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Jestopher 1y ago

# Get Started with Meshtastic

1. Purchase compatible materials to construct your Meshtastic device from a retailer (Rokland, Amazon)

Device + battery + case + antenna

meshtastic.org/docs/hardware/devices/

store.rokland.com/

2. Assemble your device, ensuring that the antenna is connected before powering on the device.

(May require micro screwdrivers (or soldering, depending on hardware purchased))

3. Flash your device with the latest stable firmware using the Flasher in a compatible browser (like Chrome)

flasher.meshtastic.org/

4. Install Meshtastic app on iPhone or Android.

apps.apple.com/in/app/meshtastic/id1586432531

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.geeksville.mesh

5. Pair your Meshtastic app with your device via Bluetooth, or follow app instructions.

6. From the app: Set Region to US (if applicable), Select a device name, modify other settings as desired (power save off, for example) or per recommendations.

7. Send a test message to LongFast channel (public chat) and await confirmation/responses.

8. Have fun and learn lots!

#mesh #meshtastic #decentralization #communications #opensource

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Discussion

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Jestopher 1y ago

Ultra basic setup (may require separate 915 MHz antenna)

Fancy setup (will require separate 915 MHz antenna)

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hh 1y ago

I've been dying to try it for a while now, but in my case, I live in an apartment in very dense city center among tall, thick buildings, so getting line of sight to another node is basically impossible.

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Jestopher 1y ago

Line of sight is a nice to have, not a necessity. The best mitigation is having a higher density of nodes to relay messages.

They're so inexpensive, it's quite feasible and there may be a decent network around you already!

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hh 1y ago

If the map I saw the other day shows actual nodes, there is only ONE other node in the whole city of Barcelona.

I am more than willing to buy and set up a few to distribute them around my friends, but realistically will I get them to work without line of sight? I would need them to reach 10-15 km through all this concrete and steel.

https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/?lat=41.343824581185686&lng=362.1670532226563&zoom=10

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Shawn 1y ago

Why can’t steps 1-3 be one step? It should be “Step 1: buy hardware with software already installed”.

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Jestopher 1y ago

This is more hobbyist oriented stuff, so this is for people that like to build and customize.

Mass market products are more oriented to what you describe where you trust the manufacturer to do everything for you.

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banjo 1y ago

Been wanting to try this--are those two below your best hardware recommendations? Or are there any other setups you'd recommend?

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Jestopher 1y ago

Those are the only two that I've tried, so I can't speak to other devices. I'm very new but I'm having fun!