From unboxing to your first transmitted message — everything you need to join the Central Valley Mesh.
Any Meshtastic-compatible device works on the 915 MHz US ISM band. For a first node we recommend the LILYGO T-Beam Supreme or Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3 — both are $25–45 and well-supported.
Use the Meshtastic Web Flasher — no software to install, works in Chrome or Edge. Plug in via USB, select your device, and click Flash.
Open the Meshtastic app or Web Client and go to Radio Config → LoRa:
Go to Radio Config → Device:
When in doubt, use CLIENT. Ask in Discord if you need help choosing.
In Radio Config → LoRa, enable OK to MQTT. This lets gateway nodes upload your packets to the CVM MeshInfo server so you appear on the live map and stats. Fully optional — doesn't affect radio behavior.
If you have WiFi and want your node to directly feed CVM stats, configure Module Config → MQTT:
Or use the Config Wizard to generate exact CLI commands.
Power on and step outside or near a window — 915 MHz doesn't penetrate walls well. If you're in range of any network node it will appear in your node list automatically.
Check the live map, then join our Discord and say hello in #general.