OFF GRID MESSENGER WITH INSANE RANGE!!!

[@markaz2kk]

Just got mine in the mail. The signal set up on a UHF 12db antenna. Omg! It’s signal is over 50km 😮

[@TableWalkLake]

Is that it? 30 miles?

[@allancopland1768]

db is a ratio. dBd or dBi?

[@richsonner1930]

Have three units connected one to my mavic pro and flew to 350ft. Was able to use that one as the repeater basically and was texting 10 miles out.

[@andykirby]

How did you mount it?

[@richsonner1930]

@@andykirby I just used alien double sided tape and mounted to the top half on battery. Mine were different design than yours had the 18650 battery mount in back. Before that I took a tyt uv8000d attached to a 4ft Paracord used crossband repeat and great results. Was a calm day.

[@FRMN8R_T4R]

GENIUS!

[@simonpt68]

I have an outdoor hotspot for helium on a pole above my house in Surrey - I think I'll convert that - 360 dgerees line of sight for miles so hopeful of use. Thanks Andy for all the information here. Great channel!

[@scharlesworth93]

Helium! Brings back memories

[@KB-2222]

Lol ​@@scharlesworth93

[@dickJohnsonpeter]

I don't know much about crypto mining so why would you need an antenna? I thought you did it through your internet connection.

[@Hohmies86]

That black connector is a CGB, compression grommet bushing Be sure to check how small the CGB compresses down to, it’s possible to buy one that doesn’t compress down to the size of the wire you’re running through it

[@cathysingleton1333]

I now have mine up and running, at the moment temporary, until I get a battery. Cheers Andy!

[@andykirby]

Nice, where are you? Add yourself to the map if you feel inclined 😁👍🏼

[@cathysingleton1333]

@@andykirby hiya Andy I’m roughly 10miles from Liverpool, still learning this neat little system if I appear on the map it’ll be my callsign 2E0SQA. Either way thanks for pointing this little project out 👍🏼

[@LoekBerkepies]

What battery do you use?

[@ByteMash]

I'm down near Enfield, and will be setting up my nodes shortly. Should increase coverage for south Hertfordshire!

[@SteveHomer]

Great video Andy - i managed to get my 3 units working and setup one as an Internet gateway and have been chatting with people all over the world - Keep up the great vids!

[@tarpanc34]

that sound just like a modernized C.B. radio, like we had in the 70's and 80's... so your just talking to random people ..

[@speedtekauto]

How did you do that? I would like to know. Thanks.

[@ChatGPT1111]

This is an awesome prepper tool, thanks for giving us insight.

[@FactsBeFacts]

Awesome prepper tool for what? So people can trick you into meeting so they can then rob you?

[@davebauman4991]

Back when cellphones were first introduced, this is what I assumed they did. Was wrong.

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

An "off-the-grid"grid... 😉

[@moonshotsilver]

I'll keep my carryer Pigeons because everything comes back in cycles 😅 Nice one Andy, great tunes brother.

[@suzyamerica4679]

You use carrier pigeons? The airmail of previous days. We still use messages in bottles where I live. Kinda slow but it has bandwidth potential if you fill the bottle with large-capacity micro SD cards 😅

[@davebauman4991]

Welp, just need to wait another half-lifetime for voice activated texting patent to expire then this thing will take off like sliced bread.

[@jimnunya1253]

love the comments here.🙂 So the pigeons will maintain an aerial mesh network above town providing solid comms as long as they eat and rest on some viable flight schedule. Very simple and economical and birds are adorable. 🤓 They can do airdrop? 😂 💩

[@dangruner5926]

Awesome. I’ll be setting up a node near Castle Cary / Yeovil over Xmas as long as the kit arrives in time! :) x

[@sNEAKYnIGHTmUPPET]

in this video, how are you getting YOUR gps location to determine distance to your base station?

[@leexgx]

For moisture, Silica Gel Packet/Desiccant Bags (usually buy the colour changing ones)

[@ThatOneGirlThatPlays]

I remember the Tiger electronics version of this geared towards teenagers and I’m so excited to see it back and also better

[@SimEon-jt3sr]

Lol I vaguely remember this and it was a cool idea at that time. I think I might have even wanted one myself.

[@SuperJdear]

I am from Germany and receive a station 110km away. DB0WTH is the name of the station and is operated by radio amateurs. I live southeast of it at about 680 meters above sea level. So ist very good. But i use betafpv Antennas.

[@MultiOutdoorman]

so from a laymans point of view, what practical application would this device have ?

[@Yt-user65000]

Clandestine comms during an escape/evade scenario.

[@wisteela]

Amazing. Hopefully this is the start of something big.

[@maigematthews5620]

10:48 I know that this is off topic, but how do you use off grid solar to charge your bike and do you have a video review of your bike? What do you think of using this off grid messaging system as a part of a remote AirBnB experience?… it’ll probably start with depositing all other ways of communication inside an RFID blocker lockbox. We would love it if you did a, “what if…” video about this scenario. What if they had this in the movie, “Leave the World Behind” (2023)? How would it, if at all, been different?

[@jdub2878]

Interesting that you mentioned that movie as this will be America's last election

[@bigpumpkin22]

Not sure exactly what you are talking about, But do enjoy seeing people getting enthusiastic about their hobbies.

[@petechongy]

I'm going to do some testing on the true range of these being near winter hill I've plenty of height. 8.5dbi colinear vertical antenna 460mw erp small solar panel and a chunky lipo. Signal prediction says it will work from Fleetwood to Wigan off 1 of the smaller hills near me. We shall see.

[@andykirby]

Yeah if you got good takeoff it'll defo work well! It'll be interesting to see who pops up!

[@markbrownless1679]

nice one.. on the bridge your camera filmed a kingfisher flying down the middle of the river ...love your chanell keep up the good work..

[@panzerdawn]

bought one !!!! you cost me money every time i watch one of your videos lol

[@perpetual4958]

Is this the stuff introduced to africa, what 5-8 years ago, pre-gsm? Those offered mesh/relay as well as dropbox function, picking up message when connection occured.

[@Henri_P]

Thanks Andy. I found your KZbin channel while ago as you're talking about things I am also interested! I'm quite new HAM operator (portable radios only) and I have been very interested to follow all of your topics. And I just noticed that you're doing also excellent electronic dance music too! You seem to be on Spotify, so now your music is easier to be listened there 👍

[@steveharmancambridge]

How random. I was watching the shots of the town casually thinking "I wonder if it's anywhere near me". Looking a it though.... Hertford? Where I grew up! :-)

[@stewpot3971]

Andy could you do a video about the recent OFCOM consultation and the major changes to amateur radio? Recently pass my Full and now looking into building a 1kW amp lol. Awesome stuff Andy as always!

[@ohenekojo2561]

There’s loads of KZbin videos about it already.

[@digitalmediafan]

I must get into this but down here in Brighton there's just one node atm 😢

[@andykirby]

Be the second! It's gonna grow!

[@Peelerville]

I’m up the coast near Hastings and already have two, just ordered a couple more to set up with solar and put up on some hills to test.👍

[@digitalmediafan]

@@andykirby I will but where do I get the 3d printed case ?!

[@digitalmediafan]

@@Peelerville What type of solar panel(s) are you using ?

[@Peelerville]

@@digitalmediafan I’m using 10w at the moment to test but to be honest because of the time of year it’s not enough to keep the battery charged, trying to keep the size small so it doesn’t get noticed by walkers, I’m out in the country, still testing at the moment.👍

[@maigematthews5620]

Can you do a video on setting up solar powered ping extenders that can receive a msg signal over 100’s of acres? We would like to use it for cattle ranches and remote mountain cabins.

[@ZiggleFingers]

those UFL connectors are not meant for repeated disconnects - they are only rated for no more than around 6 connections after which your signal will degrade badly

[@EnglishLaw]

I'm loving your trance Sir.

[@natet77787]

I was more impressed with how beautiful your town was. Where in England did you record this video? Would love to visit there some day. I'm about to dive into this hobby so thank you for the great video.

[@TheVcasf]

Do all these devices show on the Mesh map? That seems inconvenient when privacy and security matters. I just found a device in Gaza. Isn't that a concern?

[@mrfust]

I’m waiting for a couple of different LoRa boards to arrive from Aliexpress any day now and can’t wait to join in 😃

[@andykirby]

😁😁😁

[@mrfust]

@@andykirby The more you look into this, the more you find out. I just ordered another Lilygo TBeam because the the radio chip on the other ordered one isn't the best, despite being newer. It seems the SX1262 is more powerful, more sensitive and more efficient than "newer" models SX17xx. I've only recently subscribed to your channel (prior to the Meshtastic stuff) but I think this is worthy of an entire series... there's not a lot of consistent material out there on KZbin. There's certainly a gap to fill and you may well be the man to fill it...

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

Fill the external box with a bunch of those dessicant sachets and seal it as much as possible... any "ventilation" holes would just allow the humidity (read moisture) inside and outside to equalise...🤔 Re. the Yagi... is the directionality (is that a word ?😂) not a bad thing for a grid /mesh network ?... I would have thought an omnidirectional vertical whip would be better though you sacrifice ultimate range for lack of directionality... 😎👍☘️🍺

[@raymondmartin6737]

I know abit about Mesh hete in the US, and saw a Mesh set up at the October 2023 Nearfest, in Deerfield. NH. Thanks. 😊 73 de W2CH Ray NH

[@DonaldMerrit]

Hi Ray, Don from Manchester. Is this thing worth it?

[@raymondmartin6737]

@@DonaldMerrit Sorry, I am not active with Mesh, and do not have these devices. Thanks 😊

[@shaungilmartin1505]

we had a local guy who has a plane doing pmr tests around here a couple of years ago. Now that would be fun with lora mesh

[@ThatGoth]

My issue is that I just logged on and looked at the map and I can now see the HOME ADDRESSES of everyone who has one turned on in their houses (and put their addresses in)... I Hate this lol

[@braddeicide]

yea that's not good

[@ThatGoth]

Chances are if they have one bit or radio equipment they have a lot more @@livinagoodlife

[@balazra]

You can set it up to not give a gps signal out. It’s a choice to identify. I find this best on private setting.

[@voreshbo7031]

I have a genuine fear to my bone that all the fancy things a no more than beacons for our location no anonymous function at all, think a programmer is needed to have a deep look and tell what needs doing for more anonymous function (s)?

[@voreshbo7031]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3K0emWQiNKrhrcsi=N8RlZ_HEdqShbpOO

[@tiggydorset9041]

The ordered 4 units which arrived today. Ill be looking at setting up a node in Weymouth/Dorchester sometime soon ;)

[@andykirby]

Nice! Add yourself to the Map!

[@user-jt5vm3mi1w]

Can you just leave one of these on and it will help other people?

[@0baakYT]

@@user-jt5vm3mi1wya it’ll be a node as a part of the mesh from what I understand

[@kellyshea92]

Sounds like good gear for when SHTF

[@anthonycatania5613]

New to all this... Question for anyone in the US... What frequency works best here? Andy said they are using the 860s in UK, but the company that makes these items website has like 4-5 options for frequency, and I'm wondering if that changes here in the states. Thanks.

[@InVinoVeritas.]

915 in US.

[@supernova1976]

This is brilliant mate, been lookimg for something like this.

[@paulsradiohacks]

I have to so get one of these, looks so much fun and nice that it uses RF not internet!!

[@KennethQvarfordt]

Absolutely love the content Andy. Very cool device. I also love your deep dive on these devices. Btw I bought the IC-705 because of you. 😂 My main is the ft-991a really love that too. One for QRP and one for QRO. 😅 Have an awesome day mate. 73s SM6VIU. 😊

[@andykirby]

Thanks mate, appreciate that! The 705 is an amazing radio!👍🏼 73!

[@HamRadio2]

Nice. Heard about these, never tried one. Maybe I will pick one up

[@kevincozens6837]

Interesting device. I will be going after more detailed information about the device. BTW, what is the antenna attached to the top of the vertical support seen at 5:54?

[@dougbas3980]

I assume 915 MHz is right for USA? Also Canada? Thanks Andy.

[@0baakYT]

Yes

[@TheSillyshyguy]

I've been using this for a few years now. I have my own node as well for IoT

[@Belioyt]

Do tell more about your setup, have you documented your journey?

[@theresam567]

I watched, but don't get it. You showed a device that pinged others. How & where do you see messages? I'll have to look at links.

[@TheKendalCrew]

I got 3x of the Heltec v3 boards - Not having much joy with them posting their GPS location aqquired from the iOS app... Did you need to say that the board has no GPS device (via app settings), and then have it post a fixed location? just not playing for me :/

[@andykirby]

Did you watch my setup guide, video before this...

[@TheKendalCrew]

@@andykirby I watched all of them mate - top content! I think it might be a bug in iOS app, I’ve raised an issue on the GitHub for the app!

[@TheKendalCrew]

Did you try on iOS at all?

[@RingwayManchester]

Andy Meshby

[@mnj741G]

I just found this video and the links are not available. Is this sold somewhere in the US?

[@gbraadnl]

3:55 Isn't it better to in that case get the correct antenna connector ? There is SMA and RP-SMA

[@peteradshead2383]

It is like the good old days of packet radio ( M1CCH / G7OCP ) , But I've let my ham licence laps . I may have to think about setting up a node and see who is in the local area.

[@DubiousEngineering]

To be fair, what a cool idea 💡😜

[@waynemoate9401]

How about using your drone to take a Meshtastic to the Max legal height and attempt a long range contact.?

[@tmiller9099]

How do you configure the base and portable modules for range testing?

[@bjorn2625]

Any place to buy WISblock kit in the U.K.? Want to set up a repeater node in Hampshire over Christmas

[@andykirby]

Haven't found a place yet, a good alternative is the raspberry pi pico + waveshare pico lora hat, it's uses the same 2040 SOC as the RAK, power consumption is around 30ma. It'll probably go way lower with power saving features.

[@LoekBerkepies]

Hi Andy, what do you use to power these things ? I dont see any battery in the video, or any usb c cables attached to it (for power) . Please some advice.

[@andykirby]

I'm actually using small digital camera batteries, I've been testing different things before I mention it because there are some caveats, one is that there doesn't seem to be any low voltage cut out on the Heltec board itself so it's possible you can over discharge lipos if you aren't careful. The charger is quite basic as well and doesn't always charge the batteries properly via USB-C. Camera batteries are quite good as they have a built in BMS usually which will stop anything bad happening. That being said I wouldn't recommend leaving any battery connected to a Heltec on permanent charge especially over night.

[@LoekBerkepies]

@@andykirby thanks frontje quick reply. Maybe you can add some link to a website of these batteries? Or mention this in one of you’re future videos?

[@vincehogg8935]

I wonder if these could be used to transmit mavlink data to a drone, kind of like a telemetry radio. Probably not high enough data rate.

[@suzyamerica4679]

Obviously you would want to employ a compression protocol .. look at the "short signal message" format used by U-boats in WW2.

[@captainmark1]

Have you got a link were I could buy one please? As I’m not sure which one I need to use in the uk 🇬🇧

[@r0ckworthy]

Wait so you'd use these things to communicate in the scenario where for some reason you couldn't even use a local wifi network and an a chat app on your phone?

[@EnglishTurbines]

You're playing on my 868mhz CROSSFIRE BAND Andy....🤔😏😏🇬🇧

[@wilfredprins9718]

will they work with small data packages?

[@CallousCoder]

Was this with Lora set to Long Range/fast or Long Range/slow the latter will give you more range.

[@rashidismail9537]

Andy...does this meshtastic technology sole purpose is only sending and receiving messages between 2 separate devices or can it do more...lets say opening up websites on laptop or a tab etc.This is a fascinating technology I must say.

[@andykirby]

Just text messages. Yes it's pretty awesome.

[@evil4600]

Very cool! Imma get one for me and my dad!

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Just found your channel. Thanks to Ringway Manchester (I think it was lol). Good videos. A new subscriber.

[@DrewBlue32]

I'm thinking about setting up a repeater one, but with whatever the best antenna you can use with it. Would a repeater be different with antennas? I'd be happy to buy good antenna to make a big repeater to help my area.

[@andykirby]

They all act as repeaters! That's the colonising about it. You don't even have to configure it as a dedicated repeater (which you can of course) all packets get repeated by other stations with a hop limit of 3 (can also be set to any number)

[@DrewBlue32]

@@andykirby Thanks for the reply my dude. I knew they're all repeaters technically, but I thought there was a difference between one that would be paired with your phone and carried with you, vs one that you configure once and they leave on your roof.

[@Knight766]

Hi Andy, love your content. What's the bike you're riding here? I'm looking to get a high-power fat tyre ebike in Feb

[@unionse7en]

put one on a drone as a repeater, possibly use drone to put on top of building or tree etc

[@BillyNoMates1974]

Andy, how come 'Move Your Feet (BM Dubs Wiggle Your Toes Mix)' wasnt a general release. cracking tune

[@UnknownUser-pf9rk]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong! I used a pair of t-beams, even using better antennas than the little stumps that came with them and I couldn't even get a signal at a distance of 1km +/- from one hill slope to another with basically line of sight except for maybe some trees. Any ideas?

I wonder how much you could pull from there 868 MHz antennas on LTE B20 or what remote towers you could connect to. Definitely will look into the Meshtasic thing though, I have basically a 360 degree view and might be able to get some interesting here.

[@wooler78]

Andy how do you get the arrow working in the circle mine has just got a ? In it

[@b3l14l]

Insane performance from such a small and low power device.

[@andykirby]

Isn't it just!

[@BH-dsk]

It would seem to me the design of this meshtastic protocol is destined to fail, and will very quickly saturate the spectrum available as more and more nodes come online. Unless I am missing something? I have two nodes here in Melbourne Australia.

[@JulioRad954]

Great tech info Andy, love the music !

[@rondawg2]

Will the message "bounce off" a nod that isn't connected to your particular network?

[@julianrobertson3303]

Wow , that's amazing & thank you for sharing , I might make one & see if there's a Meshtastic network , in Brighton ?.

[@bruceclark5627]

I know this is a bit off topic,but do you still have anything to do with Kirbebike conversion kits? I'm trying to source 1 for a fat bike front hub set up.love the content and thank you in advance.

[@andykirby]

Yes www.kirbebike.com hit the team up and you can get what you need 👍🏼

[@bruceclark5627]

​@@andykirbythank you greatly sir!

[@shaunokeefe]

How popular is Meshtastic in the UK? Seen a few videos with a device called Lilygo T-Echo and not sure if they work in the UK and is it just point to point? Or can you join a community to create a real off grid network of comms

[@andykirby]

Theres quite a few in the UK now Join my discord, discord.com/invite/wyCBggNh

[@FRMN8R_T4R]

what e-Bike is that you're riding?

[@stephendonkin5497]

What's best way to get intouch with you Andy

[@andykirby]

Discord? or [e-mail]

[@persius5116]

Hi mate, is there any chance you can make a video how you setup the Bluetooth to work and how you paired it with your phone? I'm finding it a tad challenging to say the least.

[@andykirby]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5WxYpyvabJ-hassi=dgjvTve_un35Vtfl let me know if that helps.. join our discord... discord.com/invite/vmh9AsGt

[@persius5116]

Bloody legend! Thank you muchly

[@daytona1212]

What if you create a portable Yagi set and a Yagi at home?

[@djt7387]

Gotta love the name. Heltec

[@darrenharley6150]

Hi Andy. I just purchased a Heltec lora esp32 v3. I just can’t seem to get it to work. It has writing on the display asking for region. I flashed it with Heltec v3. I must of done something wrong. Any ideas. Could you advice how you set your lora v3 up. Thanks Darren

[@andykirby]

Watch my video, it's the one before this.

[@spr00sem00se]

I did a distance test with a uvk5(8) yesterday with the sms messaging firmware flashed onto it, I got 4.5km, didnt go any further as i thought it woudl have failed. im excited to see how far it goes. I need to get 9km from it to get to a family home where I could put a repeater....... im seriously looking for a pair of these meshtastic dongles to test

[@spr00sem00se]

just picked up a pair of v3 in 433 on ali........ cant wait

[@andykirby]

This is cool, which firmware did you use for the Quansheng.

[@andykirby]

I've seen meshtastic work where UHF voice is no copy. It's got very good link budget. Interested to try the Quansheng messaging. Most of the UK activity is on 868mhz for meshtastic.

[@spr00sem00se]

@@andykirby I looked in my local region, there is no meshtastic within 300km on the map, so i went with 433 to get a bit extra range and penetration........ The k5(8) firware I used was the patched V26 from whosmatt UVMOD. I have since installed the matoz firmware 32.0c and the sms function is much better to use, I havent range tested it. He released 33.0C in Telegram yesterday, so I may test that instead. Im just about to go into town so im planning some stop offs along the way to test the sms out.

[@daphbobo]

hows the range if you dont have a clear los? like say in a dense urban area?

[@JD_Manufacturing]

What about a Quadcopter!?

[@andykirby]

Yes! The plan is to do that when the weather's better.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Save all those little silica dessicant packets to use as condensation prevention 👍

[@andykirby]

Yeah you are not wrong!

[@Fanta....]

@@andykirby Better idea to use cat litter crystals. they are the same thing but you can buy kgs of the stuff for relatively cheap.

[@t_poutsider]

When you first purchase any meshtastic device you have to download n sync, after you have completed this and got it working is there a need for further updates or downloads?

[@TableWalkLake]

What’s the range?

[@levi5548]

Fars

[@TableWalkLake]

@@levi5548 Kansas City to Branson Mo?

[@PeterJavea]

Hi Andy I bought 2 Heltec V3s For the life of me I can't get my laptop to take the pilots and flash Meshtastic. 2 days, 3 different (checked) cables and I'm "dead". I realise it has to be my fault, but after trying a thousand times, it's little screen just says "waiting for lora data". Everyone else on KZbin just does it in a second. Not me. Not here. I can't be the only one, so where do nikkompoopes, like me go to to be taught like a 6year old how to do this? Sorry to bother you... Thanks in advance I'm going to go walk my dog and calm down...

[@MRGOLD99.999]

Does it work when your in a deep canyon

[@letmelooktv]

Will have a rummage and see if i can get one knocked up in time :)

[@JonnyWaldes]

Wait I'm new. Where did the nice case come from? Is that a retail product? 3d printed?

[@andykirby]

Came with them, the seller on amazon has sold out. You can get them on Aliexpress.

[@ttsupra2503]

I have to ask what electric bike it was that you briefly showed in the video? looks different then the ones I have access to around here.

[@thegreenpickel]

I might have missed it but what type of radio is being used, LoRa or maybe something sub GHz from Texas Instruments?

[@andykirby]

Yes it's LoRa

[@rushymoto]

If the ploice get one it can be developed to snoop I expect.

[@kiloalphadx]

Great video Andy. Keep your ears pinned back. The yagi is on its way.

[@andykirby]

Nice! Where are you?!