Meshtastic - Revision history

DavidB4: /* How it works */ better wording, and fixing more typos

2026-10-22T19:24:02Z

How it works: better wording, and fixing more typos

DavidB4: typo

2026-10-22T19:20:39Z

typo

DavidB4: /* External Links */ typo

2026-10-22T07:53:05Z

External Links: typo

DavidB4: /* External Links */ fix

2026-10-22T07:52:23Z

External Links: fix

DavidB4: links

2026-10-22T07:52:10Z

links

DavidB4: more

2026-10-22T06:32:52Z

DavidB4: saving progress

2026-10-22T06:25:33Z

saving progress

New page

'''Meshtastic''' is a communications system which utilizes an ad hoc wireless [[mesh network]]. Operating in ISM (Industrial Scientific, and Medical) radio frequencies, Meshtastic enables anyone to obtain an inexpensive radio, and communicate with other local people, independently of the internet and [[Cellular technology|cellular]] systems. An [[amateur radio]] operator license is not required in most countries, including the United States.

==How it works==
Each user must obtain some form of radio device, capable of transmitting on the local LoRa band(s), and compatible with Meshtastic firmware. In the 2020s, such devices could typically be purchased for prices between $10 and $100, with many quality options in the $40-$70 range.<ref>https://meshtastic.org/docs/hardware/devices/</ref> Once obtained and configured, that device (called a "node") now attempts to communicate with other Meshtastic devices within range. Using its LoRa transmitter, that node announces itself to others, and listens for messages. Some Meshtastic nodes include screens and keyboards, but most connect using Bluetooth to the owner's smartphone. Either though the smartphone application, or the node's own keyboard and screen, the owner can now send out text messages. Messages can be sent as a general broadcast to everyone in range, or to specific people using private channels or direct messages. When one person transmits a message, and other nodes recive it, that message is repeated by those other nodes in the local mesh network, causing the message to "hop" multiple times from one group of users to another. Through this mechanism, messages can be exchanges over significant distances. However, each transmitter is relatively weak, so without neighbors, the sender must be well clear of obstructions.<ref name="MT intro">https://meshtastic.org/docs/introduction/</ref><ref name="seeed about">https://www.seeedstudio.com/blog/2024/12/10/all-you-need-to-know-about-meshtastic/</ref>

The exact mechanism of message distribution is determined largely based on the "role" of each node. In its default configuration ("client" role), a node will listen for messages and send its own user's messages. When it receives someone else's message, it will listen to see if it hears anyone else locally re-transmit that message. If no one else does, it will rebroadcast that message, to help pass it on to the next collection of nodes. Other roles can be set, for specific purposes such as nodes on radio towers (capable of repeating messages over a large area), or to prevent re-transmission of messages.

==References==
{{reflist}}

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 ==How it works==
-Each user must obtain some form of radio device, capable of transmitting on the local LoRa band(s), and compatible with Meshtastic firmware. In the 2020s, such devices could typically be purchased for prices between $10 and $100, with many quality options in the $40-$70 range.<ref>https://meshtastic.org/docs/hardware/devices/</ref> Once obtained and configured, that device (called a "node") now attempts to communicate with other Meshtastic devices within range. Using its LoRa transmitter, that node announces itself to others, and listens for messages. Some Meshtastic nodes include screens and keyboards, but most connect using Bluetooth to the owner's smartphone. Either though the smartphone application, or the node's own keyboard and screen, the owner can now send out text messages. Messages can be sent as a general broadcast to everyone in range, or to specific people using private channels or direct messages. When one person transmits a message, and other nodes recive it, that message is repeated by those other nodes in the local mesh network, causing the message to "hop" multiple times from one group of users to another. Through this mechanism, messages can be exchanges over significant distances. However, each transmitter is relatively weak, so without neighbors, the sender must be well clear of obstructions.<ref name="MT intro">https://meshtastic.org/docs/introduction/</ref><ref name="seeed about">https://www.seeedstudio.com/blog/2024/12/10/all-you-need-to-know-about-meshtastic/</ref><ref>https://www.thesecuredad.com/post/meshtastic-for-beginners-my-honest-guide-to-off-grid-text-messaging-and-emergency-communication</ref>
+Each user must obtain some form of radio device, capable of transmitting on the local LoRa band(s), and compatible with Meshtastic firmware. In the 2020s, such devices could typically be purchased for prices between $10 and $100, with many quality options in the $40-$70 range.<ref>https://meshtastic.org/docs/hardware/devices/</ref> Once obtained and configured, that device (called a "node") now attempts to communicate with other Meshtastic devices within range. Using its LoRa transmitter, that node announces itself to others, and listens for messages. Some Meshtastic nodes include screens and keyboards, but most connect using Bluetooth to the owner's smartphone. Either through the smartphone application, or the node's own keyboard and screen, the owner can now send out text messages. Messages can be sent as a general broadcast to everyone in range, or to specific people using private channels or direct messages. When one person transmits a message, and other nodes receive it, that message is repeated by those other nodes in the local mesh network, causing the message to "hop" multiple times from one group of users to another. Through this mechanism, messages can be exchanged over significant distances. However, each transmitter is relatively weak, so without neighbors, the sender must be well clear of obstructions.<ref name="MT intro">https://meshtastic.org/docs/introduction/</ref><ref name="seeed about">https://www.seeedstudio.com/blog/2024/12/10/all-you-need-to-know-about-meshtastic/</ref><ref>https://www.thesecuredad.com/post/meshtastic-for-beginners-my-honest-guide-to-off-grid-text-messaging-and-emergency-communication</ref>
-The exact mechanism of message distribution is determined largely based on the "role" of each node. In its default configuration ("client" role), a node will listen for messages and send its own user's messages. When it receives someone else's message, it will listen to see if it hears anyone else locally re-transmit that message. If no one else does, it will rebroadcast that message, to help pass it on to the next collection of nodes. Other roles can be set, for specific purposes such as nodes on radio towers (capable of repeating messages over a large area), or to prevent re-transmission of messages.<ref>https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/radio/device/</ref><ref>https://meshtastic.org/blog/choosing-the-right-device-role/</ref>
+The exact mechanism of message distribution is determined largely based on the "role" of each node. In its default configuration ("client" role), a node will listen for messages and send its own user's messages. When it receives someone else's message, it will listen to see if it hears anyone else locally re-transmit that message. If no one else does, it will rebroadcast that message, to help pass it on to the next collection of nodes. Other roles can be set, for specific purposes such as nodes on radio towers (capable of repeating messages over a large area), or for poorly positioned nodes, to prevent re-transmission of messages.<ref>https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/radio/device/</ref><ref>https://meshtastic.org/blog/choosing-the-right-device-role/</ref>
 ==Radio specifics==

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ==Radio specifics==
-In order to avoid requiring amateur radio operator licenses and other legal hurdles, Meshtastic operates at a low power level, and on unlicensed bands. In the US, Meshtastic uses the 195Mhz ISM band, at up to 1 watt. However, in European countries, it uses their local equivalent (from a regulatory perspective), of 443MHz, 868MHz, and 866MHz. Also, the European Union limits transmission power to a much lower level, typically 150mW.<ref>https://meshtastic.org/docs/overview/radio-settings/</ref>
+In order to avoid requiring amateur radio operator licenses and other legal hurdles, Meshtastic operates at a low power level, and on unlicensed bands. In the US, Meshtastic uses the 915Mhz ISM band, at up to 1 watt. However, in European countries, it uses their local equivalent (from a regulatory perspective), of 443MHz, 868MHz, and 866MHz. Also, the European Union limits transmission power to a much lower level, typically 150mW.<ref>https://meshtastic.org/docs/overview/radio-settings/</ref>
 ==References==

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 *[https://meshmap.net/ MeshMap.net A map of some nodes which are reporting their positions]
 *[https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ Another map of some nodes, which are reporting their positions]
-*[https://site.meshtastic.org/ A site planner for projecting probably coverage of nodes]
+*[https://site.meshtastic.org/ Site planner for projecting probable coverage of nodes]
 [[Category:Amateur Radio]]

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 ==External Links==
 *[https://meshtastic.org/ Meshtastic.org - Official website]
-*[https://meshmap.net/ MeshMap.net - A map of some nodes which are reporting their positions]
+*[https://meshmap.net/ MeshMap.net A map of some nodes which are reporting their positions]
-*[https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ - Another map of some nodes, which are reporting their positions]
+*[https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ Another map of some nodes, which are reporting their positions]
-*[https://site.meshtastic.org/ - A site planner for projecting probably coverage of nodes]
+*[https://site.meshtastic.org/ A site planner for projecting probably coverage of nodes]
 [[Category:Amateur Radio]]