time!

[@rbmwiv]

Just started with Meshtastic. I am also into HAM and GMRS. I just got three, two T-Beam supreme v3 and a lilygo all in one device. It came in a case with a battery and all the sensors. Great for mobile applications. I plan on putting one solar powered on the roof as a router to connect to my friends who are into this project. We will be installing a stealth install on an old cellular tower with a drone in about a week. We are trying to cover the entire county. We have enough units to deploy and great places to put them. In a month or two we should have them all deployed. My friend has been doing it a while longer and got me into it.

[@tinwhiskerSC]

There's going to potentially be a lot of devices at Hamvention. There's only so much room in the spectrum for comms; the devices will display usage and anything over 60% gets dicey. It's probably a good idea to tell people to set their devices to "client_mute" instead of "client". This will prevent devices from rebroadcasting each other except when needed letting the routers do most of the work.

[@HamRadio2]

Good idea

[@Smokie082]

Client route or it won’t work the best. The system needs to re route if you are going point to point.

[@chrisweihrauch]

I just ordered one from Amazon and it came in an hour ago. I will definitely be bringing mine to Dayton this weekend.

[@BrandonJ131]

You quite literally said what I said.. over 2 years ago. Being a GMRS/Ham guy, I was skeptical but it was explained horribly to me. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. More reputable(and cool) ham guys started talking about it. Well, Im mapping all the mountains around me now. You explained it very well and it helped add to my growing mesh knowledge. Cant wait to get my network up

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@EZPromoVideos]

I am waiting for all my parts for a Solar Wisblock setup... That will be my main node.. Order the T-Deck today. So by the time you return I should at least of some of it ready to go! ;) Glad to see others are working through this...

[@digital.rancher]

My T-Beam is flashed up and ready to rock for Hamvention! This should be a fun way to put Meshtastic through the paces.

[@ronaldhuss8606]

Hope to catch you at Hamvention.

[@chrissewell1608]

What these really need, is a onboard rechargable battery, and a solar panel (&/or solar power port). So, they can be installed in the wilds and act as a repeater. Then they can be placed around your area, to create an un-manned network.

[@major__kong]

Good luck. I live in Dayton but will be in St Louis this weekend.

[@grfd711]

I picked up a pair of the T beams with cases at a local hamfest back in March. Couple of buddies and i have plans of setting up a network, provided we'll be in range (have a decent ridge between us, so unknown yet). With other projects going on, we haven't gotten to these yet, but I'm glad you're posting some resources so I can learn more and hopefully implement relatively soon. Unfortunately, when I watched this video, I had already left my house and am already in northern KY with my father, so I don't have either of my T beams with me to take to Hamvention. I hope it works well and looking forward to an "after" video of the results. I'll be in Huntsville in August, so maybe we'll bring them there.

[@PNW_Hawk]

I have 2 Heltec V3's and another that is a RAK Wisblock that I am currently testing as a solar node that will be placed on my roof. I have 4 18650's in parallel that will charge via the solar panel using the RAK's built in solar charge circuit.

[@HamRadio2]

I ordered the RAK last weekend and want to run it at home once it arrives

[@PNW_Hawk]

@@HamRadio2 the RAK is incredibly efficient compared to the Heltecs. I haven't even hit the charge cycle yet and it's still at 4.11v after being outside in my backyard for a week this afternoon and I have 8800mAh worth of 18650's. I still need to get confirmation, but I believe the charge cycle on the RAK begins around 4.0v. I'd love to know for certain.

[@tinwhiskerSC]

@@PNW_Hawk I've got a 3000 mAH battery on my RAK device with the GPS module. Even with days of darkness I've never seen it drop below 75% or so and it will charge back up quickly the next time there is sun (solar panel is about the size of a piece of paper). It never charges past about 4.11V.

[@PNW_Hawk]

@@tinwhiskerSC Do you happen to know the voltage that the RAK begins charging at? I charged my 18650's with a desk charger to 4.20v before putting them in the enclosure and outside last Monday and they are still at 94%/4.11v. I'm really curious to see how long this thing will run before charging. And this is without the extra draw of the GPS module. I too have a 5v 6w solar panel that is slightly smaller than a size of paper at 11"x6"x1" and has a 360° range of motion to align with the path of the sun. Not bad for $16. I am super impressed with it. The Bluetooth range of the RAK seems to be pretty dang great too!

[@tinwhiskerSC]

@@PNW_Hawk No idea what they will start the charge cycle at.

[@mattstosh6960]

Thank you. Very Interested....

[@HamRadio2]

You are welcome

[@ronb6182]

I would use the license version options and use more power, a technician level ham license is sufficient. I know about some features will be locked out. 73

[@chrissewell1608]

Meshtastic seems to be very popular in England. But I can't seem to find any hotspots / nodes in the Ga. Area. I want to get into it, but want to be able to connect & expand on, an established mesh network. (Love Lewis' channel in Manchester, England!) P.S. : Maybe I don't know where to find mesh spots, either?

[@DominicMazoch]

LDG has no products for 900 Mhz. But I have the older tuner for LDG for Icon. Works for the 703, 746, 7300. Fits nicely on the 703/6!

[@HamRadio2]

LDG does HF

[@Smokie082]

I have 5 and setting up spots in Massachusetts mobile use you find folks along the way

[@Jays620]

To bad I couldnt use the app and connect to your node. I would need the pin. But thats cool. Maybe next time I can have one when I go. Wont get it by time I leave for ohio.

[@daleurban4059]

I’ll b there with my heltec v3 node

[@N9XY]

I will be here with my iPhone. 😂

[@Smokie082]

It works with ios

[@royrobinson4636]

So, let me get this straight... This device will send and receive text messages on-grid or off-grid to a compatible device within range of your device? 😎

[@HamRadio2]

Within the range of your device. It's a radio that talks to other radios and doesn't require Internet or cell service

[@royrobinson4636]

@@HamRadio2 ~ Excellent ~ Thanks, Jason! 🤠

[@gabrielsierra6890]

When these devices see each other, they make a MESH network and can extend the range. Your phone connects to these devices via Bluetooth and the devices connect to each other by their antennas, so technically, you can have one in your car, and one at home, and chat back and forth without internet, provided they are within range which, as I said, is enhanced by other devices in the way!

[@royrobinson4636]

@@gabrielsierra6890 ~ That's very interesting if they can also relay your text/data to other (more distant) compatible devices. 😎

[@PNW_Hawk]

Adding that the messages are encrypted as well.

[@ryanfralic1115]

Have you looked into integrating to ATAK? I've got a couple rak wireless boards in a cart to order to use with ATAK.

[@HamRadio2]

Not yet

[@Smokie082]

iOS sucks android will work.

[@SeptemberRain8888]

The little devices are pretty cool however using them city they have a limited range 2-3 kms at most.

[@AlvinMcManus]

What do I do with the two rows of standoff pins? Are they used anywhere on this rig?

[@HamRadio2]

Not, I never used mine. I think they are for add-ons later

[@DominicMazoch]

Might be a go product if people use it in the Houston TX. Not George Jetson plug and play. Possible Willie E Coyote can use without an explosion!

[@1vester1]

so all in all it is a point to point system or does it tie back into the net

[@HamRadio2]

No Internet

[@Smokie082]

Mqtt set up you can tap into net via a ras pie but it’s standalone otherwise

[@joestubblefield1948]

how far will it work? 150 miles?

[@HamRadio2]

Farther, if you're high up

[@jwilly5336]

What would be the user cases for something like this?

[@Smokie082]

There are tons of 3d printed ones all over the place others use outdoor electrical enclosures others use the box it came in the possibility’s are endless

[@jwilly5336]

I don’t mean physical cases but why are people using this. What scenarios make sense?

[@Smokie082]

@@jwilly5336 256 bit encryption license free extremely hard to track because 900 MHz is used by many many many many things.

[@eriknissen8875]

I'll have mine ready to go for Dayton on Saturday. Really cool little device. I'm excited to use it with others rather than just myself in my area. 73s KE8TLE

[@stevewinwood3674]

Can LoRA or meshtastic Send picture messages?

[@gsahookah599]

Perhaps I've missed the point of this device entirely. I simply don't see a use-case nor purpose, at all. I see it as something to tinker with, but to what end? Isn't it essentially just another APRS device, yet not near as adoptable or useful? For example, I could see it having a fun-factor for a few RV campers while at a camping site. But there's no purpose served by using it, other than the tinker-factor. If the 'grid' goes down, and short of for reasons of War, there are other useful and globally adopted tech available that serves the purpose much better. It's important to establish which 'grid' is being referenced here; electricity, cellular, internet, satellite? Secondly, the very nature of this mesh-tech prevents effective comms when the frequency and processing power of each 'node' within a spiderweb of multiple nodes fully saturates and comes to a near complete stop of message forwarding processes. So, again, I don't see how this is useful in any way other than just another tinker scenario for short-term cute fun. Enlighten me if I've missed something here. :)

[@HamRadio2]

It's an off-grid text messaging system. Similar to AREDN but it doesn't require a license and it uses LoRa, which is a newer technology than WiFi

[@Kd4stt.]

I've deployed 1 RAK WisBlock at one of my locations this month. I'm located between Knoxville and Chattanooga Tennessee. I have no problem sending messages up and down the Tennessee Valley to friends and fellow American patriots. Meshtastic is practical.

[@gsahookah599]

@@HamRadio2 , Ah...I missed the no license part, thanks for the clarification. :)

[@turbo2ltr]

ok but what do you *do* with it?

[@HamRadio2]

It creates a private "off the internet" mesh network of devices where you can send messages and see where other folks are.

[@Meshtastic]

👋😁

[@HamRadio2]

Hey, thanks for watching! I have another video coming soon

[@thomasthewatchman]

What does it do??? I love your videos but I’m 8 mins in still wondering wtf this devices does

[@HamRadio2]

I made a couple of videos previous to this one that explained that

[@HamRadio2]

Here Meshtastic License Free Off-Grid Comms: kzbin.info/aero/PLs_Ab58w9LI8J5xJDYXdWJCbVKIxM0Yvc

[@thomasthewatchman]

@@HamRadio2 thanks. It’s incredible I even watched some offical meshtastic videos and it’s incredible how no one says what it does! Even in the “explained” videos

[@ccerwin]

You have a ham license you are not allowed to use encryption. Surrender you ham or you must add your operator number into meshtastic to disable encryption by law

[@renroderick]

Since the Meshtastic devices do operate in the ISM band and meet the requirements for 'Unlicensed' operation, a ham license is NOT required. HOWEVER, if you choose operate it as a licensed device, the Meshtastic software has an option for 'Licensed Operator" in the User Tab that will disable encryption (and you could conceivably run higher power, if desired). If you enable the 'Licensed Operator' option you will need to enter your callsign (up to 8 characters). From the notes in the 'Licensed Operator' screen, "What licensed operator mode does: * Sets the node name to your call sign. * Broadcasts node info every 10 minutes. * Overrides frequency, dutycycle and tx power. * Disables encryption

[@jacobburns9343]

🫡 🤡 If you have a HAM license - No HTTPS or WPA2/3 allowed!

[@HamRadio2]

Incorrect. Turn off the Ham License part and I am a regular citizen like you are (maybe less pedantic)

[@liverpudd306]

"Off-grid". I don't think so. If the communication uses any relaying device between the sender and receiver than it is not "off-grid" as by that definition, the relaying device is part of a grid.

[@HamRadio2]

The devices themselves mesh and relay to one another without the need for an external network. They form their own network, which makes them off-grid.

[@aarongriffin81]

@@HamRadio2 They work absolutely off-grid as long as they are on a grid network relying on other people to form a network of an off-grid network grid. But only if few people use it, then it gets overwhelmed in emergency scenarios where public use of non-licensed people are using the off-grid network grid. If you get 2 people to tinker with settings and menus long enough, you can send each other texts, but only until too many people use the off-grid network grid. You can use it without the grid network mesh with point to point short range like a walkie-talkie but without the talkie. The advantage is encryption but everything is decode-able over airwaves anyways.