beginner · 20 minutes

Get on the mesh this weekend.

From box to first message in five steps. No licence, no coding, no subscription.

  1. Find your local mesh.

    Check community maps and local groups to see whether people near you run Meshtastic or MeshCore. Join whatever is already there. Not sure which? Read the comparison.

  2. Buy an 868 MHz radio (ideally two).

    A SenseCAP T1000-E or Heltec V3/V4 is a great first device. See the buying guide.

  3. Flash the firmware.

    Plug in by USB-C, open the official web flasher in Chrome or Edge, pick your board and install. Many finished devices ship with Meshtastic already on.

  4. Install the app and pair.

    Get the Meshtastic or MeshCore app, pair over Bluetooth and set your region to EU868. Match the local preset.

  5. Say hello.

    Send a message on the public channel. Then get your radio up high: a windowsill, a loft or a mast. You'll be surprised who replies.

Kit list

868 MHz LoRa radio · tuned antenna · USB-C cable · phone with Bluetooth · optional: case, battery, power bank.

Golden rules

Never transmit without an antenna attached. Use EU868 in the UK. Keep the default public channel for discovery and use private channels for your group.

Next steps

Once you're hooked, help the whole community by adding a fixed node. Read the solar node guide →