How To/Documentation

Meshtastic is “An open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on affordable, low-power devices” (from Meshtastic.org). A slightly longer explaination would be that Meshtastic uses inexpensive, low powered radio devices to build a mesh based network where users can communicate with one another. The network requires no internet connectivity and is free and open for all to use. The software that the network is based on is 100% open source. Here in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts there are anywhere from 50 to 100 stations on the air at any given time. Some stations from as far away as southern New Hampshire and central Connecticut are frequently part of the mesh. In the Pioneer Valley there are several router stations positioned on mountain tops to facilitate communications through much of the valley and beyond.

Most users are pairing a small battery powered radio device with Bluetooth to their phone and using an Android or iPhone app to commuicate with the radio. Others power fixed radios from commercial power or solar panels.

The mesh here in the Pioneer Valley started with a couple of folks trying out the system for fun and as more people started discovering it things took off. The pvmesh.org website is here to help bring folks together and provide some detail on how well things are working.

Here you find a collection of documents that we hope will get you started using Meshtastic here in the Pioneer Valley. Select from topics shown in the left menu. If you have suggestions for topics on this page or documentation to share please send them along.