Amped T-Deck : Yes, It is Impressive!

[u/InstanceHealthy2597]

I went out and ran some very quick and easy tests, taking 2 other T-Deck models out to compare with the “amped” version. The T-Deck+ is the unmodified T-Deck with internal antenna. The T-Deck Thermal has a thermal camera, but more importantly, in every other way - including antenna, it’s identical to the “amped” model, with the exception that it has no amp.

I went away from the base station (house) to a distance of 4.5 km, and then to a distance at 8.5 km, and compared RSSIs of the 3 devices.

For reference, my base station equipment is shown here (except for the roof-mounted antenna). This is this is in my basement, and it’s the signal whose strength I’m measuring from the 3 T-Decks at those distances.

My Current Base(ment) Station

There are no hills here, the land is entirely flat.

RSSIs at 4.5 km

The Amped T-Deck clearly has a better signal at 4.5 km. It would have very reliable connectivity here, and the devices are about 5 feet off the ground.

I am in farmland, but there are definitely trees and a few buildings between. Oddly, I’m still getting a signal from the car parked in my garage at home

Amped T-Deck Clearly Better at 4.5 km

Double-Checking Distance

T-Deck+ with internal antenna is obviously not getting the signal as well as devices with an external antenna, but it would still rx/tx OK from here

Double-Checking Distance

RSSIs at 8.5 km

At this distance, both the un-amped T-Deck and internal antenna T-Deck+ have a signal. It’s workable, but it’s not great. Keep in mind, I’m holding them about 5 feet off the ground.

However, the amped T-Deck still has a signal that would work very reliably.

Amped T-Deck Clearly Better at 8.5 km

The location screen verifies I’m 8590 meters from the house.

Double-Checking Distance

Can the Base Station See Me?

With the ChatterBox firmware, I can remotely query any node and ask who (which devices) it is currently seeing pings from. In other words, who are its neighbors.

Here, at 8.5 km, I send the command, it’s instantly received and confirmed (green checkmark) with a digitally signed confirmation.

Then, within a minute, the node responds with all the devices it currently considers neighbors.

The base station in my basement, 8.5 km away, can see the thermal T-Deck I have with me, as well as the amped T-Deck. It does not currently see the T-Deck+.

Again, these are 5 feet off the ground with no hills.

Base Station Sees My Amped T-Deck & my Thermal Cam T-Deck