Blackout Comms Live - Connecting
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Prerequisites
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Install Blackout Comms Live onto an Android device
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You must have a private cluster already set up. The app isn't really going to be useful if you don't have a cluster.
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The device must be compatible (BLE).
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Bluetooth must be enabled on the device you're connecting.
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Communicators: This simply a device setting
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Links/Nodes: If BLE is not enabled, you must enable it by sending a remote command.
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If your link/node is showing "Connecting" instead of a BLE device / PIN, it means your link is not yet onboarded. I needs to be onboarded to your private cluster.
Private clusters are pretty much the basis of Blackout Comms. You can set one up in just a few minutes.
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Connecting the App
If you have any trouble connecting, or want to connect a different Blackout Comms device:
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Power off your Blackout Comms device
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Restart the Blackout Comms Live App
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App: Choose Forget BLE Device from top menu
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App: Choose Clear Data from the top menu
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Power on the Blackout Comms device and wait until it's initialized
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App: The app may automatically search/find the device. If not, tap the app's Bluetooth icon.
When the Blackout Comms Live app is first started, it should automatically scan for a nearby device.
Select the device ID that matches the one shown on your Blackout Comms device display.
Enter the 6 digit PIN that shows between [brackets] on your device display.
Upon connection, your device will send quite a bit of data via BLE to the app. Allow 20-30 seconds for this to complete.
Enabling Bluetooth on a Communicator
Bluetooth is not enabled by default on any Blackout Comms communicator. To enable it, go into your Blackout Comms device settings, select Bluetooth, and tap the pencil button.
Once enabled, you should see a gray Bluetooth icon on the home screen. If you have not connected the BC Live app yet, the screen should be showing your device's ID and 6 digit PIN. Those are what you'll need to connect the app.
While connected to the app, your Blackout Comms device's primary function becomes relaying mesh info to the app. Because of this, the Blackout Comms device may become sluggish. If you need it to be responsive again, disconnect the app and/or restart the Blackout Comms device.
Enabling Bluetooth on a Link/Node
Bluetooth is usually enabled by default on any compatible Blackout Comms link/node.
If it is enabled (and if the link is already onboarded to a cluster), you will see its device ID/PIN displayed. If you see "connecting", it means your link/node needs to be onboarded to your cluster.
Enabling/Disabling BLE on a Link/Node
From any communicator in the same cluster:
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Choose "Command"
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Select the node/link
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The command type is "Channel Config"
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Choose Enable Bluetooth (or disable)
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Send it