Imagine a world where you can text your friends, even when the internet and cell towers are down. That's the promise of off-grid, decentralized communication, and it's what [Michael Lynch] set out to explore with MeshCore. He dove into this fascinating area, and his experiences offer valuable insights for anyone curious about taking their communications off the grid.
[Michael], a software developer with a hardware interest, got his hands on various devices, including a Heltec V3 board with MeshCore firmware (accessed via Bluetooth), a standalone SenseCAP T-1000e device, and a Lilygo T-Deck+ (resembling a Blackberry). All of these devices utilize MeshCore, which is built on and compatible with Meshtastic, a framework previously highlighted.
The first two devices function as MeshCore gateways, connecting to your phone via Bluetooth. The T-Deck, however, is a standalone device with a screen and keypad. But what was it like to actually use these devices?
One of the biggest hurdles [Michael] encountered was the onboarding process, which he found surprisingly difficult and unclear. The documentation, he noted, seemed to be written for those already deeply familiar with the project. This is a common pain point in the tech world, isn't it?
He also learned some important lessons about the technology behind it all. LoRa, the technology enabling long-range, low-power communication, is amazing in theory. But here's where it gets controversial... to achieve those impressive ranges, you need good antennas and a clear line of sight. In a typical urban environment, this translates to a much shorter range. [Michael] found a maximum range of about five blocks between two devices.
Of course, you could improve the range by using repeaters or having more devices in range. But that's where [Michael] drew the line. He wasn't a radio expert and wasn't ready to invest in repeaters without a clear understanding of where to place them and what performance gains to expect.
And this is the part most people miss... perhaps the most surprising discovery was that MeshCore isn't entirely open source. While some parts are open, the official clients, including the mobile apps, web app, and T-Deck firmware, are not. This was a significant disappointment for [Michael], who, as a software developer, wanted to contribute to improving the user experience on the T-Deck but found the firmware proprietary.
So, what's the verdict? [Michael]'s takeaway is that the concept is fantastic and accessible (hardware is relatively inexpensive, and there are no licensing fees for LoRa). However, it's not quite ready for prime time if you're hoping to quickly set up a reliable communication system for friends, especially without investing in repeaters to ensure connectivity.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with [Michael]'s assessment? Have you tried off-grid communication solutions? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below! What do you think about the fact that some parts of MeshCore are not open source?
