Setting up ChatterBox Firmware on T-Deck Plus for Secure Off-Grid Mesh Texting

[@AndrewMcClenaghan4182]

This looks amazing! I am amazed how visual this looks!! Keen to get a few devices and test this out.

[@RonnieTucker1]

I have a not-plus T-deck, can Chatterbox work on that device? Is it the same idea as Meshtastic where you need to have people in your area also running Chatterbox?

[@mattcalhoun61]

@@RonnieTucker1 it can work if you have (or add) compatible GPS. It is similar in that other ChatterBox nodes/T-Decks that are paired will need to be within mesh proximity (intermittent is ok, as messages and packets are cached as needed). www.offgridcomms.club/help/t-deck-assembly/

[@AndrewMcClenaghan4182]

Australia has a narrower 915mhz ISM band. Do you know what’s happening configuration I would need to apply for that?

[@mattcalhoun61]

You choose a center frequency, and a number of channels. Each channel is a .1 step above or below the center. So if you had say 8 channels, centered at 915.0, you'd be using these: [ 914.7, 914.8, 914.9, 915.0, 915.1, 915.2, 915.3, 915.4] You can stick with one channel on any frequency you want as well, and not do the hopping at all.

[@dadscanplay2]

Just went through installation of INT version, boot is stack on Mount/Decrypt SD, any idea why it not advancing? FAT formatted, 32GB card and new TDeck+.

[@mattcalhoun61]

@@dadscanplay2 yeah, the firmware was just updated yesterday and someone else reported the same issue, eventually got through it, but I'm checking it out. It will be related to the SD partition type probably. What OS are you using to format the SD?

[@dadscanplay2]

@@mattcalhoun61 thank you for prompt response, I'm using Win11

[@mattcalhoun61]

@@dadscanplay2 thanks, checking into it. Hope to have a clear solution today

[@dadscanplay2]

@ can’t wait.

[@mattcalhoun61]

​@@dadscanplay2 In case it's brand/model related, the exact SD cards I'm using are: amzn.to/40tGEt2 I was able to run with the above sd card, formatted/partitioned from windows 11 just now, using both the us and export versions of the firmware. I used a free tool called "Minitool Partition Wizard" to DELETE the existing SD card's partition and create a new one, using the settings you can see at this screenshot: www.offgridcomms.club/firmware/images/minitool_partition.png If you give that a try, can you let me know if it works (or doesn't). Whatever the solution, I will definitely update the website with better instructions.

[@AndrewMcClenaghan4182]

What is the difference between US and Export version of the firmware?

[@mattcalhoun61]

The only difference is the encryption level. I have to lower it somewhat for outside the US. I will probably look further into this later on, but for now it's easier just to dial it down a little and focus on other aspects of the firmware, and not hold up availability to everyone outside the US.

[@detaart]

@@mattcalhoun61 ITAR nonsense? Why not use an open encryption standard instead of some ITAR compliant bs library?

[@c.m.d2651]

Can I call from one country to another using chat box

[@mattcalhoun61]

@@c.m.d2651 these are text-only, so no calling. Also , they are for mesh-based off-grid communication that does not use internet or centralized grid/services, so you will not be able to communicate long distances with these

[@yangzheng3214]

I am a loyal supporter, can you update a Chinese version please?

[@JustinOther]

Mine keeps getting stuck at the Mount/Decrypt SD part of the initial loading screen 😭

[@mattcalhoun61]

@@JustinOther did you see this page? www.offgridcomms.club/help/formatting-sd-card/

[@mattcalhoun61]

That means there's something about the SD card or its format that the firmware doesn't like. The page I pasted has some suggestions, and I'll add more/narrow that down, as users give me more info.

[@JustinOther]

@@mattcalhoun61 Ok, I'll try reformatting the SD card and reflashing chatterbox. Thank you!

[@mattcalhoun61]

@JustinOther no need to re flash, as long as you already got v1.0.3. the internal flash holds absolutely no data, it's all on SD

[@ericlessard5021]

Is chatterbox better than meshtastic?

[@mattcalhoun61]

@@ericlessard5021 I wouldn't call either one better, they have different goals and strengths. You can find a list of some of the differences here: www.offgridcomms.club/help/chatterbox-vs-meshtastic/

[@paullee107]

Is chatterbox in the US too?

[@mattcalhoun61]

@@paullee107 yes, that's where I am based

[@gshockhodinky]

👍🏼