Meshtastic

I’ve been messing around with LoRa and Meshtastic lately. It’s been a fun break from the usual Proxmox and Docker projects.

I picked up a few Heltec v3 ESP32 modules to test out. They’re inexpensive and straightforward. The stock cases were pretty bad, so I 3D printed this H1 case instead. It’s a much better fit and feels a lot more solid than the original plastic.

The tech is interesting because it’s a decentralized, encrypted text network that doesn’t rely on cell towers or Wi-Fi. You can send direct messages to a peer or broadcast to a wider mesh. I’ve been trying to connect with a friend who lives several miles away, and we finally got a reliable link established. It works well, especially considering it’s just radio waves traveling through the air.

It’s a good project if you want to experiment with RF technology. It pairs well with a decent GMRS radio setup, making for a functional off-grid communication system. If you’re looking for something different to tinker with, it’s worth picking up a few modules to see what kind of range you can get.

If you want to start building your own nodes, you can find the documentation and firmware here: https://meshtastic.org/