Hi Ron @zander & Gary @gtmize,

   I Googled the board manufacturer name for the AT command sheet, plus a limited data sheet.

   I think Ron, you were right to identify the processor that you have ringed in red, as an Arduino-style processor, as the way to main way to proceed with this board.

I previously mentioned the possibility of using an "FTDI" style USB to Serial board, and the Reyax board you show in the photo looks to be yet another of these, any of which could be used with a terminal programme on the PC to  type in AT commands. This could be a useful trick to test out the commands, etc. but not a long term solution.

As with the old modems, you would want a programme to send the AT commands, etc., as they are not really meant for humans.

And, I tend to agree with you, that the AT commands stage seems to be adding an unnecessary stage, and may not even be fully implemented, so heading for an alternate, like the Adafruit one which Bill has picked and demonstrated, seems a better route to go forward with.

Best wishes, Dave

@davee OMG, are Dave and Ron agreeing? The END must be very near!

I did not get the Adafruit board as it is an out of country purchase and does not offer all that much compared to the raw board as far as I can see.

@davee @gtmize I just noticed that the Seeed Studio board Bill showed is also an AT command style interface. If Seeed is using it, I think I need to take a closer look and do a comparison of the two API's. No guarantees when I wil get around to it though.

Hi Ron @zander,

 I hope we are agreeing!

Adafruit board ... I haven't compared carefully, but obvious advantages for recommending it appear to be:

• matches Bill's video, including the wiring layout, reducing chance of mistakes
• 3.3V regulator on board.. avoids trying to get 3.3V from the Arduino or equivalent
• logic level converter, so can connect to either 5V Arduinos, or newer alternates like ESP32, without needing to do any changes
• 0.1" (2.54mm) connections

In short, four areas that newcomers tend to get confused or make mistakes.

More experienced folks are less likely to get tangled in these weeds, so these benefits are less important.

Good luck all, Dave

@davee All true, but I was (hopefully) only speaking for myself. The issue for me a Canadian is the high cost of shipping from the US. I have Flexypins and can deal with the voltage issues so the Adafruit boards don't offer ME any benefits but I agree that for beginners especially in the USA the Adafruit board is an excellent choice.

Hi Ron @zander,

RE I think I need to take a closer look and do a comparison of the two API's. 

If the Lora module itself is the same, then adding a AT interface in front will not increase the main Lora  comms capability .. at best it will reduce the Arduino software requirement .. but I imagine that the best software libraries will have already incorporated any features the AT interface implements. I could be wrong, but I think it is probably just adding power consumption and reducing reliability, as it is another part that can fail!

I suspect the reasons have more to do with wanting to charge a higher price with a 'value added' processor.. at first glance, the HopeRF modules on AliExpress appear to be 'inexpensive' ! Of course, reality may be harsher!

Still, by all means check!

Best wishes, Dave

@davee Again I think we are agreeing. My hunch is that the AT interface does NOT give me 100% of the native API but my hunch could be wrong. I don't see any 'finished product' advantage to the AT style, but having one to do quick setting changes and tests is a valuable tool although the savings are quite small (compile and upload)

Hi Ron @zander,

 Agree again!!

I have a feeling (not checked, so may be mistaken), that I read  that config changes are not saved through power cycles either, so usually need to change the programme to 'keep' the new configuration.

I see direct typing of AT commands to be strictly for initial testing and familiarisation.

Best wishes, Dave

@davee Yes, direct typing of AT comands is useful for that.

True AFAIK re config changes, but they are 'saved' in the 'const uint8_t var-name' in the sketch or (horror of horrors) in the #defines.

bare LORA board,

a PTSolns prototyping kit and a

pair of Heltec LORA radios kit...

where'd you get these... the heltec website is for sale?

I found the following on Amazon?

915MHZ ESP32 Lora V3 + LoRa GPS Module

https://www.amazon.com/915MHZ-ESP32-Lora-LoRa-Module/dp/B0CF5M7175

Glad I sparked your interest

Gary

@gtmize Amazon links don't work, get a URL shortener. Sorry, no idea what you are trying to say.

I'm going with

Adafruit RFM69HCW and RFM9X LoRa Packet Radio Breakouts

Thanks again, yes I will use Drone Wkshp now That I have the right chip