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Text Message Communication at EDC with MeshtasticAs we prepare for EDC 2025 in Las Vegas, my friend has made me aware that using our SmartPhones may be impossible at EDC. He's been there quite a few times and 2025 will be the first time I go. There will be a large group of us and I have thought we can simple text each other at EDC to keep in touch. But given there are 500000 (I heard on the news) EDC goers, my friend says cell towers are usually jammed up and prevented cellphone reception. Well, there goes my idea. But there must be some technology out there that can help us stay in touch. After all, walkie talkie has been around for a hundred years (don't quote me on that). And the Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radios MS350R walkie talkie set I have is advertised with 35 miles range. Of course, EDC will probably be too loud, rendering voice walkie talkies rather useless. Don't they have a walkie talkie that is capable of text messages now? I did find one on Amazon: the BTECH GMRS-PRO IP67 Submersible Radio with Texting & Location Sharing, GPS, Bluetooth Audio, Compass, NOAA Weather Alerts, Dual Band (VHF/UHF) Scanner, Long Range Two-Way GMRS Walkie Talkie Attached Image: Duke If you find something similar and are much less costly than the BTECH GMRS-PRO, then definitely let us know. I can't wait to hear about it. For now, I continue to search for a technology that can be used reliably off the cell tower grid. That's when I discovered these inexpensive Meshtastic devices that you can build yourself. For example, this ESP32 LoRa V3 Development Board with 1200mAH Battery - 915MHz SX1262 Meshtastic LoRaWAN BLE WiFi IOT Attached Image: Duke So the "build" work is practically all done for you. You just have to get a case, put everything together, and install the Meshtastic firmware. I like the CyberNet Case for Heltec V3 and 1200 mAh Battery - LoRa Meshtastic Radio Device by EveryThang3D. It fits everything very snug and pleasant to look at. The case is very compact by hiding the antenna inside its enclosure. The buttons are flush with the case and don't stick out. Attached Image: Duke But I'm getting ahead of myself as I haven't even mentioned what this Meshtastic device can do! Basically this Meshtastic device automatically builds a mesh network with other Meshtastic devices around it. You can tether your SmartPhone to it via Bluetooth to send messages to any one device or multiple devices (based on channels you set-up). Messages are encrypted, so no one other than the destination device controller(s) can read the messages. I read somewhere that these devices can have a 12 miles range, depending on line-of-sight, which is more than enough for EDC. Anyway, that's the beauty, or gist, of a Meshtastic device. For a more thorough technical understanding of the Meshtastic device, see this "What is the Heltec V3 LoRa IoT Development Board?" What do you all say we each bring one of these Meshtastic radios to EDC so that we can automatically build our own mesh network; thus, ensuring we can communicate with our friends, family, and love ones? Duke Seems like this Meshtastic radio would be a great idea for a music festival out in the middle of no where. I'm thinking Burning Man! Jor Possibly the best off-grid text messaging communication device. anonymous Added bonus. With this Heltec V3 board inside this Meshtastic radio, you have a directional compass that points to your friend(s) on the built-in display. Also gives you the distance. Then you can just follow the compass to find your friend. Attached Image: Duke If you don't want to build one yourself, you can buy a completed one--LILYGO T-Echo--off Amazon: Attached Image: June
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. It can tether to your Bluetooth phone and you can text with an app. Sounds awesome! But it's $155 for one radio! If it was less than $50 for two, like my current walkie talkie set, I'd have already bought it.
is only $35 on Amazon. And it comes with everything other than a case and the Meshtastic firmware. The firmware is Open Source and free.
