What is Meshtastic and why is it something you may be interested in? Sending text message to family members by creating my own LoRA Mesh network, and having this network strengthened by others having mesh devices intrigued me after hearing an interview with some of the Meshtastic developers (Ham Radio Crash Course video link below).

I shared this presentation with our WA7LAW Snohomish County Hams Club on May 25, 2024, and wanted to make sure the information was available for those unable to attend. The presentation discusses: Why Meshtastic, How it works, How to choose devices, Antenna info, How to start basics, and my lessons learned so far. I've included the question time afterward in case you may have similar questions, or please reach out in comments and I'll do my best to help.

ROKLAND is recommended store for purchasing equipment! RAK, LILYGO, and now Heltec!
(Affiliate link update 6/8/24... thank you for supporting this channel!)
https://store.rokland.com/?ref=WA7JNJ...

Below are links to the current devices I've purchased and am using...
RAKwireless WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit US915
https://store.rokland.com/products/ra...

LILYGO® TBeam SUPREME (M) ESP32S3
https://store.rokland.com/collections...

Heltec WiFi LoRa 32(V3)
https://store.rokland.com/collections...

Looking for an all in one option! Similar to one I built, but has GPS, screen, and on/off switch! (:
https://store.rokland.com/products/wi...

Below are a few items I've purchased from Amazon:
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Batteries for Heltec V3... 1.25 plug in 4 pack, also other versions. Be sure to check wire polarity.
https://amzn.to/3RrVKtL
This is the larger battery with 2.0 plug for RAK, etc. but polarity was wrong and I need to change wire polarity.
https://amzn.to/3VmhMPP
Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 (V3) from Maker Focus
https://amzn.to/4erpj8w

Best place to go for information! About, Devices, How to Setup, and more!
https://meshtastic.org/

Most helpful YouTube for me on setting up devices, configs, solar setups, etc.!
   / @the_comms_channel  

Device Websites:
https://store.rakwireless.com/
https://www.lilygo.cc/
https://heltec.org/project/wifilora...

Video Updates:
Anker Powerbank not powering devices? Another user mentioned they had this issue with RAK device only, but were able to use power bank for Lilygo devices. Great commment provided that some Ankers have an "always on" mode that will power low consumption devices (activated by double pressing the power button).
Ham mode local SOTA POTA activator reached out and he has a device setup for making QSO's. Set device to ham mode, with zero hops (for simplex or direct only communication). I'm going to look into more, and would be fun to activate a SOTA summit using LoRA Meshtastic!
5/29 Tested devices today (portable units from the video RAK and LILYGO Supreme) from work parking lot to home (11 miles good line of sight). Excited that it worked to send a direct message! Need to check next time testing if it was direct or took one hop. Have been also confirm sending messages from kids school to home (about 1.5 miles), and downtown Marysville (~23 miles).

First video from Ham Radio Crash Course that got me excited about Meshtastic.
https://www.youtube.com/live/boKh_0Fj...

00:00 Meshtastic Example
01:20 Topics to be discussed
01:48 Why Meshtastic?
04:07 What is Meshtastic?
07:36 Meshtastic Frequencies & Channels
10:13 Options to consider for devices
15:45 Case Options
17:33 Antennas
19:20 Getting Started: App Overview & Updating Device basics
29:01 Things I've Learned: Anker Powerbank, Polarity, RP SMA's, etc.
33:36 Resources for Learning or Buying Devices
35:36 Questions from WA7LAW Club Presentation