Z-Wave UnplugFest 2025 will be held at the Lake Elsinore Skydive center in California October 28, 2025. Here are a few things you need to know before heading out to test your Z-Wave device and your BRAVERY!

Before You Head to Unplugfest

1. IF YOU HAVE A Battery Powered End Device (FLiRS or Sleeping EM4):
   1. Your End Device MUST have the Listening Bit Set and thus be an Always-On device
      1. Temporarily alter your firmware to be Always-On. In SSv5 open the <project>.SLCP file, Click on Software Components, Scroll down to Z-Wave, Click on Role Types, Install Z-Wave Role Type Always On, You can switch it back later or make a copy of your project specifically for Unplugfest
      We will be using ZRADmini boards with a GPS receiver to track the exact location during Z-Wave Long Range testing. Your device does NOT have to support Geographic Location V2. Your device will be one of up to 2 other devices that will be tracked using a GPS enabled ZRADmini during RF Range Testing. However, for the maximum accuracy of RF Range testing you can add GeoLocV2 with a GPS module to your end device
   1. If your End Device can be powered via USB-C, we will have that covered, otherwise bring sufficient batteries for several hours of continuous operation
2. Your End Device must have a visible QR code and PIN on it – all devices will be joined with S2 Authenticated or Access keys
3. Bring your own source of POWER – Especially for Controllers
   1. We hope to have limited amount of 120VAC power from the Skydive center BUT maybe not!
   1. Better to bring your own battery inverter like a Jackery
4. Are you brave enough to go skydiving?
   1. Signup here – Recommend you book online ahead of time!
5. Arrive by Monday – the bus LEAVES at 9:00am SHARP Tuesday morning on a 75 minute drive
6. Bring extra units, WSTK to reprogram units, firmware project, extra cables, batteries, tape, etc.
   1. Plan on things failing so bring extras! Unplugfest always seems to follow Murphys Law

Timeline for the 2025 Z-Wave UnplugFest

• 8:00am – Gather at hotel Cassara lobby and board the bus at 8:45
• 9am SHARP – bus leaves for Elsinore airport – 1+hr
• 10:30 – setup at end of Cereal St or at Skydive Elsinore
• 11am-3pm – RF Range Testing
  • If weather permits, JonLuke West will skydive while tracking altitude via GPS
    • If you’re brave enough, join him on a tandem jump via Skydive Elsinore!
      • Must be booked in advance which YOU must call and arrange yourself!
    • Or soar in a 17m sailplane however the plane is metal which may block RF
  • Eric will have one ZRAD as a Controller and another as an End Device with Geographic Location V2 and a GPS receiver to track the exact locations of up to 3 additional devices at a time
    • DUTs can run standard firmware (without needing GeoLocV2) and will confirm their range using fully secure Get/Report while obtaining the GPS coordinates from ZRAD
    • All devices must be joined with S2 Authenticated Security enabled and US Long Range
• Noon Box Lunch for all who registered for Unplugfest
• 3:00pm Testing Ends – Board Bus
• 3:15pm SHARP – Bus departs
• Wrap Up discussion – 3:30pm-4:30pm on the bus
  • Discussion with all attendees on findings and general discussion of Unplugfest, Z-Wave, development tools, the market, the latest football scores, and the best beer in Carlsbad
• The Z-Wave Summit kicks off in the hotel at 5:30pm

Check out the video from the 2024 Unplugfest in Austin TX: ZWA2024AustinUnPlugFest.mp4 and DrZWave’s blog post: https://drzwave.blog/2024/05/08/z-wave-summit-2024-austin-tx/ and JonLukes 2.7mi Z-Wave Skydive: https://youtu.be/lcuyDC128cQ?si=09wVd3cDV89326wW