Micro Chat

Introduction

Use the micro:bit 📻 radio to send and receive 💬 messages between micro:bits!

Step 1

Let’s write some code to set the channel over which we’ll send messages. Only micro:bits who are in the same group will be able to send and receive messages between them. Use the radio ||radio:set group|| function. Type the code below, or drag a code snippet from the ||radio:Radio|| Toolbox category.

radio.setGroup(1)

Step 2

Now let’s send a message when we press a button on our micro:bit. Use the input ||input:on button pressed|| function.

radio.setGroup(1)
input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, function() {
})

Step 3

Add code to ||radio:send a string|| in the ||input:on button pressed|| function. This message will be sent to every micro:bit nearby in group 1.

radio.setGroup(1)
input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, function() {
    // @highlight
    radio.sendString("Micro Chat!")
})

Step 4

Now let’s add some code to receive messages. Use the radio ||radio:on received string|| function.

radio.setGroup(1)
input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, function() {
    radio.sendString("Micro Chat!")
})
radio.onReceivedString(function (receivedString) {
})

Step 5

Inside the ||radio:on received string|| function, use the basic ||basic:show string|| function to show the value in the ||variables:receivedString|| variable.

radio.setGroup(1)
input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, function() {
    radio.sendString("Micro Chat!")
})
radio.onReceivedString(function (receivedString) {
    // @highlight
    basic.showString(receivedString)
})

Step 6

Let’s test our code! In the micro:bit on-screen simulator, press button A. You should see a second micro:bit appear. Now try pressing A again. Do you see your message appear on the second micro:bit? ⭐ Great job! ⭐

Step 7

If you have a micro:bit device, connect it to your computer and click the |Download| button. Follow the instructions to transfer your code onto the micro:bit. If you have two micro:bits, download the program to each one. Press button A on one and see if the other gets the message!

Step 8

Go further - try using different buttons to send a mix of messages 📝, or send secret 🔒 messages to different radio groups!

radio