[{"element_type":"user_image","content":"https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/user_assets/assets/000/002/066/original/altware_build_pager_rect.jpg?1763753394","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch2\u003eAbout this Pager\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can build this touchscreen off-grid pager that uses LoRa and optionally GPS for location and tracking. This device lets you create (or join) a group of up to 90 devices in a private mesh network where you can send/receive messages, share location, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou never know when you're going to need to be able to send messages between nearby family or friends, where cell phones don't work. You can also use these in combination with other devices (T-Deck, T-Beam, etc) and figure out where different devices are - even without having phones/internet/data. That can be really handy if you're hiking or camping in a far-out location.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow it's Built\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eI designed a very simple PCB that accepts a few Adafruit components, that when combined with specialized firmware, become an off-grid communication device ready to be dropped into a 3D printed enclosure\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou can make the PCB (gerber files are included in this project) or order it from PCBWay\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Adafruit parts are listed further down, but include Adafruit's RFM95W LoRa, 2.8\" TFT Touchscreen with EYESPI \u0026amp; SD, Realtime Clock,\u0026nbsp; FRAM, and a few other things\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter assembling these things, you'll need to flash it with firmware, which takes only a minute or so\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n      \n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"embed","content":"https://youtu.be/AJ5GJJFb6zs"},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/W413833AS1D13_altware_pager_gerber_v1_5b772894.html\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePager PCB\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eThe PCB all components are attached to\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/W413833AS1D13_altware_pager_gerber_v1_5b772894.html\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"Pager PCB","url":"https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/W413833AS1D13_altware_pager_gerber_v1_5b772894.html","description":"The PCB all components are attached to","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/6399","metadata":{"name":"Unexpected Maker ESP32S3(D)","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/6399","description":"This is where the code runs! The previous (C) version works as well.","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/2090","metadata":{"name":"Adafruit 2.8\" TFT Cap Touch w EYESPI","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/2090","description":"The pager display / touchscreen","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/3072","metadata":{"name":"Adafruit RFM95W LoRa","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/3072","description":"The LoRa radio for the project. This is for 915/868.","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/3013","metadata":{"name":"Adafruit DS3231 RTC","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/3013","description":"Devices in your private mesh cluster need to by time synced. This makes that possible.","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/5613","metadata":{"name":"Adafruit EYESPI Breakout","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/5613","description":"This lets you easily connect/disconnect the touchscreen from the PCB","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/5239","metadata":{"name":"EYESPI Ribbon (10cm)","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/5239","description":"This is the perfect length. Longer and it'll get bunched up","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/4o6FBHI\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLiPo Battery 2000 mAh\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eThis battery is just the right size. If you get any other model, it might not fit in the case.\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/4o6FBHI\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"LiPo Battery 2000 mAh","url":"https://amzn.to/4o6FBHI","description":"This battery is just the right size. If you get any other model, it might not fit in the case.","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/851","metadata":{"name":"IPEX / SMA Adapter and Cable","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/851","description":"If you prefer RP-SMA, that's ok too. Antennas are a little easier to find with SMA","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/1661","metadata":{"name":"IPEX U.FL Connector","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/1661","description":"This little thing is tons of fun to solder onto the LoRa board","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/joymax-electronics/GHX-328XSA3B/23023608\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLoRa Antenna\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eThe linked antenna fits perfectly inside the case - or outside if you print the external SMA enclosure\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/joymax-electronics/GHX-328XSA3B/23023608\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"LoRa Antenna","url":"https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/joymax-electronics/GHX-328XSA3B/23023608","description":"The linked antenna fits perfectly inside the case - or outside if you print the external SMA enclosure","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/3XEY17m\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eShort Pin Headers\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eThese are the perfect size to connect the ESP32 to the board, without having to do any risky trimming of pins\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/3XEY17m\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"Short Pin Headers","url":"https://amzn.to/3XEY17m","description":"These are the perfect size to connect the ESP32 to the board, without having to do any risky trimming of pins","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/392","metadata":{"name":"\"Normal\" Pin Headers","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/392","description":"These are used for everything else besides the ESP32","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/3LNhv7i\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTiny Push Button\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eFor on/off, this perfectly fits the PCB \u0026amp; enclosure\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/3LNhv7i\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"Tiny Push Button","url":"https://amzn.to/3LNhv7i","description":"For on/off, this perfectly fits the PCB \u0026amp; enclosure","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/4pbPuok\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eExtra Tall Momentary Switches\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eThese are 12mm tall to reach the back of the pager case\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/4pbPuok\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"Extra Tall Momentary Switches","url":"https://amzn.to/4pbPuok","description":"These are 12mm tall to reach the back of the pager case","quantity":"2"}},{"element_type":"product","content":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/380","metadata":{"name":"CR1220 Battery","url":"https://www.adafruit.com/product/380","description":"For the realtime clock","quantity":"1","featured":false}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/3M69eLI\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eM2 32mm Socket Head Screws\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eYou need 3 of these screws per pager\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/3M69eLI\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"M2 32mm Socket Head Screws","url":"https://amzn.to/3M69eLI","description":"You need 3 of these screws per pager","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/4oKu55I\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eM2 25mm Socket Head Screws\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eYou need one of these screws per pager\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/4oKu55I\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"M2 25mm Socket Head Screws","url":"https://amzn.to/4oKu55I","description":"You need one of these screws per pager","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/44j7F3l\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eM2 4mm Socket Head Screws\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eYou need 4 screws per pager\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/44j7F3l\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"M2 4mm Socket Head Screws","url":"https://amzn.to/44j7F3l","description":"You need 4 screws per pager","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/3K7IwBW\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eM2 Nuts\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eYou need a handful, may as well buy 50\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/3K7IwBW\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"M2 Nuts","url":"https://amzn.to/3K7IwBW","description":"You need a handful, may as well buy 50","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"parts","content":"\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-details\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"parts-quantity\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x \u003c/span\u003e\n        \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/43CkOnW\" class=\"parts-name\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePush Button Cap\u003c/a\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"parts-description\"\u003eThese are the perfect size fo the button, PCB, and enclosure\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"parts-action\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"https://amzn.to/43CkOnW\" class=\"parts-url btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy Now\u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","metadata":{"name":"Push Button Cap","url":"https://amzn.to/43CkOnW","description":"These are the perfect size fo the button, PCB, and enclosure","quantity":"1"}},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch2\u003eAssembling the Pager\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's a video demo of assembling the pager. Full detailed instructions are also available at my website:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Full Build Instructions\" href=\"https://www.chatters.io/diy/build-off-grid-touchscreen-pager\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFull DIY Instructions\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"embed","content":"https://youtu.be/SfeaEFJMmo0"},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n        \u003ch2\u003eFlashing the Pager\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstalling the firmware (it's free). It just takes a minute and is done by connecting the pager to your PC and using a modern browser like Chrome.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.offgridcomms.club/firmware/esp32/altware_pager_installer.html\"\u003eFirmware Flash Page\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n      ","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"embed","content":"https://youtu.be/tuRaeMBhdM8"},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n        \u003ch2\u003eFinal Assembly - Putting Together the Enclosure\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a little trickier than you might think, but this video should clear things up.\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n\n\n\n\n\n","metadata":{}},{"element_type":"embed","content":"https://youtu.be/ln60mdsF8nE"},{"element_type":"text","content":"\n  \n        \u003ch2\u003eHelpful Links\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.chatters.io/diy/build-off-grid-touchscreen-pager\"\u003eFull DIY Guide\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.offgridcomms.club/firmware/esp32/altware_pager_installer.html\"\u003eFirmware Download\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e3D Print Files\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.printables.com/model/1486518-touchscreen-lora-encrypted-off-grid-pager\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSee on Printables\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.offgridcomms.club/firmware/esp32/assembly/altware_pager_stl.zip\"\u003eSTL Files\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.offgridcomms.club/firmware/esp32/assembly/altware_pager_3mf.zip\"\u003e3MF Files\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.offgridcomms.club/firmware/esp32/docs/using_altware_blackout_comms.pdf\"\u003eUser Guide\u003c/a\u003e - This is for the touchscreen\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003ecommunicator\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ebut it's almost identical to the pager, except for the screen orientation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHelpful Videos\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://youtu.be/-j3iASWbda4\"\u003eSetting Up your Blackout Comms Private Mesh Cluster\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://youtu.be/gRAa39CzoDg\"\u003eHow Blackout Comms Works\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n      \n","metadata":{}}]