"Disaster Communications: Bridging Gaps, Connecting Lives - Get Information, Give Information."
Your go-to source for all things Disaster Communications! 🌐 Ham Radio pro since '95, I'm on a mission to empower YOU with the skills to navigate emergencies like a pro. 📡 Join the journey, stay informed, and let's build a resilient community together! 💪 #DisasterComms #PreparednessExpert
Discovering and sharing simple and easy ways to be prepared for whatever situations arise in your life. Teaching communication plans and equipment for disasters, shtf, and emergencies.
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Great tutorial.Can you explain how 250 Kms communication has been achieved'
Thank you. More than likely that is mountain top to mountain top. These really heavily on line of sight so that would be about the only way of that. It is listed on Meshtastic website with a link to the user. I believe they had a post about it or a write up.
Thanks for your help last night on the keyboard shortcuts! Great video!
Glad it helped. If you learn any tricks feel free to leave them here and I’ll pin it. Thanks again.
Under rated video! Nice job!
Wow, thanks! Appreciate it
Great video! Hopefully btech fixes the firmware so the encryption works on the repeater. Allegedly you can flash an anytone 878 with the btech firmware so you can get this feature.
Thanks for the info! Good to know
Thank you
Thank you for watching.
As someone new to this hobby, I love the detailed explanation and demonstration. I’ve been eyeing these exact radios for a while and just ordered two of them. Keep posting more videos about these radios and help me and others learn more about their capabilities!
Will do. There are so many features these will do. I’m just getting started with them. Thanks for following along
Good information! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
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.
Great information. Thank you so much.
This was a great help just to ensure I’m doing things correctly. Thank you.
Glad to hear it helped. Thanks for watching. Will be doing some more mesh videos soon
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?
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!
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
Great video. I would like to get a couple of DMR radios and a business license. I had been using the Retevis RT-10 900 MHz radios but the batteries failed to hold a charge My question is, what are you using for the Radio ID. With ham radio, there is a process in getting one since they need to be unique and tied to your call sign. But with using them for simplex only with a business license, what are you doing for the IDs? With the RT-10s I used part of their serial number.
Great question. The main thing with radio ids is you don’t want two of the same. I will say for simplex it won’t break anything if there are multiple, just defeats the purpose of unique caller id feature. So I just created a spreadsheet and would assign that way. In the video I used names from the top gun movie as my mock team, so maveric was 12345678, and goose was 12345679. So far my understand is it just needs to be 8charcters long but have not found that as a definite. If anyone knows for sure please let us know. Thanks for message. Feel free to subscribe as I am going to be releasing some more videos on dmr shortly.
Why do some YTers use the Beta and some the Alpha? Is there a sound reason for one or the other.
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.
Good job. Thank you. I bought 4 for our family emergency communications plan. You helped explain the functions. Well done.
Thank you so much sir. Feel free to ask any questions. Happy to help
I’d like to see a demo of the “DMR Digital Store & Forward Repeater” mode on this radio as even the anytone 878 doesn’t have this feature.
That will be a feature I am wanting to do as well. I’ll keep you posted.
The new anytone 878 batteries that take usb-c charging directly without the dock also work with these FYI.
Great to know. I’m a fan of the usb-c charging and surprised they didn’t do it on this battery. They did it on the btech GMRS pro and the FRS one I reviewed.
I’m assuming that’s “old” stock & eventually they will come with the usb-c batteries
Does the bottom of the charger say "Pofung"?
So before I looked at it I was assuming that would be a yes as that is the parent company of Baoefeng but after checking the charger and the radio it does not have any mention of pofung
Man really cool setup. Can you put a parts list with everything you use that we can click on.
The link for the multiview is in the description. First thing listed. Let me know if that doesn’t work for you. That will give you the four main squares. The window that has the 12 is called Ham Shack Dashboard. If you Google that it will show you how to set it up although KM4ACK also just did a video on it on his page. He shows a really easy setup as well. That gives you the 12 little windows
Thank you
You're welcome
I'd love to get into radio communications, but i have absolutley no idea how to do so or what anything is, what would you recommend?
So the way a lot of people start is by working on getting your radio license. Not too complicated to do. It is a multiple question test. You will start with the technician test then general is next. Google online ham practice exams. There are free ones online. Start taking the practice test and memorizing the answers. Once your testing in 90s then it would be time to take the test. There are local volunteer examiners that will give the test. Usually less than $20 bucks. Most of the times local ham clubs will do it as well. A Google search of ham clubs in my area should help find some. If you have trouble, send a message and we will see if we can help with that as well. Good luck and reach out with any questions.
@@Disastercommunications Im the uk so ill have a look for local ones! Thank you so much! For non-communication purposes, what equipment would you recommend for simply tuning into different radio channels (im not sure the names but they usually have a visual display)?
Will the BTECH GMRS pro work on frs also
So FRS and GMRS share 22 channels. GMRS does over a few for more Chan els after that as well. GMRS does provide more power than GMRS too
How can I check which firmware version my Heltec is running?
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.
Thank you for your video. I will be using a omnidirectional 915mhz antenna strapped to the top of a 20 foot mast tripod mounted roof mounted and run the coax down into my second story window where my lilygo T-beam will reside inside out away from the harsh winter conditions.
I will say that at this high of frequency there is a lot of loss on the coax. If any way possible to add the unit outside in a weather proof box with the antenna mounted directly to it. Then run a power cord down. You will see better results if so. Certainly worth comparing
@@Disastercommunications You may be right however I run some tests using low loss coax.
@@Disastercommunications Have you tried using an amplifier? I think boosts to 5 watts.
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
Thanks Mike for the feedback. 73
If you'd like to camouflage the antenna ... Well, around here, the most likely place in our vicinity that you'd probably be using a directional antenna is in the mountains. Maybe a local thrift store has a cheap artificial Christmas tree. Take a note from the attempts to camouflage cell towers and make it look like a tree ...
Good point. Make sure it is the metal free branches. Good idea for sure. I may try this
Where's the meshtastic stuff?
I have a meshtastic playlist. Check it out and will keep working on adding more to that list.
Does this also locate FH CT radios
Not familiar with the abbreviations. Sorry.
That's great!
Thank you
Hello, does this method work for heltec lora32 V3 and RAK72896V2 gateway? , i want to connect heltec lora32 V3 with RAK72896V2 gateway
does the GPS work without being connected to a cell phone
yes
Yes. As long as it has the gps in it.
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?
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
Keep me posted
Received 2 T Echo units about a month ago. Bought through Ali Express. Got them flashed and running and linked to my iPhone. Saw on another channel tests of the stock antenna which are not good and a good replacement option also from Ali Express; Gizont Antenna Store Nb-iot/LORA 915mHz SMA $5.54 ea. Interesting stuff.
Very cool. Glad you were able to get some.
I was wondering what battery to use specifically with that tiny case for the Heltec module. Thanks for making it clear that there IS NO battery intended to be inside the case, that you use an outboard battery. I've already got batteries and holders for them, so now I'll just build the modules to work with external batteries. I have some 800mAh Tatto batteries I got for my Morserino, so I'll use those. Or I have 18650 holders and batteries like you're using. One question, though. Why didn't you strip back the insulation and mechanically connect the wires? That used to be the standard -- that "solder is not glue", and you should twist wires to be soldered to the other wire, or to a terminal strip. I know you can't mechanically connect to a PCB pad, but that's the exception. But wire splices like that, you strip back enough insulation that you can do a proper splice, twisting the wire ends in opposite directions so you would have to apply significant force to pull them apart prior to soldering. Having shrink tubing (especially the marine grade, with hot glue lining) already on the wire so you can heat-shrink it over the connection for insulation is always a good idea. I also have very small Solder Seal butt splices, if there's room for them. They're a heat-shrink tube, with a ring of low-temp solder in the middle, and hot glue rings near the ends. You CAN just put the stripped ends in so they overlap inside the solder ring, but I prefer to mechanically splice (or serve) the wires, then slide the Solder Seal splice over it, the exposed wire inside the solder ring. Then I can solder it, shrink insulate it, and melt the hot glue to seal it against water intrusion, all at once with my hot air station. But I was taught that when soldering two wires together, you NEVER use the solder as glue to hold two wire ends together that haven't been mechanically spliced. That's just asking for a questionable connection. Thank you for doing this video, though, you answered my primary question about the use of batteries and specifically those Meshtastic cases for the Heltec module.
For me this was a temporary setup. When I splice I will twist the wires, wrap together, and then solder and shrink wrap. I have yet to finalize this setup so I will temporary do them till I’m sure. I actually broke this battery box trying fly it on a drone so it is getting swapped out again lol. Thanks for watching and the feedback.
Good video, thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Very good information and demonstration. I think sometimes the simplest methods work the best. Gary KF6EWO
Outstanding presentation, thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Terminator,is it you?
I’ll be back
Great tutorial. Your the best.
I appreciate that!
Promo-SM
Not sure what this means.
Great informative video, looking forward to additional ones!
Thank you so much.
Thanks for a straight forward step by step video
Your welcome. Thank you
On amazon it says that the walkie talkie has a range of 36 miles, how come you said at 7:17 that it only goes up to a mile?
Great question. A lot of manufactures list the range at the max. Like my internet provider says up to one gig but most of the time it stays around 500-600 mbs depending on users. I just want to be a little more up front and clear. If your on a mountain top to mountain top then you can expect further. It is all dependent on line of site
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! 🤣
Good to hear. Thanks for watching
Hey there! A few questions. Is the usb a type c one? You said that on the video but in the video I saw you changing the cable orientation so I thought it might not be a type c one. Also I wanted to ask if you can power the system by usb only (without the battery) and if you can charge the battery from the usb while it's inserted in. Thank you!
So the t-beam is not a usb-c but a micro usb. Also, you can charge the battery from the usb and it will run without the battery as well.
I know these radios are text capable but we use rattle gram app hardwired to the radio with the BTECH APRS cable so we don’t have to key the radio every time. Besides my XPR 6550’s the GMRS Pro is one a my favorite HT’s. Great channel lots of info.
Thanks for the message. I’ll look into the rattle gram info. I do have an BTech aprs cable.
Within a week one of the two I ordered got stuck in rebooting mode after a week of getting stuck and freezing up a lot. Not that great...
Oh no. Sorry to hear about that. Did a Google search offer any suggestions? Maybe the discord page
Can we trust the electronics coming out of China?
The military doesn’t. A certain security camera and network switch got banned from all bases do to backdoor discovery.
Since pretty much all electronic equipment comes out of China, there isn’t a great deal of choice. Really complex systems may have flaws which may be exploited, but that isn’t any different to stuff coming out of the US or Japan. Most exploits require some level of physical access or a rogue operator installing illicit software in order to be successful.
Will this work in US? *868MHz 915MHz ESP32 OLED LoRa V3 Board Type-C SX1262*. This is the item description.
I would go on meshtastic.org and verify that the sx1262 is compatible with their list. They are specific on that.
Got a link for the whis block ?
store.rokland.com/?ref=Comms
Thank you!
You're welcome!