Meshtastic License Free Off-Grid Comms MADE EASY!

Meshtastic is a great way to use a license-free communications system via text messaging. It uses LoRa, which is a long-range radio system, to communicate. I've had a few of these devices for a while and I am getting them setup to take to Dayton Hamvention next week. In this video I show how to flash 2 different models of units and how they work together.

This video is sponsored by LDG Electronics - save 20% off of everything from LDG at the Dayton Hamvention of 2024. Stop by the Gigaparts booth to see their full line of products.

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Mail: 2150 W. Northwest Highway STE114-1163, Grapevine TX 76051
Thanks for watching!
#Hamradio #kc5hwb #meshtastic

[rbmwiv]

Just started with Meshtastic. I am also into HAM and GMRS. I just got three, two T-Beam supreme v3 and a lilygo all in one device. It came in a case with a battery and all the sensors. Great for mobile applications. I plan on putting one solar powered on the roof as a router to connect to my friends who are into this project. We will be installing a stealth install on an old cellular tower with a drone in about a week. We are trying to cover the entire county. We have enough units to deploy and great places to put them. In a month or two we should have them all deployed. My friend has been doing it a while longer and got me into it.

[BrandonJ]

You quite literally said what I said.. over 2 years ago. Being a GMRS/Ham guy, I was skeptical but it was explained horribly to me. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. More reputable(and cool) ham guys started talking about it. Well, Im mapping all the mountains around me now. You explained it very well and it helped add to my growing mesh knowledge. Cant wait to get my network up

[tinwhiskerSC]

There's going to potentially be a lot of devices at Hamvention. There's only so much room in the spectrum for comms; the devices will display usage and anything over 60% gets dicey. It's probably a good idea to tell people to set their devices to "client_mute" instead of "client". This will prevent devices from rebroadcasting each other except when needed letting the routers do most of the work.

[chrisweihrauch]

I just ordered one from Amazon and it came in an hour ago. I will definitely be bringing mine to Dayton this weekend.

[ragheadandroll]

Shoutout to LDG. Great products. I have the ldg ft857 big meter. The 857 auto tuner. Awesome stuff. Thank you An homage to mfj. Good quality stuff at great prices Much success 🇺🇸✌️🙏🏆

[EZPromoVideos]

I am waiting for all my parts for a Solar Wisblock setup... That will be my main node.. Order the T-Deck today. So by the time you return I should at least of some of it ready to go! ;) Glad to see others are working through this...

[RockyMTHirvi]

You gave me enough info to decide to order a T-beam that I can power with a small solar panel and hang somewhere outside in weather resistant case. Also, probably get a couple of the small Heltec V3 for keeping with while traveling around the area. It's a challenge to find out how to get started. You've did that. Thanks! KF0EAU John

[digital.rancher]

My T-Beam is flashed up and ready to rock for Hamvention! This should be a fun way to put Meshtastic through the paces.

[PNW_Hawk]

I have 2 Heltec V3's and another that is a RAK Wisblock that I am currently testing as a solar node that will be placed on my roof. I have 4 18650's in parallel that will charge via the solar panel using the RAK's built in solar charge circuit.

[grfd]

I picked up a pair of the T beams with cases at a local hamfest back in March. Couple of buddies and i have plans of setting up a network, provided we'll be in range (have a decent ridge between us, so unknown yet). With other projects going on, we haven't gotten to these yet, but I'm glad you're posting some resources so I can learn more and hopefully implement relatively soon.

Unfortunately, when I watched this video, I had already left my house and am already in northern KY with my father, so I don't have either of my T beams with me to take to Hamvention. I hope it works well and looking forward to an "after" video of the results. I'll be in Huntsville in August, so maybe we'll bring them there.

[chrissewell]

What these really need, is a onboard rechargable battery, and a solar panel (&/or solar power port). So, they can be installed in the wilds and act as a repeater. Then they can be placed around your area, to create an un-manned network.

[dansklrvids]

This video was super helpful to me in setting up my first node. What I can't find is an ordinary explanation of how someone else on my same Apple account, who just wants to be able to send texts to me and nothing else, can access the node. When I messaged them the QR code, the meshtastic app clearly expects them to do some thing before accessing the node. The "save" function is grayed out. But of course the app doesn't tell you what you need to do. Is anyone aware of any video that helps you through this process?

[chrissewell]

Meshtastic seems to be very popular in England. But I can't seem to find any hotspots / nodes in the Ga. Area. I want to get into it, but want to be able to connect & expand on, an established mesh network.
(Love Lewis' channel in Manchester, England!)
P.S. : Maybe I don't know where to find mesh spots, either?

[DominicMazoch]

LDG has no products for 900 Mhz. But I have the older tuner for LDG for Icon. Works for the 703, 746, 7300. Fits nicely on the 703/6!

[TRC_]

Has anyone come out with Meshtastic Push to Talk yet? Or is it still only text messaging?

[stevewinwood]

Can LoRA or meshtastic

Send picture messages?

[AlvinMcManus]

What do I do with the two rows of standoff pins? Are they used anywhere on this rig?

[ronb]

I would use the license version options and use more power, a technician level ham license is sufficient. I know about some features will be locked out. 73

[Smokie]

I have 5 and setting up spots in Massachusetts mobile use you find folks along the way

[SeptemberRain]

The little devices are pretty cool however using them city they have a limited range 2-3 kms at most.