Category: MeshCore

MeshCore is an off-grid communication technology that allows you to send short text messages via LoRa radio without the internet or cellular networks. A small transmitter (e.g., from Elecrow or Seeed Studio) connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and well-placed repeaters forward the message further for many kilometers. You gain long range with low power consumption, greater independence in the field and during outages, more efficient operation in larger networks, and the ability to build your own infrastructure (repeaters) tailored to your needs. It’s a great solution for trips, securing communications, and simple IoT networks.

MeshCore – what it is and why it works “without the internet”

MeshCore is a multi-platform system for secure, text-based communication using LoRa hardware. The most important thing is that the network can work offline / off-grid, meaning without Wi-Fi, without LTE, and without any internet infrastructure – all you need is radio range between devices.

From a technical perspective, MeshCore is a lightweight (intentionally “slimmed down”) implementation of packet routing for embedded devices, designed to build resilient, decentralized multi-hop networks: a message can “hop” through successive nodes and reach farther than a single radio.

How MeshCore works in practice (LoRa + multi-hop + routing)

In a mesh network, what matters is that range increases with well-placed intermediate nodes. MeshCore uses a “flood-then-direct” approach: the first message can be broadcast to find a path, and the next ones can already go more “along the route,” with an automatic return to broadcasting when conditions change. This is one of the reasons why MeshCore is often perceived as fast and “efficient” in larger networks.

Roles in MeshCore: Companion, Repeater, and Room Server

MeshCore strongly emphasizes node roles – this is the key to understanding this technology:

• Companion (Companion Radio) – a device “next to the phone” (BLE/USB/Wi-Fi depending on the hardware). It mainly serves as your personal radio for using the app.
• Repeater – an infrastructure node whose job is to forward (relay) packets and truly “build the network’s range.”
• Room Server – a simple “board/room” server (BBS-like) for shared posts/messages within the network.

Important practical note: Bluetooth for mobile apps supports Companion-type firmware (it is the one that pairs with the phone).

MeshCore use cases

MeshCore is designed for scenarios where independence from public networks and low power consumption matter:

• off-grid communication in the field (trips, forests, mountains, sailing)
• outages and crisis situations (when infrastructure is not working)
• communication for distributed teams
• simple IoT/sensor networks (forwarding small data packets)

MeshCore vs Meshtastic – the key differences

MeshCore and Meshtastic solve a similar problem: off-grid communication via LoRa. However, they differ in network philosophy and node behavior.

Who forwards messages (relay)?

• • In Meshtastic, in practice, many ordinary nodes (clients) participate in forwarding, which favors groups “on the move.”
  • In MeshCore, Companions do not retransmit, and forwarding is handled by Repeaters – this supports scaling when you can deploy infrastructure permanently (e.g., high up, “with a view”).

“Hop” limit (how many jumps a message can have)

• • Meshtastic: default 3, max 7 (configurable)
  • MeshCore: internal limit up to 64

Telemetry and background traffic in the network

• • Meshtastic more often broadcasts telemetry/node status in the background.
  • MeshCore limits frequent broadcasting and leaves more “airtime” for actual messages (especially in larger networks).

Responsiveness and intended use

• • Meshtastic often wins with ease of getting started and mobile scenarios (a group at an event/hike).
  • MeshCore is usually more advantageous when you are planning a larger, more “infrastructure-based” network with repeaters and you want efficient routing over a wider area.

How to get started: hardware, band, flashing, and apps

Choose a band version for Europe – in the EU you most often need devices around 868 MHz (EU868), and 915 MHz versions are intended for other regions.

Choose a device:

• Seeed Studio T1000e – compact, waterproof, with a battery and a good LoRa antenna; convenient to use with the app via Bluetooth.
• Elecrow ThinkNode M1 – a popular LoRa device based, among others, on the SX1262 chip, available in the EU868 band variant. It can work with solutions such as Meshtastic, as well as with the alternative MeshCore firmware (depending on the version and the firmware installed), making it suitable both as a “by-the-phone” node and as part of a larger network with repeaters

Flash the firmware – MeshCore offers a Web Flasher and ready firmware types (Companion / Repeater / Room Server), which makes getting started easier without building a project from scratch.

Connect to the app – the MeshCore app guides you through Bluetooth pairing and basic radio configuration.

MeshCore at Kamami.pl

In the MeshCore category on Kamami.pl you will find devices and accessories that let you build a practical network: from “companions” for everyday carrying to components for infrastructure nodes. As an official distributor of Elecrow and Seeed Studio, you can conveniently choose compatible hardware for your use case (field/outages/IoT), and then expand the network step by step – starting with as little as two devices and one well-placed repeater.