Tag: Meshtastic

Meshcore / Meshtastic Devices That Work Out of the Box!

It has been several months since I last explored MeshCore and Meshtastic developments. This off-grid radio technology enables communication over significant distances without relying on the internet or traditional telecommunications providers. Looking at the live map of my home state of Connecticut, it is clear how rapidly this network is expanding. It is a community that communicates over the air using various hardware devices rather than through centralized platforms like Discord or Reddit.

In my latest off-grid video, I take a look at some turn-key devices that connect tothese networks right out of the box!

For those unfamiliar with the specifics of Mesh Core or Meshtastic, the communication is limited to short text messages. It does not support images or video, but it provides a functional way to stay in touch when other systems fail.

The utility of the network is best demonstrated through real-world interaction. In my video, I sent a message to a public feed asking a general question. A response came from a contact located an hour away. By analyzing the message path, I could see that the signal traveled 130 miles, bouncing through multiple repeaters across Massachusetts and Connecticut before reaching me. This illustrates the potential of the mesh architecture when a sufficient number of nodes are active in an area.

When I began working with this technology, the barrier to entry usually involved assembling components like Heltec ESP32 into custom-built radios. The market has since evolved to include more turnkey options that allow for a quicker setup. While these ready-to-use devices often carry a higher price point, they offer a path for those who prefer not to spend time on assembly.

One such device is the Seed Studio SenseCAP (compensated affiliate link). This unit integrates a solar panel, a Meshcore radio, and a battery into a single weatherproof enclosure. I have kept this unit outdoors for several months, where it has remained powered by sunlight and consistently linked to the local Meshcore repeater network. By placing this unit outside, I have improved my signal performance, as it acts as a bridge that repeats messages into my home. It has proven reliable through heavy rain and high winds, even without permanent mounting.

My primary device for daily use is the Heltec MeshPocket (compensated affiliate link). This unit features a 5,000 milliamp-hour battery and an e-ink display. It pairs with a mobile app via Bluetooth to send and receive messages. One useful feature of this specific model is its ability to receive and store messages even when disconnected from a phone, syncing them once the connection is restored. It also includes a wireless charging pad on the back, allowing it to function as a power bank for a smartphone.

Other manufacturers, such as Elecrow, offer various hardware configurations. The ThinkNode M5 (compensated affiliate link) is a compact device resembling a small walkie-talkie with an e-ink screen and built-in GPS. While portable, its battery life is limited to approximately one day. For those prioritizing power, the ThinkNode M4 (compensated affiliate link) lacks a screen but includes a 7,000 milliamp-hour battery, a flashlight, and multiple USB-C ports for data and charging. It also functions as a wireless power bank. Because it has no display, it requires a phone pairing to view network traffic.

For a completely self-contained experience, the ThinkNode M9 (compensated affiliate link) features a physical keyboard similar to older mobile devices. It does not require a phone to function. While the keyboard and firmware navigation require some adjustment—such as waiting for long messages to scroll across the screen—it serves as an all-in-one communicator with GPS capabilities.

Beyond handheld devices, there are opportunities to integrate this technology with computers. I have experimented with connecting a radio to a Raspberry Pi to run a Bulletin Board System (BBS) using a package called Supply Drop. This setup allows users to leave and read messages on a persistent server within the mesh network. The BBS software works with both Meshcore and Meshtastic networks, allowing different protocols to interact. The host machine does need two radios for this to work, however.

The variety of hardware available now makes it easier to join these independent networks, whether through DIY projects or out-of-the-box solutions. And if you’re not sure whether to go with Meshcore or Meshtastic, most of the devices listed today have firmware that works with both. My advice is to research which network is the most active in your particular region.

See you off the grid!

Off Grid Comms with Meshcore!

I love playing with digital radio communications. The ability to send data over long distances without any infrastructure or service providers in the middle is such a liberating concept. I’ve done a lot with amateur radio on the channel over the last few years, but lately I’ve been playing with cheap low powered LoRA based devices that don’t require a license.

In my latest video, I take a look at Meshcore, a technology that allows volunteers to build out robust off-grid networks.

Meshcore is similar to Meshtastic, but in my opinion is better suited for long distance communications. My Meshtastic experience in Connecticut has frequently been limited by the lack of nearby users and unreliable message delivery. While I have successfully made contacts from airplanes, ground-level communication has remained a challenge.

The transition to Meshcore revealed a more active community and improved performance within my region. Unlike Meshtastic, which utilizes a managed flood network where every node acts as a repeater, Meshcore requires users to assign specific roles to their devices. A device can be configured as a companion, which serves as a personal radio interface for a phone, or as a dedicated repeater. By separating these roles, the network can route messages through established paths rather than retransmitting every signal from every device. This deterministic approach reduces network congestion and allows for longer-distance communication through strategically placed repeater stations.

During my testing, I successfully sent text packets to Enfield and Vernon, Connecticut—locations over 50 miles away that would take more than an hour to reach by car. These transmissions occurred without the use of the internet or requiring a radio license, as the devices operate on the license-free 900 MHz spectrum.

Setting up these devices is a relatively accessible process. Hardware like the Heltec V3 can be purchased super cheap, while fully assembled units like the ThinkNode M5 cost around $54 (compensated affiliate links). Most Meshtastic devices can be re-flashed with Meshcore firmware.

The Meshcore project website provides a web-based flasher to install the firmware, allowing users to choose between companion, repeater, or room server modes. The room server function is particularly notable, acting as a simplified bulletin board system that stores messages for users to read when they later connect their radios.

The current landscape of the network in Connecticut shows a growing infrastructure of repeater stations, with expansion moving toward neighboring states. While it’s strictly for text messaging—no voice or video—there is something really neat about building a communication network that runs entirely on solar power and off-grid hardware.

For those who have found Meshtastic quiet or unreliable, this alternative protocol offers a different architectural approach using the same hardware. I will be watching to see how the interconnection of these regional nodes continues to develop.

The Heltec MeshPocket is an Out of the Box Meshtastic Solution

My latest video takes another look at Meshtastic, this time with a new device called the Heltec MeshPocket that makes the process of getting devices on the off-grid open source mesh communications network much easier.

For those unfamiliar, Meshtastic is a project that lets you build low-cost mesh communication networks using LoRa radios. It’s not huge yet, so Meshtastic networks are often in small pockets in more densely populated areas. But the hardware is cheap enough that you can buy a bunch of nodes for yourself and friends and slowly build out a mesh yourself. If you haven’t already, check out my original Meshtastic video to learn more about how it works.

Heltec, the maker of one of the LoRa boards I’ve used before, sent over a new consumer-ready device—a power bank that also doubles as a Meshtastic node. This one’s interesting because it combines wireless charging (including Qi2 and MagSafe compatibility) with a built-in LoRa radio and an e-ink display for direct messaging visibility. It comes in two capacities—5,000 and 10,000 milliamp hours—and although I’ve been using the smaller version, the larger one is the better value. Still, it lasted me several days running the Meshtastic node continuously, and there was plenty of battery left to charge a phone.

Find one here on Amazon! (compensated affiliate link)

You interact with the node via Bluetooth through the Meshtastic app, and there’s no assembly required. Mine came with previously communicated nodes stored in memory, possibly from Heltec’s testing or perhaps from what the device picked up while in transit. Once powered on, it was immediately ready to join the network. One tip from the manufacturer: don’t use the Meshtastic function while also charging a phone wirelessly—it’s not dangerous, but the radio signal can suffer interference.

The interface is basic but functional. You can scroll through received messages using the “user” button and even send pings without needing the phone. The e-ink display only draws power when it updates, unlike the OLED displays in other nodes, which helps with battery life. So far my MeshPocket has gone a week in between charges when just used for Meshtastic purposes. Firmware updates require a separate magnetic cable, so it’s worth making sure that doesn’t get misplaced.

As for performance, it works about the same as any other node, which is to say pretty well when you’re within range. I tested it by pairing with another DIY node I built and exchanged a few messages over the network. Everything came through reliably and I was able to reach my home node walking around the neighborhood with the MeshPocket.

There’s no GPS or Wi-Fi on this particular Heltec unit, so it’s designed to work entirely via Bluetooth pairing with a phone. But if you wanted to go all in, you could pick up a few cheap radios, build out your own network, and have an independent messaging system that doesn’t rely on cell towers or subscription fees.

In the second part of my video, I demoed what it looks like when your Meshtastic node is around other Meshtastic users. I brought a node along on a recent trip to NYC and left it running on the train and later in a window. After a while, it found another node and pulled in a bunch more from its local list, populating my app with what looked like a pretty well-developed network. I didn’t get much back from most of the nodes—just one automated acknowledgment—but it did confirm that I was reaching something.

The visit made it clear that while the network is still sparse in some areas, the concept works. And with enough nodes—especially ones placed high up with solar power—it could become a viable off-grid communication option. LoRa uses very little power to transmit, so any kind of terrain or building will block signals – hence the need to have many nodes in many places to fill in the gaps.

I’ll keep carrying this around and see what else I can find around Connecticut. There’s something satisfying about seeing a homegrown, decentralized network start to take shape one node at a time.

Disclosure: Heltec sent this to the channel free of charge. However they did not review or approve this post or my video before it was uploaded. All opinions are my own.

Off Grid Meshtastic Messaging is Now Easy & Cheap: A Ham Radio Alternative?

A couple of months ago, I did a video exploring off-grid communication tools—things you can rely on when the power goes out and cellular networks fail. In that piece, I touched on amateur radio, Starlink, and even the emergency satellite messaging features found on some smartphones. But the comments section lit up with one recurring question: what about Meshtastic?

At the time, I hadn’t tried Meshtastic, but I’ve since jumped in and found that it’s surprisingly affordable and simple to get started. I demonstrate what I’ve learned so far in my latest video.

Two folks deserve some credit for nudging me into this project: Josh from Ham Radio Crash Course, whose video walkthroughs make setup very approachable, and my friend Steve (KM9G) from the Temporary Offline Ham Radio YouTube channel. Their guidance helped streamline the experience.

I started with a three-pack of cheap Heltec V3 boards on Amazon (compensated affiliate link). These little devices let you send text messages across a mesh network without needing a license or any centralized infrastructure. They operate on license-free spectrum here in the U.S., which lowers the barrier to entry quite a bit.

Setting up the firmware turned out to be a point-and-click affair thanks to the official Meshtastic flasher tool. I plugged the board into my Mac, selected the firmware, and let the browser based app do its thing. From there, I paired it with an Android phone over Bluetooth, configured the region and radio settings, and I was off and running. Messaging between phones through the radios was straightforward, and the system supports both public and private chats. If two radios are out of range, an intermediary node can relay the message—this is the mesh part of Meshtastic.

Right now, I don’t have any users nearby, so like many YouTubers covering this topic I’ve mostly been talking to myself between radios. But there’s a site called meshmap.net where you can see active nodes in your area, and some locations have thriving communities with overlapping coverage. The key to Meshtastic working well is density—more nodes in more places make for a more robust network.

As I played around with this, it got me thinking about the amateur radio world again. APRS, for example, works in a similar way to Meshtastic but operates on licensed spectrum with greater power and reach. APRS is also far more active than Meshtastic currently is. I receive dozens of APRS messages an hour from my home in Connecticut. Using my amateur radio gear, I was able to send and receive packets over a 30-mile range using about 50 watts of power. I even picked up signals from as far as Long Island via APRS, and on the HF bands my messages reached parts of Georgia and the Canary Islands through apps like VARAC. Sometimes they go even further.

Getting started in amateur radio is a lot less intimidating than it might seem. The technician license is the entry point, and if you’re capable of flashing a Meshtastic node, you’re probably capable of passing that exam. There is no longer a morse code requirement. Sites like hamstudy.org make it easy to prep and even test remotely via Zoom. I currently have a General license which gets me access to more HF bands for long distance data communications.

For now, I’ll keep experimenting with both Meshtastic and amateur radio. There’s something really compelling about these alternative communication methods, especially as open-source communities continue to expand what’s possible. Maybe one day I’ll find somebody to chat with on it!