These are thermal cameras & encrypted off-grid mesh communicators that use Adafruit MLX 9064 thermal cameras and LoRa on the ESP32 platform.

If you build one, you've basically got a thermal cam with some basic GPS features. If you build 2 or 3, you've got some secure communicators with location sharing capabilities, and the ability to transmit encrypted thermal images back and forth.

I've tried to make these as easy as possible to build! The video below shows me assembling one and explains just a little more about the communication aspect.

Things You Need

Soldering Tools

You will need some basic soldering supplies for connecting wires to one another and to the T-Deck (although I'm working on a DIY design that does NOT require soldering). Heat shrink wrap is also recommended.

Other Supplies

There may be other miscellaneous supplies/tools not mentioned here.

3D Print Your Case

Download printable enclosure files (includes 3MF and STL formats).  The printable enclosure is a slightly modified version of an enclosure originally designed by Alley Cat.

I use Black ABS for the front and colored PLA for everything else, but obviously you can get creative here.

Create a DFRobot / Qwiic Adapter

Create an adapter wire that will allow the DFR cables to attach directly to any Stemma/Qwiic plug. I heat-shrink wrap the connections (they must be insulated). Unfortunately, there is no pre-made adapter yet that I could find, because the ground/vcc seem to be reversed.

       Qwiic Yellow/Clk → DFR Blue/Clk
       Qwiic Blue/Data → DFR Green/Data
       Qwiic Red → DFR Red
       Qwiic Black → DFR Black

Prepare the DFRobot GNSS

Move the DFR’s switch to IIC, and then use a wire cutter/clipper to clip the long plastic switch much shorter. It will just be in the way later on if you don’t.

Also, attach the GPS antenna, as well as the cable you just made.

Connect all Components

Connect all components together in the order shown.

The Grove/Stemma connector goes into the T-Deck, other components are simply connected with Stemma/Qwiic connectors, and the DFRobot is the last component, connected using the cable you just made.

Add Enclosure Nuts and Switch Covers

Insert the power switch cover and reset button cover into the T-Deck enclosure. You may need to trim the button areas of the enclosure slightly so the switches slide easily.

Insert the two heat-sink nuts into the enclosure. A special soldering tip makes this extremely easy, but you can also use a heat gun and apply pressure with a phillips screwdriver.

Finally, add the thermal cam (upside down as shown) and attach the cover tiny laptop screws.

Clip the T-Deck's Reset Button

The T-Deck’s reset button is too long for the enclosure. If you don’t clip it to be flush with the side of the T-Deck, the case will hold the reset button down, and the T-Deck will appear to be dead.

Connect Components & Insert T-Deck

Plug the Grove Connector into the T-Deck.

Remove the T-Deck Screen Protector.

Insulate metal surfaces of the GNSS and RTC, using electrical tape. Insulate the metal surface of the GNSS, as it could short the thermal camera when inserted.

Finally - Insert the T-Deck as shown. This is tricky, you’ll have to align the USBC port of the T-Deck to the enclosure, and then carefully wedge the top of T-Deck into place. You’ll have to slightly pry apart the edges and top of the enclosure to make room, while not applying too much pressure to the T-Deck screen...all while making sure the enclosure button covers don’t fall out.

Insert GPS Antenna, LoRa SMA, & Components

Insert the GNSS antenna into the top of the case.

Push the LoRa SMA connector through the case opening and use a nut to keep it securely in place.

Arrange all the other components/wires as shown, so the battery will fit.

Add the Battery and Attach the Cover

Pay special attention to battery polarity vs T-Deck polarity!

For my particular battery and T-Deck, the adapter shown on the right matches up perfectly, as it switches the T-Deck’s polarity to match the battery. Yours may be different!

Do not connect any battery to the T-Deck unless you are sure the polarity is correct, or you could ruin the T-Deck or worse.

Add the Battery, Attach the Cover & Antenna

Attach the enclosure’s back using a couple of M3 screws.

Insert a compatible SD card.

Now you are ready to flash the firmware.

ChatterBox Firmware

After assembling this device, download the firmware (free) from the following link, which lets you flash the device using Chrome or other browsers. Flashing instructions are on the page.

Firmware Flash Page

User Guide