Meshtastic is an open-source, off-grid mesh communication platform that turns inexpensive LoRa and ESP32-based devices into long-range text messaging and GPS location-sharing nodes. Devices automatically form a decentralized, self-healing mesh network where each device repeats messages for others. Using Meshtastic, communication is possible over long distances (2-10 miles or 5–15 kilometers per hop) without any cellular towers, wifi, or internet access. The current range record is over 200 miles. Devices can run for weeks or months on small batteries or solar power, and they can run in both encrypted & unencrypted modes.

Every device on the network is a node, but nodes come in many forms. Some nodes have keyboards for direct message transmission. Other nodes have no keyboard, but are controlled via a smartphone app connected by Bluetooth or USB. Some nodes are just simple repeaters. It’s especially popular with hikers, preppers, activists, disaster-response teams, and communities in remote areas.

If you are new to mesh networking, Mestastic is one of the easier ones to grasp. If you are looking to DIY your own Arduino-esque off-grid texting device with a 3D printed case, this is the network most hobbyists are doing that on. (see below: DIY Nodes)

Meshtastic is a type of LoRa network where every node will (by default, unless configured otherwise) rebroadcast every message it overhears from nearby nodes. It does this by listening to standard frequencies in the license-free ISM (Industrial, Scientific & Medical) bands: 915MHz in America, 433MHz/868MHz in Europe.

There are legal restrictions on how powerful your transmissions can be in these bands (around 1 watt in N/A), but Meshtastic works around this by passing messages down a long chain of nodes. Each time a message jumps to another node is called a hop. When a message hits the hop limit (default 3, max 7 - adjustable for congested networks) other nodes will stop rebroadcasting it.

Some nodes feature USB, Bluetooth or Wifi connection options, so you can send messages through them from your PC or smartphone. Other nodes have built-in keyboards for direct use. Refer to the following diagram for an example of a small Meshtastic network:

Pictured: Different possible devices on a Meshtastic network and how they communicate with each other.

For a technical outline of how Meshtastic communicates with other nodes, read about the mesh broadcast algorithm in the official docs.

Meshtastic can be used “off-network” on the 70cm & 30cm amateur radio bands with other configured-alike nodes, as long as you have an amateur radio license. The amateur bands offer the freedom of high-powered devices, longer transmission distances and more deployment flexibility.

Everything about Meshtastic is designed for infinite customization by the user. If you have a lot of knowledge about how IoT devices work (especially ESP32) then you could literally build you own node from individual electronic components & microcontrollers. Lots of Meshtastic-optimized hardware is sold as incomplete kits, where you have to source your own battery and case. Don't like the stock antenna? Buy (or build) a bigger one! The firmware is even open-source, so you can fork it for your own custom mesh technology, if for some reason you actually need to.

Sure you can just buy a preassembled device, but the appeal for some is being able to build your own off-grid messaging device, which to be honest is kinda cool in itself.

While illegal on amateur radio, Meshtastic can legally send encrypted transmissions on the stock ISM frequencies, using simple AES256-based key exchanges. This makes Meshtastic an ideal choice for local communications during power outages and times when a Stingray might be deployed.

Read the encryption doc for more information on how this works.

If you are just getting started with Meshtastic, and are looking for a cheap and/or easy entry point, give one of these devices a shot.

Important Note: Meshtastic devices & antennas are calibrated to specific frequencies! The frequency you use will depend on if you are using it encrypted on the low-power ISM bands (915MHz in America, 433MHz/868MHz in Europe) or unencrypted on the high-power amateur radio bands (70cm and 33cm). Make sure you have the right device & antenna for your region & use case, or you will not be able to communicate with the people around you!

These devices are not limited to Meshtastic, but can be used on other LoRa platforms like MeshCore. You can usually order these devices with Meshtastic preinstalled. However, if you ended up with different firmware, use the official Web Flasher to remedy the issue. Read Flashing Instructions for more info.

The simplest kind of Meshtastic node is a glorified repeater, since by default all nodes rebroadcast packets from nearby nodes. These types of nodes you can basically just configure and place somewhere, and it will start repeating whatever it picks up.

Meshtastic nodes can be built a myriad of ways with common off-the-shelf components. Some of them come with cool features like being able to send messages through them from a phone or PC via Bluetooth or USB. If you want a node that requires minimal assembly and works with your existing smartphone, try one of these:

Heltec boards are often sold in kits like this. Pictured: Meshnology N32.

Heltec Automation's LoRa 32 is Heltec's standard ESP32-based offering. It is a feature-rich board, offering wifi & Bluetooth connectivity options. You can get these as bare-bones circuit boards for which you can 3D print your own case, but one of Meshnology's N32 or N33 kits is a quicker way to get started. The Muzi Works H1 is another preassembled offering. All of these kits come with 3000mah batteries.

Heltec's T114 is a LoRa device based on the nRF52840 Bluetooth SoC, rather than the ESP32. It draws far less power than the LoRa 32, but the drawback is no wifi. You can get these as bare boards, but if you want a T114 that's ready to go, get one of these compact kits with an 800mah battery, or the larger Meshnology N36 kit with the 3000mah battery. The Muzi Works H2T is another popular T114-based option.

The T-Echo (also on Amazon in multiple colors) is a highly-configurable Meshtastic node based on the nRF52840. You control it on your smartphone with Bluetooth, but there are other more arcane ways (UART, SPI, TWI, PDM, 12S, QSPI, 802.15.4) to tap into it as well. Comes with 850mah battery and GPS module.

Elecrow's ThinkNode series is another set of Meshtastic-compatible LoRa nodes. The M2 (also at Muzi Works) and M5 are full-featured ESP32-based units, while the M1 (also at Muzi Works & Amazon) is the low-power nRF52840 option.

If you want a single device to use for communicating over Meshtastic, without having to use a smartphone or computer to control it, you will need a sufficiently standalone node: ie, one with a full screen, keyboard and battery power. These types of nodes are great to have around during fast-paced operations & protests - especially if the nodes are close enough to be used in encrypted mode, which is only legal on the low-power ISM frequencies.

Like the repeater nodes, you can build these however you want. But if you want to skip most or all of that, jump right to one of these options:

A T-Deck Plus with optional external antenna.

The LILYGO T-Deck is a robust LoRa device capable of running Meshtastic firmware. The base version comes with a full minature QWERTY keyboard and LCD touchscreen display.

The T-Deck Plus (also on Amazon) goes a step further, adding a 2000mah battery & GPS module and tying it all together in a sleek factory case.

If you want batteries larger than 2000mah, don't be dismayed: You can 3D print all sorts of fancy cases that accommodate different battery sizes. The GPS module isn't necessary, but you will want it if you are going to be using the T-Deck for off-grid hiking emergencies.

If you don't mind trading off some DIY expansion potential, LILYGO also makes the T-Lora Pager (Amazon) which is a similar device.

There are also many Meshtastic-compatible LoRa kits for the Raspberry Pi, if that's something you are into:

As Meshtastic is an open platform, intercepting traffic is trivial - you just need a compatible device within range of the network. Much of it is unencrypted, so anyone can read the messages straight out of the air.

Some messages on Meshtastic are encrypted, which complicates evesdropping. If the source device is left unattended (such as one hanging in a tree, a common deployment) then you can simply pull the encryption key from the device. If not, well, just gather copies of all the encrypted messages as they are broadcast so you can at least try to break the encryption at your leisure later.

• Official Website
• Official Documentation