Using the Lilygo T-Deck Plus on Meshtastic
I was asked to help another ham install and manage a solar node on his farm. He asked for a keyboard type device, so we agreed on the Lilygo T-Deck Plus Meshtstic. I had to get one so I could learn about it. So here we go.
It has a track ball in the center and at first, I thought I would need to use it to control it but then I found that it was rather sensitive and the touch control was much better and functional.
It has a track ball in the center and at first, I thought I would need to use it to control it but then I found that it was rather sensitive and the touch control was much better and functional.
The T-Deck Plus is a nice sized device with a touch screen and a keyboard. I have discovered that there are multiple versions. If I had known this before I bought it. I would have gotten the version with the external antenna for more range but that may not be an issue.
I uploaded the latest Meshtastic firmware, which is 2.7.15. The Meshtastic flasher worked fine. I connected the T-Deck to my Windows 11 PC using a USB-A to USB-C cable and used Device Manager to figure out which device it was. I selected the target device of Lilygo T-Deck which works for both T-Deck and T-Deck plus. I selected the latest Beta Firmware and clicked Flash then Continue. To put the T-Deck in Upload mode, I held the trackball down and turned on the T-Deck. I selected Full Erase and Install, and it proceeded without problem.
When the T-Deck boots, it shows some selections on the left side and the contents in the main part of the screen. To select a function, touch it. If the screen turns off, press the trackball to turn it back on. I set the device region and long and short names. I have adopted a naming convention for the long name of my call sign and device type, followed by the 4 character short name.
In the node list, my node shows as the first on the list. If I click on it, I can see the GPS coordinates and meters above sea level (MSL). At first, this showed nothing and then I had to learn how to turn on GPS. The plus version includes GPS.
I uploaded the latest Meshtastic firmware, which is 2.7.15. The Meshtastic flasher worked fine. I connected the T-Deck to my Windows 11 PC using a USB-A to USB-C cable and used Device Manager to figure out which device it was. I selected the target device of Lilygo T-Deck which works for both T-Deck and T-Deck plus. I selected the latest Beta Firmware and clicked Flash then Continue. To put the T-Deck in Upload mode, I held the trackball down and turned on the T-Deck. I selected Full Erase and Install, and it proceeded without problem.
When the T-Deck boots, it shows some selections on the left side and the contents in the main part of the screen. To select a function, touch it. If the screen turns off, press the trackball to turn it back on. I set the device region and long and short names. I have adopted a naming convention for the long name of my call sign and device type, followed by the 4 character short name.
In the node list, my node shows as the first on the list. If I click on it, I can see the GPS coordinates and meters above sea level (MSL). At first, this showed nothing and then I had to learn how to turn on GPS. The plus version includes GPS.
Bluetooth
Although the screen includes many functions, it does not include all. To use the non-included ones, reboot in Bluetooth mode and connect the app to the T-Deck. Under settings, touch Reboot/Shutdown and touch the Bluetooth (BT) symbol. The T-deck reboots into BT mode and i connected my app to the T-Deck. This is where the short name is handy as I found I needed it to discover which device was my T-Deck. Once paired, under Device configuration, select Position. Under Device GPS, set GPS Mode to Enabled.
Remote Administration
Since I also wanted to use my T-Deck to remotely administer another node, a solar node mounted outside up in the air, I learned that I had to use the BT connection to the app to remotely administer another node. First, under Radio configuration > Security, I used Export Keys to save my keys to a file so that I could copy and paste the public key. Second, on the remote node, I connected to it using BT. Under Security > Admin Keys, I added the public key for my T-Deck to the Admin Keys for the remote node. To remotely administer the remote node, on my T-Deck, I clicked on the remote node under the Nodes list, and selected Remote Administration. And I can now remotely administer the remote node.
Now that my T-Deck is in BT mode, how do I return to let its touchscreen take over again? Turn on the screen by pressing the trackball. Press and hold the BT symbol Until you see Rebooting and you will be back in Meshtastic mode on the T-Deck.
Now that my T-Deck is in BT mode, how do I return to let its touchscreen take over again? Turn on the screen by pressing the trackball. Press and hold the BT symbol Until you see Rebooting and you will be back in Meshtastic mode on the T-Deck.
Maps
The T-Deck can display maps showing the locations of nodes. But how to load maps? It requires that the maps be put on a microSD card which can be put into a slot on the T-Deck. I found this note:
https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2025/adding-gps-and-grid-maps-my-meshtastic-t-deck/
which just about worked as written. I had to learn how to install pip and then all was good.
https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2025/adding-gps-and-grid-maps-my-meshtastic-t-deck/
which just about worked as written. I had to learn how to install pip and then all was good.
External Antenna
After I ordered my T-Deck Plus, I discovered that there is also a version with an external antenna. This seemed like a handy thing and I found a video showing how to convert from the internal to an external antenna. However, the internal antenna seems to work pretty well based on the messages I have gotten the last few days, so I will wait to see if this is needed. It would not be as convenient to carry one with an external antenna.
As I learn more about the T-Deck, I will add to this note.