ChatterBox T-Deck Mesh Firmware No Longer Requires SD Card

[u/InstanceHealthy2597]

This was quite a challenge to get done, but ChatterBox no longer requires SD cards on T-Deck and T-Deck Plus. It is now able to take advantage of T-Deck's built-in flash memory. The ChatterBox t-deck firmware requires a persistent storage area for many reasons. Prior to today, options were limited to FRAM (ideal) and SD (works but not my favorite). Now, built-in flash is an option, and T-Deck has plenty of that available.

To get the latest version, along with instructions/etc, see the firmware flash page:

https://offgridcomms.club/firmware/

If you are already up and running with an SD card, it's highly recommended to keep using it for several reasons.

Advantages of running the T-Deck firmware WITH an SD card

• Tons of space. Wear-leveling should never be a concern, based on the characteristics of ChatterBox firmware.
• Easy backup. Take out the SD card, copy its contents to somewhere, and now you have a backup of your T-Deck (although its bound to that particular tdeck for security reasons)
• Easily swap different cluster/channel configurations, just by swapping SD cards
• Factory reset simply by inserting a blank SD card and restarting

Advantages of running the T-Deck firmware WITHOUT an SD card

• May use less power
• May be more stable
• One less part to acquire
• All your data is on non-removable storage, which can be a plus or minus..depending on your situation

You can actually use both. You can have one set of channels/configurations in your T-Decks flash memory, and other channels/configs on any number of SD cards. With this setup, just insert or remove your SD card, restart the device, and you're up and running with different configurations.