GridDown Secure Messenger: Using an SX1262 LoRa Radio as a Drone Scanner and Secure Messenger

Back in March, we posted about GridDown, an open-source Android tablet-based situational awareness system designed to operate without an internet connection, which uses sensors such as an RTL-SDR, a SARSAT receiver and an ESP32-S3/SX1262 LoRa radio.

Recently, GridDown developer Cameron wrote in again and shared with us that the LoRa firmware for GridDown has now been released as an open-source project called "GridDown Secure Messenger" (main website).

The project uses a LILYGO T-Deck CYPHER-M8K (an ESP32-S3 with SX1262, 2.8" display, keyboard, and GPS) to implement secure, encrypted off-grid text messaging, and it also doubles as a 900 MHz drone scanner, with the ability to decode drone Remote ID.

Cameron has also provided two YouTube shorts [1] [2], showing the firmware in action.

Example Renders of the GridDown Secure Messenger Running on a LILYGO T-Deck CYPHER-M8K.
Example Renders of the GridDown Secure Messenger Running on a LILYGO T-Deck CYPHER-M8K.

AI Disclaimer: The renders appear to have been AI-generated.

Tweet
Share
Reddit
Vote
Email

Related posts:

  1. GridDown: An Offline-First Situational Awareness Platform with RTL-SDR, SARSAT, Meshtastic
  2. Tech Minds: Testing Meshtastic Compatible Lilygo LoRa Devices
  3. KISS_LoRa_TAK – Integrating ESP32 LoRa with TAK
  4. ESP32 Bit Pirate Updates: New LoRa and Meshtastic Analysis Features
  5. TechMinds: Testing Off-Grid LoRa Radio Mesh Text Messaging with Meshtastic
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

8 Comments
Simon
#275278

You cant detect more than few meters drones with this as it doesnt have external wifi antenna. Check this Drone Awareness Relay System based on C6L – way cheaper with custom Android app.

0
Reply
BlackAtlas LLC
#275279

Check out the update, for free, of GridDown Secure Messenger regarding this tomorrow! Recall that this is a messenger (that we don’t sell nor build) that pairs extremely well with GridDown Maps and other BlackAtlas products and just happens to also do drone detection. This firmware is to showcase what BlackAtlas can do — hope you like the update after hearing various feedback! I think it’ll be something that you’ll thoroughly enjoy (for free)!

0
Reply
Yam’s
#275102

Mesh network 77 miles confirmed. Direct message.. These devices are not useless

0
Reply
eavesdropper
#274968

In a grid down scenario these Lora devices are useless unless your within spitting distance, they rely to heavily on line of sight, especially given the low power and others having repeaters.

Someone needs to make a secure 256 bit encrypted comma software like Vara/Varac that can be piped through ANY modern transceiver via built in soundcard/com ports so it can be used on HF SSB/VHF/UHF.

This would be a holy grail of off grid comms

3
Reply
BlackAtlas LLC
#274982

You make a great point. Hence why GridDown Maps and Secure Messenger have an adapter that carry encrypted CoT/messages over modems (just send an email to BlackAtlas, if you want more details). The modems the adapter currently supports are:

  1. KISS/Direwolf for VHF/UHF at 1200/9600
  2. FreeDATA or ARDOP for HF
  3. VARA through its TCP interface, for anyone who already owns it
  4. And 1 more (just email)

Thank you for your interest!

2
Reply
Jade
#275086

Unable to flash my T-Deck. Flash button never lights up.

0
Reply
Kyle
#274997

There are groups working on infrastructure for the Lora flavors. I think in my state a message can reach 200+ miles now through a repeater network.

0
Reply
Planck
#275140

Reticulum is that. Medium independent mesh network. https://github.com/markqvist/Reticulum/

1
Reply