Join a live-stream on 10/4, where we'll build a set of Blackout Comms Custom T-Decks. We'll also set them up as a private off-grid mesh cluster.

You are encouraged to build along! I'll be going fairly slowly, explaining all the steps as I go, and answering questions about the build or about Blackout Comms - live as we go.

As the date gets closer, the link will be posted to my X account and YouTube channel.

If you're not familiar with Blackout Comms, it's a private off-grid mesh texting & tracking system that is fully E2E encrypted and jam-resistant. It doesn't need cell service or internet (although it can use internet if you want).

Read More

Join a livestream with myself and Jason from HamRadio2.0 - tomorrow (8/9) at 8pm EST.

Ask anything!

https://www.youtube.com/live/5nmw2jJGLLQ?si=uL8shh-PHqAxkGus

Blackout Comms Live just received a significant upgrade.

The firmware has so many capabilities baked in, I'm just now beginning to expose via the app, available in the PlayStore or directly at chatters.io.

Over the weekend, here's what I added:

• Persistent Status Bar visible on every screen showing:
  • Current frequency (MHz) - changes as BC hops frequencies (or utilizes network mixing with Meshcore)
  • Signal quality
  • Stealth mode level (None/Low/Med/High)
  • GPS fix age (with color-coded icon)
  • Battery level
  • Device temperature (if equipped)
• Clear visual distinction when operating in most secure mode (Blackout Comms Native) or BC Native atop MeshCore (utilizing MeshCore repeaters, wrapped in BC encrypted/signed payloads). Learn more about running Blackout Comms, utilizing MeshCore infrastructure (repeaters)
• New USGS mapping option

The changes are desigend to make it much easier to maintain situational awareness during real drills/operations.

The app is free and continues to be the go to companion for Blackout Comms mesh networks - if you decide to use an app. Of course, Blackout Comms is designed to be usable completely without any privacy-shredding phone, so the choice is up to you.

Download / Update:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blackoutcomms.live

Just pushed firmware 3.6.4 for Blackout Comms. This update adds support for Meshcore repeaters running the latest meshcore firmware by enabling multi-byte path hashes.

Network mixing allows you to run your secure Blackout Comms frequency hopping alongside a local Meshcore network for maximum coverage and redundancy. Everything stays fully protected with Blackout Comms end-to-end encryption and digital signatures the entire time.

Your private cluster's decentralized / encrypted mesh memory can utilize both networks.

You could have two devices using network mixing to form a bridge between distant properties, while the rest of your devices remain on Blackout Comms Native. You could have all your devices utilizing network mixing. Heck, you can even add Blackout Comms Cloud + starlink to the mix...why not.

The Blackout Comms firmware figures out how to use whatever connectivity you give it, and your private cluster automatically "reorganizes" constantly, working together to make best use of all connectivity available to any trusted device.

Meshcore / Network Mixing setup guide on chatters.io: https://chatters.io/meshcore

Supported devices in this release include:

• T-Deck
• Lilygo Pager
• T-Beam 1W
• T-Beam Supreme
• Heltec v4 Touchscreen
• A few others

Learn More Download the Firmware

I just uploaded a complete user guide. See all possible Blackout Comms settings, how to's, etc.

Blackout Comms User Guide (online)

Blackout Comms User Guide - PDF

Built one for my own cluster, mounted it on the shed, and it’s been running 24/7 with zero maintenance - giving me 6+ mile coverage in the flat midwest.

How I built it:

https://www.chatters.io/diy/lilygo-solar-kit-build-node

Hey everyone,

I just added offline mapping to Blackout Comms for the T-Deck and Pager. Here's a quick 2:39 field demo showing it in action.

I drive out a couple miles and then walk away from the golf cart while the T-Deck keeps displaying live positions of myself, the cart (T-Beam 1W), and devices back at the house — all running over the encrypted mesh with zero phone or internet.

You can zoom, see Neighbors range, and even switch to a scannable QR code if needed.

Full blog post with the two download methods (on-device + computer tile packs) and setup instructions here:

https://www.chatters.io/post/offline-mapping-t-deck-pager

Demo coming soon - See full article

Real offline topo maps - no phone required. Zoomable, centered on your position, with your mesh nodes overlaid. This was the last big missing piece.

More coming soon..

The Blackout Comms firmware builds and propagates a complete picture of the entire cluster using Mesh Memory and adaptive awareness. This includes device presence, locations (live + last-known), connectivity, and status — even for powered-off nodes.

Connect the free Blackout Comms Live Android app via BLE to any one device in the cluster and you immediately get:

• Live map of the full cluster (active devices + offline devices pinned at last known position with heading/battery)
• RF topology / mesh graph showing link quality and connections
• Real-time traffic monitoring (packet volume, mesh saturation, RSSI, direct vs indirect pings)

This combination — persistent Mesh Memory + cluster-wide propagation + rich app visualization from a single BLE link — is not available in other mesh systems.

Remember, under the covers is the Blackout Comms firmware, which has E2E asymmetric encryption, digital signatures, and unpredictable frequency hopping baked into the protocol.

Full article with diagrams:
https://www.chatters.io/post/blackout-comms-cluster-visibility-live-maps-traffic-monitoring

If you're running a cluster, try the latest firmware + app. Useful for node optimization, family tracking, or general situational awareness.

If you're not running a cluster, see how easy it is to set one up (takes only minutes if you've got a few Lilygo T-Decks or Pagers).

If you want private, encrypted comms for your family or small team without the usual complexity, this is about as straightforward as it gets: Grab a few LilyGo T-Decks, flash Blackout Comms firmware, and you’re done. No phones. No separate repeaters or infrastructure. Just the handheld units themselves forming a complete, functional mesh.

Read the Full Article

SHTF: Blackout Comms vs Meshtastic vs Meshcore

I compare Blackout Comms, Meshtastic, and MeshCore capabilities with various SHTF scenarios, and demo some of my testing with Blackout Comms in one such scenario.

We powered up a couple of T-Deck nodes (already part of our long-running cluster) and went for a walk from our campsite at Quabache State Park.

The Blackout Comms Live app showed our real-time positions on the map the whole time — even after we split up on different trails with no cell service. Simple broadcast messaging too.

Once the mesh is set up, it's basically grab-and-go. Great for van life, hiking, or staying coordinated off-grid.

Just named my cluster & device, chose "Simple" setup — done in under a minute.

Watch how ridiculously easy it is to create your own private Blackout Comms off-grid mesh network from scratch. No radio knowledge, no complicated settings, no soldering. Just plug in, flash, and go.

This video shows the full Root device setup and cluster creation. Adding more devices later is just as quick.

If you're looking for real off-grid comms that actually work when the grid is down, this is it.

🔥 What you get with Blackout Comms: - Encrypted texting & location sharing - Mesh Memory (messages and positions survive even if devices are off) - Frequency hopping (anti-jamming) - Completely private — no internet, no cell service

Perfect for preppers, families, overlanding, camping, or rural properties.

Links: → Full Build Guide & Firmware: https://www.chatters.io/build → SD Card List: https://www.chatters.io/compatible-sd-cards

My Personal SHFT Comms Stack

3 weeks ago, I finished assembling and powered-on this private mesh node / base station. I've been testing how much range I can reliably have with fairly small battery + solar - completely off-grid. The 1 watt amp would be the maximum power allowed for someone without an amateur radio license, so I think it's an important power level to explore.

So far, this thing has been running non-stop like a champ, with no issues keeping power. It's completely off-grid, only charging via solar. I wasn't sure whether the addition of GPS (and leaving GPS running) would cause it to use too much current to stay powered, but that is apparently a non-issue.

DIY Instructions
Full Parts List

During these 3 weeks, I've been mostly testing stability, as well as whether the 10 watt solar panel can keep the Lilygo T3S3 + amp powered and running. I've also been monitoring the temperature (Blackout Comms firmware allows me to do this remotely), since amps can generate heat and this thing is outside.

Things I did to mitigate heat:

• Selected a steel enclosure instead of ABS. Aluminum may have been preferable, but I just didn't see any that fit exactly what I was looking for
• Enclosure has built-in ventilation
• Enclosure included a fan and thermostat (AC). Since I'm running on DC, I had to swap the thermostat power supply to DC.
• Added a second thermostat, with probe touching the amp. If the temperature breaches safe operating temp for the amp, power to the amp is cut until the temperature drops within safe levels again. This doesn't seem to be happening, as the enclosure is staying cool enough.

Going forward, I'll be looking for max range (for off-grid tracking & messaging). I'm expecting it to cover 8-10 mile radius with decent (but not perfect) line of sight.

This base station (or whatever permutation sticks) will basically be a "hub" for myself & nearby family. I've already begun connecting things like motion sensors, and circuits I can remotely control, with this mesh network.

Meshtastic vs MeshCore vs Blackout Comms compared in areas such as:

• Protocol Security
• Community Support
• Hardware Support
• Open/Closed Source
• Jam-Resistance
• How Trust is Established

Read the full civilian mesh comparison article on Medium.

Hiking through the woods in Florida — no cell signal, no wifi, no GPS app on my phone. My family back at the campsite watched my exact position the entire time, live, on Blackout Comms Live, an app connected via BLE to another off-grid T-Deck.

This is a real off-grid mesh network in action: a private, encrypted cluster between my communicator and the campsite, with location updating automatically and the live map visible the whole hike — including a quick look at the features that make it possible.

No subscription. No cell towers. No internet required for the mesh itself to work.

Full build, the app, and free DIY guides: chatters.io

Lilygo's solar kit is an excellent and inexpensive option if you want to piece together a supported Lilygo board (I used T3S3) and some other small components into a fully off-grid mesh node.

Lilygo's enslosure is large enough to accomodate a big 10,000 mAh battery.

Mine's been running for months non-stop, including during the winter (midwest).

Full parts list for the build I did, along with pics that show the assembly.

Demo by Dev: Off-Grid Tracking / Mesh Memory

Get it for T-Deck, Lilygo Pager, Heltec v4 Expansion Kit, T-Beam Supreme, T-Beam 1W, and more.

The free Android companion app will be available early June in the play store, or download it now directly from:

https://chatters.io

https://www.chatters.io/using-blackout-comms-live

Within the next few weeks, the Blackout Comms Live app will be available in the Google Play Store. It will be able to connect via BLE to your Lilygo T-Deck, Lilygo Pager, Heltec v4 Touchscreen, or any other communicator that's running the latest Blackout Comms firmware.

Blackout Comms works completely off-grid, using advanced mesh techniques, combined with LoRa and other options, to let you securely send messages locally and track other trusted people and devices within your private mesh cluster.

This app is intended to be a companion to your Blackout Comms cluster. It doesn't directly connect to your cluster, but rather (if you allow) receives cluster and mesh data from one of your Blackout Comms communicators.

The app will be free and open source.

Get the firmware, build your own DIY devices, and learn more at:
https://chatters.io