From 648cdf6945b9fa2f6b1b319c2341aff05ee5bbac Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: uncle lit <43320854+LitBomb@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:52:39 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] Update faq.md
update Canada to use USA frequency
add guide to add nodes to map
add guide to do OTA firmware update for nRF devices
update donation links
general text cleanup
---
docs/faq.md | 94 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----
1 file changed, 88 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)
diff --git a/docs/faq.md b/docs/faq.md
index eb5fdf29..c94d231f 100644
--- a/docs/faq.md
+++ b/docs/faq.md
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
# MeshCore-FAQ
A list of frequently-asked questions and answers for MeshCore
+The current version of this MeshCore FAQ is at https://github.com/ripplebiz/MeshCore/blob/main/docs/faq.md.
+This MeshCore FAQ is also mirrored at https://github.com/LitBomb/MeshCore-FAQ and might have newer updates if pull requests on Scott's MeshCore repo are not approved yet.
+
author: https://github.com/LitBomb
---
@@ -25,8 +28,9 @@ Anyone is able to build anything they like on top of MeshCore without paying any
Firmware Flasher: https://flasher.meshcore.co.uk/
Phone Client Applications: https://meshcore.co.uk/apps.html
MeshCore Fimrware Github: https://github.com/ripplebiz/MeshCore
-
+
NOTE: Andy Kirby has a very useful [intro video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1qne8uJBAc) for beginners.
+
You need LoRa hardware devices to run MeshCore firmware as clients or server (repeater and room server).
@@ -95,7 +99,7 @@ The T-Deck firmware is free to download and most features are available without
- Australia and New Zealand are using **915.8MHz**
- UK and EU are gravitating toward **867.5MHz**
- There are discussions on discord for UK to move to 869.525MHz (https://discord.com/channels/826570251612323860/1330643963501351004/1342554454498742374)
-- USA is gravitating toward **910.525MHz**
+- Canada and USA is on **910.525MHz**
the rest of the radio settings are the same for all frequencies:
- Spread Factor (SF): 10
@@ -127,11 +131,11 @@ MeshCore clients only advertise themselves when the user initiates it. A repeate
### Q: How do you configure a repeater or a room server?
**A:** One of these servers can be administered with one of the options below:
-- Connect the server device through a USB serial connection to a computer running Chrome on this site:
-
+- Connect the server device using a USB cable to a computer running Chrome on https://flasher.meshcore.co.uk/, then use the `console` feature to connect to the device
+ - this is necessary to set the server device's frequency if it doesn't match the frequency for your local region or country
+- MeshCore smart device clients have the ability to remotely administer servers.
- A T-Deck running unlocked/registered MeshCore firmware. Remote server administration is enabled through registering your T-Deck with Ripple Radios. It is one of the ways to support MeshCore development. You can register your T-Deck at:
-- MeshCore smart device clients may have the ability to remotely administer servers in the future.
### Q: Do I need to set the location for a repeater?
**A:** With location set for a repeater, it can show up on a MeshCore map in the future. Set location with the following commands:
@@ -232,7 +236,11 @@ things network is mainly focused on LoRaWAN, but the LoRa low-level stuff still
- Firmware repo:
### Q: How can I support MeshCore?
-**A:** Provide your honest feedback on GitHub and on AndyKirby's Discord server . Spread the word of MeshCore to your friends and communities; help them get started with MeshCore. Support MeshCore development at .
+**A:** Provide your honest feedback on GitHub and on AndyKirby's Discord server . Spread the word of MeshCore to your friends and communities; help them get started with MeshCore. Support Scott's MeshCore development at .
+
+Support Liam Cottle's smartphone client development by unlocking the server administration wait gate with in-app purchase
+
+Support Rastislav Vysoky (recrof)'s flasher web site and the map web site development through [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=DREHF5HM265ES&no_recurring=0&item_name=If+you+enjoy+my+work%2C+you+can+support+me+here%3A¤cy_code=EUR) or [Revolut](https://revolut.me/recrof)
### Q: How do I build MeshCore firmware from source?
**A:** See instructions here:
@@ -251,6 +259,12 @@ Javascript: https://github.com/liamcottle/meshcore.js
### Q: Does MeshCore support ATAK
**A:** ATAK is not currently on MeshCore's roadmap.
+
+### Q: How do I add a node to the [MeshCore Map]([url](https://meshcore.co.uk/map.html))
+**A:** From the smartphone app, connect to a BLE Companion radio
+- To add the BLE Companion radio your smartphone is connected to to the map, tap the `advert` icon, then tap `Advert (To Clipboard)`.
+- To add a Repeater or Room Server to the map, tap the 3 dots next to the Repeater or Room Server you want to add to the map, then tap `Share (To Clipboard)`.
+- Go to the [MeshCore Map web site]([url](https://meshcore.co.uk/map.html)), tap the plus sign on the lower right corner and paste in the meshcore://... blob, then tap `Add Node`
---
@@ -275,6 +289,74 @@ You can get the epoch time on and use it to se
**A:** Heltec V3 has a very small coil antenna on its PCB for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivty. It has a very short range, only a few feet. It is possible to remove the coil antenna and replace it with a 31mm wire. The BT range is much improved with the modification.
+---
+## Other Questions:
+### Q: How to Update repeater and room server firmware over the air?
+
+**A:** Only nRF-based RAK4631 and Heltec T114 OTA firmware update are verified using nRF smartphone app. Lilygo T-Echo doesn't work currently.
+You can update repeater and room server firmware with a bluetooth connection between your smartphone and your LoRa radio using the nRF app.
+
+1. Download the ZIP file for the specific node from the web flasher to your smartphone
+2. On the phone client, log on to the repeater as administrator (default password is `password`) to issue the `start ota`command to the repeater or room server to get the device into OTA DFU mode
+
+
+ 1. `start ota` can be initiated from USB serial console on the web flasher page or a T-Deck
+4. On the smartphone, download and run the nRF app and scan for Bluetooth devices
+5. Connect to the repeater/room server node you want to update
+ 1. nRF app is available on both Android and iOS
+
+**Android continues after the iOS section:**
+
+**iOS continues here:**
+5. Once connected successfully, a `DFU` icon 
+ appears in the top right corner of the app
+
+6. Scroll down to change the `PRN(s)` number:
+
+
+
+- For the T114, change the number of packets `(PRN(s)` to 8
+- For RAK, it can be 10, but it also works on 8.
+
+7. Click the `DFU` icon , select the type of file to upload (choose ZIP), then select the ZIP file that was downloaded earlier from the web flasher
+8. The upload process will start now. If everything goes well, the node resets and is flashed successfully.
+
+
+
+
+**Android steps continues below:**
+1. on the top left corner of the nRF Connect app on Android, tap the 3-bar hamburger menu, then `Settings`, then `nRF5 DFU Options`
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+2. Change `Number of packets` to `10` for RAK, `8` for Heltec T114
+
+
+
+3. Go back to the main screen
+4. Your LoRa device should already ben in DFU mode from previous steps
+5. tap `SCANNER` and then `SCAN` to find the device you want to update, tap `CONNECT`
+
+
+
+6. On the top left corner of the nRF Connect app, tap the `DFU` icon next to the three dots
+
+
+
+7. Choose `Distribution packet (ZIP)` and then `OK`
+
+
+
+8. Choose the firmware file in ZIP formate that you downloaded earlier from the MeshCore web flasher, update will start as soon as you tap the file
+
+
+
+9. When the update process is done, the device will disconnect from nRF app and the LoRa device is updated
+
---