📡 Stay Connected Anywhere—No Cell Service Required
If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by the lack of cell coverage or internet access during an emergency—or while hiking in remote areas—this compact $100 mesh radio could be a game-changer. It lets you send and receive SMS text messages with others up to 100 kilometers away, all without relying on cellular networks, Wi-Fi, satellites, or even a license. And best of all? It’s completely free to use and open source based.
🔗 How It Works
Mesh radios extend their range by relaying your message from one device to another in a series of automatic “hops.” Each unit typically covers about 5 km, so as long as there are enough users nearby, your message can travel vast distances across the network.
💬 Flexible Messaging Options
- Broadcast Mode: Send messages to everyone within range—similar to a walkie-talkie or CB radio.
- Private Mode: Use encrypted channels to communicate securely with family and friends.
- Internet Bridging: If someone in the mesh has internet access, your message can be routed online—potentially reaching recipients across the country.
Various MeshTastic devices
A variety of devices can be used with the service. I got the one with the long antenna for longer range on eBay for US$75.
Network Connectivity
Mesh concepts have been around for quite a while, but recently the one that seems to be gaining popularity is called “Meshtastic”. It uses a radio technique called “LoRa” which stands for Long Range, in the 915Mhz ISM band.
You can simply use the keyboard of your cell phone when connected to your own repeater radio via bluetooth. Normally its best to have your repeater radio outdoors as high as possible. There are also solar powered repeaters since they don’t need much power, and which allows them to simply be in a tall tree! The Meshtastic system is primarily a hobbyist world, similar to Amateur (HAM) radios, but you don’t need a license to use it. Therefore there are a multitude of DIY (Do it yourself) versions of the radios and repeaters. Some as low as US$30 for DIY approach!
GPS tracking is an optional feature, which when used with these small card like devices make tracking location of your car, boat or even your kids. Since its in the hobby realm, lots of other uses can be found like temperature or power monitoring.
Optional GPS and Weather data:
Some repeaters include the Weather data for that GPS location, which can be handy for remote hiking destinations.
Cultivating the future
Be the SPARK in your neighborhood
The Halifax, Nova Scotia peninsula has about a dozen repeaters on the map at the time this was published. plus a few in Bedford/Sackville/Dartmouth. So if you want more people to connect with then get involved by buying a radio and telling your neighbors to get one. The more people that have a radio repeater then the easier it be to reach further away in an emergency!
Obviously its best if these are left turned on at all times, because you never know when or what kind of emergency might require the use of it. This also ensures other can link their messages through your radio repeater to extend the reach.
Best use cases
Since these radios are not aimed at Amateur (HAM) radio users, there is no formal structure in place to manage and cultivate a better, reliable future use of these radios, but we can take a chapter from their many decades of radio culture, and improve engagement using some of their ideas. Probably once a month online check-in on a Sunday evening would work?
Engagement ideas that HAMs use (according to AI)
Ham radio operators have a whole toolkit of engaging activities to keep the airwaves buzzing and encourage regular check-ins. Here’s how they make it fun, purposeful, and social:
📡 Regular Nets (Networks)
• Scheduled Nets: These are organized on-air gatherings at set times and frequencies. They can be daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Types of Nets:• Social Nets: Casual chats among friends or local clubs.
• Technical Nets: Focused on equipment, antennas, or operating tips.
• Emergency Nets: Practice for disaster response, like SKYWARN weather nets A.
• Traffic Nets: For relaying formal messages across regions.
🏆 Awards and Challenges
• Worked All States (WAS) or DX Century Club (DXCC): Encourage operators to make contacts across all U.S. states or 100+ countries.
• Contests: Timed events where operators try to make as many contacts as possible. These can be themed (e.g., Field Day, QSO parties).
🎯 Themed Events and Special Nets
• Holiday Nets: Festive check-ins around holidays.
• Ladies Nets: Like the CLARA Net in Canada, encouraging women operators to connect B.
• Youth Nets: Designed to get younger hams involved.
🧭 Public Service and Emergency Drills
• Simulated Emergency Tests (SETs): Practice scenarios for disaster response.
• Community Events: Supporting marathons, parades, or search-and-rescue operations.
🧑🏫 Training and Mentorship
• Net Control Training: Operators take turns running the net, learning leadership and coordination skills C.
• New Ham Nets: Welcoming newcomers with guidance and encouragement.
🎙️ Informal Rag chews
• Just chatting! These relaxed conversations help build camaraderie and keep people coming back.
Links to other Mesh related websites:
The official MeshTastic information site is: Introduction | Meshtastic An open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on affordable, low-power devices
Links: Reddit: Meshtastic: Open-Source LoRa Mesh Radio Project
Regional Chat Groups in Canada: Interlink Radio – Interlink Radio
My early discussion in Reddit / Halifax: SMS Meshtastic radio repeaters here? : r/halifax
Map of Nodes Halifax realtime Daily, may need GPS location enabled to appear.
My first C$30 DIY radio
While waiting for my fancier “ready to use” radio to arrive, I ordered this from Amazon Canada, (2 day delivery) to get me started. I was able to reach 8km away with this. The instructions this guys are great in his youTube:
Meshtastic For Dummies AND Heltec V3 Setup for US$10
Conclusion
If emergency offline communications with your family and friends is important to you, then this is a great technology that is just in its infancy, but really gaining popularity in the past year. There is no mega company behind it, just thousands of volunteers who believe in it using Open Source software.
AI Note: This article was totally written by me, but then revised using AI tools to improve clarity and structure. My original ideas and sources remain unchanged. In particular the points that start with emoji characters were AI revisions of my work.
Our other related articles
Mesthtastic: getting internet info on the trail
Volunteer: Emergency Comfort Center – yesRetired
Volunteering: Emergency Radio Operator – yesRetired
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Roger, You are welcome, thanks for stopping by.
– Rob