TL;DR
A hobbyist built a small Meshtastic mesh using inexpensive Heltec V3 LoRa devices, learned firmware and antenna lessons, and connected into a local Chicagoland community to extend range via relay nodes. Tools such as the Meshtastic Web Flasher, mobile/web clients, MeshMap and Site Planner helped diagnose coverage and coordinate improvements.
What happened
The author bought a pair of Heltec V3 LoRa radios (ESP32-based) and a higher-gain antenna, then updated outdated firmware using the Meshtastic Web Flasher in Chrome. After configuring the radios with the Meshtastic mobile app and the web client, the two units exchanged short text messages over the mesh protocol. Leaving a unit powered overnight, the author discovered other Meshtastic nodes hundreds of miles apart listed in MeshMap and connected into the Chicagoland Mesh community. A neighbor-to-neighbor test revealed asymmetric reach: the author could hear other nodes but initially could not be heard due to a weak stock antenna. Replacing the antenna and adding a relay node at a local makerspace improved connectivity, allowing messages to hop between homes via the relay. The group used the Meshtastic Site Planner to model coverage and identified antenna placement and elevation as key factors for extending range.
Why it matters
- Meshtastic enables short text messaging without cellular networks by using low-power LoRa mesh nodes.
- Community participation and relay nodes significantly increase effective range beyond direct line-of-sight.
- Antenna quality and placement can make the difference between hearing the mesh and being heard on it.
- Tools like firmware flashers, MeshMap and Site Planner help diagnose and plan mesh coverage.
Key facts
- Meshtastic supports short text messages of around 200 characters.
- It uses LoRa and operates on license-free ISM frequencies (~915 MHz in the author's region), so a ham license is not required.
- The author used Heltec V3 radios based on the ESP32 microcontroller with a LoRa modem; his units did not include GPS.
- Out-of-the-box firmware on the purchased devices was outdated; the Meshtastic Web Flasher (flasher.meshtastic.org) was used to update via Chrome's WebSerial API.
- Devices are managed via the Meshtastic mobile app (Android/iOS) over Bluetooth and via a web client (client.meshtastic.org) over USB or Wi‑Fi.
- Meshtastic nodes form a mesh where every node repeats messages, allowing hops through intermediate nodes.
- MeshMap is a public site that shows Meshtastic nodes on a map and helped identify local community nodes.
- A relay node at a makerspace, placed near a roofline, enabled message hops between otherwise distant devices.
- The Meshtastic Site Planner can simulate coverage using node location, antenna type and transmit power.
What to watch next
- Upgrading to outdoor-mounted, higher-gain antennas and raising relay nodes on masts or tall buildings to improve coverage.
- Deploying additional relay nodes at strategic locations to strengthen local mesh connectivity and reduce hop failures.
- Experimenting with sensors and telemetry over Meshtastic (for example, off-grid weather stations) to expand use cases.
Quick glossary
- Meshtastic: An open-source project that uses low-power LoRa radios to create mesh networks for short text messaging and data between nodes without cellular infrastructure.
- LoRa: A long-range, low-power wireless modulation technique used for IoT and mesh networking applications.
- Mesh network: A network topology where nodes forward data for other nodes, enabling multi-hop communication across many devices.
- ISM band: Industrial, Scientific and Medical radio bands reserved for license-free use in many regions; commonly used for low-power devices.
- WebSerial API: A browser API (supported by Chrome) that allows web pages to communicate with serial devices connected via USB, used here for firmware flashing.
Reader FAQ
Do you need a ham radio license to use Meshtastic?
No — the author notes Meshtastic uses license-free ISM frequencies (~915 MHz in his region), so a ham license is not required.
Is GPS required on Meshtastic devices?
Not required, but the author regretted buying units without GPS because Meshtastic can share location when GPS is present.
How did the author update device firmware?
By using the Meshtastic Web Flasher (flasher.meshtastic.org) in Chrome via the WebSerial API to flash the latest firmware over USB.
Can a single Meshtastic device send messages by itself?
Messages need other nodes to relay; the author observed transmissions failing when no other node acknowledged them.
I first heard about Meshtastic from a blog post that made the rounds on Hacker News. The author lived on a boat and used Meshtastic radios to stay in touch…
Sources
- My First Meshtastic Network
- Getting Started
- Getting Started with Meshtastic
- Devices | Supported Hardware…
Related posts
- Samsung brings Google Photos to the biggest screen in your home with Tizen TVs
- Why I Think Valve Is Phasing Out the Steam Deck LCD Model — Strategy Not Deck 2
- Best Japanese Learning Tools 2025: Winners and Top Apps Roundup