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LoRa stands for "Long Range." It is a radio modulation technique from Semtech that enables very long range wireless communication at very low power, at the cost of low data rates - the physical layer beneath Meshtastic and MeshCore. How it works LoRa uses chir...

Both use the same LoRa radio chips but operate completely differently. This is the most common source of newcomer confusion. LoRaWAN A hub-and-spoke network designed for IoT sensors reporting to the cloud. End devices transmit to fixed gateways; gateways forwa...

When two nodes are too far apart to communicate directly, intermediate nodes relay the message. Meshtastic and MeshCore solve this differently. Flooding (Meshtastic) When a node receives a new packet it rebroadcasts it once - unless it first hears another node...

Safety first Erecting and climbing masts is hazardous. Before any mast work: Overhead power lines: Keep the mast's full fall radius clear of power lines - allow a clearance of at least the mast length plus 10 ft in every direction. A falling or tipping mast ...

SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) measures how well your antenna is matched to the 50-ohm feedline impedance. A well-matched antenna transfers all power to the air; a mismatched antenna reflects some power back.SWR valuesSWRReflected PowerAssessment1.0:10%Perfect (the...

At 915 MHz, cable loss is significant. A long run of cheap coax can negate the benefit of a quality antenna upgrade. This is the canonical loss table for the book; all values are at 915 MHz, sourced from manufacturer datasheets (Times Microwave for LMR types) ...

A monopole antenna (vertical rod) radiates efficiently only when paired with a ground plane - a conducting surface that acts as the electrical other half of the antenna.What counts as a ground planeVehicle roof: Excellent. A metal roof is an ideal ground plane...

Work through these checks in order.Verify antenna is connected. Most common cause. Never transmit without an antenna attached - it can permanently damage the radio's power amplifier (the PA, the transmit chip).Verify modem preset matches. Two nodes on differen...

First: identify the failure modeNode visible in list but messages do not arrive: routing or range issueNode does not appear in list at all: preset, channel, or range issue (see previous page)Hop limit too lowIf your hop limit is set to 1, you can only reach no...

Step 1: Measure actual power drawUse a USB inline power meter to measure real current draw. This immediately shows whether you have a software config problem or a hardware issue.Expected draw by hardwareThe figures below are approximate field measurements and ...

Systematic diagnosis in order of likelihood:Undersized battery or panel. Goes offline at night or on cloudy days? Review the Solar System Sizing Guide and resize.Panel obstruction. Bird droppings, snow, or vegetation growth. Verify the panel is clean with clea...

Short answer: No Meshtastic and MeshCore operate in the 902–928 MHz ISM band under FCC Part 15 rules (47 CFR § 15.247 and related provisions). No amateur radio license is required for standard operation in the United States — meaning the device as configured b...

Range varies enormously by terrain, antenna height, modem preset, and local conditions.Realistic rangesThe figures below are approximate field estimates gathered from community experience, not hardware specifications or guaranteed numbers. Actual range depends...

Both are excellent. Choose based primarily on what your local community already uses. Don't pick a protocol solely on technical merits (routing efficiency, encryption) if it means being alone on the mesh - community presence matters more.Choose Meshtastic if:Y...