Meshtastic (Radio Coms)

[searcher]

***Disclaimer: I'm not a ham but I've been a short wave listener for about 60 years. You can view the short wave thread here : https://www.pmbug.com/threads/shortwave-listening-swl.4517/ .

Last week another member replied to the thread by mentioning Meshtastic. Apparently it does not require a license and you can purchase a radio for under $100. I will be learning about this in the next month and then will buy one. If anyone has experience let us in on what your experience is. Also if I post anything that is incorrect any help would be appreciated.

Meshtastic - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Meshtastic

An open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on affordable, low-power devices

meshtastic.org

https://x.com/TheMeshtastic

Meshtastic

Meshtastic. 3,414 likes · 422 talking about this. An open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on affordable, low-power devices.

www.facebook.com

Meshtastic

Welcome to the official Meshtastic Youtube Channel What is Meshtastic? Meshtastic® is a project that lets you use inexpensive LoRa radios as a long range off-grid communicator for areas without reliable cellular service. These radios are great for hiking, skiing, paragliding - essentially any...

www.youtube.com

 

[searcher]

How to Set Up Meshtastic (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)​

Sep 6, 2025
Learn how to use Meshtastic setup for reliable radio communication during emergencies and off grid communication.
Get this kit here: https://amzn.to/41CikVM
Discover how to download the Bluetooth app for peer-to-peer messaging and disaster preparedness. This is an essential emergency radio device.
Meshtastic flasher: https://flasher.meshtastic.org/


15:01

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:20 Meshtastic Explained
2:07 Recommended Equipment
3:33 Heltec v3 Kit Unboxing
4:40 How to Flash the Meshtastic Firmware
6:44 Set Up App and Start Sending Messages
10:24 Assemble the Rest of the Heltec v3Case
13:40 How to Use the Heltec v3
14:14 Next Steps

 

[pmbug]

I've never heard of this. I'm curious as to how large the network currently is (ie. if I were to operate a radio, would there be anybody out there?).

 

[searcher]

^
This is totally new to me and I'm trying to learn what I can before I do anything with it. I'm hoping someone with experience will chime in. In the meantime............

If you use Discord you can ask questions here - https://discord.com/invite/meshtastic

 

[foolsgold]

Yeah I bought a Base radio, which is mounted on a pole, with a solar panel and is completely autonomous. I also bought a mobile handheld for carrying around. I am having fun with it, as I am a radio and computer geek. Neither has a screen or keyboard all communication is thru a phone app (meshtastic) and bluetooth. Internet, household power, phone and cell service are not needed. So if it really hits the fan this might be your best means of communication. No license is needed. I live in a rural area on a hillside and I "see" a lot of other stations.
I did not buy an inexpesive kit, I bought these - https://atlavox.com/

 

[foolsgold]

Note: HAM radios (you need to know what you're doing) and FRS walky talky's (very limited range) will be good means of communication if TSHTF.

 

[pmbug]

Are you able to communicate with anyone using the meshtastic setup (phone)? I don't mean, "does the tech work?", I mean "is anybody nearby listening?" What kind of range does it have?

 

[foolsgold]

Are you able to communicate with anyone using the meshtastic setup (phone)? I don't mean, "does the tech work?", I mean "is anybody nearby listening?" What kind of range does it have?

A mesh network works by messages being passed among stations until it reaches it's destination. The person you want to contact must have a Meshtastic radio to receive your text.

 

[foolsgold]

I put a meshtastic base radio on a mast to serve myself and others in the area. It's a 900mhz radio (in the USA) and I can go direct with other stations 20 miles away (line of sight).

 

[pmbug]

This seems like something a local municipality could set up on public land/infrastructure if there were sufficient squeeky wheels...

 

[foolsgold]

This seems like something a local municipality could set up on public land/infrastructure if there were sufficient squeeky wheels...

The government would only F it up.

 

[Goldhedge]

Could put one on each cell tower.... that would make a great 'mesh' system!

 

[foolsgold]

Could put one on each cell tower.... that would make a great 'mesh' system!

Telecom companies don't want competition.

 

[foolsgold]

The TraceRoute feature in the App recorded a direct connection between my base node and another base node 30 miles away.