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

@Disastercommunications

16 күн бұрын

Glad to hear it helped. Thanks for watching. Will be doing some more mesh videos soon

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

@Disastercommunications

Ай бұрын

Thanks Mike for the feedback. 73

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

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

No problem

Thanks for a straight forward step by step video

@Disastercommunications

3 ай бұрын

Your welcome. Thank you

Super helpful video! Thank you.

@Disastercommunications

3 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thank you

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

@Disastercommunications

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching

Thank you!

@Disastercommunications

3 ай бұрын

You're welcome!

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...

@Disastercommunications

3 ай бұрын

Glad it helped. Sure appreciate the feedback.

FYI alpha is less stable than the beta

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

You know, in the back of my mind I thought it was weird how they labeled it. I was going off the old saying “beta tester”. Thanks for the clarification on it.

@bobbysenterprises3220

3 ай бұрын

Came here say this also.

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! 🤣

@Disastercommunications

3 ай бұрын

Good to hear. Thanks for watching

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.

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

Great catch. My analyzer does not go that high. It stops at 440mhz. The more I play with these frequencies I can see the need for a different meter.

Great tutorial. Your the best.

@Disastercommunications

2 ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

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!

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

Both would be client. When you send a message from mobile to home, you will get confirmation of receipt. iOS is message rcvd. Android has a checkmark.

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)

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

Line of site can be several miles. If terrain is flat safe to say three to four miles. If you add buildings in between that will decrease. You can use phones location via app. Can power up via usb-c. There are a couple banks that will stay on full time. I’ll try to find one and send you a link. Thanks for watching.

@dichlor.methan

4 ай бұрын

Thank you!!@@Disastercommunications

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?

@Disastercommunications

2 ай бұрын

Sorry you’re having this problem. First I would download the serial driver that mesh has linked on their site. It has to show up not as “other”. Once that is good, you should be able to proceed

@Disastercommunications

2 ай бұрын

Keep me posted

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.

@Disastercommunications

7 күн бұрын

Great information. Thank you so much.

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?

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

I have yet to charge the 18650 through the usb on it. I have been using an external charger on these as these are currently just test boards. Let me try charging on it and I’ll let you know what I find out. I thought about running it direct from power bank as well

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?

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

Yes. That is correct for US. Feel free to ask questions. Happy to help

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

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?

@Disastercommunications

16 күн бұрын

You would have to change the modem each time. That would be cool to have a feature like that.

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!

@Disastercommunications

18 күн бұрын

He oído hablar de un firmware aprs que puedes cargar pero no lo he probado. Puedes configurarlos en modo radioaficionado. Investigaré esto un poco más y me pondré en contacto contigo. muchas gracias

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

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

Doesn’t really matter unless your making an outside repeater. At that time I would suggest wisblocks. Just make sure if the tree mentioned you get the latest chip in it as the newer chip has better performance and range.

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?

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

You would want to leave channel one as default if your wanting to see everyone else (not in your group). Also, to see everyone on the internet side of meshtastic you would enable mqtt. I have yet to film that video but there is others out there showing that connection. You will need to have the default channel for that as well. Let me know if that answers your question.

@salsepulveda494

4 ай бұрын

@@Disastercommunications I Flashed the device using my computer and a cable connected to the USB C Port. Meshtastic is loaded and I see my Device Name, ?km, Signal: 50%, 9 Minutes ago, and a circle with a ? mark in the center. After that, I soldered a 18650 Battery Holder to the connector provided. I'm now powered by battery. I downloaded the Meshtastic App to my Android. Now what? When I configured this device on my computer, I turned on Bluetooth. The Android App is asking for an IP Address???? If I configured this device incorrectly, do I need to connect to my computer using the cable and select SERIAL?? A little help. I'm lost at this point.

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

Good job on everything so far....your in the right direction. On the android app, go to the last tab (cog wheel in a box). Then on that page, at the bottom, hit the plus sign in the circle. That will cause the app to search for a list of available bluetooth radios. Select the radio...then that screen will go away...within a few seconds, the radio will "dump" settings into the app...If connected, the cloud at the top right will not have a slash through it but should show a checkmark....let me know if that helps...

Hi, I need help on how to add a second device. I have a Heltec V3 set up as a Client now, thanks to you. Can you point me toward some info on this subject? Thanks

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

You would configure the second client the same way. Then share the channels between each other by the QR code or by sharing the link between them. I have that on my last video

@MrWeavis

4 ай бұрын

@@Disastercommunications I have a T-Beam coming Saturday and I will configure it as Client_Mute? Thanks for your help (N8NJ)

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

@@MrWeavis yes. Client mute is perfect unless it is the only node in your area. Then client mode is good. My example I have one node up high on the house so it should be the only one to repeat to the neighborhood

@MrWeavis

4 ай бұрын

@@Disastercommunications Can you tell me what I have set wrong. I am connected to my V3 via cell phone but I can not send a message to it from my cell phone

How can I check which firmware version my Heltec is running?

@Disastercommunications

Ай бұрын

On iPhone, go to settings on the far right and scroll all the way down to firmware. Probably the easiest. Let me know if that is not the app you’re using. Each of the apps have a firmware page.

This doesn't work (Yes it does. See Correction/Update below.). I never see the Silicon Labs entry in the Device Manager Ports list. Heltec keeps saying "waiting lora data!" Correction/Update: You have to have the Heltec connected to your computer via USB C or the Silicon Labs Port entry will not show up in Device Manager. As always, be certain the antenna is connected first before connecting the USB C power or you will burn up the radio. Also, the Edge browser did not work for me so I used Chrome.

@Dv9UnKnoWn3

5 ай бұрын

Check Other devices

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

Glad you figured that out. How has the rest of it gone?

@bluenetmarketing

4 ай бұрын

@@Disastercommunications I am communicating between devices, now. However, the Meshtastic documentation uses poor discipline with their nomenclature for certain things like frequency, channels, bandwidth, chat channels vs Lora modem channels, and a few other terms. If they would use the exact same term or words every single time to describe a particular item, it would help, instead of using generic shorthand terms like "channel" to describe two different things in two different places in their documentation.

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

I can not agree with you more. Seems like the doc was writing with a book smart vs common sense person. I would say talk group vs channel and leave channel for the mode (long, fast) for example. Honestly they could drop the word channel. I would use mode.

@bluenetmarketing

4 ай бұрын

@@Disastercommunications Amen!

Why do some YTers use the Beta and some the Alpha? Is there a sound reason for one or the other.

@Disastercommunications

22 күн бұрын

One is the testing version and could have bugs. I’ve heard that called Beta testers. I had someone tell be the beta is the stable version on mesh. On Mesh’s site, they list beta as stable and alpha as most current. So that doesn’t help the confusion out for sure. I’ve used both and have started going with the latest just to see if there are any bugs.

Have you run into problems with the region setting not saving to the device?

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

Maybe once when I didn’t give time for a reboot after flashing. Make sure it reconnected after the firmware flash and sit region first. Worse case scenario try flashing again with erase.

@stephenlucas8057

5 ай бұрын

@@Disastercommunications the only setting it saves is the long/short names. Everything is still set to default after it auto reboots

@stephenlucas8057

5 ай бұрын

Have tried several firmware versions

@strayling1

4 ай бұрын

I had the same problem with one of my Heltec V3 units. No config was saved using Linux, Windows or Android, Bluetooth or USB. It seems to be a timing problem on some V3s where the device reboots before the config is properly written. I tried flashing the latest Meshtastic Alpha release and it started working. YMMV of course, but there seems to be some variation in these devices - some people have reported just retrying over and over until the change 'takes'.

Did you give up on Meshtastic? No new videos from you

@Disastercommunications

3 ай бұрын

No, still using it daily. Any suggestions on another video I’d be happy to work on it. Was you able to get any radios? Seemed like a lot of them sold out pretty quick.

When you doing a range test

@Disastercommunications

3 ай бұрын

I could. Hilltoping is a term we use a lot in the radio world, meaning signal comes in better in the hilltops when we travel. I have to admit that the range on these have surpassed my expectations. I live in a very hilly area. So as long as I hilltop comms I’m good. We have an established node with my friends who are at 4 miles away and we can communicate anytime on it. Interested in seeing if that changes when leaves come out though.

I downloaded the CP210x Universal Windows Driver, then extracted the file. I'm not sure what to do after that. In Device Manager, it doesn't show any changes, everything is, as before. There are no errors in Device Manager. It doesn't show any Meshtastic Drivers at all. When I go to the Flash Program, select Heltec V3, then the first Alpha 283, then Flash. At this point COMM Port 1 comes up and I select it, then click Connect. I select, Erase and Install, but nothing happens. It still says 'waiting lora data'. A little help.

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

Open device manager and identify what the heltec is being called. As you plug in and unplug you will see it show up and appear. Once you find it right click on it and update driver. Then point to the files you downloaded. Let me know if that gets it going

@salsepulveda494

5 ай бұрын

@Disastercommunications Perfect! Thank you for the help. Your suggestion worked as exactly as described.

@salsepulveda494

5 ай бұрын

@Disastercommunications I'm in the U.S. and flashed my device with the Alpha283. Is that the one I should have selected? Let me know. Thanks.

Will this work in US? *868MHz 915MHz ESP32 OLED LoRa V3 Board Type-C SX1262*. This is the item description.

@Disastercommunications

2 ай бұрын

I would go on meshtastic.org and verify that the sx1262 is compatible with their list. They are specific on that.

Very helpful but also very confusing....for now.

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

Feel free to ask questions. Happy to help through it

@bluenetmarketing

5 ай бұрын

@@Disastercommunications From what you said, I can only communicate with another lora device if we are both set to the same speed. That's not good.

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

@@bluenetmarketing not sure why it wouldn’t be good. To talk on a hand held radio you have to be on the same channel to hear each other. On initial setup it defaults to the one speed. The. You just create your custom channel. Good to go then.

@bluenetmarketing

5 ай бұрын

@@Disastercommunications It's bad because I may want to communicate with others who are set to Short_Fast from my LoRa " central repeater" that is set to Very_Long_Slow for the longest range. I am most interested in using LoRa for maximum range applications. The software needs to accommodate this.

@Disastercommunications

5 ай бұрын

@@bluenetmarketing the modes is what changes the channel set. This happens in most of the digital communication world. Some software has a preamble that it can send and as long as the user has it enabled, will change their mode to match. Be something to suggest in the meshtastic page. As a rule, everyone on your mesh has to be in the same mode so the digital signal will decode. Would be handy to have though

Are you from Australia? Because your video is upside-down 😂

@Disastercommunications

4 ай бұрын

I just double checked and it’s playing normal for me. Are you inside out? Lol. JK. Hope your having a great day