ChatterBox Communicator T-Deck Firmware

Looking for Node Firmware?

Where are you located?

If you are in the USA, choose the USA version. Otherwise, choose the Non-USA version. Use the same slection for all of your devices!

Node: 2.1.0 (05/20/2025)
Comm: 2.2.0 (05/29/2025)

T-Deck Firmware
Using ChatterBox
Demo Videos
Flash Instructions
Assembling Devices

Note: The ChatterBox secure off-grid messaging and location firmware for TDeck is a licensed product. Certain features may require purchase of a license.

By downloading this firmware, you are agreeing to the terms, agreeing to abide by all laws and regulations while using this firmware, and agreeing to hold harmless the developer, Altware Development LLC. Altware Development LLC is not responsible for any data loss or other issues that might arise with with your device before, during, or after flashing. Unless you agree to those terms, don't use this tool or download our firmware.

1. Recommended (not required) - SD cards are recommended but not required. Only compatible SD cards can be used.

2. Identify Your T-Deck Below
If you have any questions, consult the device seller or builder.

3. Select Firmware Version Below
After connecting your device and putting it in "boot mode", select it from the list below.

	T-Deck Complete	Buy a fully-assembled T-Deck Complete from us or Rokland
	T-Deck Plus	Buy a fully-assembled T-Deck Plus from us Amazon, or Rokland

Communicator Firmware

Custom (& Thermal)

Rokland T-Deck Complete

Lilygo TDeck+

All Others

Which Version?

If your device is not listed, choose the All Others option, although we can't guarantee compatibility.

Onboard a Communicator - How to add a new communicator to your cluster

Alternative Flash Instructions: If you know what you are doing and want to install mesh tdeck firmware using a different install tool, you may download the pre-built binaries here (USA):

T-Deck+ Mesh Firmware Custom Mesh Firmware M100 / All Others DFR Mesh Firmware (Deprecated)

Alternative Flash Instructions: If you know what you are doing and want to install mesh tdeck firmware using a different install tool, you may download the pre-built binaries here (Non-USA):

T-Deck+ Mesh Firmware Custom Mesh Firmware M100 / All Others DFR Mesh Firmware (Deprecated)

How ChatterBox Works
	ChatterBox Communication Protocol ChatterBox communicates securely by combining mesh, encryption, and digital signatures with LoRa and MQTT.
	Message Types A direct message is targeted to a specific person/device, and uses asymmetric encryption. A broadcast is sent to the entire cluster, using symmetric encryption, so all devices can read it. Message expiry (you select) controls how long a message stays "alive".
	MQTT and Cloud Connectivity Any device in your cluster/channel can become an MQTT/cloud-enabled bridge, allowing your messages to securely travel across a hop of any distance, while still maintaining device-level payload encryption and signatures.
	Private Clusters vs Channels Your devices can exist within private clusters and/or they can utilize open (but secure) channels. Clusters offer much more functionality and better performance, but are limited to 90 devices. Channels can be unlimited in size, but are limited to broadcast messages.
Basic Usage
	Using a Communicator Basic operation of a ChatterBox communicator
	Communicator Settings Complete list of settings for ChatterBox communicator firmware
	Data Storage How to backup your device or transfer your data to another device
	ChatterBox Remote Commands ChatterBox supports sending remote commands to other on-cluster devices
	Setting Up and Using Channels How to set up and use a new or existing channel on communicators and nodes
	Using Location How GNSS is integrated with ChatterBox and how you can make use of it
	Time Synchronization How to keep proper time on your devices. This is important!
Nodes
	Using a GPS Node Basic operation of a ChatterBox GPS node (T-Beam Supreme)
	Utilizing a Node How to position and use a node for delivery assistance, packet caching, location caching, and more
	Utilizing Multiple Nodes Using multiple nodes presents more opportunities for assuring delivery

How Messages are Delivered

Onboarding a Device

Creating a Private Cluster

Configuring a Secure / Open Channel

View a video demonstration of flashing a T-Deck Plus

1. If using an SD card (recommended), ensure you have a compatible card installed

These devices ARE VERY PICKY about SD cards. Consider buying a new SD card from the known compatible list. SD cards are cheap, and your time is not. The cards on that list typically work right out of the box. However, if your device seems to have trouble using the SD card (gets stuck mounting/decrypting), reformat the card using these instructions.

2. Open a supported browser

You must be using a "standard" browser, such as Chrome, etc.

3. Plug your device into a USB connection

IMPORTANT: You must be using a good quality data transmission cable, not just a power cable. I use these.

4. Put the device in "boot mode"

T-Deck or T-Deck Plus
Power off the device Press and hold trackball button Power on the device Release the trackball button Device is now in boot mode

5. Use the Flashing Tool to execute the flash

When prompted, select the USB port that is connected to your device. The firmware flashing tool should properly recognize the device, and you should be able to click through the prompts to complete the install. If it fails or of your device doesn't come back on properly after the flashing, it doesn't mean your device is destroyed, just repeat the steps carefully again from start to finish, and make sure you select the proper device.

For instance, if you have a T-Deck with the M100 module onboard, and you select to install the ChatterBox Custom firmware, the flashing tool will happily install the wrong firmware, and then your device won't boot. It's no problem, just repeat the instructions with the correct options.

6. Restart the device

The flashing tool doesn't normally restart the devices properly, so wait for the flasher to say it's done, then disconnect your device, then power it off and back on.

Communicators
	T-Deck Thermal	Build your own ChatterBox communicator (with Thermal Cam)
	T-Deck Custom	Build your own ChatterBox communicator
	T-Deck Complete	Buy a fully-assembled T-Deck Complete from us or Rokland
	T-Deck Plus	Buy a fully-assembled T-Deck Plus from us Amazon, or Rokland
	T-Deck Amped	Build s ChatterBox communicator with integrated Amp

Nodes
	Thermal Node	Coming soon: Node with integrated thermal cam, capable of sending images via mesh
	Basic / GPS	Build (or buy) a simple node with no soldering or built on Lilygo T3S3 or E-Paper T3S3
	Proximity Node	Build (or buy) a node with Proximity sensing capabilities, using a doppler-based sensor
	Relay Node	Build (or buy) a node with the ability to remotely control a switch (proximity sensing nodes can also do this)

More Build DIY Options

Custom Communicator

Based on T-Deck. Communicate messages and location securely.
	Assembly Instructions
	User Guide
	Printable Enclosure

GPS Node

Fully functional node with GPS based on T-Beam Supreme
	Assembly Instructions
	User Guide
	Printable Enclosure

E-Paper Mini Node

Non-GPS, low power node with E-Paper display. Based on T3S3 E-Paper.
	Assembly Instructions
	User Guide
	Printable Enclosure

Proximity/Relay GPS Node

GPS node with added mmwave proximity senser and (optionally) relay/switch function
	Assembly Instructions
	Printable Enclosure

GPS Relay Node

GPS node with relay (switch) functionality.
	Assembly Instructions
	Printable Enclosure

Solar Node

Solar powered node (non-GPS). Based on T3S3.
	User Guide
	Assembly Instructions

Proximity/Relay Paper Node

T3S3 paper node with added mmwave proximity senser and (optionally) relay/switch function
	Assembly Instructions
	Printable Enclosure

Heltec Vision e290 Paper Node

Larger paper screen, but you'll need to download an enclosure elsewhere.
	Assembly Instructions

Mini Node

Non-GPS, low power node. Based on T3S3.
	User Guide
	Assembly Instructions
	Printable Enclosure