See it live

Get on the mesh in an evening

You need a small LoRa radio, a phone, and about an hour. No licence, no subscription.

  1. Step 1

    Pick a radio

    A Heltec V4 is the easiest first device. Planning a solar repeater? Start with a RAK4631.

  2. Step 2

    Flash MeshCore

    In Chrome or Edge with the MeshCore web flasher. Choose Companion firmware for your first device.

  3. Step 3

    Set the EU/UK Narrow preset

    869.618 MHz, SF8, BW62.5, CR8 — every node must match, or you'll hear nothing.

  4. Step 4

    Say hello

    Join #ireland or #mayo — the Public channel is busy with traffic from the UK.

MeshCore is an open-source, off-grid mesh radio network built on LoRa technology. It lets you send encrypted messages across kilometres of countryside — no mobile signal, no internet, no subscription. Nodes relay messages through each other, so the more people who join, the further the network reaches.

What you need

Hardware

You need a LoRa radio device compatible with MeshCore firmware. The most widely used and recommended options are:

Device Notes Approx. price
Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3 Best beginner choice. Widely available, easy to flash, built-in display. €25–35
Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V4 Upgraded V3 with higher RF output. Recommended over V3 for new purchases. €30–40
RAK WisBlock 4631 nRF52840-based. Excellent power efficiency — the best choice for solar or battery-powered permanent installations. €40–60
LilyGO T-Deck Plus Standalone device with physical keyboard and screen. No phone needed. €80–110

For a first device, the Heltec V4 is the easiest starting point. If you’re planning a fixed repeater running off solar, start with the RAK4631 instead.

You can source any of these from AliExpress, Mouser, or Amazon. Always buy from a seller that ships with an antenna included, or buy an 868 MHz antenna separately — never power the device on without an antenna connected, as this can permanently damage the LoRa radio chip.

A phone or computer

Android gives you the most complete experience. iOS works but with some Bluetooth limitations.

Step 1: Flash the firmware

MeshCore firmware is installed using the browser-based web flasher — no command line required.

  1. Open Chrome or Edge (other browsers won’t work — Web Serial is required)
  2. Go to the MeshCore Web Flasher
  3. Plug your device in via USB using a data cable (charge-only cables won’t work)
  4. Put the device into bootloader/flash mode:
    • Heltec V3/V4: hold the BOOT button, press and release RST, then release BOOT
    • RAK4631: double-tap the reset button — it will appear as a USB drive
  5. Select your device from the list and choose Companion firmware (this is what you want for your first device)
  6. Click Flash and wait for it to complete

Tip: If your device isn’t recognised on Windows, you may need to install a driver first. Heltec V3 uses the CP210x driver; Heltec V4 uses the CH340 driver. Both are freely available from the manufacturer.

Step 2: Configure for Ireland

This is the most important part. All nodes on the same network must use identical radio settings — if these don’t match, devices cannot hear each other.

Ireland uses the EU/UK Narrow preset:

Parameter Value
Frequency 869.618 MHz
Spreading factor SF8
Bandwidth BW62.5
Coding rate CR8
Preset name EU/UK Narrow

After flashing, open the MeshCore Configurator or the companion app and apply these settings. Most firmware versions let you simply select the EU/UK Narrow preset from a dropdown, which sets all parameters automatically.

Also set:

  • Node name — choose something identifiable (your callsign if you’re licensed, or a location-based name)
  • GPS coordinates — so your node appears correctly on the network map

Transmit power: see Irish radio settings for the legal limits. Most devices default to a safe level, but check your TX power if you’re attaching a high-gain antenna — antenna gain counts towards the limit.

Step 3: Connect via the app

  1. Open the MeshCore Companion app on your phone (or the web app)
  2. Enable Bluetooth on your phone and tap Scan for devices
  3. Select your node from the list
  4. The app will pair and connect

You should now see your node on the app’s map view. It may take a few minutes for nearby repeaters to advertise themselves to you.

To actively search for local repeaters, go to Tools → Discover Nearby Nodes → Discover Repeaters.

Step 4: Say hello

The Public channel shows everything, but a lot of packets bounce over from the UK, so you may get lost in the noise. For best results, join a hashtag channel like #ireland or #mayo.

Connecting to the Irish network

Mayo Mesh operates a number of repeater nodes across Connacht, providing coverage across Mayo and linking into the broader Irish mesh. Active repeater sites include hilltop locations in west Mayo, giving line-of-sight coverage across significant parts of the county. Coverage continues to grow as more nodes come online.

See live network activity:

  • Live map — packets moving between repeaters, right now
  • Network map — node positions, link paths, and signal data
  • CoreScope — live packet analyser for traffic across the Irish mesh
  • Coverage — modelled line-of-sight coverage from known repeaters
  • MQTT feed: wss://mqtt.mayomesh.net — for advanced users and integrations (feed it your own observer)

If you’re in Mayo or Connacht and your device is configured correctly, you should be able to reach at least one repeater without needing your own fixed infrastructure.

Node types explained

MeshCore uses three distinct roles, each a separate firmware build:

Companion — your personal device. Paired with your phone via Bluetooth. Sends and receives messages. This is what you flash for your first device.

Repeater — extends network coverage by relaying messages between other nodes. Typically deployed at height (hilltop, rooftop) and left running unattended. Does not need a phone attached.

Room Server — stores and forwards group messages. Members who were offline catch up on messages when they reconnect. Usually run alongside a repeater.

Start with Companion firmware. Once you’re comfortable with the network, setting up a repeater at a good location is the single biggest contribution you can make to expanding Irish coverage — see Setting txdelay on a repeater.

Troubleshooting

My device isn’t detected by the flasher Check you’re using Chrome or Edge (not Firefox or Safari), that it’s a data cable not a charge-only cable, and that the device is correctly in bootloader mode. On Windows, confirm the correct driver is installed.

I can’t hear any repeaters Verify your frequency and radio settings match the EU/UK Narrow preset exactly. A mismatch of even one parameter means you’ll hear nothing. Also check your antenna is properly connected and is rated for 868 MHz.

My node appears on the map in the wrong location Set your GPS coordinates manually in the configurator — a Companion node without GPS hardware needs its location set statically.

I’m getting poor range Antenna quality and height matter far more than transmit power. Moving a device from ground level to a first-floor window can double effective range. A proper 868 MHz dipole or collinear will outperform the small stub antenna that ships with most devices.

Getting help

If you’re building infrastructure in Mayo or Connacht, get in touch — coordination on repeater placement makes a big difference to overall coverage.