Set up your first MeshCore node
Guide · updated June 2026
From a bare board to messaging on the mesh in about 15 minutes. This covers a companion node — the kind you pair to your phone. (Setting up a repeater is a separate, more involved job — that’s a guide of its own.)
Before you start
- A supported LoRa board — MeshCore runs on almost the same hardware as Meshtastic; a Heltec V3 is a cheap, easy first node. (See the MeshCore page for gear.)
- The matching antenna for your band, plus a USB cable.
- A phone for the companion app (Android or iOS — desktop/web also work).
- About 15 minutes.
Antenna first, always. Screw the antenna onto the board before you power it up. Transmitting without one can damage the radio.
Five steps onto the mesh
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Flash the Companion firmware
Open the MeshCore web flasher in Chrome or Edge. Plug your board in, pick the right port/board, choose the Companion role, then enter DFU, erase, and flash. No command line needed.
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Pair the app over Bluetooth
Install the MeshCore companion app (Android, iOS, desktop, or web), and pair it with your freshly-flashed node over Bluetooth. Give the node a name while you’re in there.
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Set your region
In the app, set the Region / Preset to “US (Recommended)”. That puts you on the right frequency (915 MHz) and channel so you’re legal and talking to everyone else.
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Stay on 1-byte IDs (our convention)
You’ll see advice elsewhere to flip on 2-byte paths under Experimental Settings — skip that here. Our area standardizes on 1-byte companions and 3-byte repeaters, so leave your companion at the default 1-byte. Curious why bytes matter? See MeshCore IDs & avoiding collisions.
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Send your first message
Tap a contact and send a test. New nodes and repeaters announce themselves with adverts that take a little while to propagate — patience is key. If you only ever see “Sent” (never delivered), move somewhere higher with fewer obstructions, or get within range of a repeater.
Back up your identity. Your node’s private key is its Public ID — a reset or full re-flash regenerates it. Once you’re set up, save a backup so you can restore it later. See MeshCore backup & key security.
Stuck? The #meshcore channel in the RF Lab Discord is full of people running these exact boards. Ask away.
You’re on the mesh — now what?
Watch your node and the rest of the local network light up on MeshMapper and CoreScope. Want to extend coverage rather than just use it? That’s a repeater — a headless node you mount up high, configured with 3-byte IDs in our area (here’s why). A dedicated repeater guide is on the way; until then, ask in #meshcore.
Tools & sources
Get on the mesh with us.
Flash it, pair it, and say hi in #meshcore.