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Documentation

Meshtastic.Org

Central Valley Mesh

1 - FAQ

A collection of FAQ regarding Meshtastic

Questions

Answers

How reliable is this?

- Coverage grows as more nodes are introduced into the network. More permanent nodes help the network even more.

Do I need a license or tech skills?

- No license is needed at all. Tech know-how is a bonus, but not needed either.

Where can I get help?

- Our community on Discord, or any of the other Meshtastic communities, or at Meshtastic.org.

How much does this cost?

- The only cost is the hardware and your time.

Do I have to use my real name?

- No. You can remain anonymous if you choose. Just follow the community guidelines or your node will be disabled from the network.

What does RSSI and SNR mean?

- Meshtastic gear gives you two key signal stats: RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) and SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio).

How do I choose the right hardware for my node?

- Select a device with a compatible LoRa radio (for example, ESP32-based boards). Consider battery capacity, form factor, and available GPIOs if you plan to add sensors or buttons.

How do I install or update the Meshtastic firmware?

- Use the official Meshtastic mobile app or the command-line tool (`meshtastic-cli`). Connect your node via USB and follow the on-screen prompts to flash the latest release.

What is Time on Air (ToA) and why does it matter?

- Time on Air is the duration a packet occupies the radio channel. Longer ToA boosts range but reduces network capacity and battery life, so balance spreading factor with message size.

Can I use Meshtastic without GPS?

- Yes. Nodes without GPS will still relay traffic but won’t share location. “Relay only” nodes are often run indoors to bolster outdoor coverage.

How secure is my data on Meshtastic?

- All traffic is encrypted end-to-end using Elliptic Curve cryptography. Only nodes sharing the same network key can decrypt messages, protecting your privacy from eavesdroppers.

What are the regulatory requirements for using LoRa?

- You generally don’t need an amateur radio license for the low-power bands used by Meshtastic in most countries, but you must comply with local power output and duty-cycle limits.

How can I extend my node’s battery life?

- Enable deep-sleep modes, reduce broadcast intervals, lower transmit power, and choose low-quiescent-current regulators. External solar panels or higher-capacity batteries also help.

How do I troubleshoot connectivity issues?

- Check RSSI/SNR values, confirm nodes share the same frequency and network key, restart stubborn nodes, and verify firmware versions match across your network.

Can I integrate Meshtastic with other services?

- Yes. Use the MQTT bridge, the HTTP API, or custom scripts via `meshtastic-cli` to relay messages into home-automation systems, mapping software, or chat platforms.

How do I contribute to the Meshtastic project?

- Head to the GitHub repo to file issues, submit pull requests, translate docs, or join discussions on Discord. Community contributions drive new features and keep the project healthy.

Are third-party antennas supported?

- Absolutely. Just ensure the antenna’s connector (for example, SMA, RP-SMA, u.FL) matches your board and that it’s tuned for the 915 MHz (US) or 868 MHz (EU) LoRa bands.

How do I reset my node to factory settings?

- Hold the “boot” button while powering on to enter bootloader mode, then use `meshtastic-cli --reset-settings` to clear all custom configs and keys.





2 - Getting Started

Getting Started Guide for Meshtastic

Overview

Just getting started? You’ve found the right place! 🌟

So, you just picked up your first Meshtastic device, got it booted up, and… crickets 🦗🦗🦗. Did you misconfigure something? Is no one out there? Did you actually install the right thing(s)? What in the world is going on? This guide aims to get you up and running to make your first contact as soon as possible.

No Meshtastic device yet? Check out the list of supported hardware on the official Meshtastic docs.

Flashing Your Device

Before flashing, make sure your device is recognized within device manager on windows or lsusb on linux. If it shows up as “unrecognized” or as “other device”, you probably need to install drivers for it. Check the meshtastic serial drivers page for details on installing the drivers. If the driver is installed correctly, your device will show up under the “ports” tab in device manager.

With the device drivers installed, make sure you’ve flashed the current version of Meshtastic using the web flasher at flasher.meshtastic.org. For more detailed instructions, take a look at the Meshtastic docs on flashing firmware. If you’ve changed a bunch of settings or are upgrading from a much older version, it’s recommended to select “Full Erase and Install” to ensure no settings are left on the device that may cause issues.

Connecting to Your Device

Although you’ve likely already connected to your device, it’s worth a review. There are several methods to connect to your device:

Setup and Configuration

  1. Set Your Region: Mostly likely “US” if you’re reading this guide.
  2. Configure Your Channel:
    • Ensure only one channel if starting from scratch.
    • Set the channel name to blank.
    • Set the key to “Default” (AQ==).
    • Set the channel role to “Primary”.
    • Recommended: Turn off location/position for this channel until you’re ready to turn it back on. By default, precise location is turned on and will beacon out your exact position.

Next Steps

Hopefully, by this time, you’ll be able to get a message out that is acknowledged by another node. Try sending a message on your Primary Channel and see if another node acknowledges (acks) it. If not, here are some next steps:

  1. Antenna Upgrade:

  2. Antenna Connection:

    • Use the least amount of cable to connect the antenna since any loss is greatly amplified in Meshtastic usage due to the low power of the device’s transmitter.

  3. Height:

    • Height is key. LoRa is very much line-of-sight, so the higher, the better.
    • Note that the device’s RX/TX is asymmetrical, meaning it’s much easier to receive a packet than to transmit and have another node receive it.
    • Unlicensed LoRa transmission in the United States under Part 15 is limited to +30 dBm ERP. More info about the bands is available on the Meshtastic docs.

Some Other Notes

  • Changing the primary channel’s name from the default (blank, appearing as “Primary Channel”) will change the LoRa frequency slot. You won’t be able to communicate on the mesh defaults. Check out Creating a Private Primary with Default Secondary and the note on this documentation page: “A hash of the PRIMARY channel’s name sets the LoRa frequency slot, which determines the actual frequency you are transmitting on in the band.”

Feel free to reach out to the community or check the documentation for more detailed information and troubleshooting tips. Happy Meshing! 🎉

3 - Tools

A collection of helpful tools for Meshtastic

KV5R’s Coax Loss Calculator

Link | If you know your coax type, you can use this calculator to calculate losses. Make sure you enter the correct frequency (906mhz if in the US/North America) and the correct power levels (likely .25 or 250mw).

The Comms Channel

Link | This is a great resource if you want to watch YouTube videos on Meshtastic. Perfect for visual learners and those who prefer step-by-step video guides.

Radio Mobile Online (coverage map creator)

Link | This is a fantastic tool to generate coverage maps of your node. You can watch this TCC video on coverage maps for more information. Make sure you use the same parameters as mentioned above: 906 MHz and 0.25 W.

Meshmap

Link | This is a great tool to view nodes on a map. This map is populated by the public MQTT server (more info on MQTT here).

Liam Cottle’s Meshtastic Map

Link | This is another map resource for Meshtastic nodes with some extra data and presented in a slightly different way.