Meshtastic Modification Mayhem - Stealth Antenna

[@j0hmama]

you know what makes a fantastic housing for these types of projects: old security cameras. I like the old whetherd ones best. you install them, and they look like they've been there forever. they're water proof, and have mounting points already integrated. That is a sweet antenna though.

[@peterfairlie2296]

That's a cool concept, the camera idea!

[@bcadventure2015]

Pro tip: you can get 18650 batteries for cheap at any vape store

[@bjarnewinkler6366]

Peter, since you only have one single Meshtastic device you should not be a REPEATER but your should act like a CLIENT. Also the Nodeinfo broadcast interval was set to the default 10800 sec that means every 3 hours your device will ping the world. I would suggest that you alter that to 1800 sec (1/2 hour) until you have establish yourself and then at that time set it back to 10800.

[@peterfairlie2296]

Thanks for the advice. I have changed back to a client and set NodeInfo to 300 or every 5 minutes. We'll see how that goes!

[@ky13and3r50n]

@@peterfairlie2296good looks! Repeater device mode is still a little buggy in my experience and it limits your ability to be seen directly by others or receive any messages to your app. A good setting for your location would be Router Client. Even just the Router role is known to be very problematic and likely not resolved fully until 3.0.

[@AndrewJonesMcGuire]

Please don't. Although the devs don't make this clear - I have got clarification from them - AND - the actual firmware code. When a node lets call it node A, hears a message from a node that it has never heard before - lets call it node B. Node A will immediately send it's nodeinfo with the request replies flag set, which node B will receive and see a reply was requested and will respond with it's own nodeinfo. It doesn't matter what the packet is, whether it is a message, a broadcast, telemetry etc - this process happens for all them. So you do not ever need to change the nodeinfo settings - which (along with all the other default settings) the devs chose after real world tests (specifically at burning man).

[@jamess1787]

Welcome to the club :D. Were a little too far apart, but its all part of the fun. 🥳 I know you know, but get it up another 5-10', could make all the difference.

[@peterfairlie2296]

I plan to go all the way to the top once I get everything figured out.

[@craigsutton4903]

Send it up on a drone!

[@peterfairlie2296]

Andy Kirby did that on his channel in the UK. It's a good way to relay over long distances.

[@Robob23678]

Should be able to find 18650 batteries for much less then $30. Also, a fully charged 18650 should read 4.2v

[@bryans8895]

Great video as always, genius antenna solution to lose the coax. Just ordered mine. I’ll climb the mast tomorrow and see what happens 😂

[@x_CrossHair_x]

Great Idea.. (however).. your TTGO Module shoud be in a box below your radiating elements (will affect antenna performance the way you have it) .. also the tower metal will affect the reception radiating pattern (Blind) to the signals behind it.. (Would be better) away from metal.

[@peterfairlie2296]

It is below the radiating antenna. There are 2 antenna in the tube. I'm using only the one in the top.

[@MrChrispags]

Is that an 18650 battery? If that's the case, a single battery should be a dollar (USD) or two. There's a store that sells batteries of the 18650 type, like online. (Since I rarely comment anywhere online, I don't know if I can provide a direct link. But you should be able to find it. ) Ok I made my comment before watching the whole video. So yes, they are 18650s. They tend to run sales on individuals and other things online.

[@JinKee]

Damn I paid $20 for an 18650 today.

[@peterfairlie2296]

If I wanted one overnight from Amazon it's around $25 US or $30 Canadian. There are better deals like AliExpress but you're waiting weeks for it to come from China.

[@CyberAndy_]

You can not post links in youtube comments unless you are the channel owner. Can you please give the name of the store online? I found some for ~$3.00 USD each from china on aliexpress but shipping is $7.00. Also, don't know how the quality would be.

[@MrChrispags]

@@peterfairlie2296 I see what you mean. For me, I'm in the States, so I can get them at like $1.85 a battery, (Just an example of course.) (I also just took a look and called around...man shipping to Canada is expensive, more so for Lithium Ion cells too. I would have offered to have shipped them, but phew it's pricy!)

[@MrChrispags]

@@CyberAndy_ Oh sure. The name of the place is (without a direct link) 18650 battery store . It is a commercial entity. I found it on a deals site a while ago and bought a few cells that were discounted and they seem to work fine. I'm not affiliated with them in any way. I am a previous customer of theirs.

[@mihumono]

Where i live in UK I don't get any contacts, but was able to catch a few on a bus. Lost range quickly tho.

[@rad10dog]

was just playing with diy one today and got first human reply. im using most sensitive ebyte e22 lora module, made 3x4 pcb for it with esp32devboard so it can be fitted in abs junction box

[@GoldenHat333]

I recently set up a similar node with a T3S3, a 55cm antenna and a battery. The repeater and router settings had some problems connecting to my phone so its now set up as a router-client, You might wanna try that as well. I'll be adding a solar panel to it so that it would work even after long power outages. Are you considering a solar setup? I would love to see you build it :) btw great video, well I've never seen any of your videos accept for this but I like your style will be checking your channel.

[@sUASNews]

You could try the auto range test walking around with another device. That is an impressively tidy installation well done.

[@bradt5426]

Maybe you would see more nodes using a Yagi antenna that's mounted with a servo so it can be rotated remotely? That's something I've been wanting to do for a while now. I wonder if there are any directional antennas shaped like the one you just mounted? Just a thought, I'm sure you know some better approaches.

[@peterfairlie2296]

I do have 2 rotors so this will be something I experiment with as I expand the network!

[@bradt5426]

@@peterfairlie2296 I would love to see how you build out that one.

[@rad10dog]

higher frequency allows for manageable sized biquad yagi antenna, they even better than flat Yagi since each quad is 100 Z and 2 in parallel match perfectly 50 ohm cable and can be stacked like yagi with waveguide quads and reflector

[@oc7414]

Mark the side that is unobstructed by the Lora device as it will be directional somewhat, having the blind spot in the LORA side of the antenna

[@TRAVERSE_ADV]

He only used the top half of the antenna. The Tbeam was against the side of the bottom half that isn't hooked up.

[@Subgunman]

I bought my battery from a local friends vape shop for ten euros. Works fine in a high power IR flashlight. Where did you find the antenna? Source?

[@kg-Whatthehelliseventhat]

Hello, Where can i find all the Meshtastic devices. I would like a simple comparison and hopefully take my first step in wireless communication. Thank you so very much.

[@peterfairlie2296]

I got my Meshtastic T-Beam from Amazon. They are getting hard to get as everyone wants to get one now.

[@rad10dog]

aliexpress but make sure it uses Sx1262 for USA or Sx1268 for Europe lora chip since it is best parameters radio IC so far

[@ane5227]

fyi, that 18650 battery usually sells on some ecig or vape store or some survival kit store (since it used to power flashlight)

[@robumf]

Where is the little solar cell to change the battery?

[@liverenders]

Nice work! I liie this setup. Where did you get this antenna? It looks salvaged from something? Is it tuned for the correct frequencies? Hows the performance compared to the stock? Id love to see some range tests. I may have an antenna with similiar profile, but its would be tuned to 2.4ghz. Any way to make it work that you know of?

[@TonyLing]

Nice approach

[@furhad]

last video you mentioned that your meshtastic unit was an european one, could it be running a different frequency other than what other meshtastics use in north america? i honestly don't know much, just like you I'm very new to this consupt, but it's always a good opportunity to learn more! i wish you the best of luck.

[@peterfairlie2296]

The Lora chip can run 868 Euro or 915 USA and you select that in the settings. It's working... today I made my first contact !!!! yeahhhhhh!

[@nathanz7205]

18650 battery store online. 18650 are not expensive at all. 5$ a battery at average or can get them for like 3$of you wait for sales and get like 10 at a time. And even shipping was under 8$ for me. Never heard anyone say they are expensive, that's literally the opposite of reality.

[@riffzifnab9254]

Im in Boston and not getting any contact. Best of luck hearing from someone. 🍀

[@peterfairlie2296]

Fingers crossed!

[@tinynhhouse5467]

I am just west of Boston. I set up my WisBlock yesterday. My contact info is on my YT page. - Dave

[@jakospence]

Are you always plugged in? Next time I drive through I’ll see if I can pick you up. Been finding nodes throughout NYC this way sending messages out to channel 0 and then when I get an acknowledgment, checking to see if new nodes appear in my list. I’m sure I’m doing it wrong but it’s working!

[@riffzifnab9254]

@@jakospence I need to get a better antenna, not even getting a mile currently. Happy hunting (:

[@jakospence]

Thanks, you too!

[@Yasen6275]

3.7-3.8 seems low for Li-Ion. I think It should be around 4-4.2V when charged.

[@Inertia888]

18650 Lithium-Ion batteries, are $6~$10 per cell, brand new, for an average quality. If you want a new cell, just search Samsung-18650. Although, salvaging old cells is always a great way to go, if you know what you're doing. Do not mess with them, if you are not experienced. $6!$10 per cell brand new is not that much.

[@wuuurmm758]

Lol. Just tossed it out the window.

[@EricOsterberg]

Yeah, these batteries are far far less than 10 each.

[@mstrickk1]

30 bucks? Pfft.. I get them for like $9. Is that a Canadian thing?

[@VariableThisIsKnife]

Where are they $9?

[@tinynhhouse5467]

It looks like there is no signal loss passing through the plastic enclosure? I was wondering if I could mount my WisBlock, battery and 7 inch antenna inside a piece of 2 inch pvc pipe and use pvc end caps to keep water out. The only opening would be for a power cable coming in. Would this work? Thanks. - Dave

[@peterfairlie2296]

The plastic enclosure, AKA "Radome" has no effect at the 900 MHz frequency. You sure could use PVC pipe.

[@Liberty4Ever]

Gray PVC pipe has carbon which attenuates the signal. Most pure plastics aren't a problem until the thickness is around 1/4 wavelength, which would be around 3" for LoRa frequency. It would be much better to mount the transceiver below the antenna and not next to it where it will attenuate the signal and de-tune the antenna.

[@peterfairlie2296]

It is below the antenna. There are 2 antennas in the tube, it was a dual element antenna and I only used the top half.

[@TheJkilla11]

Correction to his video it's about $30 to a four pack of 18650s that are usually of quality IE Samsungs....

[@peterfairlie2296]

Any info on where?

[@Inertia888]

@@peterfairlie2296 Go directly to Samsung.

[@alw7315]

how do you know the antenna is 915mhz compatible?. really good idea though.

[@peterfairlie2296]

Tested its SWR on a VNA

[@partyzantzwycietegolasu5948]

I have heltec v3 with no GPS. Was trying to set FIXED Location on REPEATER mode and couldn't do it. Had to go back to CLIENT to get it. Is it me or this is designed like that?

[@AndrewJonesMcGuire]

Repeaters are not seen by anyone at all. They are invisible. It would be pointless to set a location, it will never broadcast.

[@LeonardSamuels75]

maybe the leds are fried on your drill battery?

[@bign1667]

I think the default settings is 3 hours to detect others but you can change it

[@peterfairlie2296]

I set mine to 5 minutes

[@dougle03]

Repeater can't send messages. Change it to Router/client then your messages will be sent.

[@peterfairlie2296]

I have changed it and have made multiple contacts now kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmWzpKeKiNN3Z9k

[@AndrewJonesMcGuire]

Repeaters DO NOT show up for other people in their client list so they will never be able to talk to you. You should not use any mode other than client - unless you are on the top of the hill and have an amazing 360 degree view to everyone who wants to talk to you - or through you.....

[@peterfairlie2296]

I've setup my device as a Router_Client and have made contact with another Meshtastic user now... so I'm happy it's working great.

[@321CatboxWA]

So you stuffed all that stuff into the tube loose?

[@peterfairlie2296]

It was actually was a tight fit and it's not going anywhere

[@321CatboxWA]

@@peterfairlie2296 Cool What did you do/use to keep the boards from touching each other (shorting)? I have used plastic from jugs and virgin note pad backs . I really dig the re-purpose of the antenna . thank you for posting! well done.

[@bigmouthstrikesagain4056]

Is it possible to make an antenna?

[@michaelkaliski7651]

Of course. There are various designs for omni directional and directional antennae available. They can be built with just stiff copper wire or etched copper boards or even copper tape. The only real consideration is matching the antenna size to the frequency being used.

[@floridaman7]

What is mestastic

[@Hebdomad7]

Meshtastic is a free to use mesh network used for communication. It's a community-driven, open-source project using LoRa radios for long-range, off-grid communication.

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

Meh, LORA is proprietary and makes you pay their "Alliance" if you want to do anything with these devices.

[@peterfairlie2296]

Should I expect them to send me a bill now?

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

@@peterfairlie2296 If you attempt to market something. Yeah.