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links:meshcore:home [2026/09/12 11:51] – [Introduction] va7filinks:meshcore:home [2026/09/16 11:33] (current) va7fi
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 ====== Meshcore ====== ====== Meshcore ======
  
 ===== Introduction ===== ===== Introduction =====
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 From [[wp>MeshCore |Wikipedia]]: From [[wp>MeshCore |Wikipedia]]:
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-<wrap tip>Download an up-to-date [[mpdf>|PDF version]] of this page.</wrap> 
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-The basic idea is that each person has a small //companion// device <key>''C''</key> paired to their cell phone via bluetooth, and via that device, they can text each other or post public messages using the 915 MHz band, all without a special license.  The signal can travel directly between //companion// devices if they are close enough, or via a series of //repeaters// <key>''R''</key> to extend coverage.+The idea is that each person has a small //companion// device <key>''C''</key> paired to their cellphone via Bluetooth, and via that device, they can text each other or post public messages using the 915 MHz band, all without a special license.  The signal can travel directly between //companion// devices if they are close enough, or via a series of //repeaters// <key>''R''</key> to extend coverage. 
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 {{  :links:meshcore:meshcore1.svg?600  |}} {{  :links:meshcore:meshcore1.svg?600  |}}
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-{{:links:meshcore:mqsg-0.png?0x100|}} \\ MeshCore nodes used as //companion// devices.+{{:links:meshcore:mqsg-0.png?0x100|}} \\ MeshCore devices used as //companion//.
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-{{:links:meshcore:mqsg-1.png?0x100|}} \\ A MeshCore node setup as a //repeater//.+{{:links:meshcore:mqsg-1.png?0x100|}} \\ A MeshCore device setup as a //repeater//.
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-((The [[#getting_started:_companions|Getting Started]] section used Liam Cottle's [[https://files.liamcottle.net/MeshCore/Documentation/MeshCore_Quick_Start_Guide.pdf |MeshCore Quick Start Guide]] from November 2025 as a starting point (CC-BY-SA).  We then updated and expended it with regional settings used on the South West Coast of BC.))+((The [[#getting_started:_companions|Getting Started]] section used Liam Cottle's [[https://files.liamcottle.net/MeshCore/Documentation/MeshCore_Quick_Start_Guide.pdf |MeshCore Quick Start Guide]] from November 2025 (CC-BY-SA) as a starting point.  We then updated and expended his guide with regional settings used on the South West Coast of BC.))
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 ==== What is needed to use MeshCore? ==== ==== What is needed to use MeshCore? ====
-  * The MeshCore app downloaded to your phone or computer. +  * The MeshCore app downloaded to your cellphone or computer. 
-  * A mesh node with the MeshCore //companion// firmware to send messages from+  * A device with the MeshCore //companion// firmware paired to your cellphone
-  * If needed, a mesh node with the MeshCore //repeater// firmware to extend messaging range. +  * If needed, a device with the MeshCore //repeater// firmware to extend messaging range. 
-  * Each person that wants to send messages will need their own companion node.+  * Each person who wants to send messages needs their own //companion// device.
  
 === Download the MeshCore App === === Download the MeshCore App ===
   * Search for "MeshCore" by "Liam Cottle" on [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.liamcottle.meshcore.android|Google Play]] or the [[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/meshcore/id6742354151 |Apple App Store]].   * Search for "MeshCore" by "Liam Cottle" on [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.liamcottle.meshcore.android|Google Play]] or the [[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/meshcore/id6742354151 |Apple App Store]].
-  * Alternatively, download for Windows, MacOS and Web from [[https://meshcore.io]]+  * Alternatively, download for Windows, MacOS and Web from [[https://meshcore.io]].
   * You should save an offline copy of the software so it’s available without the internet.   * You should save an offline copy of the software so it’s available without the internet.
  
-=== Where to buy MeshCore nodes? ===+=== Where to buy MeshCore devices? ===
   * Recommended devices are listed at [[https://meshcore.io]]   * Recommended devices are listed at [[https://meshcore.io]]
-  * Alternatively, supported devices listed on [[https://meshcore.io/flasher]] can be purchased online from overseas suppliers such as [[https://aliexpress.com |AliExpress]] or [[https://www.seeedstudio.com/Wio-Tracker-L1-Pro-p-6454.html |SeeedStudio]], or  [[https://ca.robotshop.com/products/seeedstudio-wio-tracker-l1-pro-w-oled-3d-printed-casing |Robot Shop]] in Canada.+  * Alternatively, supported devices listed on [[https://meshcore.io/flasher]] can be purchased online from overseas suppliers such as [[https://aliexpress.com |AliExpress]] or [[https://www.seeedstudio.com/Wio-Tracker-L1-Pro-p-6454.html |SeeedStudio]], or in Canada from [[https://ca.robotshop.com/products/seeedstudio-wio-tracker-l1-pro-w-oled-3d-printed-casing |Robot Shop]].
  
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 ==== Flash the Firmware ==== ==== Flash the Firmware ====
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 +You should also use a Chromium based web browser like [[https://brave.com/download/ |Brave]].
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-You should also use a Chromium based web browser like [[https://brave.com/download/ |Brave]]. 
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 If you already have Meshcore installed, download your current settings: If you already have Meshcore installed, download your current settings:
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   * Select Flash   * Select Flash
  
-To re-load the config file:+To re-load your previous config file:
   * Open the MeshCore App   * Open the MeshCore App
   * Connect to the companion device, but it probably had a different bluetooth name now   * Connect to the companion device, but it probably had a different bluetooth name now
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 ==== Connect to your MeshCore Device ==== ==== Connect to your MeshCore Device ====
-  * Turn on your node.+  * Turn on your device.
   * Open the MeshCore App.   * Open the MeshCore App.
   * Tap the "Connect" button in the top right corner.   * Tap the "Connect" button in the top right corner.
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 If you’re having trouble pairing with Bluetooth, try rebooting your phone. If you’re having trouble pairing with Bluetooth, try rebooting your phone.
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 ==== Set your Public Display Name ==== ==== Set your Public Display Name ====
 You should now rename your MeshCore node.  The name you choose will be seen by other users on the MeshCore network. You should now rename your MeshCore node.  The name you choose will be seen by other users on the MeshCore network.
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 The device name in Bluetooth results will not update until you reboot your node. The device name in Bluetooth results will not update until you reboot your node.
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 In the South West BC area, edit the settings to the following: In the South West BC area, edit the settings to the following:
-               |**Until Sept 30, 2026** |**From Oct 1, 2026**| +                   |**Until Sept 30, 2026** |**From Oct 1, 2026**| 
-|**Frequency**     |910.425             |909.000             | +|**Frequency**       |910.425                 |**909.000**             | 
-|**Bandwidth**       |62.5 kHz            |62.5 kHz            | +|**Bandwidth**       |62.5 kHz                |62.5 kHz            | 
-|**Spreading Factor**|7                   |7                   | +|**Spreading Factor**|7                       |7                   | 
-|**Coding Rate**     |5                   |5                   |+|**Coding Rate**     |5                       |5                   |
  
 See [[https://ridgeline.ve7kod.ca/faq |here]] for more details. See [[https://ridgeline.ve7kod.ca/faq |here]] for more details.
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 Outgoing messages will show "Heard 1 repeat" if your node heard a nearby repeater passing on your message. If there are no nearby repeaters, it will show "Sent". It’s not possible to know who received a channel message. Outgoing messages will show "Heard 1 repeat" if your node heard a nearby repeater passing on your message. If there are no nearby repeaters, it will show "Sent". It’s not possible to know who received a channel message.
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 The QR Code contains your Node Name, Node Type and Public Identity Key. Your contact details will not be transmitted over the mesh. Only the person who scans your QR Code will receive your contact details. The QR Code contains your Node Name, Node Type and Public Identity Key. Your contact details will not be transmitted over the mesh. Only the person who scans your QR Code will receive your contact details.
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 You may need to accept a permissions request for the MeshCore app to access your camera. This permission must be granted to be able to scan the QR Code. You may need to accept a permissions request for the MeshCore app to access your camera. This permission must be granted to be able to scan the QR Code.
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 Adverts are not encrypted. Sending an advert will share your contact details with everyone in range. Adverts are not encrypted. Sending an advert will share your contact details with everyone in range.
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 A message may get marked as failed even though it was successfully delivered to the recipient. This happens if we did not receive the acknowledgement reply from the recipient node. In this case, it’s recommended to send the message again. Once you see the delivered check mark, you know for sure it was received. A message may get marked as failed even though it was successfully delivered to the recipient. This happens if we did not receive the acknowledgement reply from the recipient node. In this case, it’s recommended to send the message again. Once you see the delivered check mark, you know for sure it was received.
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 When sending direct messages, **you must both add each other as contacts** first. The recipient's companion radio must be turned on to receive the message and to provide a delivery report. You must also be in radio range of each other, or have a working path of repeaters between each other. When sending direct messages, **you must both add each other as contacts** first. The recipient's companion radio must be turned on to receive the message and to provide a delivery report. You must also be in radio range of each other, or have a working path of repeaters between each other.
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 Ping tests do not hop through multiple repeaters. You must be in range of the specific repeater you are ping testing. For a ping test to be successful, the repeater must hear your companion signal directly, and your companion must hear the repeater signal directly. If you’re not in range of the repeater, the ping test will fail with a timeout error. Ping tests do not hop through multiple repeaters. You must be in range of the specific repeater you are ping testing. For a ping test to be successful, the repeater must hear your companion signal directly, and your companion must hear the repeater signal directly. If you’re not in range of the repeater, the ping test will fail with a timeout error.
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 \\ \\
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 ===== Tools ===== ===== Tools =====
   * [[https://analyzer.letsmesh.net/map?lat=44.46703&long=-99.43156&zoom=2 |MeshCore Analyser]]   * [[https://analyzer.letsmesh.net/map?lat=44.46703&long=-99.43156&zoom=2 |MeshCore Analyser]]
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   * [[https://idahomesh.org/meshcore-channels-rooms-and-dms/ |Channels vs Rooms vs DMs]]   * [[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 | 
-*/ 
  
links/meshcore/home.1789239109.txt.gz · Last modified: by va7fi