Get Started
From zero to your first message on the Coast mesh. You need three things: a small LoRa radio, the free MeshCore app, and our settings.
The short version
- Get a radio (the US 915 MHz version).
- Flash it with Companion (Bluetooth) firmware at flasher.meshcore.io.
- Install the MeshCore app and pair over Bluetooth.
- Apply our settings before anything else.
- Send an advert and say hi on the Public channel.
- Join our Discord for help and news.
Your companion radio
A companion is your personal radio. It pairs with your phone over Bluetooth, and you send and read messages in the app. It carries your own messages only: it does not relay anyone else's, so keep it on you, on a desk, or in the car.
The app is the official MeshCore app, free for iOS and Android. On a computer you can use the official web client at app.meshcore.nz instead (flash Companion (USB) for a wired connection).
1 Flash MeshCore
On a computer, open https://flasher.meshcore.io in Chrome or Edge (it talks to the radio over USB). Put the antenna on before you power it up. Pick your device, choose Companion (Bluetooth), and flash. If the radio came with other firmware (like Meshtastic), tick the option to erase the device first.
2 Pair your phone
Install the MeshCore app (iOS/Android) and connect over Bluetooth. Radios with a screen show a PIN; on radios without a screen the PIN is 123456, so change it after you connect.
3 Set the radio (Settings Card)
Pick the USA preset, then change Coding Rate to 8:
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Spreading Factor | Coding Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 910.525 MHz | 62.5 kHz | 7 | 8 CR8 is optional; CR5 works just fine. |
We run CR 8 for now because the extra error correction gives longer reach and sturdier links while nodes are few and far apart. We'll revisit it as the area fills in.
New radios start on a European frequency until you set this, so always set it first.
4 Say hi
Name your radio (others will see the name), tap Advert so others can find you, and post on the Public channel. A rough area like "Ocean Springs" or "north Gulfport" helps people picture coverage. Your contact list can take a day or so to fill in as adverts come around.
Optional: join shared hashtag channels (⋯ → Add Channel → Join a Hashtag Channel): #test, #weather, #emergency (real emergencies and prep only).
Can't hear anybody? Check that you picked the USA preset and that the antenna is snug, then try somewhere higher, like a window or upstairs. You may simply need a repeater nearby, so ask on Discord.
What's a repeater?
A repeater is a radio mounted up high, on a roof, tower, or tall building, that passes messages along for everybody nearby. You don't need one to start; your companion uses the repeaters that are already up. More repeaters means more coverage, so if you have a high spot, see Become a Repeater Host. (There are also room servers: little bulletin boards on the mesh that hold recent posts so you can catch up later.)
Pick your hardware
Buy the US 915 MHz version. For a companion, pick something with a good battery that you'll actually carry. All of these are in the official MeshCore flasher:
- Pocket radio: Seeed SenseCAP T1000-E (rugged, water-resistant, several-day battery, no screen).
- Also good: Seeed Wio Tracker L1 Pro, or LilyGo T-Deck Plus (keyboard and screen, so it can work without a phone).
Shopping for a repeater, or want to buy from a small US maker? See Small US builders and the bigger names on Become a Repeater Host.