A buddy of mine is involved with the local ACS (Auxiliary Communications Service) in my hometown as well as his snowbird location in Az. He is also a HAM and has been talking to me about the new mesh systems (Meshcore, Meshtastic, and others) and how they can be a good back up for contact when systems are overloaded, internet down, cell service down or overloaded, etc.



I know the topic has been mentioned briefly in some other threads, but thought I would start a thread specific to Meshcore since I have spent the past week getting up to speed on it and being quite impressed by what it offers compared with other options.


The basics for those unfamiliar:

The system is made up of small, inexpensive, low power radios in the 900mhz band. Radios are configured as a “Companion” or a “Repeater”. All communication is simplex and there is no voice communications, it is text messaging sent in data packets. All radios in an area work on the same frequency and everything is quasi-connected to everything else (hence “Mesh”).

The texting is done on a phone or tablet via an app or a computer via a web client which also displays received messages. While the system uses these devices, they are simply for input/output to the companion radio. All communication goes out over RF radio transmissions via the Companion Radio. There is no cellular or internet interaction involved.

You send a message and it is received by every repeater in range. Each repeater then resends it to be picked up by all repeaters within that repeater’s range. This continues for some tech specified number of retransmissions forwarding and re-forwarding the broadcast far and wide, blanketing the area.

In addition to the repeaters all receiving and retransmitting the message, all the Companion Radios within range of a repeater sending it out will receive it. Companion Radios close to the originating radio will receive the message directly bypassing the repeaters.



The communication is basic text messages to include emojis. Messages can be sent to public groups, private groups (encrypted, need passkey to receive), or private to a single person (also encrypted with a passkey to read).

Public groups are set up by anyone, no moderation or control. Folks interested in HAM radio send messages to #hamradio. Anyone can set their radio to listen for #hamradio and any message sent with the destination will pop up.

There is only one “official” channel, “Public” it is just a general chat channel. The only messages you see are ones in a channel you have set up to listen to, messages sent direct to you by a known contact, and the Public channel.

It is radio, so there is no history of the messages unless you had your radio on and app running at the time it was sent. Just like HAM, you can’t hear the broadcast if you aren’t listening when it is made.

If you are off-line and a private message is sent to you direct, you won’t get it and it won’t be waiting for you when you get back online.

*HOWEVER* if you leave you radio on and connected to phone or iPad (running in background even) all those messages will be there when you go back and review activity. Sort of like recording radio traffic for replay later.



As for the tech involved compared to other options, the low power 900mhz band works well and you can get surprisingly good range over open ground/line of site. Another key point is the frequency and power used keeps it unrestricted by the FCC. This means no license requirements and the digital communications can be encrypted (256 bit AES) for secure private messaging. Low power also means great life. The small, basic radios with go 2-3 days on a single charge running 24/7.

Radios can be had for less than $30 in kit form if you don’t mind assembling the components (plug in, no soldering) or $40-$80 for a fully assembled unit.

You can buy a fully assembled, self contained Repeater including battery and solar charging panel ready to configure and attach to a flag pole, tree, or whatever for less than $150. The small size/weight allows more options for mounting.


I got my first radio (Thinknode M1) yesterday, had it flashed for Meshcore firmware, configured, up and running and receiving messages in less than an hour. The mesh network is receiving and relaying messages from as far north as Victoria (Vancouver Is.) and Vancouver BC to Eugene Or. in the south. Even get the occasional message making it over the Cascades from eastern WA.


Extremely impressive and far better range than you could ever hope for with 2m/70cm HAM using repeaters, especially considering how it blankets a geographic area rather than being the point to point to point transmission of HAM radio. I can hit Victoria on my 50w 2m base station with roof top antenna, but I’ve only had 1 or 2 people respond to me from there over 8 years.



In my opinion in an emergency you need at least TWO things, the equipment necessary to communicate AND someone to hear you and respond.

While there are a fair number of HAMS in my area, it isn’t used much and the tech and infrastructure limits comms with them to about a 20-25 mile radius.


Meanwhile, there is a HUGE Meshcore network in my area. Hundreds (probably thousands) of users and a range measured in the hundreds of miles.

The public room goes non stop with 10-20 people at a time actively sending texts and carrying on various chats, announcements, etc. Way more activity than the HAM bands where I can listen to a local repeater or 146.520 for 3-4 hours and maybe hear 5 transmissions.


I’ll still use my HAM gear, but adding Meshcore to the kit definitely adds capabilities and is a good arrow to add to the quiver.



I know, lots of words… here is a simple picture for the visual folks….

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 911Boss,

I am interested in that but have not had the time to learn about it. I think it is a great option.

Them repeaters aren't going to work too well in a grid down situation.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Them repeaters aren't going to work too well in a grid down situation.

The whole point is grid down…


Graphic was meant to show the propagation path of the data, not an accurate visual representation of the equipment.

I updated the graphic to make the equipment visual a bit more accurate.



“Users” have a radio running “companion” firmware to send/receive packets. Radio only TX about 150mw. Depending on terrain, range up to about 2-8 miles. Most will last 2-4 days on a charge. Mine went 6 days running 24/7 with it mostly just receiving. They charge via USB-C wall wart, power bank, etc. Anything that will put out 5v at about 1a.

Same radio hardware can run “repeater” firmware which simply receives and rebroadcasts the packets. So the basic $40 radio can be a companion or a repeater depending on which firmware you flash it with.



“Dedicated” repeaters are basically the same hardware with a larger internal battery, an added power amplifier upping the output to .5-1w. Still very low battery drain, and most are built as a self contained unit with attached solar panel for essentially unlimited run time.

The higher RX power, and usually higher elevation placement give them ranges of 30-60 miles. No connection to the grid at all.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
I am interested in that but have not had the time to learn about it. I think it is a great option.

It’s actually some of the least complicated stuff I’ve come across compared to HAM, DMR, etc. So long as there is a network in your area, you’re up and running in no time.