How to configure - what am I missing?

Support
1

I have a stupid question.

I have a Waveshare SX1262 module with a Raspberry Pi Pico W that I bought for using sensors to monitor some beehives. I have made some progress with my basic code for that purpose, but part of the reason I chose that hardware combo was it is on the supported hardware list for Meshtastic. So I figured I would also give Meshtastic a try. I have read that it works with the Serial Module, and I am comfortable with the serial port aspects of it.

But I’m obviously missing something in the process. I have flashed the Pico with the firmware-pico-*.uf2 files, and have been using Thonny ide to see the console. I can see Meshtastic starting and doing things. But I know i have to configure some parameters like the region frequency, etc for it to work, but i cant figure out where/how that configuration takes place.

Do I have to compile and create my own specific *.uf2 file to flash it with? Or somehow configure the supplied one? How do I enable the Serial Module? How do I issue these meshtastic command lines that I am reading about?

I promise not all my questions will be this basic. I am new to radio and new to microprocessors, so I am sure im just missing something obvious.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Slowpoke

2

Pico does not have working bluetooth, so you will ned to use serial to connect via the cli, android app or web client.

3

Hi garth and thanks for your reply!

I understand Bluetooth and wifi don’t work on the Pico yet. And that I need to use Serial. But is the Serial module enabled by default in the supplied firmware-pico uf2 file? If so, where can i find the defult parameter settings? If not, how do i enable it?

Or am I completely misunderstanding the system architecture here, and the Serial module is not running on the Pico W?

4

Yes, if you’re running the latest firmware it has support for the Serial Module using GPIO pins 8 (TXD) and 9 (RXD). The module is not enabled by default, it has to be done as explained here: Serial Module Configuration | Meshtastic
E.g. follow the instructions for the CLI.

5

Much thanks to both of you! That was the nudge I needed in the right direction. Running meshtastic --info is telling me it’s working! Now it’s time to go back and learn more.

Thanks again!

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