Looks like a super slick product, good to see this coming to market. Nice to see a giant battery in an all-in-one solution too, and for a really reasonable price

@The_Comms_Channel

11 күн бұрын

Definitely good to have more all-in-one options. Hard to beat the price for all of the included components.

@huskermike8096

10 күн бұрын

Agreed

I think what held me back the most was simply the time. Between work and home life, I dont have much room for tinkering and play. This being a complete package is a big selling point. I'll take 3.

@vica153

12 күн бұрын

Same. I have a 3D printer and fully support DIY versions, but with little free time right now I will happily pay a premium to purchase an item that is ready to go out of the box.

@socohamradio4069

11 күн бұрын

Meshtastic Node, can be found @ a.co/d/1yYSg31 kzread.infoIore6yzP7Yk?feature=share

Just chiming in to congrat TonyG for getting his case design into RAK! 👍

I was gifted two of these. They're pretty remarkable. Feels great in the hand.

I've been curious about mesh networks for awhile but I dont want to build one. Finally a turn-key solution for me. Just ordered.

Thanks for the work you do for the community. Appreciated

@The_Comms_Channel

12 күн бұрын

Sure thing! Glad you're finding the channel helpful!

Very cool, thanks for sharing

this is real nice. I am loving the development. Now I need a variant of those with a rotary encoder for canned messaging.

Fantastic! Wish it took 18650 & came with the Gizont flexible antenna

@philbe3095

13 күн бұрын

I have 3 of those Gizont whips. They are impressive for sure.

@tomzorn8956

11 күн бұрын

I'm all on board with the giznot antenna, but I have 4 of these radios (that I made) and with use, it goes through a 3000mah battery in about 50 days. thats... pretty good. oil don't need the bulk of a larger battery. (with gps on battery life is GREATLY reduced)

thank you for that video. ordered!

@The_Comms_Channel

11 күн бұрын

Sure thing!

Final product should be injection molded. 3d printing is great for prototypes and diy'ers but at some point it's time for a higher quality enclosure.

@The_Comms_Channel

12 күн бұрын

I've seen mention where that is the plan if there's enough interest.

this is so awesome! but man, i wish this hobby was more affordable

@The_Comms_Channel

13 күн бұрын

It's always the fun hobbies that hurt that wallet lol

@OH2023-cj9if

13 күн бұрын

It's outdated. Where I live the channel is packed, so no one can use it.

@OH2023-cj9if

13 күн бұрын

The protocol that is. The idea should be for a few powerful Nodes in each area and everyone else using one to relay from, not all repeating every bit of traffic in the same area. It causes congestion. A far better approach would be how the AX25 packet radio works on amateur bands. We need to set it up that way or it is doomed. Data rates and reliability are far too low, it is almost unusable now. I get about 4 strong Nodes, but they are all repeating each other and it's chaos.

@luitsgin2965

13 күн бұрын

Change your broadcast settings to known only and device as client hidden.

@hellogoodbye3129

13 күн бұрын

​@@OH2023-cj9if wow, I assume you are in a sense city? What's next for you then?

Well, I am running a radio beacon on 902.5Mhz with over 450w erp on a 25m tower. I can report it overdrives the cheap wideband inputs of meshtastic devices for about 3/4 of a mile around my location. As nice as those devices are as toys, they have hardly any front end selectivity and are easy overloaded.

I’d really prefer to see a 18650 type battery over the shorter life more volatile lipo. But glad to see more options. Some day we will get a nice turnkey setup purpose made

@BobBob-il2ku

12 күн бұрын

Same! I know this case has a back option for 18650

@The_Comms_Channel

12 күн бұрын

Not LiPo. It's the same Lithium Ion chemistry as 18650s

Love the new options coming out and The Comms Channel keeping up with them. I want to set up nodes in my area using the Rak Wisblocks, but in a head to head range comparison I was getting less than half the distance with the Raks than with the Heltec V3’s. Any chance I’m just doing something wrong on my end? I didn’t change any default settings in the app and I thought they both used the same radio module.

@The_Comms_Channel

13 күн бұрын

Thanks! Yep, same SX1262 in both. I get about the same range on mine. Only thing I can think of in your case is double check the antennas and the SX1262 boost option in the LoRa settings.

What model is that antenna you're using at 4:45? Thanks for the video! Never mind. I see this answered deeper in the comments. Thanks!

When mine comes in (Mid June), I'm going to test that Rubber-Nuby antenna on my NanoVNA, before sticking on a medium length or a longer Gizont antenna. If the 'stock' antenna has a good SWR, I'll do some 2 mile range testing to see if there is any noticeable difference between them. Sometimes, you need something that isn't going to poke anyone in the eye. :)

Almost have all the bits together to build out a Meshbook Pro WisBlock standalone unit. Thinking it'll give the T-Deck a run for it's money. Just waiting for the GPS and environment sensors from Rokland.

@The_Comms_Channel

12 күн бұрын

That sounds like an awesome project! We definitely need more standalone devices.

I wish they would have someone local here in Australia, all we have is 'suppliers' and with the Aussie dollar tanking in this economy, Id love to 'experiment' but at $80-120 each it would have to be more than a hobby, but I like the videos and the reviews thanks!

I hope they make the RAK12028-C1 available separately so others can design cases. I’ve held back designing a Rak case because of the soldering required for the OLED, if that board makes it solder-less I will make a case.

I did not see a gasket of any kind when you opened the case. How would you rate its weatherpoofness?

Ah damn. My starter kits just arrived. Do you know where they connected in the "user" button i.e. which IO line? its not really documented on either Meshtastic or RAK's site that I can readily find...

@The_Comms_Channel

12 күн бұрын

Instructions can be found on TonyG's printables page. Here is a link to the picture with instructions media.printables.com/media/prints/286657/images/6309828_85c0f65f-d2d7-4188-bc9b-d619ee27803e_657e28fa-291a-4d2a-8a92-28fbee6638e0/thumbs/inside/1920x1440/png/rak19007-5005-assembly-guide-new.webp

@jaredf7332

12 күн бұрын

@@The_Comms_Channel Legend! Thanks very much!

Thanks for the video. I'm going to put a order in but I would like to get the upgraded antenna you showed in the video. Could you please post a link for it? Thanks.

@The_Comms_Channel

12 күн бұрын

Sure thing! This is the antenna shown in the video www.digikey.com/short/j49qzqjt

@JamesHindsW5ATJ

12 күн бұрын

@@The_Comms_Channel Thank you!

Do you also have the print files? For the mechanistic wireless, the non power hog one.

@The_Comms_Channel

13 күн бұрын

You can find them at printables page for TonyG here www.printables.com/model/286657-rak19007rak5005-case-for-meshtastic

Can you add the bme280 sensor to it or is there an option to add that?

@socohamradio4069

11 күн бұрын

The unit I linked has two 18650 batteries in it as well.

sir what kind of type of applications have this?

Will there be EU 868 version and EU store ?

@The_Comms_Channel

13 күн бұрын

Don't believe Rokland will be selling the EU version, but the RAK Wireless site does have that option. Feel free to use our affiliate link and get 3% off if you do pick one up rakwireless.kckb.st/tc2-m9m

@makanimike

12 күн бұрын

rakwireless offers an EU variant. a bit more expensive though.

Is there a solar powered version of this Meshtastic unit?

@The_Comms_Channel

11 күн бұрын

Not this unit. It's too small to have a usable panel. Check out our video on their solar unit kzread.info/dash/bejne/lmaqs5pwhMuedKw.html

Hey TC2, what was the story with the node placed without permission

@The_Comms_Channel

10 күн бұрын

I don't have all of the details on it as it was brought to my attention by another party, but basically someone put up a node near someone's tower without permission. It was causing interference which is how they discovered it. To top things off, someone was already working with the owner to get a node up there the right way 🤦🏾‍♂️

@KFI180

8 күн бұрын

Some people man!

At $85, it's actually cheaper to buy than all of the individual components, printing your own case and assembling it yourself which is a bit strange.

@dallasshaefer6302

13 күн бұрын

If you already own a 3d printer....lol

@KnyghtErrant

12 күн бұрын

@@dallasshaefer6302 Sure, but my point was that printing it yourself is supposed to save you the cost of purchasing a case if you have the printer, so it's weird that doing all the work yourself actually loses you money compared to this package. Usually you pay for the convenience of a turnkey solution. Surely the companies involved aren't selling these at a loss.

@BobBob-il2ku

12 күн бұрын

This is like $50 ish to make yourself if you can print your own case & you source the parts from Aliexpress

@KnyghtErrant

11 күн бұрын

​@@BobBob-il2ku I guess I have a hard time reconciling an interest in hardware that promotes privacy and also spending money on Aliexpress.

@Sumguysazz

9 күн бұрын

Congratulations you learned about cost of labor😂

Why don't they give it a larger display or a larger epaper display?

@The_Comms_Channel

11 күн бұрын

The screen isn't super useful on Meshtastic at the moment l, so it's not a huge drawback really. Meshtastic is really meant for use via the phone.

@altitude1039

11 күн бұрын

@@The_Comms_Channel True but with such a huge case that tiny screen is just ridiculous. Future updates might make the screen more useful. I'd really like a device that is not as reliant on my phone. Especially considering how often most phones need to be charged. During an emergency event or in the wilderness a stand alone device would be preferred.

@RESISTAGE

Күн бұрын

​@@altitude1039 learn to deal with it. it's about power consumption. don't like it ? keep using your smart phone. it's so much better. screen especially .

Jeannette purchased one today. I hope to order one as well. Kevin, do you have any higher gain antenna recommendations for this pocket device?

@The_Comms_Channel

11 күн бұрын

I have some that I'm testing. I'll keep you updated

Would be way cooler if it has solar built in. Waiting for a turn-key solar box I can share with non-techy friends that they can mount up.

@The_Comms_Channel

12 күн бұрын

Check out my video for their new solar enclosure. Not 100% turn-key, but easy enough to get most non-techies up and running kzread.info/dash/bejne/lmaqs5pwhMuedKw.html

why the heck can't i get any distance out of my setup?!? i have 3 heltec v3 and descent antenna's...i can't get more than 1/4 mile between them.

@The_Comms_Channel

13 күн бұрын

Something doesn't seem right there. Antenna connectors seated properly and everything?

@Seikatsu121

13 күн бұрын

In what kind of environment are you situated? Like in a city with lots of buildings in between the nodes? Are you in a spot with low elevation or surrounded by higher elevation terrain? Maybe lots of trees? I've had lost connection at 300 meters and regained 1.4 km with really good antennas. Might be an unfortunate location for Lora like where I live

@GamingKing545

13 күн бұрын

how high up are your antennas

@OH2023-cj9if

13 күн бұрын

On a heltec v3 and small 5dBi aerial on a bedroom window, I get 3miles. The other station is in a block of flats. If I try for a local station, I can get a half mile. It depends on obstructions and aerials.

@tmiller9099

13 күн бұрын

One thing to check if you bought an aftermarket antenna is if the antenna i tuned for right frequency. Many antennas online are tuned for EU bands which is 868 MHz. For US the device runs at 915 MHz, so you need to remove cover from antenna and snip a small amount (0.5 cm?) to shorten so it's tuned for higher frequency. You can verify that it's tune with an antenna analyzer or NanoVNA.

Yay your text message gets sent a mile or two ftw

@MisterTAllred

13 күн бұрын

Well, is there a better way to send a grid-free encrypted message (at least) a mile away? This is a great option for many use cases.

@chri87d9

7 күн бұрын

I can tell you that here in Greenland with limited cell coverage meshtastic devices are an amazing option

Not good for us small business owners that make and sell these “turnkey” units on eBay and Amazon. Leave it to the bigger companies. Great device! But us smaller companies can’t compete with the prices that these bigger companies are offering. If I sold a unit like that on eBay for that price I would literally only end up with a profit of $20. Also, I left my Heltec on for 3 days before it died with an 18650 in it. Also had gps and bme280

@KaiTakApproach

13 күн бұрын

It is called economy of scale and the market does not exist to serve you. If you are upset about customers being served over small business owners, you don't understand how market economics works.

@levigruffydh6913

13 күн бұрын

Then sell something that we want. Like the same thing but that can take two 18650 batteries. And comes with a better antenna.

@levigruffydh6913

13 күн бұрын

Oh, and maybe make it so we can find you to buy it?

@Ben-it4kq

13 күн бұрын

I N N O V A T E

@dafunkmonster

12 күн бұрын

"If I sold a unit like that on eBay for that price I would literally only end up with a profit of $20" Why are you buying your components at retail prices?

Ok, so, basically Helium LMAO. 915Mhz radios.