Deploy a node
Everything you need to get your own MeshCore node on the air — pick the right hardware, flash the firmware, attach the antenna, and join the TriMesh Network mesh. Plan on about 15–30 minutes from box to first message.
Choose your role
Every MeshCore node does exactly one job, and the job is set by the firmware you flash. Decide which fits before you start.
Most people start with a companion, then add a repeater or room server once they want to extend the mesh. The hardware is often the same inexpensive LoRa board — only the firmware changes. Not sure? Start as a companion. You can always re-flash the same board later.
Companion
Pick this to send and read messages. It pairs to your phone over Bluetooth and runs alongside a MeshCore app. It does not relay other people’s traffic — it ignores packets not meant for it, saving battery and keeping the airwaves clean. The right choice for most people getting started.
Repeater
Pick this to extend everyone’s range. A repeater is pure infrastructure: it forwards packets toward their destination using smart routing, not blind flooding. Mount it high and power it from solar or continuous USB. It carries no messages of its own.
Room Server
Pick this if your group needs store-and-forward messaging. It holds messages for people who are offline and delivers them (up to 32 previously unseen messages per login) when they reconnect. It can also act as a repeater at the same time.
What you need
A short shopping list. Most of it is inexpensive and reusable across roles. Prices below are ballpark figures to set expectations, not official pricing.
A supported LoRa board
MeshCore runs on many common boards — Heltec V3, RAK WisBlock (RAK4631), Seeed Studio devices, and various LilyGO boards. Roughly $20–40. US users must buy the 915 MHz (902–928 MHz) version, not 868 MHz.
The correct antenna for your region
In the US, a 915 MHz LoRa antenna with the right connector (commonly SMA or u.FL/IPEX). The antenna that ships with a board is fine to start; upgrade later for range. Never run the radio without one.
USB or solar power
A companion charges and runs from a normal USB cable and battery. A repeater or room server runs 24/7, so plan for continuous USB power or a solar panel plus battery sized for your location.
An outdoor enclosure (for repeaters)
Anything mounted outside needs weatherproofing. Use a sealed, IP-rated enclosure with cable glands, keep connectors dry, and route the antenna through a proper gland. A wet board is a dead board.
A phone (for companion use)
An Android or iOS phone running the official MeshCore app (free on the App Store and Google Play, built by community developer Liam Cottle). It pairs to your companion over Bluetooth. A web client also exists.
Deploy your node, step by step
Follow these in order. Steps 1–5 apply to every role. After that, follow step 6 for a companion or step 7 for a repeater, then finish with step 8.
Pick supported hardware
Confirm your board is on the MeshCore supported list and that it’s the 915 MHz variant for the US. Note the exact model — you’ll match it precisely in the flasher. New to this? A Heltec V3 is a common, well-documented, low-cost starter board.
Attach the antenna first
Before anything else, screw on or clip in your 915 MHz antenna while the board is unpowered. Transmitting without an antenna reflects RF energy back into the radio and can permanently damage the LoRa chip. Antenna on, then power. No exceptions.
Flash MeshCore firmware
Open the official MeshCore web flasher (flasher.meshcore.io) in Chrome or Edge — it uses Web Serial. Connect the board with a USB data cable, not charge-only. Select the firmware that matches your exact board and variant. Flashing the wrong target is the most common mistake — slow down and match it precisely.
Select your region and frequency
Choose the US region preset — in MeshCore this is the “USA/Canada (Recommended)” setting, which operates in the 902–928 MHz band. The preset sets frequency, bandwidth, spreading factor, and coding rate for you. Everyone on the same mesh must share the same radio settings.
Set node name and role
Give your node a clear name (a callsign, or a location like NW-Hilltop). Confirm the role you flashed. Repeaters and room servers are administered remotely with an admin password — set one you’ll remember.
Companion: pair over Bluetooth & send a first message
Install the MeshCore app (free on the App Store or Google Play), enable Bluetooth, and select your node by name to pair — if prompted for a code, the default is 123456. Add a contact or join your group channel and send a test message. A delivery checkmark means you’re on the mesh.
Repeater: place it high, power it, verify it appears
Mount the repeater as high as you reasonably can — rooftop, mast, or hilltop — with the antenna vertical. Power it from continuous USB or solar-plus-battery. Then confirm it joined the mesh: from a companion within range, check that it shows up in your node list.
Confirm connectivity
Do a real end-to-end test. Send a message to a node you know is reachable and wait for the delivery confirmation. For a repeater, the proof is that traffic reaches nodes that couldn’t reach each other before. Once messages flow, your node is live on TriMesh Network.
Placement tips for repeaters
Where you put a repeater matters far more than how powerful it is. A modest radio up high beats a strong radio down low almost every time.
Height beats power
Get the antenna as high as you safely can — above rooflines, trees, and terrain. Elevation buys range no amount of transmit power can replace.
Clear line-of-sight
Aim for an unobstructed path toward the area you want to serve. A hilltop or tall structure with open sightlines is ideal.
Weatherproof everything
Outdoor nodes need a sealed, IP-rated enclosure, cable glands, and dry connectors. Water intrusion is the number-one killer of outdoor radios.
Choose the right antenna
Use a quality 915 MHz antenna, mounted vertically. A modest gain upgrade over the stock whip often makes a real difference. Keep coax runs short.
Size solar for the worst week
Going solar? Size the panel and battery for your cloudiest stretch and shortest winter days, not a sunny afternoon. Oversize a little.
Got a high spot?
A rooftop or hilltop you can host a solar repeater on is the single most valuable thing you can offer the mesh. Tell us about it.
Offer a repeater siteTroubleshooting & next steps
Most first-time issues come down to a handful of causes. Run through these before assuming hardware failure.
Flasher won't see the board
Use Chrome or Edge, and make sure you're using a USB data cable, not a charge-only one. Try a different cable or port, and confirm you selected the correct board target.
Phone won't pair
Confirm you flashed Companion firmware (a repeater won't pair as a chat device), enable Bluetooth, and try the default pairing code 123456 if prompted. Toggle Bluetooth off and on, or restart the app.
No messages getting through
Make sure every node shares the same region preset and radio settings — a mismatch means nodes simply can't hear each other. Re-check that you're on the US 'USA/Canada (Recommended)' setting.
Repeater isn't extending range
Revisit placement: get higher, improve line-of-sight, and verify it shows up from a companion within range. Confirm it has steady power and the antenna is firmly attached.
How do I get help and grow the mesh?
Share your node, ask questions, and coordinate coverage with the community. Once your first node is solid, consider adding a repeater or room server to strengthen the network where you live.
Node on the air? Come say hello.
Introduce yourself, find nodes near you, and help map coverage. Every operator makes the network stronger.