====== Meshcore ======

===== Introduction =====
From [[wp>MeshCore |Wikipedia]]:
<QUOTE>
MeshCore is an open-source mesh networking protocol and software platform designed for off-grid, low-power text communication using LoRa (Long Range) radio technology. The system enables decentralized, multi-hop wireless messaging without reliance on cellular networks or internet infrastructure.

Use cases include emergency and disaster communications, outdoor and remote activities, [...] and experimental and educational deployments of low-power mesh networking.

[It] is designed to [...] operate in unlicensed [[wp> ISM_radio_band |ISM frequency bands]] such as 868 MHz and 915 MHz, depending on regional regulations. 
</QUOTE>

The basic idea is that you get a small //companion device// that you pair to your cell phone via bluetooth, and via that device, you can text others or post public messages using the 915 MHz band, all without a special license.

===== Getting Started: Companions =====
  * Get a companion device like:
    * the //Wio Tracker L1 Pro// from [[https://www.seeedstudio.com/Wio-Tracker-L1-Pro-p-6454.html |seeed studio]] or from [[https://ca.robotshop.com/products/seeedstudio-wio-tracker-l1-pro-w-oled-3d-printed-casing |Robot Shop]]
    * FIXME: add other options here
  * Flash the device with the latest Meshcore Firmware]].
  * Pair the device with your phone.
  * Turn off Auto-Add Contacts.

<hidden Install Instructions>
  * On linux, you may have to add the ''dialout'' group to your user.  To do that, type the following in the terminal replacing ''USER'' with your username:<code bash>
sudo usermod -a -G dialout USER
</code>
  * You should also use a Chromium based web browser.

If you already have Meshcore installed , download your current settings:
  * Open the MeshCore app ([[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.liamcottle.meshcore.android|Android]], [[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/meshcore/id6742354151?platform=iphone |iOS]], [[https://app.meshcore.nz/|Web App]], [[https://github.com/liamcottle/meshcore.js|NodeJS]], [[https://github.com/fdlamotte/meshcore-cli|Python]])

  * Navigate to the Settings (the gear in the top right corner)
  * Scroll down to the ''Extra Tools'' section and select ''Export Config''
  * ''Select All'' and click on the check mark in the top right corner to save the ''.json'' file to your phone.

Flash the Meshcore Firmware:
  * Connect the companion device to your computer via USB.
  * Go to https://meshcore.io/flasher (using a Chromium Browswer).
  * Select your device
  * Select Companion Bluetooth
  * Select Enter DFU Mode
  * Select Erase Flash
  * Select Flash

To re-load the config file:
  * Open the MeshCore App
  * Connect to the companion device, but it probably had a different bluetooth name now
  * The PIN might be listed on your companion's screen
  * Skip Setup
  * Navigate to the Settings (the gear in the top right corner)
  * Scroll down to the ''Extra Tools'' section and select ''Import Config''
  * Click on ''Select File''
  * Select the ''*.json'' file
  * ''Select All'' and click on the check mark in the top right corner.

See [[https://scottbaker.ca/meshcore/getting-started|Scott Baker's article]] for more information.
</hidden>
\\
===== Next Step: Repeaters =====
  * Install a repeater like the //SenseCAP Solar Node P1-Pro// from [[https://www.seeedstudio.com/SenseCAP-Solar-Node-P1-Pro-for-Meshtastic-LoRa-p-6412.html|seeed studio]] or [[https://ca.robotshop.com/products/sensecap-solar-node-p1-pro-for-meshtastic-w-gps-battery |RobotShop]]
  * Use an antenna like [[https://mappingnetwork.ca/products/rakwireless-8dbi-fiberglass-antenna?srsltid=AfmBOopWTWkyL8aL4kKvxOAXJFYNEEIgaoj4ZICvCRaorahbFwbbHdHW|this one]], [[https://www.amazon.ca/Waterproof-Fiberglass-SenseCAP-EasyLinkIn-SyncroB/dp/B09N2H166D/|this one]] or [[https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005132142342.html |one of these]].

<hidden Install Instructions>
If you already have Meshcore installed (but not the bootloader), download your current settings:
  * Go to https://config.meshcore.io/
  * Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable.
  * Click on ''Connect''
  * Click on ''Export''
  * Click on ''Disconnect''
  * Locate the ''.json'' file (probably in your Downloads folder).

Download the bootloader:
  * Go to https://meshcore.io/flasher
  * Select your device
  * Select ''Repeater'' (or ''Room Server'')
  * Click on ''Download''
  * Select the ''*bootloader-x.x.x-OTAFIXx.x.uf2'' file
  * Locate the ''.uf2'' file (probably in your Downloads folder).

Copy the bootloader over to your device:
  * Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable.
  * Double click on the reset button.
  * Open the drive that just mounted on your computer
  * Copy the ''.uf2'' file to the drive.
  * The drive may close on its own right away.  This is normal.

Flash the Meshcore Firmware:
  * Go to https://meshcore.io/flasher
  * Select your device
  * Select ''Repeater'' (or ''Room Server'')
  * Select ''Enter DFU Mode''
  * Select ''Erase Flash''
  * Select ''Flash''

Re-upload your settings:
  * Select ''Configure via USB'' from the previous page, or navigate to https://config.meshcore.io/
  * Select ''Connect''
  * Select ''Import''
  * Select your ''.json'' file
  * Scroll down to the ''Access'' section and retype your ''New Admin password'' (it doesn't remember it)
  * Scroll down and select ''Save settings''
  * Select ''Disconnect''

Setup the Over the Air (OTA) update app (first time only):
  * Download the "nRF Device Firmware Update" app by "Nordic Semiconductor ASA" ([[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=no.nordicsemi.android.dfu |Android]], [[https://apps.apple.com/sa/app/nrf-device-firmware-update/id1624454660 |Apple]])
  * Open the ''DFU'' app
  * In the settings, check ''Packet receipt notification''

Perform an OTA update:
  * Using your phone's browser, navigate to https://meshcore.io/flasher
    * Select your device
    * Select ''Repeater'' (or ''Room Server'')
    * Select ''Download''
    * Select the firmware ''zip'' file (**not** the bootloader file)
  * Using the Meshcore app, login to your repeater (or room server) using the admin password.
    * For Room Servers: go to ''Remote Management''
    * Go to the ''Command Line''
    * Type ''start ota'', you should get a message that says: ''OK - mac: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx''
  * Open the ''DFU'' app
    * Under ''File'' click ''Select'' to chose the firmware ''.zip'' file
    * Under ''Device'' click ''Select'' and chose the device that has ''DFU'' in the name.
    * Under ''Progress'' click ''Start''

See [[https://scottbaker.ca/meshcore/repeater-setup |Scott Baker's article]] for more information.
</hidden>

\\

===== More Advanced: Sensors  =====
  * Install [[https://www.localmesh.nl/en/meshcore-telemetry-functions/|sensors]].

===== Maps =====
  * [[https://map.meshcore.dev/?zoom=10&lat=49.5127&lon=-123.5797| Official MeshCore Node map]]
  * [[https://swbc.meshmapper.net/ |Community generated map]]
  * [[https://ridgeline.ve7kod.ca/live |SWBC Map with links]] by VE7KOD

<hidden Repeater Project>
{{  :links:meshcore:meshcore_repeaters.jpg?500  }}
Here's how to use MeshCore's Antenna Coverage tool to model line of sight coverage:
  * Navigate to the [[https://app.meshcore.nz/ |web version of the MeshCore App]]
  * You don't need to connect to an actual Meshcore device.
  * Click on \$\quad \vdots \quad \$  on the top right corner and then select ''Tools''
  * Enter the ''Antenna Coverage'' tool
  * Where it says ''0 Coverage Layers'' click on \$\quad \vdots \quad \$ and select ''Import JSON''
  * Import {{ :links:meshcore:coverage_layers_2026-03-27-221828.json |this file}}
</hidden>
\\
===== Tools =====
  * [[https://analyzer.letsmesh.net/map?lat=44.46703&long=-99.43156&zoom=2 |MeshCore Analyser]]
  * [[https://heywhatsthat.com/profiler.html |Path Profiler]]

===== Resources =====

  * Official MeshCore [[https://meshcore.io |Website]] and  [[https://github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore| Github]]
  * [[https://youtu.be/OwmkVkZQTf4 |Youtube Presentation by Liam Cottle]]
  * [[https://scottbaker.ca/meshcore |Scott Baker's Website]]
  * {{:links:meshcore:mc_viard_document.pdf |Vancouver Island Amateur Radio Discord Meshcore tips & Tricks}} <wrap hi>NEW</wrap>
  * [[https://salishmesh.net/ |Salish Mesh Website]]
  * [[https://forum.letsmesh.net/ |Forum]]
  * [[https://www.austinmesh.org/learn/meshcore-vs-meshtastic/ |MeshCore vs Meshtastic]]
  * [[https://idahomesh.org/meshcore-channels-rooms-and-dms/ |Channels vs Rooms vs DMs]]

/*
===== List of Repeaters on the Coast =====
==== VA7KRZ-Gibsons-RP1 ====
|<100% 8em>|
^Location:     |Kitchen Window, Gibsons (49.414161, -123.515539) |
^Equipment:    |Heltec V3 with a 5.8 dBi Antenna |
^Orientation:  |Clear line-of-sight toward Richmond / Lower Mainland |
^Sponsor:      |Adam, VA7KRZ |
^Public Key:   |612826cd886fd45bc6ce607308d14a4cb77b49673042d9844bf54242df5e74d8|

Under Construction:
|<100% 8em>|
^Location:     |Roof, Gibsons (49.414161, -123.515539) |
^Equipment:    | RAK19004 (power module), RAK19007 (Baseboard), RAK4631 (LoRaWAN module)|

==== VA7FI - SenseCap ====
|<100% 8em>|
^ Location:   | Atop a 20 m tree in Roberts Creek  |
^ Equipment:  | SenseCAP with stock antenna        |
^ Sponsor:    | Patrick, VA7FI                     |
^ Public Key: | 0c035f5ec37944b7f7df9599cf2b74fd8b75851481dda4aac0c813854fca1726 |

==== VA7XES - Roberts Creek ====
|<100% 8em>|
^Location:  |Roberts Creek (49.449751, -123.653155) |
^Equipment: |:?: |
^Sponsor:   |:?: |
^Public Key: | 857d939db34d0afdeb7cb6ee4cddfc59aab02dc6efd1e76d14fc318e4e54c1e2 |

==== Sechelt_PBay ====
|<100% 8em>|
^Location:   |:?: |
^Equipment:  |:?: |
^Sponsor:    |Gary, VA7GYT |
^Public Key: |d7ed6f8f764ca63a4158108d3a24fde6e8df836b6f63aa09ef2a2060b0bd304f |

==== SSAC-1 ====
|<100% 8em>|
^Location:   |On roof of Sechelt Senior Activity Centre (49.4757, -123.7580) |
^Equipment:  |SenseCAP Solar Node P1-Pro with FIXME: Antenna |
^Sponsor:    |Larry, VA7LSP |
^Public Key: |6dfc25cb2d0a6efe8520f469d9ac2e8c5dacde42c4d380cf553dd05bf768b1e2 |
*/