Experience freedom of communication
without borders, operators, networks, fees!
Create your own network, your own rules !!!
19.1.20201- ALL IS CHANGED !!!!Chip crisis forced me to completely redesign Armachat, also the arrival of the new modern Raspberry PICO with direct Python support, which will allow easier DIY assembly and also much easier software development, large internal memory will allow not only storing messages but also maps for GPS or sensory data in the future. As you can see the material list is reduced to only 8 lines. There are 2 modules and 3 SMD components. Raspberry Pi Pico comes with an indestructible bootloader in ROM, it cannot be destroyed or malfunctioned. Once connected to a PC, Armachat works as a USB drive, it is possible to edit program files in any text editor (python friendly is recommended) and immediately see the changes, it will allow a really very fast developmentCOMPATIBLE WITH PICOMPUTERhttps://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/_PICOmputer____World_first_Raspberry_RP2040_PICO___QWERTY___IPS_devkit.htmlNow based on Raspberry PI PICOwith circuitpyton firmwareFront keyboard panel / cover PCB you can order here: https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/Armachat___front_panel.htmlIt is very simple and low component count / cost device. It called as Armageddon communicator but I think it can not survive any disaster,I making it for fun and learning communication, It is super hi tech walkie talkie,you have much more cool smart device in you pocket with unlimited distance.I am using standard RFM95 module, by my test I make poor connection at 4Km reliable at +- 2Km.More details and fresh news on project page.Patreon sponsoring very help with developmenthttps://www.patreon.com/bobriciusSTEM Learning:What you can learn on this board?-modern architecture based on Rasperry Pi PICO, with lot memory and native USB-QWERTY keyboard matrix reading-complex input/output HID processing read keyboard data,-create and display graphics, save data to flash, send results over radio or usb-radio communication with world best, most advanced long range LORA radio technology-work with I2C sensors or process GPS data-learn lot about network architecture, packets, communication, addressing, delivery confirmation-power management, sleep, wake by alarm, wake on receive(..all this things I learning now on this project)Production and marketing plans:Hardware is very simple and easy to solder by hand (mostly only two modules soldered), low active component count makeit very attractive as learn to solder kit. (Unsoldered lora module give small advantage because there is 3 world frequencies) Why TH tactile switches? because is very important to precise align with front cover plate and this can be little hard with hand.SWOT analysisStrengths:-no competition with almost finished and working communicator-compact design, standalone communicator-qwerty keyboard, much user friendly than encoders or arrow keys-officially supported Arduino powerful microcontroller with lot free memory and computation power-unlimited future enhancements-extremely simple just two modules and buttons, cheap and low component count-low power consumption-color graphics displayWeaknesses:-no community, no users (maybe because I have not started selling )-currently no mesh networking or advanced message routing-my programing knowledge is limited (I quickly learning)Opportunities:-MOTTO> My network = my rules, no borders, no limits, no operators.-create own private message network with encryption possibility-disaster radio-GUI learning tool-USB HID keyboard learning-Advanced Radio network educationThreats:-ESP32 based devices can create unlimited communication with WIFI and BLE and forward messages between networks(I see future use ESP32 as gateways between wifi <>lora for smartphone, not as standalone device SAMD consume much less energy)-device is very easy replicable and anybody can sell cheaper version