It’s Been a Good Run, Phone Providers.

How are these legal??

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**Tutorial Links**
Meshtastic Firmware

Web Client Application

Discover the revolutionary world of #Meshtastic, the new tech sensation that's changing the way we communicate off the grid. Move over, Flipper Zero, and welcome to a decentralized communication network that's open-source, free from big brother's watchful eye, and powered by tiny, affordable, and low-powered ESP32 microcontrollers. In this comprehensive video, we dive into everything Meshtastic can do - from encrypted messages over long-range LoRa technology to its applications in rural, mobile, or grid-down scenarios. Learn about the essentials, including how to set up your device, avoid common pitfalls, and even how to extend its range dramatically with a simple antenna upgrade.

This video is your guide to understanding how Meshtastic provides a confidential and secure way to communicate, perfect for avoiding wiretapping by telecom giants. Whether you're preparing for a festival, planning a remote adventure, or needing a reliable communication tool for NGO work in areas without cell infrastructure, Meshtastic has you covered. We'll show you what's inside the LoRa 32 box, suggest upgrades for better performance, and take you through the steps to get your device up and running with the latest firmware directly from your browser.

Experience an epic range test as we equip a drone with Meshtastic technology, demonstrating the true capabilities of these devices. From setting up the hardware, including choosing the right battery and case, to flashing the Meshtastic firmware and exploring practical use cases, this video is packed with valuable insights. Meshtastic is not just a gadget; it's a versatile tool for secure, encrypted, text-based communication, ideal for skiing, paragliding, camping, and more.

Don't miss out on the future of communication. Dive into the Meshtastic world with us, understand its vast potentials, and see if it's the right tech for your next adventure or project. Subscribe for more in-depth tech reviews and tutorials, and join us as we explore cutting-edge technologies that empower you to communicate on your terms.

**Keywords**: Meshtastic, off-grid communication, decentralized network, open-source, ESP32 microcontroller, LoRa technology, encrypted messages, range test, drone, firmware flashing, tech review, adventure tech, secure messaging, DIY tech project, Meshtastic setup guide, communication technology.

Contents:
00:00 - Introducing Meshtastic
00:18 - What can they do?
00:44 - Why LoRa?
01:31 - Heltec LoRa v32 v3
05:31 - Flash Meshtastic Firmware
07:56 - Meshtastic Client Apps
13:17 - Encrypted Chats
16:29 - Conduct a Range Test

[douglasharbert]

Congratulations. You re-invented the pager.

[MrCharlieUK]

Hi, I've been working in the RF engineering space for over 15 years, some insights. There will be a limit to range due to the transmit power of the devices, this is something that is usually limited by region, hence the reason why you need to pick a region on the inital set up, this is usally called reglatory domain, and controlled by the FCC in the US, OfCom in the UK and ETSI in the EU. A larger antenna does not mean that you will be able to transmit further, however it does mean that the device can 'hear' more, as it has a larger capture surface. The antenna used in the video, both 'stubby' and 'whip' are known as omni-directional antenna, this is because they transmit their power in usually a 360 degree radius from the antenna, range is also liimited with this type of antenna as it is transmitting in all directions, think of the power being divided equally in a 360 degree circle around you, the target node is in one of those directions so would, for example, only be receiving 5% of the transmit power of the originating device. Range could be dramatically increased by using a directional antenna, for example a 20 degree one, as the transmit power would be divided over a much tighter space. This is quite simplified, mulitple other factors such as polarisation and attenuation come in to play as well, and this is a comment, not a white paper :)

LoRa is not a 'illegal' technology, it was developed to fulfill a need in both urban and rural remote areas to transmit data, usually from autonamous nodes such as traffic lights, weather stations etc, where the data payload is low, its also used quite heavily in the farming industry to track wildlife, report on the health of crops and machinary. It also uses a lower frequency than traditional WiFi, which means the wave length is longer, and is able penetrate more dense materials, there for increasing its potential range.

The one concerning thing highlighted in the video for myself, was the ability to track nodes, it seemed like you were able to determine the location natively on the device of a node without any kind of authentication.

Another note to add would be SIGINT (Signal Intelligence), if someone is planning on using these devices in a situation such as a warzone or potential conflict zone (I'm thinking of civilian communications in Israel or Ukraine), as this creates a mesh network, meaning there will always be some level of RX/TX from these devices, by either relaying of messages, or attempting to discover new nodes in the mesh network, these devices would be quite easy to track down for an equipped force, potentially aiding in the capture or attack of the user. The equipment needed by people/govenments/militaries to track these types of signals is fairly ubiqutious now and rather cheap, something to keep in mind. SIGINT operators utilise 'listening posts' or devices (drones, AWACS etc) to 'listen' for RF, trianglate the signal and direct forces to that location (or order strikes), this has been used to great effect by the Ukraine military against the Russian Federation in the early part of the conflict for example.

[pepsipoint]

yes goodbye phone providers, all my friends in a 3 mile radius bought walkie talkies

[fireandiron]

As a former Marine who did some pretty high tech training exercises that simulated Peer-on-Peer warfare, I will tell you that there is no way of radio or cellular communication that cannot be tracked. It can be encrypted, but there is no way to keep it from being tracked. That's why we practiced radio silence, and only turned them on as a last resort. If we used radios to communicate, we immediately abandoned our position, because within an hour there would be helos and jets circling where the transmission was detected.

[sunxnes]

I dont think im out of line when I say you did not clearly state WHY this is a phone provider killer. Clickbait title

[brodriguez]

"outside the control of big-brother" FCC says hi.

[roderik]

"outside the control of big brother"

Uses proprietary communication protocol.

[TheRealMrBlackCat]

I can assure everyone, that no cell phone providers were harmed by the production of this product.

[Skullkid]

There should be a global effort by everyone to build a self-sustainable network of these devices powered with solar or other sources to create a massive network. Would be different from the internet or other networks, but could be used as a backup communication network incase things ever got bad.

[GoforKrogh]

Title: It's been a good run, phone providers.
Conclusion of video: "these things are probably not going to replace my phone provider"

[triumphmanful]

US Army Signal Corp. had this in 1967 .I was there, learning repair & operation .

[paul.phillips]

The antenna makes all the difference. Currently building a small mesh network in my area.

[tomi]

You lost me at 500 feet, that’s 152 meters. I can shout to my friend at that distance.

[larrywoolfolk]

Also, i dont know if anyone pointed this out, but the major issue with radio signals, especially simple ones like this, is you're still at the mercy of atmospheric effects and uh sorry to be that guy but being in motion or not in motion is a BIG factor, so thats why despite having direct LOS youre still losing messages

Source: Currently a NavET on Submarines

[gelloyangsteryang]

I dont understand anything here, yet i feel so excited to watch this.

[JenMarco]

Awesome! I invented a phone for the house that stays there all the time and is attached to the wall with a cord so you don’t ever lose it.

[kaptainkaos]

Years ago at work my group did something similar. We miniaturized a VHF/UHF relay platform and slung it under a huge balloon. I launched it from Norman, OK and it came down in Kentucky. It spent hours at around 105, 000’ and provided a relay footprint of almost 400 miles. 3 channels of VHF and 4 channels of UHF. While I put our contact info on the payload it’s never been returned so there’s some cool tech probably hung up in a tree in Eastern Kentucky.

[KorinWolf_Music]

"This will kill phone providers" *needs phone to work* lmao

[turtleinii]

Old Radio guy for the military.
Radio waves can penetrate nonconducting materials, such as wood, bricks, and concrete, fairly well. They cannot pass through electrical conductors, such as water or metals. Above ν = 40 MHz. Ya I took this from Britannica because I didn't want to type it out, long story short that's why you can get though multitudes of buildings and dense woods but struggle on a lake or beach. Ground radio waves also project in a curve (this is why they bounce off the water so quickly) so no joke you grab a 6-20ft antenna to any of these or even build a permeant housing and this could be broadcasting for miles.

[WyMustIGo]

If you are concerned with privacy, why on Earth would you use ANY Google product, especially Chrome?