# ESP-NOW Walkie Talkies
## Overview
Ditch the smart phone and communicate with your buddy by building this set of walkie talkies! A Feather ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT runs Arduino code that uses the [ESP-NOW wireless protocol](https://www.espressif.com/en/solutions/low-power-solutions/esp-now) to send and receive I2S audio packets, up to 10 seconds each. The w.FL antenna adds extra range to communicate at longer distances indoors or outdoors.
The case design is inspired by toy walkie talkies that were ubiquitous in the early-1990s. The LED button on the side acts as a status indicator when pairing or sending and receiving messages. The onboard TFT shows status messages, such as MAC address, signal strength and packet status.
https://youtube.com/shorts/seLpJI3cW94
## Parts
The parts listed below are what is needed to build one walkie talkie. You will need to build two walkie talkies for this project to work.
Featured
### Adafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT with w.FL Antenna
[Adafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT with w.FL Antenna](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6303)
Like Missy Elliot, we like to ["put our [Feather] down, flip it and reverse it"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjIvu7e6Wq8) and that's exactly what we've done with this new development board. It's basically our ****
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6303)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6303/guides)
Featured
### RP-SMA to w.FL / MHF3 / IPEX3 Adapter
[RP-SMA to w.FL / MHF3 / IPEX3 Adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5444)
Most antennas have SMA or RP-SMA connectors on them, how are you going to connect them to your little RF module? This little cable will bridge the two!
This adapter cable is super handy for anyone doing RF work with modules that have w.FL connectors. It has a tiny MHF3/ IPEX3 / wFL...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5444)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5444/guides)
Featured
### 2.4GHz Dipole Swivel Antenna with RP-SMA - 5dBi
[2.4GHz Dipole Swivel Antenna with RP-SMA - 5dBi](https://www.adafruit.com/product/945)
This 8"/200mm long swivel dipole antenna has 5dBi of gain and 50Ω impedance so it will work fantastically with just about any 2.4-2.5GHz wireless receiver/transmitter such as:
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
- 2.4GHz XBee
- Bluetooth®
- Other 2.4GHz...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/945)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/945/guides)
Featured
### Adafruit I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout - MAX98357A
[Adafruit I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout - MAX98357A](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3006)
Listen to this good news - we now have an all in one digital audio amp breakout board that works incredibly well with the [Raspberry Pi](https://www.adafruit.com/category/105)! If you're looking for an easy and low cost way to get your digital sound files...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3006)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3006/guides)
Featured
### Adafruit I2S MEMS Microphone Breakout - ICS-43434
[Adafruit I2S MEMS Microphone Breakout - ICS-43434](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6049)
Listen to this good news - we now have a breakout board for a super tiny **ICS43434** **I2S** MEMS microphone. Just like 'classic' electret microphones, MEMS mics can detect sound and convert it to voltage, but they're way smaller and thinner. This...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6049)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6049/guides)
Featured
### Mini Oval Speaker - 8 Ohm 1 Watt
[Mini Oval Speaker - 8 Ohm 1 Watt](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3923)
Hear the good news! This wee speaker is a great addition to any audio project where you need 8 ohm impedance and 1W or less of power. We particularly like this speaker as it is small and comes with nice skinny wires with a connector on the end. It has a handy...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3923)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3923/guides)
### 16mm Illuminated Pushbutton - Yellow Momentary
[16mm Illuminated Pushbutton - Yellow Momentary](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1441)
A button is a button, and an LED is a LED, but this LED illuminated button is a lovely combination of both! It's a medium sized button, large enough to press easily but not too big that it gets in the way of your project panel. It has a built in LED that can be controlled separately from...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1441)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1441/guides)
### Mini Panel Mount SPDT Toggle Switch
[Mini Panel Mount SPDT Toggle Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3221)
This or that, one or the other, perhaps or perhaps not! So hard to make decisions these days without feeling like you're just going back and forth constantly. Deciding whether or not to use this mini toggle switch? That's the easiest decision you'll make all day!
This...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3221)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3221/guides)
### Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh
[Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1781)
Need a big battery for your project? This lithium-ion battery contains a 2200mAh and a protection circuit that provides over-voltage, under-voltage, and over-current protection. Yet, it is slim and easy to fit into many project cases.
This cell can provide 2 **C** of...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1781)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1781/guides)
### Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 2 meters long
[Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 2 meters long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5044)
This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers and more. [If you want something just like it but for Micro B, we have a B...](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111)
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5044)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5044/guides)
### Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Wire - 30AWG in Various Colors
[Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Wire - 30AWG in Various Colors](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2051)
Silicone-sheathing wire is super-flexible and soft, and its also strong! Able to handle up to 200°C and up to 600V, it will do when PVC covered wire wimps out. We like this wire for being extremely supple and flexible, so it is great for wearables or projects where the wire-harness has to...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2051)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2051/guides)
# ESP-NOW Walkie Talkies
## Circuit Diagram
## I2S Mic
- **Mic VIN** to **Feather 3.3V (red wire)**
- **Mic GND** to **Feather GND (black wire)**
- **Mic BCLK** to **Feather D5 (blue wire)**
- **Mic LRCL** to **Feather D6 (green wire)**
- **Mic DOUT** to **Feather D9 (yellow wire)**
## I2S Amp
- **Amp Vin** to **Feather 3.3V (red wire)**
- **Amp GND** to **Feather GND (black wire)**
- **Amp BCLK** to **Feather D10 (white wire)**
- **Amp LRC** to **Feather D11 (cyan wire)**
- **Amp DIN** to **Feather D12 (orange wire)**
- **Speaker +** to **Amp terminal block + (red wire)**
- **Speaker -** to **Amp terminal block - (black wire)**
## LED Push Button
- **Button output** to **Feather D13 (purple wire)**
- **Button GND** to **Feather GND (black wire)**
- **LED -** to **Feather GND (black wire)**
- **LED +** to **Feather A0 (grey wire)**
## Toggle Switch
- **Toggle output** to **Feather EN (pink wire)**
- **Toggle GND** to **Feather GND (black wire)**
# ESP-NOW Walkie Talkies
## 3D Printing
You can 3D print both of the case parts for this project using the .stl files in the link. The files can be downloaded directly below:
[Direct .STL Download (ZIP File)](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/143/790/original/ESP-NOW_Walkie_Talkie_CAD.zip?1776193743)
[Download from Printables](https://www.printables.com/model/1695913-esp-now-walkie-talkies)
The main case can be printed vertically with tree supports.
The case lid has standoffs for the amp, microphone and Feather. It also has mounting clips for the battery.
The main case has cutouts for the Feather buttons and TFT, microphone and speaker. The case lid standoffs position the components at the proper distance from the cutouts.
# ESP-NOW Walkie Talkies
## Arduino IDE Setup
Warning:
The first thing you will need to do is to download the latest release of the Arduino IDE. You will need to be using **version 1.8** or higher for this guide
[Arduino IDE Download](http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software)
To use the ESP32-S2/S3 with Arduino, you'll need to follow the steps below for your operating system. You can also [check out the Espressif Arduino repository for the most up to date details on how to install it](https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32#using-through-arduino-ide).
After you have downloaded and installed ** the latest version of Arduino IDE** , you will need to start the IDE and navigate to the **Preferences** menu. You can access it from the **File** menu in _Windows_ or _Linux_, or the **Arduino** menu on _OS X_.
A dialog will pop up just like the one shown below.
We will be adding a URL to the new **Additional Boards Manager URLs** option. The list of URLs is comma separated, and _you will only have to add each URL once._ New Adafruit boards and updates to existing boards will automatically be picked up by the Board Manager each time it is opened. The URLs point to index files that the Board Manager uses to build the list of available & installed boards.
To find the most up to date list of URLs you can add, you can visit the list of [third party board URLs on the Arduino IDE wiki](https://github.com/arduino/Arduino/wiki/Unofficial-list-of-3rd-party-boards-support-urls#list-of-3rd-party-boards-support-urls). We will only need to add one URL to the IDE in this example, but _ **you can add multiple URLS by separating them with commas** _. Copy and paste the link below into the **Additional Boards Manager URLs** option in the Arduino IDE preferences.
`https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_index.json`
If you're an advanced hacker and want the 'bleeding edge' release that may have fixes (or bugs!) you can check out the dev url instead:
`https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_dev_index.json`
If you have multiple boards you want to support, say ESP8266 and Adafruit, have both URLs in the text box separated by a comma (,)
Once done click **OK** to save the new preference settings.
The next step is to actually install the Board Support Package (BSP). Go to the **Tools → Board → Board Manager** submenu. A dialog should come up with various BSPs. Search for **esp32**. Choose the latest version, which may be later than the version shown in the screenshot below.
Click the **Install** button and wait for it to finish. Once it is finished, you can close the dialog.
In the **Tools → Board** submenu you should see **ESP32 Arduino** and in that dropdown it should contain the ESP32 boards along with all the latest ESP32-S2/S3 boards.
Look for the board called Adafruit Feather ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT.
## Manually Resetting ESP32-S3 Boards
Due to an issue in the Espressif code base, boards with an ESP32-S3 need to be manually reset after uploading code from the Arduino IDE. After your code has been uploaded to the ESP32-S3, press the reset button. After pressing the reset button, your code will begin running.
For additional information, you can track [the issue](https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/issues/6762) on GitHub in the arduino-esp32 repository.
Warning:
# ESP-NOW Walkie Talkies
## Code the Walkie Talkies
The Arduino code for the project is available as a pre-compiled .UF2 file that you can drag and drop onto your Feather ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT board. Each walkie talkie runs the same code.
[ESP-NOW_Walkie_Talkies.uf2](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/143/698/original/ESP-NOW_Walkie_Talkies.uf2?1776096932)
## Load the UF2
**Click the link above to download the UF2 file.**
Save it on your computer wherever it is convenient for you.
Plug your Feather board into your computer, using a known-good data-sync USB cable, directly, or via an adapter if needed.
Double-click the **reset ** button (highlighted in red above), wait for the **NeoPixel LED to turn purple** (highlighted in green), and as soon as it turns purple, tap **reset** again. The second tap needs to happen while the LED is still purple.
You will see a new disk drive appear called **FTHRS3BOOT** in your File Explorer or Finder (depending on your computer's operating system).
Drag the **UF2** file to the **FTHRS3BOOT** drive.
The code will begin running by starting the ESP-NOW advertisement. You'll see the LED in the push button blink. When the second walkie talkie running the same code boots up, a connection between the two devices will be established.
## Code
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/ESP-NOW_Walkie_Talkies/ESP-NOW_Walkie_Talkies.ino
## How the Code Works
On boot, the TFT display, I2S amp and I2S microphone are initialized. The ESP-NOW connection is established and a discovery beacon is broadcast. After the beacon is received by another device, the device is registered as an ESP-NOW peer and the connection is fully established between the two walkie talkies.
When a recording is initiated, it is saved as a sample buffer. After the recording finishes, the buffer is sliced into 122-sample chunks. These chunks are sent as a unicast with a slight delay in between each packet to the paired walkie talkie via ESP-NOW. At the end, a manifest packet with the total packet length and message ID is sent.
The receiving walkie talkie checks the received packets against the manifest packet and if all lengths match, it sends back a received packet to confirm that the message was fully received. If that confirmation is not received, then the sending walkie talkie will try again. The receiving walkie talkie plays the message via I2S out to the speaker.
# ESP-NOW Walkie Talkies
## Wiring
You can use the case lid as a jig for wiring up the components.
## Power
Solder a wire from the amp's **Vin** to the Feather's **3.3V** (red wire).
Solder a wire from the mic's **3V** to the Feather's **3.3V** (red wire)
## I2S Data
Wire the mic data lines to the Feather:
- **Mic BCLK** to **Feather D5 (blue wire)**
- **Mic DOUT** to **Feather D9 (yellow wire)**
- **Mic LRCL** to **Feather D6 (green wire)**
Wire the amp data lines to the Feather:
- **Amp LRC** to **Feather D11 (blue wire)**
- **Amp BCLK** to **Feather D10 (yellow wire)**
- **Amp DIN** to **Feather D12 (green wire)**
## Button Prep
Connect the button LED **GND** to the button **GND**. The LED **GND** is marked with a raised minus ( **-** ) symbol.
Mount the toggle switch and the push button into the case.
## Shared GND
Solder a wire to the Feather **GND** pin. Insert the other end of the wire into the **GND** pin on the amp, but don't solder it yet.
Take a second wire and solder it into the **GND** pin on the amp. This solders both **GND** wires in place. The wire should be long enough to reach the toggle switch.
Solder the other end of the **GND** wire to the center pin on the toggle switch.
Wire the toggle switch **GND** pin to the push button **GND** pin. Run the wire behind the Feather stand-offs. This will help with wire management when closing up the case.
Solder a second wire to the LED **GND** on the push button.
Solder the other end of the wire to **GND** on the microphone.
## Push Button
Solder a wire to the push button output pin (blue wire).
Solder the other end of the wire to Feather **D13**.
Solder a wire to the LED positive pin ( **+** ) on the push button (yellow wire).
Solder the other end of the wire to Feather pin **A0**.
## Toggle Switch Enable
Solder a wire from the third pin on the toggle switch to **EN** pin on the Feather (green wire).
# ESP-NOW Walkie Talkies
## Assembly
Cut and strip the two wires from the speaker.
Secure the speaker wires into the terminal block on the amp.
- **Speaker negative** to **amp terminal block - (black wire)**
- **Speaker positive** to **amp terminal block + (red wire)**
## Mount the Amp, Mic and Battery
Attach the amp to its standoffs with two M2.5 screws.
Attach the mic to its standoffs with two M2.5 screws.
Insert the battery into its clip. Make sure the battery wires are pointing towards the amp.
## Feather
Yellow: w.FL connectors are fragile and do not have many connect/disconnect cycles. Exercise caution installing the connector to the Feather.
Attach the w.FL connector to the Feather. The connector clicks onto the port on the Feather.
Secure the Feather to its standoffs. Use M2.5 screws for the mounting holes closest to the three buttons and M2 screws for the mounting holes closest to the reset button.
Plug in the battery to the Feather after it is mounted.
## Mount the Speaker
Remove the adhesive from the front of the speaker. Insert it into the speaker mount in the case.
## RP-SMA Plug
Insert the RP-SMA plug into the top mounting hole on the case. Secure it with its included nuts.
## Close It Up
Place the lid onto the case. Use four M3 screws to secure it.
## Antenna
Attach the external antenna to the RP-SMA plug.
# ESP-NOW Walkie Talkies
## Use
Turn on the walkie talkies with the toggle switch. The walkie talkies will pair right after booting.
Press and hold down the push button to record a message. The maximum length for a message is 10 seconds. When you release the button, the audio packet is sent to the paired walkie talkie.
Pink: Release the push to talk button after recording your message to send it.
Once the packet is received, the walkie talkie will play the audio message through its speaker.
https://youtube.com/shorts/seLpJI3cW94
## Guide Products
### Adafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT with w.FL Antenna
[Adafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT with w.FL Antenna](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6303)
Like Missy Elliot, we like to ["put our [Feather] down, flip it and reverse it"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjIvu7e6Wq8) and that's exactly what we've done with this new development board. It's basically our ****
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6303)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6303/guides)
### RP-SMA to w.FL / MHF3 / IPEX3 Adapter
[RP-SMA to w.FL / MHF3 / IPEX3 Adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5444)
Most antennas have SMA or RP-SMA connectors on them, how are you going to connect them to your little RF module? This little cable will bridge the two!
This adapter cable is super handy for anyone doing RF work with modules that have w.FL connectors. It has a tiny MHF3/ IPEX3 / wFL...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5444)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5444/guides)
### 2.4GHz Dipole Swivel Antenna with RP-SMA - 5dBi
[2.4GHz Dipole Swivel Antenna with RP-SMA - 5dBi](https://www.adafruit.com/product/945)
This 8"/200mm long swivel dipole antenna has 5dBi of gain and 50Ω impedance so it will work fantastically with just about any 2.4-2.5GHz wireless receiver/transmitter such as:
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
- 2.4GHz XBee
- Bluetooth®
- Other 2.4GHz...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/945)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/945/guides)
### Adafruit I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout - MAX98357A
[Adafruit I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout - MAX98357A](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3006)
Listen to this good news - we now have an all in one digital audio amp breakout board that works incredibly well with the [Raspberry Pi](https://www.adafruit.com/category/105)! If you're looking for an easy and low cost way to get your digital sound files...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3006)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3006/guides)
### Adafruit I2S MEMS Microphone Breakout - ICS-43434
[Adafruit I2S MEMS Microphone Breakout - ICS-43434](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6049)
Listen to this good news - we now have a breakout board for a super tiny **ICS43434** **I2S** MEMS microphone. Just like 'classic' electret microphones, MEMS mics can detect sound and convert it to voltage, but they're way smaller and thinner. This...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6049)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6049/guides)
### Mini Oval Speaker - 8 Ohm 1 Watt
[Mini Oval Speaker - 8 Ohm 1 Watt](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3923)
Hear the good news! This wee speaker is a great addition to any audio project where you need 8 ohm impedance and 1W or less of power. We particularly like this speaker as it is small and comes with nice skinny wires with a connector on the end. It has a handy...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3923)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3923/guides)
### 16mm Illuminated Pushbutton - Yellow Momentary
[16mm Illuminated Pushbutton - Yellow Momentary](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1441)
A button is a button, and an LED is a LED, but this LED illuminated button is a lovely combination of both! It's a medium sized button, large enough to press easily but not too big that it gets in the way of your project panel. It has a built in LED that can be controlled separately from...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1441)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1441/guides)
### Mini Panel Mount SPDT Toggle Switch
[Mini Panel Mount SPDT Toggle Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3221)
This or that, one or the other, perhaps or perhaps not! So hard to make decisions these days without feeling like you're just going back and forth constantly. Deciding whether or not to use this mini toggle switch? That's the easiest decision you'll make all day!
This...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3221)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3221/guides)
## Related Guides
- [Adafruit MAX98357 I2S Class-D Mono Amp](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-max98357-i2s-class-d-mono-amp.md)
- [Adafruit I2S MEMS Microphone Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-i2s-mems-microphone-breakout.md)
- [Adafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT Feather](https://learn.adafruit.com/esp32-s3-reverse-tft-feather.md)
- [Wooden NeoPixel Xmas Tree](https://learn.adafruit.com/wooden-neopixel-xmas-tree.md)
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- [3D Print Ratcatcher 2 Controller Device](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-print-ratcatcher-2-controller-device-wand.md)
- [Walkmp3rson: Personal MP3 'Tape' Player](https://learn.adafruit.com/walkmp3rson-personal-mp3-tape-player.md)
- [Feather RP2350 Audio Reactive Video Synth](https://learn.adafruit.com/feather-rp2350-audio-reactive-video-synth.md)
- [PropMaker Jack O'Lantern](https://learn.adafruit.com/propmaker-jack-o-lantern.md)
- [HalloWing Macintosh](https://learn.adafruit.com/hallowing-mac.md)
- [Dune Worm Thumper](https://learn.adafruit.com/dune-worm-thumper.md)
- [IoT Food Scale with Azure and CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/iot-food-scale-with-azure-and-circuitpython.md)
- [AdaBox 022](https://learn.adafruit.com/adabox022.md)
- [MIDI Foot Pedal](https://learn.adafruit.com/midi-foot-pedal.md)
- [Music Box with Dancing Adabot](https://learn.adafruit.com/music-box-with-circuit-python.md)
- [Thermal Camera with Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/thermal-camera-with-display.md)