AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: The links listed below with (AFFILIATE LINKS) will take you to a site that sells these items. They are affiliate links, where if you click on the link, and buy the item within a certain period of time, I will be paid a small commission for the sale, at no cost to you.
Building a Meshtastic transceiver for sending text messages without cell service and/or internet access is a good way to provide communication for your group in camp or survival situation to check in or communicate with your team. The range between two people is somewhat limited, but in an open area, it can go quite far (records are greater than 150 miles). I have tested them for over 1 mile where one device is in a home surrounded by antennas, metal, etc., and the other device outdoors with buildings and walls that limit the distance you can communicate. In the open, I easily got 10 miles.
The document will cover all of the steps (in very specific order) in order to be successful in sending and receiving your first message.
The items you will need will be the following:
- Heltec v3 LoRa ESP32 (AFFILIATE LINK) – Make sure to get the one that either states 915MHz or 863-928MHz, if you are in the U.S., you will be using the 915MHz band and in Europe you, will be using the 863MHz band.
- MakerFocus 3.7v Lithium Battery JST 1.25mm (AFFILIATE LINK) – Make sure to get the battery size that will fit your case. Some can only fit 1000 or 1100mAh. If you make your own case, you can get the size appropriate for your case.
- You will need the appropriate antenna (either 863MHz for Europe or 915MHz for U.S.) Some of the Heltec v3 LoRa ESP32 boards come with an antenna. This is good enough to test the unit, and after everything is working, you can look at another antenna.
- Case for your project
Here is the link to the document for my Patrons with detailed instructions. It is very helpful as opposed to doing it through trial and error.
