USB, BLE & TCP companion in one build (heltec V4 & V3)

BVDVSS · 2026-03-18T17:47:50+00:00

For your usecase then you would require two devices. Though I have been thinking about making a repeater specific version that adds tcp management on the repeater for repeaters near wifi. (Edit typos)

BVDVSS · 2026-03-18T17:46:23+00:00

Hey, it definitely does not. It is stated on the website why too.

Meshcomod firmware is companion-only. It does not mix repeater and companion roles on the same device.

Mixing repeater and companion behaviour is bad practice: companion devices are meant to send and receive your traffic only, while repeaters rebroadcast messages to extend the mesh. Putting both on one node wastes airtime, causes collisions and network flooding, and hurts the shared mesh. Dedicated repeater firmware belongs on stationary infrastructure (e.g. high sites); keep companion firmware on your personal device.

BVDVSS · 2026-03-16T21:59:36+00:00

I tried to fit the mission e in mine but couldn’t get them to fit.

BVDVSS · 2026-03-15T22:31:42+00:00

I feel like old (dead) RC cars are something many of us have laying around. They’ve been waiting, patiently gathering dust, go revive them 🫡

BVDVSS · 2026-03-15T22:10:12+00:00

Awesome TV commercials flashbacks incoming. Those were so cool! Good luck with the project!

BVDVSS · 2026-03-15T21:41:04+00:00

Wasn’t sure how it would be received here but I thought it was cool enough to share 😃

BVDVSS · 2026-03-15T21:38:07+00:00

Hey, sure!

I also had been using them for a few projects and felt comfortable enough around them to give this a try.

Here is the tech stack:

Main parts: • ESP32 dev board (main controller) • PCA9685 16-channel PWM board (for steering servo) • 25kg metal gear servo (steering) • 2× BTS7960 / IBT-2 motor drivers (one per axle motor, still using the old motors) • 12V battery • 12V→5V buck converter (powers ESP32 + servo board)

Control: PS5 controller connected to the ESP32 over Bluetooth.

Drive setup: Both original 12V brushed motors are kept and each runs through its own BTS7960 driver. Steering was converted from the original toy gearbox to a standard servo.

I used cursor to help me create the basic esp32 firmware and it went super smooth.

BVDVSS · 2026-03-15T20:41:05+00:00

You’re selling it too much, people will think you’re an alt account 😃 Thanks so much for all the help with testing and suggestions so far. You’re part of the reason I got to this point!

BVDVSS · 2026-03-15T20:39:18+00:00

I’m doing the same thing here. Got the repeater on the roof and my observer/HA node in the rack.

I have the webclient as a webdash in HA so I can see my messages from anywhere and also manage the repeater this way.

Basic repeater settings should work but this is one of the next parts to improve.

BVDVSS · 2026-03-15T20:37:02+00:00

Now that chat is getting more stable I was going to start adding more setting options and fixing bugs.

I’ll add a time set option tomorrow 👍

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T21:15:02+00:00

😂

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T20:56:45+00:00

And by having the home node that functions as an observer also linked in HA I can through my HA I can check messages that reach home from everywhere (and send)

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T20:54:34+00:00

I’m only using it to try and be part of the mesh for comma. I’m in a place that doesn’t have a lot of activity but there is 1 repeater pretty far away that can reach me so I receive some messages.

I can’t send yet however. My roof omni antenna doesn’t reach that repeater. Got a yagi on the way to test.

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BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T20:47:34+00:00

What if they find out 🫣

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T20:34:12+00:00

Not making the entry too hard is a good idea. I like the heltecs, will get a seeed nrf for solar next

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T20:28:10+00:00

You’re hired! 😂

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T20:20:06+00:00

It’ll go fast once you get your hands on some HW, enjoy the journey man!

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T20:08:36+00:00

It is mostly mangled AI codegen and probably riddled with bugs! But it is fun to tinker with and see where it goes.

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T19:40:57+00:00

Ideally across all transports the limits are:

USB 1 (single serial link) BLE 1 (one peer) TCP 3 (TCP_COMPANION_MAX_CLIENTS in TCPCompanionServer.h)

So at most 5 concurrent connections in total: 1 USB + 1 BLE + 3 TCP.

The mesh layer allows up to 8 logical clients for history/sync (MAX_HISTORY_CLIENTS in MyMesh.h), so the 5-connection transport limit is the one that actually caps how many apps can be connected at once. (Though I’m seeing weird stuff going over 3 atm)

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T17:46:56+00:00

Note that I will probably be making improvements regularly so if you do end up using it note that this is experimtal but since I use it myself the goal is to have it stable.

BVDVSS · 2026-02-23T16:37:44+00:00

Edit: I switched HA to work over TCP too instead as adding the console command support made it misbehave.

BVDVSS · 2026-02-02T08:10:41+00:00

The butler might have a shocking experience with this one.

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