RAKwireless WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit & Modules Overview + Giveaway!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Give away has ended and winner drawn, thank you for all those that commented.

[@Meshtastic]

May the odds forever be in your favor!

[@Buzzygirl63]

I'm in the US so this giveaway won't apply to me, but I just want to say thanks for getting me interested in this technology. I'm already an amateur radio operator so this sort of tech is right up my alley. I've got two Heltec V3s on the way and can't wait to get started using them. 73!

[@waylonk2453]

The RAK module looks great! I like the ease of adding a solar panel and battery backup.

[@RabbitStu-M7UTS]

Pairing code is 123456 by default without a display. These can also be updated over Bluetooth with DFU app.

[@markcparanormal]

Also you can set via pc

[@ethzero]

I understand one of the unique features of the RAKs is their use of a very low current microprocessor unit (when compared to a typical ESP32-based solution like the Heltecs), so I'd love to see future videos covering that neat Solar box and how that performs in the UK climate (!) and (when it works) the PoE injector module.

[@grahamwebber9208]

Just starting to look at meshtastic, this looks like a great device!

[@Slay3rOne]

Oh I was just about to order that with a few modules (Ethernet with PoE and GPS) next month maybe. Nice seeing you just made a video on the system!

[@BenCos2018]

I could do with a Poe board tbh

[@Glock21911]

So does the poe and ethernet modules work yet?

[@nanoicdalflanlun]

Some kits shipping as recently as the beginning of March 2024 have the older firmware that requires you to double click the reset button before it will appear as a USB storage device. An additional note is the web flasher page requires a web browser supporting Web Serial API, like Edge or Chrome. Unfortunately, Firefox doesn't support Web Serial API.

[@BeneeUK]

Good luck all, I’d expand on my dissertation I completed last year with it, this module is far superior than the modules/components I used which severely limited my projects capabilities, don’t really fancy sharing the idea too widely but can definitely let you know privately!

[@survival6178]

Thank you for your informative video #techminds . Looking forward starting a new Hobby!!!

[@MrSoulshine123]

I am thinking of adding Meshtastic in my Family’s Emergency Communications Plan. Probably I will use it as a solar powered repeater placed in a strategic location. The only problem I will face is that I will have to order more boards since I do not own one. Thank you in advance #techminds

[@andremak3933]

Great video again with a complete and clear overview all options. I am always curious in new communication as a licensed radioamateur and considering starting with meshtastic. #techminds

[@shadyss96]

Thank you for the vid! I would first put one together and start by figuring it out how it works and see how I can use it within my life and or job. Then deploy a few repeaters around and see what these can do over LoRa.

[@downsouthsafaris6788]

It’s past the draw but I’m planning on putting this onto a High Altitude Balloon together with Environmental sensors and GPS very keen to: a) see how far it can send a signal with 10 kilometers “line of sight” b) hope to use it for tracking and retrieval

[@1crazynordlander]

I bought a solar/battery rak wizblock complete from GarthVH. Nothing in my rural area in southwest Minnesota but I put it in my car when I drove to Denver and picked up numerous stations along the way. In my daughter’s neighborhood I see one user that has four rak devices. I’m not sure what to do with it at this point since I see these other nodes. I’m new to meshtastic. I ordered a rak starter kit and have a waveshare SX1262 LoRa HAT for Raspberry Pi. I am hoping you’ll do a video on that. I have no clue what to do with it. Got any ideas?

[@navex4786]

Useful information thanks. Nice box but. . .what is the point of having environmental sensors on the motherboard which you will then need to isolate from the environment?? Also, the optimal orientation for the LoRa antenna and the solar panel are at odds. Maximise one and you loose out on the other. Lastly, I don't understand the 'for about seven days' statement. Surly this will depend on the number of hors of sunshine and it's strength so can't be quantified like this? Anyway, I've decided on a Wisblock system, just not configured as above. Thanks again. D.

[@chesshooligan1282]

I'd turn it into an ultra-flat GPS tracker. I'd put it in a concealed compartment at the bottom of my battery box and program the device to wake up regularly and send an update of its location in case my motorbike gets stolen.

[@davetreadwell]

You'd need to make sure the GPS antenna can see the sky though - VERY much needs line of sight

[@chesshooligan1282]

@@davetreadwellAaaah, thank you. I'll need to do something else with it then.

[@danfitzpatrick4112]

These boards are next level! My ESP32 boards in one spot run very hot! I don't get any heat at all with the Wis. Seem more stable as well and many many options.. I like these so far and thanks for the awesome presentation! Keep in mind these do not seem to have a battery charger on board? Could be part of the reason for being more efficient with power draw?

[@jonpg1jsf118]

Another great video. Up in North Yorkshire we dont get much coverage / distance due to the terrain. With the solar powered module we could hide a Node up high on the Moors to provide support for Meshtastic across a huge area. #techminds

[@AllanCookg7vqv]

Thanks for Videos, Repeater G7VQV going on air Soon.

[@M0LMK]

Our local radio group has been playing with Meshtastic and the Heltec boards for a few months so I would use the RAK kit to build a solar node and place it with our local 70cm repeater (GB7TH) which is on a very high block of flats. This would give lots of local users a great bost. #techminds

[@ethzero]

I'd like this kit to go a school! This kit seems like it would make for a great STEM platform for students to learn electronics & radio 👍 #techminds

[@n1kkri]

I'm really new to this. Where do you get the flasher program? It seems like you just jumped into it without saying where you get it. I am also in the U.S. I think we use 915MHz

[@Connor_008]

what usb did you use to connect to your computer? and what voltage can the usb run? I don't want to fry the board by accident lol

[@SergeiJonovich]

This Meshtastic is really starting to interest me. I’d like to use one to get started with the system and ultimately have it monitor water levels at a nearby brook that overflowed and flooded us back in January. Some early warning to get me speedos on & evacuate the ground floor would be handy. #techminds

[@curajgamerfricos6916]

Did not use rak sistem yet in EU. Inhave the tbeamon 433

[@bigo93]

I wonder if you can plug in a Type C to ethernet adaptor instead of using the RAK module, thereby freeing up space for another module for you to use? #techminds

[@John-Bates]

Keep hearing about Meshtastic and would love to setup node in my area. Live in a high building so think I would get great coverage. #techminds

[@JakubHolubinka]

I'd attach it to my dog's collar along with a GPS module to track how greater distance she makes than me during a walk. I can't use APRS since my dog is not a licensed HAM operator :) #techminds

[@TOMinPDX]

I love it! I swear my dog does at least two miles to each one of mine and that's on a mellow day, if she's very energetic it's a lot more. 😂

[@TheToxiss]

I don't currently own any Lora/Meshtastic devices, so I would just use it to get into the hobby and fall into this rabbit hole. #techminds

[@rbe250]

Nice introduction to the WizBlock kit and modules. I will build my first Meshtastic device together with a 3D printed enclosure. So that I can communicate with my friends in the local mesh network. #techminds

[@connecticutaggie]

I am in the US so I am sad that I can't enter for the free giveaway. 😢 But, to encourage you to give away a US kit, here is my idea - a mushroom monitor! I want to put it at my favorite mushroom spot and have it provide me with remote soil temperature, sun and humidity readings. Do you know if the solar panel could be used to monitor sun intensity?

[@sveinutne7347]

This might be good as a relay station placed on a roof or other high location close bye for much better reach.

[@williamna5800]

Wow, shipping nearly as much as the base/module combo if you get the case/base/module.

[@miketaylor253]

Love the idea of playing with Meshtastic and I would mount this outside so as to provide coverage to this part of the country #techminds

[@GModBMXer]

Meshtastic seems so overwhelming but this seems really easy

[@oncomics1128]

Have you seen any way to report wind speed to the device?

[@jefftheworld]

Oxford doesn't yet have much meshtastic coverage, so I'm hoping to get a few folks here interested and get a mesh across town. #techminds

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

Where do get the header to mount the display???

[@TechMindsOfficial]

It came in the same packet as the display.

[@justOffgrid-ph7uo]

I am busy setting up a MeshTastic network in my community, The Base nodes in a triangle form are financed by myself... So when I have that in place.... I help the community setting up nodes they buy themselves. Would love to see one of the nodes to be a RAk starter kit 😊 #techminds

[@donphilbin5659]

Love to get one of these. I was just about to order this kit and saw this video. I would set this up as a local repeater in my area. #techminds

[@ronsworldnl]

😎 Would like to mount it next to my CB antenna and give it a bit of height. Looks very interesting, am all new to this.

[@elesjuan]

Pro-gamer tip for ordering a WisBlock starter kit; Not only make sure you select the correct frequency, but make sure the core you order is the appropriate one. I recently ordered a starter kit and apparently selected the wrong kit; My core is the rak11300 which does NOT have bluetooth included in it. Ordered the correct kti with the RAK4631 core, and also picked up an ethernet and PoE module for my existing WisBlock kit. I'll wire/power the existing one to my network for a primary home node. Also moderately disappointed at the current time, there do not appear to be any other LoRa meshtastic nodes in my immediate area. Hopefully that'll change soon, as this is a super neat technology! Also -- As a side note, I never bothered to pick up a display because I've got multiple SSD1306 OLED displays kickin' around from other projects, but unfortunately the standard pinout of "GND, VCC, SCL, SCA" is not what RAK choose for the WisBlock, they went with "VCC, GND, SCL, SCA" pinout, so be careful with that as you might nuke your display. My workaround for that is some dupont connectors instead of installing a header socket on the WisBlock board.

[@mor4y]

If i won the unit i would use it to kickstart interest at my work, as we work somewhere where mobile signal is pretty awful, so some extra comms would be handy

[@bopsop]

Amazing video again. I would like to use it for a on the road car note when I’m out and about on my adventures, I think meshtastic is an amazing hobby and I like to jump into it 💪 #techminds

[@th3heal3r]

I've only just discovered meshtastic over the past day or so and have been binge watching youtube vids ever since, hence how I ended up here. This giveaway would be a fantastic start to my journey down the rabbit hole to discover all the things it is capable of! #techminds

[@JonnyS281]

Would be great to win this, looking to get started with Meshtastic having watched lots of videos on it. Don’t think there are many nodes round by me.

[@sivoltage]

I would use this on my allotment to gather weather data. It will help alert me to frosts so I could save my plants. So cool. #techminds

[@alw7315]

I would put a solar panel with it and battery and either put it on a tethered weather balloon to give it really good altitude for reception and make it a repeater node. #techminds

[@adriangodley]

#techminds The topography where I live makes point to point connections quite challenging. If I won this starter kit, it would be used to create a covert repeater node situated on one of the hills over looking our town.

[@chrislx2006]

I seem to be located in a radio black spot with no contacts so I would set it up as a repeater for my area by placing it high - near GPO Tower on Sutton Common would be good. I would want a better antenna than the provided one though. #techminds

[@360turns2]

I am planning to take it with me paragliding and how many nodes can be picked up from 6000 feet. If I won it... #techminds

[@bodstrup]

The kit now comes with the 4631 chipset - which should be much more power efficient

[@davetreadwell]

Did you really not get any customs/import charges? The US website doesn't charge the UK VAT/allow you to have duties pre-paid with the courier - really don't want to be stung by additional charges/fees on top of the customs charges for the sake of a £0.75 saving from using your link!

[@BeneeUK]

Nope because it’s worth less than £135

[@gadjetsvideo]

I'm looking into meshtastic at the moment for monitoring some security access so would have to make/source a gyroscope type module to plug in, does anyone know if that's supported in meshtastic? #techminds

[@mortendue]

I want to use it to set up a node so we can get Meshtastic up and running here in Denmark. I've ordered a Heltec LoRa 32 from China, but it's taking forever to arrive... #techminds

[@brendoncobey6034]

I would like to try and use it to monitor for motion and smoke detection and mesh the whole game fence line to try stop the pouchers I need to prove the concept. #techminds

[@kajatoth9151]

I would like to use it as repeater and mount it to a big tree on my garden. I only own 2 diy versions so one good node would be amazing. The tree is so big it would cover my small town and a village nearby, so it would hopefully bring more people to this amazing hobby and i would get a greater range. #techminds

[@cleitorubi_izolan]

Show Parabéns o melhor canal que tenho no presente momento...Parabéns moro No Sul do Brasil e estou loko para começar a Meshtastic por aqui tbm ok soube que perto do chile ja temos algo Abraços 73´s py3sa, Cleito.

[@QuattroUK2011]

There are only 2 nodes in my area but we can’t reach each other from our home nodes because there is a hill in the way. One of us has to go mobile with another node on the hill to bridge the gap. If I won this device I’d install it as a fixed node hidden up the hill with a battery! #techminds

[@speccyplays621]

I would use it to connect to like minded people in my area. I've only recently got interested in radio stuff via an sdr and it's been so fascinating so far ! #techminds

[@elmodiddly]

I would use mine for my chicken coop, solar powered solution to overheating and high humidity. Using the RAK1906 to measure air temp and humidity as factors I would look to automatically set a threshold for a built in solar powered extractor fan to start whenever humidity and temp got too high. Helps to keep red mite at bay if kept cooler overall. Would be interesting to see whether high temp and humidity would affect air quality and measure the effectiveness of the fan ventilation which may steady egg production of my girls. #techminds

[@MultiVogon]

🙂 Been wanting to get into Meshtastic for a while now - there's one other node in my small town in Wales - so I want to expand the network locally - would be nice to get a chain going across the country so we can communicate with the outside world too 😀 #techminds

[@paulladdie1026]

Hi I would use that RAK wireless module, as a repater in my loft, to use with my other Lilygo tbeam modules, thanks #techminds

[@Hamradio2024]

Rare technology in my area but this can be changed ☺ #techminds

[@Atari.Geezer]

Good luck to the non U.S. members, since I am in the U.S. I'll have to wait for the goodies next time :) But I do have an IC-7300 arriving Monday so that will fun to play with for now... 73's

[@AlistairMacDonald]

My use case is to mount the device on my house to help us expand our local coverage. I suspect I would mount it in a waterproof box with an external antenna mounted at roof level. #techminds

[@horakus]

This would be a good kit to start tinkering with meshtastic! #techminds

[@mogergog]

I would set it up as a repeater to contribute to Meshtastic. I have a good spot for it :) #techminds

[@infocuslearning]

If I had the starter kit, I would mount it high up and use it as a low-powered repeater, as my area in South London is a bit of a Meshtastic desert! #techminds

[@G6MDX-Dai]

I would use this as a stealth repeater, solar powered in a high hidden spot to link East & West Midlands meshes, the tiny power consumption of the RAK modules would make this possible. #techminds

[@maryjane5108]

im new to the whole radio kind of stuff, recently got into quasheng radios with custom firmware, then ordered a portapack hackrf cause it can be used as a SDR at a pc and mobile device to spot planes (really love that feature) , next im going to get a VNA to build my own dipolantennas that im planing for meshtastic, im also interested in heltec v3 but not sure about it because of the higher power consumption of the esp32....so yeah a wisblock kit would be helpful starting my journey in this particular direction, would safe me some money which i would invest in other hardware instantly :P also im very excited about the embedded convention which starts soon(april), there will be a lot of interesting tech stuff to see and hopefully a lot of nerdtalk allday all night :) #techminds

[@kernowgym]

Wanting to setup my first outdoor node via solar, I am in a dip in the land in cornwall where we have no mesh currently just individual users trying to connect up 🤞#techminds

[@flintlock1]

I would love to learn all about the world of Lora, have been fascinated with these small low power devices since they became popular recently. All the best to all in the giveaway, #techminds

[@Heppie89]

This would make a fantastic remote solar node in a strategic location to link up some meshes #TechMinds

[@mark2w0jmk7]

That would make a great stealth set up so that's what I would do with it. Up on top a a Welsh mountain. #techminds

[@djekl]

I’m trying to get Meshtastic going up in the north east. Washington doesn’t seem to have much activity. So if I were able to win this, I would be able to build up a solid remote node #techminds

[@seahawk3057]

Great video as usual, im just starting to get into LoRa and with fellow radio hams in mid wales we hope to setup a mesh and also get telemetry from our hilltop off grid 2M repeater. #techminds

[@BLUESKYS4EVE]

Make sure your battery is pinned correctly.

[@wolfiegoth]

I would love to mount this with a solar panel on my log cabin. Wales is a little behind on nodes and coverage. #techminds

[@adriaticshorespinning]

I would love to develop a mesh network for the use of wild river rafting crews in my area, since some of the tracks are not covered by GSM networks, and the activity tends to be dangerous once in a while #techminds

[@ibarker182]

Given the opportunity, I would glue it into an empty butter box with the air quality sensors and take them for a ride on the bike to see how many nodes I could find and see what my local air quality is like, pretty new to lora and these modules make tinkering fairly simple.... so it seems 😂 #techminds

[@Moonriser73]

I would like to test to what degree the LoRaWAN network is impacted by the fact that Meshtastic doesn't limit the duty cycle #techminds

[@LAB-77]

Wow, this looks fun. Was thinking of getting a GoTenna, but now I think I'll play with Meshtastic #techminds

[@TBNRregs]

I would use this on my e-bike to be a mobile repeater and to track my e-bike. Already ordered 2 of the sets and 2 T-Echos, but waiting for it to arrive. #techminds

[@altitude1039]

Wow! That's not a deal! $40 (CAD) for the bare bones kit plus $20 shipping.

[@JoonaKallinen]

I would like to to use one of these to expand our local mesh and hopefully to get contact with other users finally. :) #techminds

[@TanelKersna]

❤ I'd like to learn more about LoRa before build something, so the answer is - for learning and testing #techminds

[@BenCos2018]

Id love a board like that to try out meshtastic Atm im just playing around with some diy things network stuff I'd love to enter the giveaway

[@stephandg1bgs236]

The LoRa Meshtastic network in Singapore only has 4 nodes at the moment and this one would be used to extend our slowly growing network #techminds

[@jamesdecalais2619]

As I live in Calais, I would try to connect the UK to Europe via Meshtastic with a Yagi antenna. #techminds

[@42markk42]

#techminds I don't have a meshtastic yet, but have been watching your videos with great interest and have been very close to buying one to see what all the fuss is about, so I will wait until you announce the winner before buying :)

[@nonamesi]

If I got this free starter kit I'd probably mess around with it and with this kind of gadgets, ordered a bunch more from aliexpress and get hooked real good. #techminds

[@BLUESKYS4EVE]

DO NOT power the unit until you attach the antennas.

[@davidbingham3090]

Although I am an radio amateur, I mam mike shy due to a brain injury. I am hoping Metastatic will be a good opening for me #techminds

[@picklechimp]

I would like to put up a solar node in my garden! #techminds

[@samik83]

I'd build a solar node and put it on a 500ft hill near by. Should cover the whole town easily and also link up to the next town. #techminds

[@Adrelien]

Would love to join the giveaway. I wrote so many blogs for meshtastic and i have yet to get my hands on one of those. I am currently testing it to deploy it in my city for as disaster communication alternatives since we tend to have a lot of earthquakes #techminds

[@simple_simon]

Would like to use it to setup a mobile hotspot in the local area (blackpool) as there isnt much going on round here #techminds