Blackout Comms Communicator Firmware

Looking for Link 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!

Link: 2.3.8 (09/09/2025)
Comm: 2.3.9 (09/09/2025)

T-Deck Firmware
Using Blackout Comms
Demo Videos
Flash Instructions
Assembling Devices

Note: The Blackout Comms secure off-grid messaging and location firmware 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 - SD cards are highly recommended but not required. Only compatible SD cards can be used.

2. Identify Your Comm Device 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+

Altware Comm

Lilygo Pager

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 Blackout Comm Pager 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 Blackout Comm Pager DFR Mesh Firmware (Deprecated)

How Blackout Comms Works
	Blackout Comms Communication Protocol Blackout Comms 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 Blackout Comms communicator
	Blackout Comms Settings Complete list of settings for Blackout Comms firmware
	Data Storage How to backup your device or transfer your data to another device
	Blackout Comms Proximity Sensors Some Blackout Comms devices have pulsed radar proximity sensing
	Blackout Comms Remote Commands Blackout Comms 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 links
	Using Location How GNSS is integrated with Blackout Comms 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-Enabled Link Basic operation of a Blackout Comms GPS-Enabled Link (T-Beam Supreme)
	Utilizing a Link How to position and use a link for delivery assistance, packet caching, location caching, and more
	Utilizing Multiple Links Using multiple mesh links 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 Blackout Comms communicator (with Thermal Cam)
	T-Deck Custom	Build your own Blackout Comms 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 a Blackout Comms communicator with integrated Amp

Nodes
	Thermal	Coming soon: Link with integrated thermal cam, capable of sending images via mesh
	Basic / GPS	Build (or buy) a simple mesh link with no soldering or built on Lilygo T3S3 or E-Paper T3S3
	Proximity Link	Build (or buy) a mesh link with Proximity sensing capabilities, using a doppler-based sensor
	Remote Switch	Build (or buy) a link 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 Link

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

E-Paper Mini Link

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

Proximity/Relay GPS Link

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

GPS Relay Link

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

Solar Link

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

Proximity/Relay Paper Link

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

Heltec Vision e290 Paper Link

Larger paper screen, larger battery, can be equipped with proximity sensor.
	Assembly Instructions
	Printable Enclosure

Mini Link

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