Heltec Version 3 Meshtastic Firmware & Radio: The Complete Setup Tutorial!!

🔧 Heltec V3 Meshtastic Firmware & Radio Configuration Guide

Welcome to Disaster Communications! In this comprehensive tutorial, we'll walk you through the process of flashing firmware and configuring the radio on the Heltec V3 Meshtastic board. Whether you're a beginner or an enthusiast, this step-by-step guide will help you unlock the full potential of your Meshtastic device.

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📌 Topics Covered:

Introduction to Heltec V3 Meshtastic board
Installing the Antenna
Firmware flashing walkthrough
Radio configuration essentials

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Thanks for watching, and let's dive into the world of Heltec V3 Meshtastic together!

[stytzagatha]

Thank you! I have been watching so many videos that never solved my problem of flashing. You showed that I had to download a driver when all others said noting about it. Thanks again! 73- Mike

[InVinoVeritas.]

Thank you for this!! Can't wait to get one, or two!!

[bobbysenterprises]

Thanks for a straight forward step by step video

[irememberjeepz]

This was a great help just to ensure I’m doing things correctly. Thank you.

[TheRealKendrick]

Thanks you for the video. Very helpful for this computer illiterate.

[miahcollins]

Thank you very much your video was super helpful is getting ready to pull my hair out trying to figure out why it wouldn't read when I plugged it in...

[tmiller]

I checked the included antenna for the Heltec V3 and it was tuned for 868 MHz. I trimmed it using my VNA down and got it tuned for 915 MHz. Had to cut around 0.5 cm or 0.2 in. The plastic cover will slide off with a little pressure.
I still bought a larger antenna but will now be able to compare them.

[acestudioscouk-Ace-GACE]

Thanks for this video, I was able to get mine up and running without too much problem. Usually it goes pear shaped on me and I want to slash my wrists and die! Thanks to you I'm still sane and happy! 🤣

[InVinoVeritas.]

Great videos on Meshtastic software & these different hardware nodes!! Question, if I want to test with 2 Heltecs, one at home station, one mobile, would I set home station to Repeater & would message from mobile be received by home station & relayed back to mobile node confirming successful transmission? Thanks!

[islandsurveyor]

Thanks for the clear, comprehensive video. My devices do not show up (not on device manager, not as a USB device - they are on the "other devices" tab) but they won't show on the firmware tab and so I can't flash them. Tried 2 devices on 3 different computers. USB comm cables are good. Any suggestions?

[dichlor.methan]

Great tutorial, thank you! 
What is the range you get with the Heltec V3 and standard coiled antenna in an outdoor setting (without a large antenna or router)? 
The Heltec V3 doesn't has an GPS on board, but is it still possible to share the real time location from your phone via the app?
Can you power the Heltec V3 via your phone USB-C or via a power bank? (some power bank need a certain load to not switch off automatically)

[Simpson]

Thanks this was helpful. I was able to reflash the Heltech but could not configure it with the web interface (using Chrome). It stalled with the message: "Messages: Loading...
". I was able to edit the configuration but saving it had no effect. I was able to change the configuration using the Android app. I *think* the problem is that the web-to-serial feature in Chrome doesn't work if you have multiple tabs open to the same page. I've just tried again and was able to get write access to the config but if I opened a 2nd browser tab, it stalled again. Might be worth adding a comment in your video.

[yamez]

I cut a notch in the Heltec case to fit in a SMA connector. The Heltec lacks a power switch, though you could put a switch in between the 18650 battery holder. For now I'm using a small powerbank with my Heltecs. Good value units though not as power efficient as the RAK and T-Echo. Does your18650 battery charge ok through the Heltec when USB power is supplied?

[mahmoudayman]

Hello, does this method work for heltec lora32 V3 and RAK72896V2 gateway?, i want to connect heltec lora32 V3 with RAK72896V2 gateway

[tron]

Im just now learning about this stuff and am wanting to get into it. Am I correct I need to get the 915 MHz version for the US?

[StrangerInAStrangeLand]

FYI alpha is less stable than the beta

[gtorres]

Can we have channels that are long fast and another that is long slow? Or must we manually change that in the Modem preset each time?

[salsepulveda]

I setup the Primary as Family, as you did for the example. For Channel 1 - Is a Pre-shared Key required? My device is connected to the computer (Serial Connection) and I'm just trying to see who's out there right now. I placed my internet router I.D. and Passcode in the device settings. When I click on the map, it's blank. How do I see other people on Channel 1?

[ufyzfmb]

Amigo, estos equipos se pueden usar por radio operadores con licencia (ham radio operators) para APRS?? Podrías hacer videos al respecto de ser posible? Gracias!! 73 de XE2MDH!

[jhlewis]

Heltec, or T-Beam, T-Echo, which one? Does it matter?