South City Mesh FAQ

Welcome to the South City Mesh community in South San Francisco! This FAQ aims to help newcomers understand mesh networking, the technologies behind it, and how to get started.

Our Mission and Philosophy

Q: What is South City Mesh?
A: South City Mesh is a community-driven initiative to build resilient, off-grid communication networks in South San Francisco. We are not aligned with any single technology, vendor, or product. Our goal is to empower our neighbors with reliable emergency communications using open standards and open-source tools — regardless of which brand or platform you choose.

Q: Why aren't you just a "Meshtastic group" or a "Meshcore group"?
A: Because no single product will always be the best fit for every person or every situation. The mesh networking space is evolving fast, with projects like Meshtastic, Meshcore, and others all pushing the boundaries of what's possible. We believe in open standards, interoperability, and community choice. We'll help you find what works best for your needs, whether that's one platform, another, or a mix of both.

Q: What technologies does South City Mesh support?
A: We currently focus on technologies built on LoRa radio, including Meshtastic and Meshcore. As the ecosystem grows, we'll evaluate and embrace any open-source, community-friendly tools that help our neighbors stay connected. If a new project comes along that serves our community better, we'll support that too.

Understanding LoRa Radio

Q: What is LoRa?
A: LoRa (short for "Long Range") is a radio modulation technology designed to send small amounts of data over very long distances using very little power. It operates on unlicensed radio frequencies (in the US, the 902–928 MHz ISM band), so anyone can use it without a license. Think of it as the underlying wireless technology — the "engine" — that platforms like Meshtastic and Meshcore are built on top of.

Q: How is LoRa different from Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
A: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are designed for high-speed data over short distances (tens of meters). LoRa is the opposite — it trades speed for range and power efficiency. It sends tiny packets of data (short text messages, GPS coordinates, sensor readings) but can do so over miles, even on a small battery. You won't be streaming video over LoRa, but you can send a text message across town.

Q: What is LoRaWAN, and is it the same as LoRa?
A: No. LoRa is the radio modulation layer — the physical way signals are sent and received. LoRaWAN is a specific networking protocol built on top of LoRa, typically used for IoT sensors connecting to centralized gateways (like smart city infrastructure). Meshtastic and Meshcore do not use LoRaWAN. They use LoRa radios in a peer-to-peer mesh configuration, which means there's no central server or gateway required.

Q: What frequency does LoRa use in the US?
A: In the US, LoRa devices operate in the 902–928 MHz ISM band (commonly referred to as the "915 MHz band"). This band is license-free under FCC Part 15 rules, so you do not need a ham radio license or any registration to use it.

Q: How far can LoRa reach?
A: In ideal line-of-sight conditions with no obstacles, a single LoRa hop can reach 3–5 miles or more. The world record for a single LoRa hop is over 330 km! Realistically, in a neighborhood setting with buildings and hills, expect reliable connections within a few blocks to a mile. The beauty of mesh networking is that relay nodes extend your range far beyond a single hop.

Q: Does LoRa require internet or cell service?
A: No. LoRa radios communicate directly with each other over radio waves. They work completely independently of the internet, cell towers, and Wi-Fi. Your phone connects to the LoRa radio via Bluetooth, and the radio handles the rest.

Q: Is LoRa the only technology for off-grid mesh networking?
A: No, but it's currently the most popular and accessible for community mesh networks. Other technologies exist (such as Gotenna, various ham radio protocols, and satellite-based systems), but LoRa's combination of low cost, long range, open ecosystem, and active community  makes it a strong choice.


What is Meshtastic?

Q: What is Meshtastic?
A: Meshtastic is an open-source, decentralized, off-grid mesh network that uses inexpensive LoRa radios for long-range communication. It enables text messaging, GPS location sharing, and telemetry without requiring internet, cellular service, or any existing infrastructure. (There are other mesh solutions using LoRa radios [like Meshcore], but they do not quite have the mass adoption and community support that Meshtastic currently has) 

Q: How does Meshtastic work?
A: Meshtastic devices (called "nodes") automatically rebroadcast messages they receive, creating a mesh network. This means your message can reach someone far away by "hopping" through multiple devices, even if you can't directly communicate with that person.

Q: What can I do with Meshtastic?
A: You can:


What is Meshcore?

Q: What is Meshcore? A: Meshcore (sometimes written as "MeshCore") is a newer open-source mesh networking firmware that also runs on LoRa radio hardware. Like Meshtastic, it enables off-grid text communication and mesh networking, but it takes a different approach to how messages are routed and how the network operates. It's an emerging alternative in the LoRa mesh space.

Q: How is Meshcore different from Meshtastic? A: While both use LoRa radios and create mesh networks, the key differences include:

Q: Can Meshtastic and Meshcore nodes talk to each other? A: No. Even though both use LoRa radios, they use different protocols and firmware. A Meshtastic node and a Meshcore node cannot communicate directly. They operate as separate networks. This is one reason South City Mesh stays technology-neutral — we want to help our community regardless of which platform they choose.

Q: Should I use Meshtastic or Meshcore? A: For most newcomers in South San Francisco right now, Meshtastic is the safer starting point. It has broader adoption in the Bay Area (through the Bay Area Mesh / BayMesh community), more documentation, more supported devices, and a larger network of existing nodes to connect with. However, Meshcore is an exciting project worth watching, and some members of our community are experimenting with it. We're happy to help you with either.

Q: Can I run both Meshtastic and Meshcore? A: Not on the same device at the same time — you'd need separate hardware for each. Some community members do run both on different devices to participate in both networks. Many of the same LoRa hardware devices support both firmwares, so switching between them is possible (though it requires re-flashing the firmware).

Q: Where can I learn more about Meshcore? A: The Meshcore project is available on GitHub, and there is a growing community around it. Ask in our community channels or email us at hello@southcitymesh.com and we'll point you to the latest resources.


Getting Started

Q: What equipment do I need?
A: You need three basic things:

Q: Which devices are recommended for beginners?
A: Popular beginner-friendly devices include:

Q: How much does it cost to get started?
A: Basic Meshtastic devices start around $30-50 (possibly more depending on tariffs). The software and mobile apps are completely free. You only pay for the hardware.

Q: Is technical knowledge required?
A: No! While technical knowledge can be helpful, anyone can use Meshtastic. The documentation and community are designed to help beginners learn easily, and where things might be confusing, we can help.

Q: This is all very confusing!  Can you help me?
A: Sure! Just email us at hello@southcitymesh.com and we can guide you through the process.  

Setting Up Your Device

Q: How do I flash firmware to my device?
A: The easiest way is using the Chrome upgraders (available on both Meshtastic and Meshcore). Simply connect your device via USB, select your device model, choose the latest stable firmware, and click "Flash".

Q: What's the first thing I need to configure?
A: You must set your region correctly for legal operation and compatibility with other local nodes. For the US (including South San Francisco), select "US" as your region.

Q: How do I connect my device to my phone?
A: Download the Meshtastic app for Android or iOS, then connect to your device via Bluetooth. If prompted for a PIN, it will be displayed on your device's screen (default is often 123456 for devices without screens).

Bay Area Specific Information

Q: Is there an active Meshtastic community in the Bay Area?
A: Yes! The Bay Area has a vibrant Meshtastic community called "Bay Area Mesh" (BayMesh). Visit http://bayme.sh/ for local information, Discord community access, and Bay Area-specific guides.

Q: What about the same for Meshcore? 

A:Yes!  The Bay Area also has a Meshcore site here - https://bayareameshcore.com/ 


Technical Questions

Q: What frequency does Meshtastic use?
A: In the US, Meshtastic is in the 915 MHz ISM band, while MeshCore in the US is commonly set to 910.525 MHz.

Q: What's the range of these devices?
A: Direct communication range (line of sight with no obstancles) could be 3-5 miles in good conditions, but the mesh network can extend this significantly through relay nodes. The record for a single hop is over 330km!  Realistically, however, the most reliable connection you'll have in most circumstances will be connecting with everyone on your neighborhood block who has a Meshtastic device.

Q: Can I use Meshtastic and Meshcore without internet?
A: Yes! Meshtastic works completely off-grid. However, you can optionally use MQTT over internet to connect distant mesh networks. (But MQTT is not needed for neighbors to talk to each other) 

Q: How long does the battery last?
A: Battery life varies by device, but both are designed for excellent power efficiency. 

Q: Is these messaging apps secure?
A: Yes, Meshtastic uses encryption for private communications. The default public channel is unencrypted, but you can create encrypted private channels to talk with your family.

Q. Can strangers see my messages?
A. It depends on the channel. Messages sent to the public public channel are visible to anyone on the network. However, you can create direct messages with people. 

Q. Is my location being tracked by everyone?
A. Only if you allow it (which is controllable in the app). By default, Meshtastic may broadcast your general location to help the mesh work, but you have total control. You can turn location sharing OFF completely, or set it to “imprecise” so neighbors know roughly where you are (useful for rescue) without revealing your exact street address.

Q. Can I send photos, videos, or voice notes?

A. No. The Meshtastic and Meshcore network is designed for tiny amounts of data (text only) to ensure it works over huge distances with low power. Think of it like a digital pager or SMS from the 1990s—short, text-based updates only.


Q. Will this replace my cell phone or WhatsApp?

A. No. This is an emergency backup system. It is slower and has less capacity than cellular networks. It is designed to work when those high-speed networks fail, not to compete with them for daily chatting.

Q. How fast are the messages?”

A. Usually, messages arrive in seconds, but depending on how many “hops” the message takes through other neighbors’ nodes, it can sometimes take a while more. Patience is key in a mesh network!

Q. Does this require my home WiFi or Internet?

A. No. The radio works entirely independently of the internet. Your phone connects to the radio via Bluetooth. (Note: You can connect it to WiFi to update software, but it is not required for messaging).

Q. What if the power goes out for a week? Will the node die?

A. Most portable nodes last 1-2 days on a small battery. For a true “always-on” emergency node, we recommend connecting it to a small solar panel or having a backup USB power bank ready.

Q. I set up my node, but I don’t see anyone. Is it broken?

A. Not necessarily! LoRa radio waves are “Line of Sight.” If you are in a basement or behind a steep hill, you might not hear other nodes. Try moving your node to the highest floor of your house or walking to a local hilltop to test connection.

Q. Do I need a ham radio license?

A. No! We operate on the 915 MHz ISM band, which is license-free for everyone in the US. You do not need to take a test or register with the FCC to use this.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Q: I can't see any other nodes. What should I do?
A:

Q: My device won't connect to the app. Help!
A:

Q: Can I communicate with people using different device types?
A: Yes! All Meshtastic devices can communicate with each other regardless of manufacturer, as long as they're using compatible LoRa settings.

Emergency and Practical Uses

Q: Can I use Meshtastic during disasters?
A: Absolutely! Meshtastic is designed for emergency communications when traditional networks fail. It's been used during natural disasters, power outages, and remote emergency situations.

Q: Is Meshtastic useful for hiking and outdoor activities?
A: Yes! Meshtastic is perfect for staying connected with your group during outdoor activities, sharing locations, and emergency communication in areas without cell coverage.

Q: How many people can use this?
A: There’s no fixed “user limit.” Everyone on a Meshtastic channel shares the same air time—so it works best for tens of casual users sending short messages every few minutes. If lots of people are chatting (dozens), expect some delay (you can split into multiple channels and turn down auto-beacons to keep things smooth).  You can find some great AARs (after action reports) after events such as Burning Man, DefCon, and Ham Radio conventions.  These AARs show some of the advance settings to allow many people to use at once. 

Community Resources

Q: Where can I find local help and information?
A:

Q: How can I contribute to the local mesh network?
A:

Q: Are there regular community meetings?
A: Yes! The Bay Area Mesh community holds weekly net meetings. Check http://bayme.sh/ and join their Discord for schedules and updates.

Q: Where can I buy devices locally?
A: While many devices are available online, check with local electronics stores or ham radio retailers. The community Discord may also have recommendations for local suppliers or group purchases.

Legal and Regulatory

Q: Do I need a license to use Meshtastic?
A: No license is required for normal Meshtastic operation in the US, as it operates in the unlicensed ISM band under Part 15 regulations.

Q: Are there power limitations?
A: Yes, ISM band regulations limit power output. Most consumer Meshtastic devices operate well within legal limits, but high-power devices may require additional considerations.

Q: Can I modify antennas or increase power?
A: Be careful! Modifying RF equipment can violate FCC regulations. Stick to approved antennas and power levels unless you have proper licensing and knowledge.  If you have a question, just ask us (via email or on the Discord) 

Q: What other places in the United States have one something similar?
A: Here is a partial list of the major ones: 


How to get started? 


I set this up. Where can I test this in SSF? 

Need More Help?


Welcome! The South San Francisco Meshtastic community looks forward to having you as part of our growing network.


This FAQ was created for the South San Francisco Meshtastic community.

For the most up-to-date information, always check the official Meshtastic documentation and the Bay Mesh website.  If you have questions on where ot find something, feel free to email us at hello@southcitymesh.com