Meshtastic is an open-source project that turns inexpensive LoRa radios (typically $20–$50) into a peer-to-peer mesh communication network operating on the 915 MHz ISM band. No license is required, no internet, no cell towers — nodes communicate directly with each other and relay messages hop-by-hop across the network. It supports public broadcasts, encrypted private channels, direct messages, and GPS position sharing.
There is a whole community of people in Houston looking to expand the mesh network. If you have access/permission to place a repeater node on a high altitude area please let me know so we can coordinate placing a node.
Thank you.
Maybe I’m doing it wrong but no one responds when I send public messages from my node, with a repeater in range.
We are also looking for places to put nodes. San Antonio, Austin, New Braunfels, etc. I’d like to see both Meshtastic and Meshcore nodes at the same sites.
Id like to set up a meshcore system in our small community 100 miles down the road from Houston.
Citld you provide learning info on setting up a meshcore and/or mestastuc system that goes us to Houston area.
It all depends on your altitude and los, send me a email at abdulrreh2009@gmail.com and we can talk about it.
I have a few nodes I've been playing with and literally just now
ordered some "better" stuff to put outside and high up. I'm just east
of Cut and Shoot and have expressed my willingness to help support
ARES especially with the east end of MOCO. So add me to the list!
(Wait, that's why I'm reading this already haha).
Joshua Harper GCFE GCFA GSEC GPEN GMOB PI (Ret).
The Woodlands, TX
I have a node configured as router at the top of a 150ft tower in Stagecoach (Near Magnolia) running continuously on solar.
Are we using the usual LongFast public channel on unlicensed or ham mode?
73,
Mitchell Boughter
KJ5GZR
Montgomery County ARES
mitchellbdino@icloud.com
281-709-8786
I’m in magnolia too, haven’t caught your node yet. Long fast but no ham mode because encryption isn’t allowed in ham mode. At least that’s what I’m on.
Mitch
Is it set up as meshcore or mestastic?
Kristen
I understand. I get similar responses with the crhrc repeater network when everyone’s working during the day.
It’s Meshtastic, I want to add MeshCore but concerned about interference issues.
73,
Mitchell BoughterKJ5GZR
Montgomery County ARES
mitchellbdino@icloud.com
281-709-8786
I’ve been seeing more folks going meshcore but I’m too new to know why…could be lack of use or just lack of interest.
Regardless, I’ve used Both the 2.4 G and 5 G Bullets with good results but that was many years ago.
Can you take this discussion somewhere else please. I don’t need my email clogged up with this discussion. Thanks!
Sounds good lets move over to the digital comms one.
From what I understand, if a bunch of hams specifically wanted to set
up a mesh network (something I'd participate in) then Meshcore would
be better. My understanding is that Meshcore designed so that the
"routers" act as the switching / routing and "clients" talk to the
routers. This is more in line with the way we do things as hams -
repeater that may or may not be linked with other repeaters. And
since we'd be more likely to set things up as "base stations," put
things up onto towers, etc.... as well as hopefully having some
concept of things like "repeater coordination."
Meshtastic appears to suffer especially when too many people are on
it, since generally all devices act as mini repeaters.
Meshtastic is more popular than Meshcore - fine. GMRS and CB and Cell
phones are more popular with the public than ham radio.... popularity
doesn't influence my view, and I don't mind a ham-only system.
Again these are views based upon my research, and I could be mistaken.
Joshua Harper GCFE GCFA GSEC GPEN GMOB PI (Ret).
The Woodlands, TX
Welp apparently I don't have a password in order to join a completely
different group just to continue a conversation.
Joshua Harper GCFE GCFA GSEC GPEN GMOB PI (Ret).
The Woodlands, TX
By the way, meshtastic does have a ham mode which would give us 10w of power, but no encryption.
You’re definitely close enough if you aren’t in new Magnolia, these are my nodes: 
73,
Mitchell BoughterKJ5GZR
Montgomery County ARES
mitchellbdino@icloud.com
281-709-8786