Lilygo T-Echo with Meshtastic
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- Опубликовано: 19 июн 2024
- In today’s video, we’re going over the Lilygo -T-Echo. The only current ready to go out of the box Meshtastic device (other than flashing the firmware). But will it become my new go-to device?
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Gizont Antenna (I ordered the version that says Color: 915MHz SMA M)
www.aliexpress.us/item/325680...
==Affiliate Links==
Please know, I may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the affiliate links below.
➡️ Lilygo T-Echo
Standard Version
🔗store.rokland.com/products/li...
BME Sensor Version 🌡️
🔗store.rokland.com/products/li... 
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I really dig your content. I keep coming back to your videos in my efforts to figure out what I want in deploying meshtastic devices. Good work bro.
I appreciate it! Much more to come and the advanced series will be starting soon!
Awesome video! 👏 We really appreciate your clear breakdown of the LilyGo T-Echo and how it works with Meshtastic. Thanks for always providing valuable content to our community! #Meshtastic
Sure thing! And thank you for all of the shares!
Antennas is ⅛ or ¼ or ½ or 1 of the bandwidth real width. The 900 Band is around 33cm. ½ is 16,5cm, ¼ is 8,25cm and ⅛ is 4,125cm. Best is full length but a 33cm is to big. A antenna for 915 can also work for 1800MHz and 450MHz. 459x2=918MHz. It is tuned for 915MHz.
I wish I understood what you were talking about and how these devices had a realistic real world use. I'm just getting into it and it has a high learning curve.
It really doesn't
Yeah trying to figure out... what..it..does lol
@@user-jt5vm3mi1w Thanks for your comment it was real insightful.
@@Dan007UT
does it measure temperature, pressure only or can it transmit other types of data
and if so how?
i think some do and some dont depending on your setup. looks like they can transmit GPS data also . over 900mhz radio bands@@mth469
Just used your link to buy a T-Echo. Love your vids!
I appreciate it! Glad you're enjoying the videos!!
Nice. Got mine in the mail today. Can’t wait to test them out in the mountains of Colorado in a couple weeks.
Nice!! Let us know how it goes!
Bought four antennas straight off the link but none have the copper "male" wire in the center but rather an empty hole.
Are you happy with the antennas you got? Do they work better than the original? Did your antennas come with the "male" wire or without? Thanks
Great video. Link shows sold out for now, so I'll keep watching for them.
Thanks! I believe I read somewhere where they had an issue with their screens or something that was delaying production, but should be back before too long!
FINALLY someone using a suitable microcontroller for low-power applications like this! It's never made sense to me why Lilygo and others have stuck with the ESP32 platform for low-power, portable applications given that it doesn't exactly do very well on the power consumption front and is *massively* overkill for the simple task of text messaging.
Agree 💯. NRF52 is the way to go for stuff like this. It's crazy how much longer the battery lasts compared to ESP32 based devices.
Comes down to cost and availability.
@@zacharylewis417 That definitely plays a role (although the nRF52 series has many more packages to choose from aiding with design flexibility) but I personally believe the true reason has more do with software compatibility and community support more than anything else. ESP32 has *so* much more community support, software libraries, etc. than nRF52 likely ever will.
As for cost, nRF52 SoMs are 3x the price of ESP32 SoMs but the raw ICs are approximately the same price. Given that I've never seen a (good or popular) LoRa device use an SoM, I doubt it's much of a factor.
Personally, I'd love to see some LoRa devices based on STM32, or better yet, some of the newer RISC-V platforms. I have zero interest in running a Meshtastic client on an unsecure smartphone so the appeal of a self-contained device (similar to Lilygo's recent keyboard-equipped one) is huge!
Looking forward to your advanced user videos in the future.
Appreciate it! The next video will be for the advanced series and will be out soon!
Hi. Great job and You found my battery extension back cover project. Thanks 😊
Appreciate it! Great idea with the battery extension cover!
This seems cool, but I’ve watched multiple videos (this channel and others) and still have no idea what a real-world use-case would be for this. For example, if I had a node at my house, could I go out to the store and text back to my home? Can I send this out with my kids and they text me when they are ready to be picked-up? Will the signal strong enough to use in buildings? What’s the range?
These seem like super basic questions to me, yet no one seems to have a video explaining actual usage. What am I missing?
ruclips.net/video/N3FXej9fqIk/видео.html
Yeah, this sounds about right. Realistically, when I go out camping/go to the woods the woods friends, I plan to hide ammo cans with these every few miles along the road so we can have communications with anyone trying to figure out which camping spot we ended up at.
This would theoretically be good for encrypted text messaging in an area that radios already reach. I guess for recon or security purposes, this would make sense.
I wish there were a way to get a lot more than a mile or two out of the range of these. No one really makes directional antennas for these right now.
fantastic! really appreciated!
Sure thing! Glad you liked it!
Got 2 of these last week, immediately upgraded the batteries to 1300mah size, and changed the garbage antennas. Lasts 4 days on a 1300mah.
Nice!! Was it a tough squeeze?
do you have any links?
1km - 250km. Depends on environment and set up.
why stop at 250km? could be 10000000000km on the right conditions 😂 just have a portal in between
@@hanfo420maybe if you’re on a low earth orbit satellite
@@ohenekojo2561 just spitballing here, but if you have something in low earth orbit you’re probably not taking the Meshtastic route for comms.
@@pabrowncoatbrewer7154 usually no, but it is doable ruclips.net/video/Z83ihDBL1M8/видео.htmlsi=AGVsEgjY2gZSMvri
@@pabrowncoatbrewer7154
Look up Fox-1B. I hit it with a handheld and arrow antenna the other night.
It really good people are working hard to develop mesh network.
For sure!
Ive been looking toward these as a relay for 'going bush' here in Australia; set up a 'base station' at camp that has internet/mobile data to connect to other people for comms and emergency, and take one with me on long bush walks or hiking out further. Would be a great idea and I have even started talking to Australia's National Parks service about adding LoRa/Meshtastic to 'high points' in places like the Blue Mountains in NSW and walking tracks along the East Coast of Australia
Was thinking the same thing. Cheap hardware and redial y available.
Great idea and getting the Parks Service blessing would be huge! Would be a great way to keep people connected while out in the bush!
In the bush you need HF to be able to contact.
This device will do 100m in the bush....(and you have to shout....😂😂)
@@jplacido9999 with my current (first) testing, I have gotten further than that, much further.
@@jplacido9999 900mhz goes through trees no problem. It'll be similar range to low power UHF (still a few km line of sight) It's the hills that'll get you.
If not calling CooWee! Is still a good method of finding other people in the Bush... Or Australians in general.
Keep it up, love your videos
Thanks, will do!
I know a lot of those antennas are tuned for HTs where you act as a ground plane. It may be worth while testing come with a small counterpoise. I use thin solid core wire just wrapped around the outside terminal to test this personally. I also wonder how some GMRS antennas do since I think they tune for 462, so 924 shouldnt be awful either. Also put in my order for the TH-D75A at HRO today. Looks like it went up in price over the 74, but I still think its worth.
Good point. I'll give that a try. I just got my pre-order email from DX Engineering and confirmed my pre-order. Can't wait to get the D75 in my hands!
Thanks for the review. I received one today for my wife. I’ll pickup another for the drone
what do you use it with the "Drone" for
@@johnnybio1 Comms = 400’ antenna
Nice! I still need to do some testing with a drone.
New sub here. Awesome videos and learned a lot.
Thank you! Glad you're finding the videos informative!
So pumped when I saw this video drop. I jacked the TV from my kid and told the fam to keep it down it's nerd time
😂😂😂😂 just about choked on my dinner reading this
Video idea... A video you showing people how to use MQTT server and possibly show them how to set up their own MQTT server using a Raspberry Pi running diet pie and the preconfigured mosquitto software for diet pie. I think that'd be really cool and a great source for the community in mastastic.
I do plan on making a video on MQTT, but not sure what route I was going to take. I'll take a look at diet pi and see if that's a good fit! Thanks for the great suggestion!
Killer video as always man! I hope I can make time to get back in the discord. Been hectic since i moved to VA
Appreciate it! The thumbnail was shot in VA 🙂
@@The_Comms_Channel Hell yeah! Maybe ill aim my 13db at ya and see if you can recieve
I recommend using a bnc connector as to not ruin the sma, then u can easily swap out antennas as needed.
Loving the channel man! 12 and 15 yr daughters are now ATAK certified, and working on AWS cert, and using FreeTak with Lora, so getting them some of these, but they are out of stock at Rockland. Anywhere else in the USA to get them reliably? Keep up the awesome content!!!!
I appreciate it! More videos on the way! They sold out fast! Looks like they still have 61 of the standard model without the weather sensor in stock. I've not messed with ATAK + Meshtastic yet so I'm not sure if it's able to read the weather data or not. If not, the standard model will probably be fine for their use case.
Don't these soft antennas need a ground plane? Or is it a dipole?
So can this be connected to a phone via Bluetooth to integrate ATAK usage as well?
Great review!! Can you also review the LilyGo T-watch S3? Rockland tells me it has a built-in LoRa antenna. Curious what kind of range a built in antenna can get. Thanks!!
Appreciate it! I suspect it won't have the best range, but I'll look into it and see if I can get one to have a look at!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the support!
Key point over other Lora compatible Meshtastic models is the lower powered screen and battery management efficiently.
Definitely a good feature of the T-Echo!
@@The_Comms_Channel The RAK units are good for battery efficiency too. I've used as a portable, foldable tripod, 8dBi omni antenna, router/repeater with solar power.
For sure! The WisBlock is a great platform and I love how modular they are.
Thanks for the videos, new to this. Everything on Rokland shows out of stock, do they get back inventory quickly usually?
Lilygo, not so much, but RAK Meshtastic Starter kits will likely be in stock this week
Love learning more about LoRa, side question what is the jacket you are wearing i am a camo nerd and am not familiar with that pattern?
It's been a lot of fun learning and playing around with LoRa! Here is a link to my jacket.
www.orvis.com/product/mens-pro-lt-softshell-hoodie/27XB.html
For that antenna. Why not just pull the cap of and nip a bit off(less is more) while on the nanovna and keep going till you get it on 915?
what is that chest pack you are using?
Can I use it to transmit internet broadband over lora, esp 32 t_echo
I would love to see a T-Deck with an e-ink screen.
Lilygo has posted some videos of them working on just that very thing. Details are still scarce at the moment though.
@@The_Comms_Channel Sweet they seem to be a head of the curve!
Try the 419-DELTA12CXSMAMSS1 by Siretta. 915mhz, 13cm whip, 1.5 SWR and 3db gain. Good quality antenna, flexible, not too long, safe and reasonable omni directional gain.
On the gizont affiliate link it list 6 different connectors and different frequencies to choose from for the antenna. Which one of the correct antenna connector to get for USA?
You'll want the one that says "Color: 915MHz SMA M"
Does it blue tooth to phone for text messaging or only good for receiving messages?
Thank you for the wonderful video!! The T-Echo does have WiFi, right? I've been pulling my hair out trying to get it to connect my wifi so I can pull JSON data from it.
No wifi. It doesn’t use it.
I told my son these are cool and would get us a couple to mess with. But he said that basically these are early internet com devices no diffrent other than lacking features most notably no long distance. Is he correct? Meaning over time, people will put out large scale antennas and offer relay services at a cost (ie. remember early ISPs?). I feel like he has a point.
On a side note why can't we convert old mobile phones that contain a radio, and do the same (as a meshtastic)?
I think he's referring to the low bandwidth when he says they're like early Internet devices. These are radio devices, so the distance will depend on the environment and placement. Meshtastic is a completely open source project and I don't see a case where it would become something where people would offer their devices up for a cost.
These depend on the LoRa based radios which is new technology that wouldn't be found in old mobile phones.
So what if the internet goes down or you lose power and cannot run your router?
Thx for the info. May I ask what is the model name of your sling bag?
5.11 SKYWEIGHT UTILITY CHEST PACK
I see you already did a compar video maybe do another updayed one in 2024.
I don't mind helping out but need to be practical at the same time.
If I recall correctly the wisblock is the most modular and longest bsttery.
Good idea. We'll have to see what new devices come out in 2024. WisBlock continues to be one of my favorites and has the best battery life.
How exactly do these devices provide service? Is there some intranet that they all correspond to each other with?
They all communicate together over radio signals. I'll be doing a video explaining what Meshtastic is as I've been getting a lot of people asking
This may be a simple question but can two different t-boards communicate seamlessly with the mesh app. For example the t-echo/lilygo and rak wisblock. or would i have to stick to one or the other
Good question! All of the different devices are compatible. As long as a device can run the Meshtastic firmware, it can talk to any other devices running it.
Thank you! I enjoy your videos an everything you teach. keep going!
Can they send to group?@@The_Comms_Channel
Just picked up two of the t echos, one with the pressure sensor and one without. It sounds like that’s the only difference but I saw in thr details that one uses Arduino h511 and one uses h505. Is this just an irrelevant difference and they should both be able to communicate to each other correct?
Correct, they'll still be able to communicate.
@@The_Comms_Channel gotcha, thanks
Did the 17 CM antenna come in? How's the SWR? Thanks!
Gizont antenna mentioned in the video and the below link? I don't have a VNA but I did real world testing -- it did better than the stock antenna and better than the TE ANT-916-CW-HW-SMA. I used the SNR value generated in the units logs. Part numbers for the Gizont and stock antennas were not available although both are marked with 915MHz.
@@user-mg4gw8mi6z In the video he says he is using a 20 CM antenna, but that the 17 CM should be better, and he will report back. But I can't find where/if he did report back.
Does it still have the HW issue with the blue LED always on when powered off? Thus unnecessarily draining battery while not in use?
(When turned off, you'll see that via the holes in the back)
I can't see anything, but the bigger battery could be blocking it. I'll have to open it up and take a look here soon.
@@The_Comms_Channel ah yes, you said you replaced it. Just in case you'll try it out; just after plugging in the battery it did not happen on mine, but after the first start and shutdown. Since then it's a permanent issue (also documented at Meshtastic and the T-Echos GitHub repositories - but as it seems nothing will happen here).
Im listening 🍺
I bought a T-beam supreme ublox by clicking your link.
Much appreciated!!
So, other than creating a GPS bug tracking net and sending texts, is this useful at all? I was super enthusiastic about it at first, but to be honest idk what use it is beyond that and flying drones.
Off grid or grid down comms. Encryption is another biggie. The power is that of most wireless smart devices in every home, red light cameras, etc. so tracking it would be very hard for an “opposing” person or group to locate, especially in more urban settings. My take away is use this for more sensitive or private info you don’t want heard or read on a phone or hand held radio. And in the case of emergency or crisis, you just need a way to charge batteries. No need for cell reception or WiFi to communicate to your “tribe”.
@@curtthacker7395 yeah, i get that. I understand the usefulness of dispersed comms, all that's on the wrapper.
But if they're just text without a LAN adapter to do things over a real network like video transmission, it's just that: Text. And gps and weather data. Which isn't worth encrypting. You shouldn't ever be using direct language, so anyone being able to intercept it doesn't matter anyway.
One way to look at it is a digital version of CB radio or HAM (minus Morse code). Another way is to communicate with family or friends during extended power outage and cell towers are either overloaded or ran out of generator fuel. Something I learned is you need some entertainment or distraction during these situations. Hearing nothing but trees collapsing from ice after a couple of days gets unnerving.
Can the T-Echo SOFTRF be converted to Meshtastic?
What shall I do with it??
So the antenna you linked to, the 16.7 cm length is the one you believe has the best SWR? Also is it both SMA male and RP SMA male?
That is correct. Just from what I've read. I've not tested it myself though.
Forgot to mention... you will need the SMA version.
@@The_Comms_Channel
Also what specific model is that antenna analyzer as I could use on for gmrs and ham?
@@michael.w.salter There's a number of them available. I got the version I got because I needed to test WiFi/Bluetooth antennas, but you can get away with a cheaper one for GMRS/HAM. Check out my video where I discuss this and how to use it ruclips.net/video/k5hBr6ada-I/видео.htmlsi=ngLh8RxSV9q7YavP
There's links in the video description to the different models. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
Thanks!
I guess there has been a real run on these things as I cannot find them available at all.
Aliexpress has them at about $100 each.
Do you need to flash the firmware for this device. I got a pair of these for Christmas and would appreciate some links about configuring this device and using Meshtastic. I’ve downloaded the Meshtastic app and it’s obvious there’s a bit of a learning curve on this!
This should help you out!
ruclips.net/video/HzddKyepqxA/видео.html
Thanks! Checking it out!
@@wpherigo1 Sure thing! You'll want to watch the WisBlock video that's linked in the description for the flashing process and the video I just linked you can skip ahead to the configuration process after you've done that.
lopve the device. what is the advantage of meshastic device over walkie talkie? does it have a higher range?
So what is this device for?
Off-Grid Text Messaging. I'll be doing a video explaining it all soon! Stay tuned!
@The_Comms_Channel I just got one and I have no idea what I'm doing 😅.
What is your chest rig?
What do you use it for? I would assume it’s like a cheap garmin without subscription since it has gos but you didn’t show the map…
Off line communications
@@Beavereaver with God?
I wish I knew what is the purpose of such device.
For me, I'm part of a subdivision and a mesh network would enable all the residents to send and receive text messages to each other in case the Internet goes down or the cellular service goes down.
Any other reliable links? These ones are sold out.
is it possible to attach an antenna with wire for the roof to it?
You could do that.
I've been able to contact mars rover with my Lilly Meshtastic rig
I can't find any available to buy
What's your useful range ?
Is this device working as a device only? Or does it also work as a repeater?
All Meshtastic devices work as repeaters
Y’all bought out the inventory. 🤪 I will have to wait for Lilygo to have more T-Echos in stock…
Rokland should have more in stock towards the end of the month. I'll make a community post about it as soon as they're back. Be sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you'll get notified as soon as they do. I suspect they'll go fast again.
Can this ahow maps? Or just communication
Just communication
How do you charge it? The battery lasts several days you said. I'm sorry did I miss something 4:18
USB-C Port for charging
@@The_Comms_Channel oh thank you. Very nice video. Great work 👏
Can this device communicate with different meshtastic brands using the same frequency?
Yep. All Meshtastic devices can communicate together as long as they are on the same LoRa settings
Does anyone have any information on how the screen on this device works when it is very cold? If the air temperature is 0C(32F), -10C(14F), -20C(-4F), -30C(-22F). It is very necessary to know.
It's an e-paper display, you can look up typical specs
How do you type on it without a keyboard?
It connects to your phone via Bluetooth
What jacket and fanny bag are those?
Jacket
www.orvis.com/product/mens-pro-lt-softshell-hoodie/27XB.html?recommend=true
Chest Pack
www.511tactical.com/skyweight-utility-chest-pack.html
Super glue an o ring around the buttons to protect them
Glue a rubber o-ring around the buttons
Place some tiny screws that are flush with the button, around the outside
I really wish it came with a ip rated enclosure
Same here. I'm probably going to keep mine in a dry bag
Could try to vacuum wrap with the antenna off but not so much to press the buttons
When they first got released the discord said it was buggy/unreliable has that been fixed?
Mine is working well and I continue to use it daily! Do you recall what the bugs were?
I can’t remember what exactly it was like 2 years ago when they first got released.
please help me understand the point of LORA when the real world range is maybe a half a mile?
Not true under most conditions.
@The_Comms_Channel how so? What sort of real world point to point range are you getting non mesh? City or rural?
@@scottbradford192 I've done a range test video. I got about 5 miles between two devices in the hilly surburban area I live in. Up on the mountain I got 23 miles. As long as you have line of sight, these will work.
@@scottbradford192 ruclips.net/video/7uW-UxynXCk/видео.htmlsi=5BT0BhVUaUq5lMx0
@The_Comms_Channel nifty. Guess you are lucky. My wife and I are both hams, in a big city, and both using high powered equipment and no repeaters we are lucky for 2 miles
Can the GPS be disabled/removed to save battery life?
The modules aren't removable like in the WisBlock, but the GPS can be disabled.
Red backlight and leds would be clutch. Hate anything but red at night.
💯 same here
What are it's use cases?
This is for off-grid communications using Meshtastic
What would I do worth it if I had one? It looks like a small repeater.
That's basically what it is. All of the devices mesh together to create a network and repeat messages. Great for off-grid communications. More content on this and more devices coming!
What is this used for ?
Mesh network devices essentially create a network for exchanging data, allowing devices to communicate directly instead of needing a router, cell tower, etc. Think of it like HAM radios but for texting and GPS. God Bless!
what did i just watch? it does what?
What kind of distances should we expect ?
Really depends on the terrain and antenna. I'll have a video going over planning a deployment in the advanced series coming soon!
Generally…. LOS … Line of sight
If its in the line of sight...it easily goes tens of kilometers, and can get up to 100km. Current record is slightly beyond 300km as far as I know.
What is this device used for?
Meshtastic.
Csnt find thr t echo for any less than 200 dollars.. wjats going on
are they finally shipping these again?
They were back in stock in FL, all colors and both models on Wednesday. Since this video dropped they only have the white ones left in both models.
No
The slow refresh is purely an issue with Meshtastic , other firmware do a partial refresh which is much quicker
Gotcha. Thanks for the info! Probably not a huge deal with Meshtastic being that it's mostly used from the app.
firmware 2.2.19 was just released adding e-ink partial updates for the T-Echo!
Reading bugs and reliability i.e. failure rate, decided better at less cost
Can those use lora microsatellites to relay messages from my location to other users, in case i am in an isolated region without relay users nearby?
That would be awesome but the LoRs sats aren't running Meshtastic unfortunately.
What is meshtastic ??
I’m new what does this do?
Off-Grid Text Messaging. I'll be doing a video explaining it all soon! Stay tuned!
Seem to be unobtainium now.
They will be for a while sadly.
Can you use it with iphone?
Yes
Need to see if it works with atak
Meshtastic works with ATAK
@@The_Comms_Channel yeah, but Need to see of I disabile the phone's GPS It uses the meshtastic's GPS. Next week Will arrive at home the t echo
Will this be applicable at maritime environment??
You could use it to communicate between boats. It would be interesting to see how they perform over water! These aren't waterproof so I would put them in waterproof bags/boxes
@@The_Comms_Channel Thanks for the super fast response!!!
I’m assuming it would need a significant height to increase communication distance. Other than this and the water proofing it would be a great device for sure
Sure thing! Yep, height is key with these being line of sight.
So what does this do?
It vibrates