# Coverage Planning Tools Overview

## Coverage Planning Tools Overview

Before deploying hardware, use these tools to estimate coverage, find line-of-sight paths, and identify gaps in your network. Most are free and browser-based.

### MeshCore-Specific Tools

<table id="bkmrk-toolurlwhat-it-does-"> <thead><tr><th>Tool</th><th>URL</th><th>What It Does</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>**[NoDakMesh](https://wiki.meshamerica.com/books/north-american-networks/page/nodakmesh) Node Planner**</td> <td>[nodakmesh.org/tools/node-planner](https://nodakmesh.org/tools/node-planner)</td> <td>Satellite + topographic map with line-of-sight analysis and live MeshCore node visibility. Best starting point for North American planning.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>**MeshCore Live Map**</td> <td>[map.meshcore.io](https://map.meshcore.io)</td> <td>Live worldwide visualization of MeshCore nodes that have reported their location.</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

### Meshtastic Tools

<table id="bkmrk-toolurlwhat-it-does--1"> <thead><tr><th>Tool</th><th>URL</th><th>What It Does</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>**Meshtastic Site Planner**</td> <td>[site.meshtastic.org](https://site.meshtastic.org)</td> <td>Estimates theoretical RF coverage from a location using terrain data. Enter coordinates and antenna height.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>**Meshtastic World Map**</td> <td>[meshmap.net](https://meshmap.net)</td> <td>Real-time map of Meshtastic nodes worldwide that report to the public MQTT broker.</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

### General RF Planning Tools

<table id="bkmrk-toolurlwhat-it-does--2"> <thead><tr><th>Tool</th><th>URL</th><th>What It Does</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>**HeyWhatsThat**</td> <td>[heywhatsthat.com](https://heywhatsthat.com)</td> <td>Radio horizon visualization using terrain elevation data. Enter a location and see what is visible from that point.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>**Radio Mobile Online**</td> <td>[radiomobileonline.pe1mew.nl](https://radiomobileonline.pe1mew.nl)</td> <td>Advanced RF propagation modeling with configurable transmit power, antenna gain, and receiver sensitivity. Supports point-to-point and coverage area analysis.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>**SCADACore RF Line-of-Sight**</td> <td>[scadacore.com](https://scadacore.com)</td> <td>RF line-of-sight tool for quick path analysis between two coordinates.</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

### Planning Workflow

1. **Check existing nodes:** Start with map.meshcore.io or meshmap.net to see what already exists near your target area.
2. **Identify candidate sites:** Use heywhatsthat.com to find hilltops, buildings, or towers with broad radio horizons.
3. **Model the path:** Use Radio Mobile or the NoDakMesh node planner to estimate signal strength on key links.
4. **Validate with MeshMapper:** After deployment, use MeshMapper wardriving to map actual measured coverage (see [MeshMapper Wardriving Guide](https://wiki.meshamerica.com/books/network-planning/page/meshmapper-wardriving-guide)).