Meshtastic LoRa Radios

Meshtastic® is a project that enables you to use inexpensive LoRa radios as a long range off-grid communication platform in areas without existing or reliable communications infrastructure. This project is 100% community driven and open source!

How it works​

Meshtastic utilizes LoRa, a long-range radio protocol, which is widely accessible in most regions without the need for additional licenses or certifications, unlike HAM radio operations.

These radios are designed to rebroadcast messages they receive, forming a mesh network. This setup ensures that every group member, including those at the furthest distance, can receive messages. Depending on the settings employed, the Meshtastic mesh network can support up to 100 devices concurrently.

Additionally, Meshtastic radios can be paired with a single phone, allowing friends and family to send messages directly to your specific radio. It's important to note that each device is capable of supporting a connection from only one user at a time." 

https://meshtastic.org/docs/about/

Q: What is Meshtastic?

In a nutshell, Meshtastic is a text-based radio mesh network. It allows users to send messages to and from different "nodes" without using cellular networks or an internet connection.

Meshtastic.org is a great place to go to learn more about the network, and there are some excellent groups on Reddit, Facebook, and Discord full of knowledgable users for those looking for technical support or advice on how to get started with Meshtastic.

Q: How do I use these devices?

The H1 and R1 are ready-to-use mesh devices that are preloaded with Meshtastic firmware. When paired with your phone via Bluetooth, these devices allow you to communicate using text-based messaging through an “off-grid” system that relies on radio frequency instead of cell service.

To use: download and install the Meshtastic app from the iOS App Store or Google Play store, then connect your device via bluetooth.  Set your region and you're ready to start messaging!