I have been an amateur radio operator for quite a long time and am starting to look into meshtastic and the Lilygo T-Deck. However, their site asks me which version I would want. The 915 megahertz, the 860 megahertz, or the 433 megahertz. As an amateur radio person, the 433 MHz would be the lowest frequency and therefore should be the longest range, but is that the most popular model? Would I be missing out on nodes if I were to use 433 MHz instead of 860 or 915?

  • MellowEnglish
    2•27 days ago

    If you’re in the US and plan to get a LoRa device for use with Meshtastic then get the 915 band for your first device. That is what’s intended for us unlicensed users, and that’s where you have a better shot joining a mesh.

    As far as the T-Deck Plus. I received mine about 3 weeks ago as my first dip into Meshtastic. The stock Meshtastic firmware interface is… underutilizing the hardware interface. There is an unofficial firmware version with much more capability, but it’s very, very buggy. You’re basically going to be an early adopter. (If they’re still taking two months to ship, who knows by then) Since I don’t desire to tinker, or build my own firmware from the source examples from Lilygo, I am basically waiting for Meshtastic or another open source group to release a better experience for the T-Deck Plus.

    For now I’m using my second device. A RAK Wizblock with no display and my cell phone. I bought an Atlavox M1 which is a very solid prebuilt. It’s basically the RAK LoRa starter kit, a battery, and a well designed, 3d printed PETG case. I’m very happy with that purchase.