📖 Start Here — Getting Started Guide

Welcome to the Mesh America Wiki. This book is your launchpad — whether you're completely new to LoRa mesh networking or just want to orient yourself before diving deeper.

🚀 New? Start With These Three Pages

1. What is LoRa Mesh Networking? — The plain-English explanation of what this technology is and why it matters
2. MeshCore vs Meshtastic: Quick Decision Guide — Which platform is right for you? Answered in under 5 minutes
3. What You Need to Get Started — The minimum hardware and software to get on the mesh today

📚 What's In This Book

Understanding the Technology

• How LoRa Works — Chirp spread spectrum, range, and the physics behind it
• LoRa Range: Realistic Expectations — Actual ranges by terrain, antenna height, and preset
• LoRa vs LoRaWAN: What's the Difference?
• The 915 MHz ISM Band — Why this frequency and what the rules are

Your First Node

• Hardware Buyer's Guide for Beginners
• Where to Buy Hardware — Sources, prices, what to avoid
• Getting Your First Message Through: Meshtastic
• Getting Your First Message Through: MeshCore
• Day 1: Getting Your Node Online
• Day 2–7: Exploring the Mesh

Legal, Licensing, and Ham Radio

• FCC Part 15 Compliance for LoRa Mesh — No license needed, but here are the rules
• Getting Your Ham Radio License — Why it's useful even though it's not required
• Operating in Canada: ISED Rules

Comparing LoRa Mesh to Other Options

• LoRa Mesh vs Satellite Messengers (Garmin inReach, SPOT)
• LoRa Mesh vs FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios
• LoRa Mesh vs Ham Radio (VHF/UHF)

Maintaining Your Node

• Node Maintenance Schedule — Monthly, quarterly, and annual checks
• Total Cost of Ownership — What a mesh node actually costs over 5 years
• Updating Meshtastic Firmware
• Updating MeshCore Firmware

➡️ Where to Go Next