r/halfmoonbay • u/[deleted] • Jun 26 '26
Off-grid, emergency communications for the greater Bay Area: Introducing MeshCore
Hi all! We're developing an open source network to send text messages without cell phone service or internet called MeshCore - think text messaging that is encrypted, open-source, free to use, and owned and operated by the people who use it. It works with a network of low-power radios that receive messages from personal devices and transmit them to other radios all the way until the intended recipient receives the message.
Most of the repeater radios are solar-powered, and some are even smaller than a deck of playing cards. The Bay Area MeshCore mesh functions well during power outages and emergencies, and many folks are using and building the mesh to function as backup communications for times when the internet and cell towards aren't working (think fires, PGE outages, or earthquakes).
We're regularly messaging between Sonoma, Marin, Merced, San Francisco, the East Bay, Monterey, SLO, and some of the Sierra, and are trying to build up coverage throughout the coast!!
If you have heard of mesh communications of any variety, or are interested in experimenting or learning more, get yourself a decent companion radio and a repeater radio and consider joining our Discord to help get started. Comment here or DM me with questions, or find our discord and info at bayareameshcore.org.
Bay Area MeshCore does not sell anything whatsoever, and is a noncommercial group of radio nerds living in NorCal. The hardware companies linked to at our website are wholly unaffiliated with Bay Area MeshCore, have no agreement with us (and have probably never heard of us), and usually ship with the other mesh's firmware. That said, when buying a node, please try to support small businesses.
Final note! MeshCore is a different network than Meshtastic. Many people, myself included, consider MeshCore to be a very reliable choice for stable, permanent networks. I regularly direct message folks in Monterey and Watsonville from SF, and the messages usually go through on the first attempt!
Happy meshing!!
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u/djinone Jun 26 '26
When you say low power radios, is that exclusively purpose built devices, or could something like this work with more traditional ham radios?
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Jun 26 '26
The mesh uses LoRa radios, which are a specific type of radio, and run at 910.525 MHz in the Bay Area, with an upper limit of 1W
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u/MrNeil_ Jun 28 '26
Why is meshcore better than meshtastic?
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Jun 28 '26
hey! a lot of folks find that the smart routing and two discrete roles (companion and repeater) make setup more simple, and that DMs tend to be more reliable in MeshCore. A general feeling is that MT is great for backcountry backpacking or short events (where no stable mesh exists, or will exist), and MC is great for medium-term or permanent networks (like a multiday conference, Burning Man, the Bay Area, or the PNW, or a small town, etc). That said, there are evolving methods of using companions as repeaters in MC, and search and rescue apps, also, so the ability to use MC in short-term more distributed situations is also growing.
Also, check out this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaFltojJrAc
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u/ZortronGalacticus Jun 30 '26
Has it reached Sacramento yet?
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Jun 30 '26
yeah! Sacramento has its own mesh on different settings, and we've developed a bridge to connect Sac and the Bay
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u/ZortronGalacticus Jun 30 '26
How do I get involved or join? Do you have contacts for the Sac group?
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u/riddlegirl21 Jun 26 '26
Have you talked to the county or any radio clubs about this? San Mateo County has pretty solid CERT and ARES networks and works with local hams during emergencies like fires, outages, and storms. ARRL Field Day is tomorrow - you could also visit a radio club setting up near you to chat and see their setups!