Flash your device using the MeshCore firmware flasher.
⚠️ Before flashing: Choose your connection method now — the firmware only supports one connection type at a time:
- BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)
- USB (wired connection)
- WiFi (wireless)
💡 First time flashing? Make sure to select "Erase" before flashing MeshCore.
Connect to your companion using your chosen method, then configure:
Set Name and Radio Settings:
Add Channels:
acadiana)For more information about creating and joining channels see our Public and Private Channels wiki page
Advertise Your Node:
Advert (button next to ⚙️) → Send Flood AdvertDiscover Nearby Repeaters:
Discover Nearby Nodes → Discover RepeatersSend a Test Message:
test, ping, or path to the #test channelCheck Your Results:
After sending, look for heard X repeats next to your message:
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
heard 1+ repeats |
✅ Success! Your message reached repeater(s) |
heard 0 repeats |
❌ No repeater heard your message |
If you see 0 repeats:
When connecting to repeaters, you'll often find they have a guest login with no password. This allows community members to view important repeater information without needing owner authentication.
What you can access with a guest login:
💡 A blank guest password encourages community participation by making repeater information accessible to all mesh users.
Advertisements are how nodes announce their presence on the mesh. Each advert packet contains:
| Advert Type | Frequency | Scope | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local advert | Every 240 minutes | Directly connected repeaters only | Zero-hop broadcast to immediate neighbors |
| Flood advert | Every 29 hours | Entire mesh | Network-wide broadcast, rebroadcast by all repeaters |
| Companion advert | Manual only | When you trigger it | User-initiated flood advert |
⚠️ Why 29 hours for flood adverts? Each flood advert is rebroadcast by every repeater on the mesh. Frequent flood adverts create substantial traffic that can congest the network and delay messages.