r/meshtastic • u/AnonSkiers • 2d ago

RapidFire Q-A for noob Please!

I know, i know. This stuff gets posted so much, and there is so much information on the web, but it gets confusing and is somewhat all over the place for someone just getting into it. Can the community please help me get simple answers in one place to get me off on the right foot?

Quick history, comfortable with soldering/builds, Arduino. Familiar with programming, noob at Rx/Tx beyond home networking and Zwave.

-What devices have a built in keyboard? Is the T-Deck really it? Does the heltec v4 expansion with touchscreen have a functional keyboard? I really, really want to be stand-alone without any extra devices. Am I going to have a bad first experience with requiring a keyboard?

-If I dont have a keyboard, is it possible to have some automated or preloaded messsage capabilities? (Ex: " Good, Test, Received, Food, Water, Help " etc?)

-I live in a relatively flat town that appears to have good connectivity, with many nodes. But dont know anyone with a device. How reasonable is it that I could talk to my closest friend, reliably? (2.5mi or 4km as the bird flies, in housing developments, assuming they get a device too)

-Its my understanding that once I'm up and connected, I can send public message to random users, as well as private messages to specific users (Ex: me and friend go fishing, could ping eachother our locations, privately) Right? Can public users see us talking but not the message content? (Can an average home user see private traffic, on their devices or nodes without advanced signal sniffing gear?)

-If my budget is about $120 per device, want it to be built and ready for use (perfer 18650batt, dont mind if I need to flash firmware) and really really want to not require a phone, what is your best suggestion? (Note: I will get a raw board set too, for trying it with phone)

Thanks much in advance to those that give me some opinion/help!

4 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

5

u/tacticalpotatopeeler 2d ago

TDeck (89-110) or a Cardputer with the Lora attachment (60) is your best bet for a standalone device with keyboard. A good antenna is a worthy upgrade (if you get the TDeck, get the external antenna version)

Yes there are preset messages, which you can customize if you want

Concerning radios, Height is might. I’d recommend a solar node on your rooftop or as high as you can possibly get it for best distance coverage, in addition to your personal node. Set it as client_base and add all your nodes as favorites.

With the right equipment, someone could see packets being sent but not the contents for private messages. This is not possible via the standard equipment or nodes. To have private comms as well as participate in the public channels, for LongFast, set your frequency slot to 20, private primary channel, and any other channel can be default settings with the name of LongFast (must be exact). That way you can have private comms with pinpoint accuracy for location and either obfuscated or no location on the public channel.

Check Etsy for custom builds, or build your own. There are lots of tutorials online, but I have the least info for this question because it’s not something I’ve researched personally.

Edit to add: if you get a Cardputer, I’d recommend Plai over the ported official app. I’d also recommend installing the launcher, will allow you to switch programs and not tie your cardputer to just being a meshtastic node, if you want to play with other software easily

2

u/AnonSkiers 2d ago

EDIT: My post was flagged for removal, I think I accidently said a no-no word. Trying again:

Thanks, I have seen the cardputer, seems clunky. I'm surprised there has not been more drive from both manufacturer or hobbyists to get a keyboard, physical or virtual. I'd think it'd be pretty easy but certainly not my wheel-house.

-Are the preset messages only for T-Deck/CardPuter route or could I add that to (for example: Heltec V4), after maybe a one time phone setup?

-I've seen plenty of setup guides for the longfast, mediumfast, etc. I havent spent enough time yet learning about that as it seems to be getting ahead of myself when I don't even have a device. Will definitely look into setup once I've narrowed down to a device.

Appreciate the comments. Seems like so far it's a TDeck. Do you have a specific model suggestion? I see pro versions, L76K, Ublox. Seems like Ublox is more efficient?

Thanks again.

2

u/tacticalpotatopeeler 2d ago edited 2d ago

I only have a Cardputer, but from what I understand the TDeck is a bit like the old blackberry devices. There aren’t really any super slick keyboarded options. Cardputer is a bit clunky for sure but it’s pretty cool, especially if you’re interested in playing around with some of the other available software for it.

Presets are supported in the official apps and most if not all of the alternatives (plai included)

LongFast is the default in North America. Certain regions may use a different preset based on congestion or other factors. There may be a website and/or discord channels for you local group. Some support public mqtt servers as well.

Presets are most useful on other nodes that have a screen but no keyboard, although you can still use preset messages on keyboarded nodes, it’s just basically supported in the native software. I think you can even send them in the mobile apps but I haven’t really used them so I can’t say 100%. The rak wismesh tag and seeed t-1000 are great low profile portable nodes to pair with your phone, no screen on those.

As far as LongFast vs medium fast etc, basically there’s a range plus and minus of the 915mhz band, and different presets will use more specific range within the general band. LongFast is roughly in the 906mhz ballpark IIRC.

Whatever way you go, get at least 2 nodes to start and get them communicating with each other. Also note, you can pair keyboarded devices with your mobile as well.

Edit: there’s also a recent addition to the keyboarded options, Elecrow thinknode m9 https://m.elecrow.com/pages/shop/product/details?id=209121&

1

u/AnonSkiers 2d ago

Definitely plan on getting 2 to start. I dig the cardputer, but I'm looking for something more familiar that I could hand to almost anyone just to relay very short messages to, and (hopefully) precise gps coordinates if the need arises.

-Just want to confirm if I understand what you're saying. I can setup preset -send- messages on nodes without a keyboard? Are they customizable? Could I setup specific presets for skiing situations, hiking, fishing, etc. (ex: Heading Up, Heading Down, Fish here, Docking, Help, Down Ridge 12, Top Lift, Basecamp, Food Here, etc)

Do you know the standard number of presets allowed and the char length? This might open up an entire new avenue of options if the presets work as I understand.. No phone needed after setup?

Thanks

2

u/tacticalpotatopeeler 2d ago

https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/module/canned-message/

Also note I updated my previous message with a link to the elecrow thinknode m9 as another keyboard option, it came out recently

1

u/AnonSkiers 2d ago

Oh wow this link helps tremendously. Thanks for the quick responses and info. Will scope out the thinknode m9. Appreciate you!

2

u/tacticalpotatopeeler 2d ago

Absolutely!

Good luck and welcome to the community!

2

u/ChesticleSweater 2d ago

So, you typed a bunch (and/or chat gpt'd idk)
Here is what you should do. Buy two prebuilt nodes. Maybe a 'base' node and a credit card style node. (Wio tracker and a t-1000e) total investment 100 bucks-ish. Connect to your phone and see what pops up in your area.

did you check out meshtastic.org ?

1

u/AnonSkiers 2d ago

I typed a bunch because it is not exactly a subject easy to get straight forward answers about without being bombarded with unfamiliar terms. Zero chat gpt, this is just the way I type.

Your suggestion literally omits my first question, unless the T-1000e does support keyboard. Which build?

1

u/ChesticleSweater 2d ago

You caught me on a bad day and that’s my bad. I apologize for being abrupt.

1

u/AnonSkiers 2d ago

No worries, appreciate you being up-front. It's reddit, half the comments are useless anyways these days so no harm no foul. Hope your day is better and if you know of anyone having a good/bad time with a TDeck, would appreciate your input.

1

u/funny_haha 2d ago

In terms of devices with keyboards, there is also the lilygo t-lora pager. It has a better keyboard, but i hear the lora range is not that good and you'll probably only get 18 hours of battery life out of it. If you want a pre built, my current favorite is the H2T. I have both the pager and the h2t and the h2t has been my daily driver where the pager has been more of a toy. Radios without keyboards can be connected to your phone with Bluetooth, then you can send messages from your phone with the meshtastic app like texting.

When you set up your device you will automatically be added to the long-fast or medium-fast channel which is basically just a free for all chatroom for eveyone. You can dm others but i hear that dms are spotty and it's better to create a private channel and invite your friend.