The photo above shows several small radio devices sitting on my window sill. These are Heltec ESP32 boards with LoRa that I use to experiment with Meshtastic and MeshCore, both open source communication projects. LoRa stands for Long Range and is a wireless radio technology designed to send small amounts of data over very long distances using very little power. It is commonly used in IoT devices, sensors, and mesh communication systems because it can reach miles away while running on small batteries for extended periods of time. A few of them run all day and night to keep my local mesh network active. You can also see a Raspberry Pi 4 that runs an ADS B flight tracking server and powers one of my Heltec V4 boards at the same time.
Lora Communication Tools
Meshtastic and MeshCore are open source projects that turn small LoRa radio devices into long range communication tools. Instead of relying on cellular towers or traditional internet infrastructure, these systems create decentralized mesh networks where each device can relay messages for others. As long as there are nearby nodes, messages can travel across neighborhoods, cities, and even across state lines.
People use Meshtastic and MeshCore for off grid communication, emergency preparedness, outdoor adventures, community networking, and hands on experimentation with digital radio technology. They are powerful examples of how low cost hardware and open source software can be combined to build independent communication networks that grow stronger as more devices join.
I have been testing different Heltec versions including V2, V3, and V4. The V4 boards are easily the strongest and most reliable in my setup. To improve range, I added better antennas and modified the original cases by drilling small holes so the antennas could mount securely on the top or side. Some of the devices also have small lithium batteries inside so they can run without being plugged in. I even 3D printed a few custom cases to make them cleaner and more portable.
Networking Takes Time
One thing I have learned about Meshtastic is that building a network takes patience. When you leave a device running 24 hours a day, it slowly discovers nearby nodes. In my area, it may only find one or two new devices per day. Over time though, my nodes have connected with devices across multiple states and even into Canada. You can send public messages to everyone on the network, create private channels, or send direct messages to specific users, all within hop limits that control how far messages travel. It is exciting to watch the network slowly grow and become more connected.
I am also exploring MeshCore, which seems to work best with more repeaters and planned coverage. I am still learning how to get the most out of it. Overall, this has become a fun hands on way to learn about digital radio communication, LoRa technology, ESP32 development, and mesh networking. I enjoy building the hardware, testing signals, and slowly expanding my own small communication network.
