I’ve tried and failed to get a few projects going today and I’m sure this comes down to user error.
First, I tried setting up Meshtastic on my Raspberry Pi Pico. I followed the setup steps, got it showing in the web app, and was able to see serial output. It looked like it was transmitting something every few seconds, probably the usual LoRa messages that Meshtastic sends out.
But I never received any type of transmissions back and no nodes popup, I’m not sure if I’m broadcasting or even just appearing. When I unplugged it and turned it on using a battery, the LED started blinking faster, which made me think something was wrong. I even took it for a drive in the car to test it out, but still — no connection, no feedback, nothing.
So I gave up on that and figured maybe I’ll try my breadboard Makerverse essentials kit and get some leds going for fun as I’m a complete novice at this stuff. I plugged it back into the computer while holding the bootsel button as it says to reset it and no matter what I do I just get the Meshtastic pings and stuff coming through as uninterruptible so forth blue lines of code saying battery life charge so forth average Meshtastic blue code. No matter what I do I can’t re-program this thing to run a few simple leds can’t get it to be a node, kinda feel like an idiot and I apologise for my horrific spelling and grammar.
While the pico did arrive with a slight bent pin I don’t think that would be affecting it.
Do you know that there are actually any other Meshtastic nodes in your area? Where I live there are definitely none so I deal with this by having a few myself which makes testing much easier.
Have a look at
Sorry to hear that you’ve had some issues with that Pico, when you’re holding the BOOTSEL button and plugging the pico in it should appear as an external drive with the name RPI-RP2, if it is appearing you can clear it back to factory settings by dragging the UF2 file from Raspberry Pi to it, this should completely wide the Pico.
Hey Dan, Thankyou for your reply! I must admit I’ve tried this quite a few times and it could just be user error I will try again right now, is the file around about 1400-1600kb? Or abit less I can’t remember I’m not sitting close to it atm no matter what I do it just seems to be doing the same command I mentioned apparently trying to transmit meshtastic. Is there any chance somthing I downloaded to the pc is trying to run it aswell? I’ve been using gpt blindly, the free one at that… so I think I’m being led astray:joy:.
Ah I see good sir, there’s a lowood helltac node roughly 23ks away probably closer so I guess not much use to my tiny pico lora lol. Do you have any recommendations for nodes/gateways? That are user friendly😂
I reckon you have next to no chance of seeing a node 23KM away with the antenna that comes with the LoRa hat for Pico. I believe the standard antenna is good for 3 to 5 KM line of site. I suggest you get another node so you know when things are working. I am using the same gear as you. I have had no problems apart from running with GPS as is being discussed now in another thread.
I agree lol I’m looking at getting the wishmesh pocket from iot store and the repeater mini to place in a higher elevation point on my block with potential line of site just to see if possible but kinda unlikely still cool ig
RAK Wisblock seems to be the go for all in one as far as I can see. I understand Core will soon be stocking them. Hopefully at a lower price than iot store want.
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