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MeshCore

Off-grid LoRa messaging, built around dedicated repeaters and room servers.

What it is

MeshCore is an open-source LoRa mesh platform for sending text off-grid — no internet, no cell, no subscription. It runs on the same cheap LoRa boards as Meshtastic; it’s just different firmware.

Its big idea is roles. Instead of every node relaying everything (which gets noisy fast), MeshCore splits the network into companions, repeaters, and room servers. Companion radios don’t rebroadcast by default, so the airwaves stay clear and the mesh scales cleanly — you grow coverage by placing repeaters up high, not by adding chatter.

US band915 MHz
LicenseNone required
MessagingEncrypted
NetworkRepeater-backed
PowerLow / solar-friendly
CostFree & open source
// how it’s built

Three roles, one mesh

MeshCore’s superpower is splitting jobs across purpose-built nodes.

client

Companion Radio

What you carry. Pairs to your phone over Bluetooth to send and receive. It doesn’t relay traffic by default — that’s what keeps the mesh quiet.

backbone

Repeater

The infrastructure. Mounted up high, it forwards traffic across the mesh and is what actually extends your coverage.

history

Room Server

A message board for the mesh. It stores history and catches companions up on what they missed when they reconnect.

// hardware

Gear to start with

Same popular LoRa boards as Meshtastic — just flash MeshCore firmware instead.

~$20 · companion

Heltec V3

ESP32-S3 + LoRa with an OLED screen. A perfect, cheap first companion radio.

repeater

RAK WisBlock

nRF52840 and solar-ready — the go-to for an outdoor repeater that runs for months.

standalone

LilyGo T-Deck

Built-in keyboard and screen for a companion you can use without pairing a phone.

// getting started

On the mesh in four steps

  1. Flash MeshCore

    Open the web flasher in Chrome or Edge and load companion firmware onto a supported board.

  2. Pair the app & set your region

    Install the cross-platform companion app, connect over Bluetooth, and set your region to US (915 MHz).

  3. Find (or become) a repeater

    Connect through a nearby repeater — or mount one somewhere high to grow the local mesh. Repeaters and room servers are set up with the configurator.

  4. Get on the air

    Message the mesh, watch it live on CoreScope, and come say hi in #meshcore.

// guides

MeshCore guides

Straight-talking, field-tested walkthroughs from RF Lab.

IDs

IDs & avoiding collisions

1-, 2- and 3-byte Public IDs, what talks to what, and picking a clean ID with MeshMapper.

Read guide → Setup

Set up your first node

Flash the companion firmware, pair the app, set your region, and get on the mesh.

Read guide → Setup

Set up a repeater

Flash the Repeater role, lock it down, set 3-byte IDs, and mount it high.

Read guide → Security

Backup & key security

Your private key is your identity — back it up before a reflash bites you.

Read guide → Firmware

Flash the OTAFIX bootloader

Reliable over-the-air updates — push firmware to a roof-mounted repeater.

Read guide → Firmware

OTA updates for repeaters

Push new firmware over Bluetooth or WiFi — no cable, no ladder.

Read guide → Sensors

The Sensor firmware

Run an off-grid weather node — which sensors plug in over I2C, and how to read the data.

Read guide → Observers

Set up an observer node

Flash the observer firmware and feed CoreScope & the analyzers with every packet you hear.

Read guide →
// resources

Official links

Straight from the source — bookmark these.

Websitemeshcore.io Web Flasherinstall firmware from your browser Configuratorset up repeaters & room servers Companion AppAndroid, iOS, desktop & web GitHubsource code & firmware CoreScopelive MeshCore map & analyzer we host

The local mesh gets built in #meshcore.

Repeater sites, antenna swaps, coverage maps — this is where it happens.

Join the Discord Open CoreScope →