# 📖 Start Here — FAQ Guide

This book answers the most common questions about LoRa mesh networking, MeshCore, and Meshtastic. Use the sections below to jump straight to what you need.

## 🔍 Most Asked Questions

- [MeshCore or Meshtastic - which should I choose?](/books/faq/page/meshcore-or-meshtastic-which-should-i-choose)
- [Do I need an amateur radio license?](/books/faq/page/do-i-need-an-amateur-radio-license)
- [How far can my node reach?](/books/faq/page/how-far-can-my-node-reach)
- [Which board should I buy as a beginner?](/books/faq/page/which-board-should-i-buy-as-a-beginner)
- [Is Meshtastic encrypted? Can anyone read my messages?](/books/faq/page/is-meshtastic-encrypted-can-anyone-read-my-messages)

## 📚 FAQ Categories

### 🔧 Troubleshooting - Something's Not Working

- [My node cannot connect to others](/books/faq/page/my-node-cannot-connect-to-others)
- [My messages are not getting through](/books/faq/page/my-messages-are-not-getting-through)
- [My battery drains too fast](/books/faq/page/my-battery-drains-too-fast)
- [My solar node keeps going offline](/books/faq/page/my-solar-node-keeps-going-offline)
- [My node is flooding the channel with repeated messages](/books/faq/page/my-node-is-flooding-the-channel-with-repeated-messages)
- [RF interference is affecting my node - how do I diagnose it?](/books/faq/page/rf-interference-is-affecting-my-node-how-do-i-diagnose-it)

### ⚙️ Hardware Questions

- [Which board should I buy as a beginner?](/books/faq/page/which-board-should-i-buy-as-a-beginner)
- [Why isn't my GPS getting a fix?](/books/faq/page/why-isnt-my-gps-getting-a-fix)
- [Can I use my node inside my house or vehicle?](/books/faq/page/can-i-use-my-node-inside-my-house-or-vehicle)
- [Do I need an external antenna?](/books/faq/page/do-i-need-an-external-antenna)

### 🔋 Solar and Power Questions

- [How big a solar panel do I need?](/books/faq/page/how-big-a-solar-panel-do-i-need)
- [Why does my solar node keep dying at night?](/books/faq/page/why-does-my-solar-node-keep-dying-at-night)
- [What battery chemistry should I use outdoors?](/books/faq/page/what-battery-chemistry-should-i-use-outdoors)

### 📡 Networking and Range Questions

- [How many hops can a message travel?](/books/faq/page/how-many-hops-can-a-message-travel)
- [Why do I see duplicate messages?](/books/faq/page/why-do-i-see-duplicate-messages)
- [What is channel utilization and why does it matter?](/books/faq/page/what-is-channel-utilization-and-why-does-it-matter)

### 🔐 Security and Privacy Questions

- [Is Meshtastic encrypted? Can anyone read my messages?](/books/faq/page/is-meshtastic-encrypted-can-anyone-read-my-messages)
- [Who can see my location on the mesh?](/books/faq/page/who-can-see-my-location-on-the-mesh)
- [Can I trust MeshCore encryption for sensitive communications?](/books/faq/page/can-i-trust-meshcore-encryption-for-sensitive-communications)

### 🤝 Community Questions

- [How do I find other mesh users in my area?](/books/faq/page/how-do-i-find-other-mesh-users-in-my-area)
- [How do I start a mesh network where there are none?](/books/faq/page/how-do-i-start-a-mesh-network-where-there-are-none)
- [Can I use Meshtastic or MeshCore for commercial purposes?](/books/faq/page/can-i-use-meshtastic-or-meshcore-for-commercial-purposes)

### 🏠 MeshCore-Specific Questions

- [What is the difference between a Repeater and Room Client in MeshCore?](/books/faq/page/what-is-the-difference-between-a-repeater-and-room-client-in-meshcore)
- [How do I connect to a MeshCore room server from the app?](/books/faq/page/how-do-i-connect-to-a-meshcore-room-server-from-the-app)

### 💾 Firmware and Software Questions

- [How do I update my Meshtastic firmware?](/books/faq/page/how-do-i-update-my-meshtastic-firmware)
- [What Meshtastic firmware version should I run?](/books/faq/page/what-meshtastic-firmware-version-should-i-run)
- [How do I factory reset my node?](/books/faq/page/how-do-i-factory-reset-my-node)

## 📖 Full Reference

- [Glossary of Mesh Networking Terms](/books/faq/page/glossary-of-mesh-networking-terms) - Definitions for every term used in this wiki
- [MeshCore Official FAQ](/books/faq/chapter/meshcore-official-faq) - Adapted from official MeshCore documentation; some entries have been edited or paraphrased and may not match the current upstream docs verbatim. Check the official MeshCore docs for the authoritative version.