Companion Device Recommendations:

We really like the Seeed Wio Tracker L1 Pro running sosprz firmware.  It allows you to use the device standalone, but also with the app over bluetooth.

WisMesh Tag and Seeed T1000e "tracker" tags are the most durable/rugged every day carry devices available. (you can keep gps turned off).  Small, tiny, internal antenna is a downside but not an issue whatsoever if you are in an area of coverage.

GAT562's are very good.

There are 2 varieties of companion devices.  esp32 and nrf.  esp32 has more processor power and wifi abilities but it comes at the cost of battery life.  An esp32 device, running official meshcore firmware, will get a day or two on bluetooth with a 3000mah battery. nrf based companions you might get a week....now.....this isnt always a disadvantage for devices like the T-Deck.

Standalone devices like the T-Deck and T-Lora Pager we have found work best with official Ripple firmware. But there are some free firmware options that are giving it a run for its money.  (cairn/whaddamesh/mcterm)

Avoid devices with an e-ink screen even if it looks cool.

Some of our members build their own companion devices. The list of all compatible devices can be found on the Meshcore Flasher Tool page.

You mentioned we can help grow this network....

Yes that is right.  The software that runs on your companion device....the firmware.....comes in different flavors.   Companion, Repeater, and Room Server.  We've already talked about Companions getting you on the network.  Repeaters are how you grow it.  

A repeater does not connect to the app over bluetooth.  A repeater cannot be used to access the network.  When you put up a repeater it automatically will figure out who its neighbors are over time.  All the repeaters learn who is next to each other.  This is then leveraged by the companion devices to communicate.

Many people put repeaters in their garage rafters, attics, tv antenna towers, hospitals, roller skating rinks, you name it.  They are small. They can be built to operate on solar + battery only.  Premade options are available (look into elecrow)

Room Servers are like companions in terms of "mesh" function. They arent designed to expand the overall mesh......they are kind of like a bulletin board/forum page.  You can password protect your room server, and when someone logs in they receive the last 16 messages that were sent into it.

What settings do I use?

We have prepared this page for you.

How can I find coverage?

The absolute best resource we have for this is RFLab.io

Corescope shows you detailed packet information as it travels between repeaters and other devices.
MeshMapper gives you a pretty good idea of coverage.  We are in the ATW Appleton region.  Make sure you select it.

Coverage is very regional.  Dont expect to get a message through from Manitowoc to Chicago.  Yes, sometimes public channel messages will reach that far, but dont expect any reliable communication outside of the county....yet.  There will be a time when reaching Appleton/Sheboygan/Green Bay will become possible but it isnt there yet.

The official source for all things meshcore

meshcore.io is the official source of all things meshcore. 

In the early days there was a guy that tried to register this open source project as his own.  The details are irrelevant, just avoid the old Andy Kirby content - most of it is irrelevant now anyway