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@@TalmidAndy I stated in the first video it's not meant to be used for APRS frequencies and the second sentence on the GitHub page says "This is an APRS BBS only because it uses the APRS protocol and it's not meant to be used on the nationwide APRS freq 144.390MHz."

I do have some concerns on unlicensed Mesh users messages going over ham frequencies, so maybe one way APRS BBS -> Meshtastic BBS instead. Something to think about. Thanks for the suggestion!

@@The_Comms_Channel Understood, just trying to find a way to expand the BBS avalability to more users/areas. IE Mesh for local(shelters, streets, events) and HAM as a wide area "backbone"

@kc3uxl I hear you and it's definitely a good idea. I'll see what I can do to best implement this.

@@randykitchleburger2780 thanks! I hope you enjoy using it and find it useful!

@@lw4dbe is a great radio for sure! Especially for the price!

Sure thing! Glad to hear it's working well on the serial connection. That's on my to -do list as well

Menu > Radio Settings > Channel Group

@The_Comms_Channel thank you!

@@mihaigeanta5110 sure thing! Happy to help!

@@bruceaplin sure thing! Appreciate the comment!

@@briankendall1978 they've been very responsive! It was great to see they already had it in less than 24 hours after contacting them. We only discussed BLN, but I'll reach out and mention those as well. The radios have limited space available after all of the firmware code (which is why it doesn't store messages) but I imagine that it shouldn't take much more room for those additional addressees

They don't have any hats there. All of the parts for the Meshtastic BBS build are here th-cam.com/video/AFeyqgVLzYM/w-d-xo.html This is for a PoE build, but you can adjust to fit your needs

@@CCalamity-dv1ll many requests for that haha. Something I can look into.

Thank you so much for the support!

Let me know what you think!

@@mikeschmalz2031 good idea. I wonder if that would work in the part of the packet where the software/hardware type goes. That's currently where the STANDARD_CALL goes though.

@@The_Comms_Channel Not sure, I was just thinking to sacrifice a couple characters of message space.

I'll explore that and see what works! Thanks!

@@mikeschmalz2031 I agree and something I've thought about. We just need to figure out how to handle the whole unlicensed/licensed side of things.

@@The_Comms_Channel That's a good point. Thinking about this though, if I control the APRS BBS, when they sync, that's MY traffic, even though it's enscapsulation of third party traffic. I use my callsign on the BBS, but it doesn't do anything until a licensed ham initiates remote control of my aprs station at that point. I think it's OK so long as nothing done on the Meshtastic side will cause the APRS radio to fire. Store and forward is OK, that's just third party traffic.

This is true 😂

DE AL4S

Thank you so much for the support!

Yep, feel free to submit PRs

I hear you! We should.

Thank you! It's been fun to learn and create. These are running the standard android os that comes on the pixels

The 90's were great. Time to bring it back 😄

Glad you like it! It's been a fun project to work on and I'm looking forward to adding more to it. Let me know how it goes if you try it out!

Yeah, APRS seems to be hit or miss in some areas. Hope you find this useful! Let me know how it goes.

@@w3tua I hope so! 😄 73

Appreciate it! I think we'll have a lot of great options for off-grid comms this year!

@@bwillan I think we'll see more of it. Works well and is easy to deploy your own infrastructure.

It is not as fragile as cellular networks.

@@chrisherd991 💯

We should have never abandoned it.

We should have demanded the radio manufacturers to make 56K radios for data only. Packet radio was so much better tech than any mesh network.

Appreciate that, glad you’re enjoying the channel! Was happy to help you with your N76! Manually putting in a ton of frequencies would have been a pain from the app.

Oh yeah, I’m really enjoying your channel. Was about to start with Meshtastic as you got me excited but I had to take a stop as the day only have 24hrs and I don’t have time for another rabbit hole lol. I have my hands full with HF, digital modes, studying for CW, go boxes, you name it hahaha. While this video about BBS pops up I was trying to figure out how to use the N76 by Bluetooth earbuds but it looks like that’s not possible as I can’t find VOX in the radio. I can get my Apple airbuds paired and can hear fine but the PTT in the radio gets disable and I don’t have other option for PTT. Still researching because I love the radio but options for external mic or speakers will be amazing. When I started with ham radio before high school (novice) I remember the BBS and always been dreaming to put up one and leave a slave vhf radio 24/7 on that.

@@angelscomputers I hear you, haha. There are many many rabbit holes with this radio hobby. I think you'll enjoy this APRS-BBS. Much more to come!

Appreciate it! Let me know what you think!

Let me know what you think!

Would love to see you do a video on this and what your thoughts are. 73

It is not. Meant to run on the usual packet radio or experimental range

@The_Comms_Channel Ahh makes sense as that could generate a lot of packets

Yep! Want to avoid any potential congestion on the main freq

Good idea, I'll have to try that out on some of my devices.

That varies by location. This video should help you determine that th-cam.com/video/-aZ9JbweQJg/w-d-xo.html

Sure thing! It isn't listed on the page, but this cable should work store.mobilinkd.com/collections/tnc-cables/products/tnc-cable-for-icom-motorola

Yep, you can use an old cell phone with no service. All you need to do is download and install the app via WiFi. Once you've done that you can pair the phone to the device and text back and forth without the need for cell service.

@@angelscomputers there is a way via csv. Will give more details in a bit

@@The_Comms_Channel oh man, you will make me the happiest man on earth because im here pulling my hairs, there is absolutely no videos at all about that from any youtuber. thanks a lot in advance!

BTECH has a post on it that may help baofengtech.com/your-complete-channel-import-guide-for-gmrs-pro-uv-pro/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHqz6tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWDFwCb7m1KxRgLBQbX43Ga_0VTF-n7EAM9Zv-VyKIA8g-QX023AEao0Hw_aem_yGVz4J0x3oxzngApyW0zOA

Unfortunately I don’t see that “Import from file” option under “Channels and Groups” as the instructions say. Maybe because the Btech app is different that the VGC “HT” app? I’ve never owned a BTech so I don’t know if they use the same app. I went to that area in settings before and got excited thinking that could find an option but nope. Maybe the app needs an unlock or something like that?

@angelscomputers hmmm. Maybe the BTech app is different. You can download that and try. The btech app works with the VGC

Only one is needed as long as there are other people around you using Meshtastic and you're on the default settings (most people are on default)

Yep. I had the same problem and they're supposedly pre-configured, but nothing was pre-configured and it won't stay connected on Bluetooth and on USB it won't update.

This is your only comment on this channel, so you didn't reach out for help to me at least. Reaching out here or on either our Discord or the Meshtastic Discord, you'll usually find someone who's able to help. If you look at the previous video, I helped someone get theirs up and running (pinned comment) Our discord is linked in every video description

​@@The_Comms_ChannelThanks for the comment. I'm sure I'll pull them out at some point and give it a go again when I have some time. Video is saved to watch later. I am in central TN and may have a repeater location I can place one of them.

@@bassmanjr100 sure thing! Feel free to reach out here or discord if you hit any snags. Hopefully we can get East and Middle TN connected eventually!

Some people don't want a GPS or screen for better battery life. This isn't meant to have a stand alone tracker use case like the SenseCap Card. This is meant for someone who just simply wants to keep in touch and message back and forth and isn't concerned with the GPS tracker use case. Since it doesn't have a screen, it's going to be connected to a phone for use which already has a GPS anyways. If you get the two pack and use our coupon code (which never expires) it's technically only $45. Even if you just purchase the single unit, it's $54 with the coupon code. Not bad and this brings another option for those who don't want a GPS or screen. Nothing wrong with options for other use cases.

@@keinermehrfrei01 carbon fiber does affect radio waves and wouldn't be the best choice

Appreciate you checking back in! Glad you enjoyed the video.

Should be enough room to fit an sma to ipex connector

That's a good question. Not sure if that's possible other than clearing the NodeDB

That's what I was saying I was clearing the node DB but it didn't affect the display on a unit itself. I even let the battery run dead and it still kept some​@@The_Comms_Channel

Definitely growing in popularity and lots of cool stuff from the community! It’s tough to keep up with everything! 😂

Appreciate it! Hope you enjoy them! Have you used Meshtastic before or are these your first devices?

@ I have over (10) clients and (2) boosted nodes running. When I get these I am going they will replace the T-Beam units. Going to take some of the older T-Beam units and mess with rediculem (or whatever is called) that has voice capability.

They sure do!

Thanks! Appreciate it! If the BTECH app works, but not others, the radio may not be in KISS mode (Process changed a bit since this video came out). From the radio, hit the green menu button > General Settings > KISS TNC > Enable KISS TNC ✅ You should now be able to use other apps via Bluetooth KISS TNC

@The_Comms_Channel I'll give it a try, thank you again.

@@The_Comms_Channel No luck so far, tried another Android device and also no luck. I'll double check my UV-Pro settings.

Does a new drive show up? If not, you may have to hit the top button on the side two times quickly to get the T-Echo into DFU mode and then it should show up as a drive

That worked! Thanks

@@joshmcdougal5750 Sure thing! Glad I was able to help!