BFGNeil BlogMeshtastic is an open-source LoRa mesh network that lets devices pass messages across long distances without mobile data or Wi-Fi. Instead of relying on one central connection, each node can relay traffic for nearby nodes, making the network more resilient as coverage grows.
Here you will find my Meshtastic guides and real-world notes on what works, what does not, and how to build a dependable local mesh for hiking, off-grid use, and day-to-day communication experiments.
Featured Article
If you’re searching for what Meshtastic is, how Meshtastic works, or whether it’s worth getting into, this guide covers everything you need to know.
By BFGNeil on 5/1/2026
Getting more range from your Meshtastic node comes down to three things: a better antenna, more height, and understanding what the radio signal actually has to deal with.
By BFGNeil on 5/2/2026
Meshtastic works without the internet, without a mobile network, and without any central infrastructure at all. Here is how that is possible and what it means for how you use it.
By BFGNeil on 5/2/2026
LoRa is the radio technology. Meshtastic is software that runs on top of it. They are not competing options, they are layers of the same stack, and knowing how they relate helps you understand what Meshtastic actually is.
By BFGNeil on 5/2/2026
Meshtastic itself is free, open-source software. But you do need hardware to run it, and that costs money. Here is exactly what you need to get started and what it will set you back.
By BFGNeil on 5/2/2026
This is the first question everyone asks when talking about meshtastic.Not "what hardware do I need" or "how do I set it up." Just — how far does this thing actually go?
By BFGNeil on 5/2/2026
Meshtastic lets you send messages without a phone signal, Wi-Fi, or any central infrastructure. Here is how off-grid messaging actually works, from the hardware in your hand to the network it creates.
By BFGNeil on 5/2/2026
Meshtastic messages do not just travel in a straight line from one device to another. They hop through a network of nodes, and understanding how that works explains both what Meshtastic can do and where its limits are.
By BFGNeil on 5/2/2026
Poor Meshtastic range is one of the most common complaints from new users, and it is almost always fixable. Here are the real reasons your signal is falling short and what to do about them.
By BFGNeil on 5/2/2026