Long range (LoRa) mesh networks are interesting alternatives to communication, especially when state actors are blocking internet access for various reasons.
More details about meshtastic: https://meshtastic.org/
About its current state of encryption: https://meshtastic.org/docs/overview/encryption
The documentation is a little lacking. What exactly is the range of each decide? I see the record of 100+ miles but can I easily connect people within a few miles?
What exactly does this do? Is it just a messaging app?
Meshtastic allows to send text messages, sensor metrics and GPS coordinates to nodes in mesh. It’s like a walkie talkie but on steroids. Meshtastic have 2 components: 1 firmware, 2 software. You flash firmware onto device that’s compatible. You can then download software on your mobile phone (Android or iOS) there is also web UI that can be used on PC. You connect to the radio device using Bluetooth Wi-Fi or USB cable (depending on device some don’t have Wi-Fi but then they drain less power). Range varies vastly depending on many factors. Just like any radio device the antenna quality and position is everything. In practice if you have only 2 devices that are both mobile handheld by person the range will be depending on terrain about few miles. If you add another device the range and dependability improves. Meshtastic tries to send each message 3 times and if it doesn’t get ACK reply it will show message failed. You can setup radio to be a relay as well as store messages so that connecting nodes can still retrieve messages even when they originally missed the transmission. You can setup Jedi to be administered remotely (sending configuration through other radio).
Meshatastic supports encryption AES 128 and 256. The weakness is that if any of the radios where ever compromised adversary could get the key from the device and able to decrypt future communications. 100+ mile range can be achieved with terrain like elevated hill or mountain where there is line of sight. See docs https://meshtastic.org/docs/overview/range-tests I’ve read some use balloons to improve range during events. Both methods require dedicated relay node. Currently there is a limit to how many nodes you can have in the mesh.
Dude this is a great response. I’ve spent the last hour trying to piece together how it works and you nailed everything perfectly.
I’m a ham so familiar with radios and have been trying to setup some Wi-Fi links between friends but this seems a little more practical.
Is a few mile range possible with houses etc in the way? We’re all about a mile away from each other, although I may throw an antenna on top of my house (maybe 10m up)
If terrain is mostly flat and your antenna is somehow elevated you should be good. If you have more friends in neighborhood it will help as every radio relays messages in mesh by default. Ideal setup would be to have base station at home (terminal) and a handheld device connected to your mobile phone. So 2 devices per person. This way it’s more reliable. If you have HAM license you can use higher power device like this G1 https://meshtastic.org/docs/hardware/devices/station-g1/ The only thing is that you can’t legally use encryption with higher power transmission. In my experience the reliability of this setup varies. It works when users actively maintain and check Meshtastic app. If you have less technical users or users that just want things to work all the time, it may not be the best solution. I found sometimes radios disconnect from Bluetooth, specially when charging. Radio works but Bluetooth connection isn’t established. If you send message it will be received by radio and ACK’ed but person will not get it until connects to Meshtastic app and reestablish Bluetooth connection. Messages are visible on radio if they have display and are not in relay mode. This means that you don’t know for sure if message was read. For day to day use in normal urban setting I find it little finicky and not reliable enough. You have to carry additional device with you and antenna needs to be in good position. Some radios have built in antennas optimized for on body carry. This is just my experience and it will vary on people and situation. There is Nano explorer radio with dedicated notification bell that could be useful https://meshtastic.org/docs/hardware/devices/Nano Series/
This solution works best if you don’t have cellphone network reception and all users are actively checking status of their radios (charge, messages, connection to app). This fits perfect with recreational outdoor activities in remote areas. Search and rescue is very niche and unless you engage in such activities on regular basis it’s not something you need. It can also serve as a backup solution for emergencies (neighborhood watch/ prepping).
If you also considering Wi-Fi/intranet solution I recommend looking into Mikrotik wireless wire products. There is more equipment cost involved and it’s completely different use case as it’s stationary solution. https://mikrotik.com/products/group/60-ghz-products
