Meshtastic: a mesh communication solution using unlicensed radio bands to share text messages with users via bluetooth to phones and computers
- Mapping pages:
- [Meshsense global link map at affirmatech](https://meshsense.affirmatech.com)
- [Meshmap node map](https://meshmap.net)
- [Meshmap menu](https://meshview-hi.clodhost.com/nodelist)
- [Meshview Hawaii Mesh](https://meshview-hi.clodhost.com/node/19904104)
- [Caltopo coverage map](https://caltopo.com/m/9085MDB)
- [Meshtastic Australia intro page-excellent](https://meshtastic.au/wp/)
- [Meshtastic next level](https://meshtastic.au/wp/?page_id=52)
- [Antenna evaluations](https://medium.com/home-wireless/testing-and-reviewing-lora-antennas-5b37dfa594a3)
- [40meter.net](https://40meter.net)
- [Software defined radios](http://10.14.4.85:6875/books/mesh/page/sdr)
- [Apps](https://elab.hpa.edu/mesh/)
- [Documents folder](http://10.14.4.85:6875/books/mesh/page/mesh-home) (updated 3.15.26)
- Latest notes-updates
- [meshbot texting service](http://10.14.4.85:6875/books/mesh/page/meshbot-text-service)
- Things I wish I knew when choosing before setting up
- Unit administration notes
- Solar unit notes
- Python notes: meshtastic command line (CLI)
- meshtasticd: running meshtastic on a Pi
- Meshsense: install on linux or others
- Node Directory: Hawaii
- FAQ: frequently asked questions, suggestions
- Useful articles and links
- Node notes: clients
- Antenna notes
- High-power notes
- Bleeding edge: command line and beyond
- Programming notes
- Meshsense notes
- Propagation notes
- Ethernet and network linked units
- Station G2 notes
### Why would I use this mesh netowork:
- Hikers or back country out of direct range to cellular or internet
- Emergency workers where infrastructure is damaged, overloaded or non-existent
- Remote neighborhoods cutoff from outside communication
- Casual users or events (e.g. marathons, conventions)
### Background:
- Meshtastic is a free, unlicensed messaging solution that is text only, linked to phones or computers by bluetooth, with options to connect by wifi or usb connection.
- Meshtastic uses low power radios in a mesh configuration, meaning to communicate with another unit, one only needs to connect to any other unit in the mesh.
- Since it links to your phone or computer using bluetooth, so there is no internet needed.
- To link to units beyond the mesh links, a messaging server (MQTT) on the internet can be linked to any mesh, either using your phone connection (cellular to internet) or other broadband internet connection (e.g. satellite or land internet).
- The radios use a frequency originally used by cordless phones (900 mHz) but with very low power, in a digital mode, using very small bandwidth-all meaning the range can be many miles for very small, very low power units.
- The wavelength of these units (900 mHz) is "bendy" meaning you may not have line of sight to another in the mesh, but still make a link, much more flexible than normal UHF or SHF radio.
- Meshtastic units use a free, unlicensed technology called LoRaWan, or LoRa for short, meaning long range, which has been used in the past for data like sensors on a wide area network (LoRaWan).
- Meshtastic units are relatively inexpensive, as they are simply modified firmware running on existing small IoT devices, most for around $30
- Some kits include battery, screen and a case for around the same price
- Most small units have a battery life of 4-12 hours, with some units solar powered for remote "repeater" uses.
- Meshtastic units are programmed using bluetooth to a phone app (meshtastic app) or using a wired usb connection using chrome and the meshtastic web app from [meshtastic.org](https://meshtastic.org)
- To upgrade meshtastic units, a wired usb connection is easiest and necessary in most cases, using chrome and the web flasher app from meshtastic.org
- [Meshsense](https://affirmatech.com/meshsense) is an app from [affirmatech.com](https://affirmatech.com) that runs on computers to map out mesh networks, including those linked by the messaging server