It is a 4-inch touchscreen device designed for Meshtastic®, powered by dual MCUs, the ESP32 and RP2040, and supports Wi-Fi, BLE, and LoRa®. It is an open-source, powerful IoT development platform.
Meshtastic offers a text messaging service that operates without internet, satellite, or cellular connections, using radios to send and receive messages and GPS coordinates. It's designed for ease of use, allowing anyone to communicate in areas without cellular coverage or as a backup communication method.
Utilizing LoRa (Long Range) technology, Meshtastic connects nodes (small, battery-powered radios) within signal range, forming a mesh network. Messages hop from node to node, reaching recipients even without direct line-of-sight, thanks to the mesh's retransmission capability. Security is maintained through encryption, ensuring that only intended recipients can read messages.
Getting Started:
- Choose a Node: Select a LoRa node compatible with your region (915MHz for North America, 868/433MHz for Europe). Popular choices include the HelTec ESP32 LoRa V3 and the Seed Studios SenseCAP T1000-E.
- Install Meshtastic: Flash your node with Meshtastic software using instructions from flasher.meshtastic.org.
- Download the App: Install the Meshtastic app on your device to pair with the node and join the mesh.
- Join a Mesh: Connect with existing nodes in your area or start your own mesh network. Engage with local mesh groups via channels like LongFast for community interaction.
The T-Deck is a compact device with a 2.8-inch IPS LCD touch screen, integrated keyboard, trackball, microphone, and speaker, running on an ESP32-S3 dual-core processor. It supports various frequencies and includes a GPS module and battery in its Plus variant. It features a U.FL/IPEX antenna connector for LoRa and can be flashed using Espressif's firmware download mode.
A curated list of amazingly awesome Meshtastic resources
This article provides recommended settings for configuring your device, including firmware updates, beacon settings, LORA configurations, and MQTT options for the Bay Area.
The Meshtastic Bay Area group is a community passionate about Meshtastic and mesh radio communications, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Join for discussions, on-air activities, learning opportunities, and an inclusive atmosphere.
This library provides a command-line interface (CLI) for managing the user settings of Meshtastic nodes and provides an easy API for sending and receiving messages over mesh radios.
Meshtastic radio settings overview, including frequency bands, data rates, and custom settings for various regions.
The Meshtastic Android app handles communication and displays the location of group members. It includes instructions on connecting to a device, common tasks, and configuration options.
A review of Meshtastic, a cheap, encrypted, offgrid communicator using T-Beam devices. The review includes both positive and negative aspects of the project.
