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| [[Main Page|← Home]] | | [[Main Page|← Home]] |
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| = Getting Started with MeshCore =
| | This guide will help you flash a node, configure it as a companion. |
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| MeshCore is a lightweight, repeater-focused mesh protocol. In Ottawa, most of the city runs MeshCore, with coverage provided by a network of solar-powered repeaters.
| | == Flashing & Configuring a Companion Node == |
| This guide will help you flash a node, configure it as a companion, or set it up as a repeater.
| | === Flashing a Companion Node === |
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| == Flashing a Companion Node == | |
| The easiest way to flash a MeshCore-supported node is by using the official web flasher tool in Google Chrome: | | The easiest way to flash a MeshCore-supported node is by using the official web flasher tool in Google Chrome: |
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| # Plug your device into your computer via USB. | | # Plug your device into your computer via USB. |
| # Open the [https://flasher.meshcore.co.uk/ MeshCore Web Flasher]. | | # Open the [https://flasher.meshcore.co.uk/ MeshCore Web Flasher]. |
| # Select your device type (for example: '''Companion Radio (Bluetooth)''' or the hardware model you’re flashing). | | # Select your device hardware |
| | # Select the firmware choice '''Companion Radio (Bluetooth)''' |
| # Click '''Enter DFU Mode'''. | | # Click '''Enter DFU Mode'''. |
| # Click '''Erase Flash'''. | | # Click '''Erase Flash'''. |
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| '''Note:''' Sometimes after erasing, the flash step may fail. If this happens, refresh the page, click '''Enter DFU Mode''' again, and then click '''Flash''' to retry. | | '''Note:''' Sometimes after erasing, the flash step may fail. If this happens, refresh the page, click '''Enter DFU Mode''' again, and then click '''Flash''' to retry. |
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| == Configuring a Companion Node == | | === Configuring a Companion Node === |
| After flashing, follow these steps to set up your companion node: | | After flashing, follow these steps to set up your companion node: |
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| '''Tip:''' You may wish to disable '''Message Settings → Auto Reset Path'''. This isn’t required, but many users find it helpful when testing links that aren’t fully stable, as it prevents the path from constantly resetting. | | '''Tip:''' You may wish to disable '''Message Settings → Auto Reset Path'''. This isn’t required, but many users find it helpful when testing links that aren’t fully stable, as it prevents the path from constantly resetting. |
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| === Basic setup after flashing ===
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| '''Important:''' Before configuration, you must update the bootloader on RAK boards.
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| Without this fix, failed OTA updates can leave the repeater in an unusable state that requires physical recovery.
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| 1. Download the OTA bootloader fix from [https://github.com/oltaco/Adafruit_nRF52_Bootloader_OTAFIX/releases/download/0.9.2-otafix1/update-wiscore_rak4631_board_bootloader-0.9.2-otafix1_nosd.uf2 this link].
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| 2. Connect your repeater to your computer.
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| 3. It should appear in your file explorer as a '''USB Drive'''.
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| 4. Drag the '''.uf2''' file into the mounted drive.
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| 5. The file copy will appear to fail, and the device will restart and remount as a USB drive — this is expected and indicates a successful update.
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| 6. To confirm, open the '''INFO.TXT''' file on the drive and check that it shows version '''0.9.2 bootloader firmware'''.
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| Once the bootloader is updated, continue with repeater configuration:
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| 7. Using Google Chrome, open the repeater configuration tool: [https://config.meshcore.dev/ MeshCore Repeater Config].
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| 8. After connecting to the device, navigate to [[MeshCore/Repeaters & Coverage#Ottawa Repeater IDs|Ottawa Repeater IDs]] and make sure the first two characters of your public key are not already in use.
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| * Currently, MeshCore repeater IDs are based on the first two characters of the public key.
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| * As the mesh has grown, duplicate IDs have caused conflicts. It is important to avoid duplicates.
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| * Developers are working on a long-term fix, but for now, each new repeater must use a unique ID.
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| * If you have a conflict, the only way to generate a new public key is to reflash the firmware. Follow [[MeshCore/Getting Started#Flashing a Node|Flashing a Node]] from the beginning. You can skip the bootloader fix if you have already applied it once.
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| 9. Give the node a descriptive '''name''' (e.g. '''Callsign_R1''' or a location-based name).
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| 10. Set an '''admin password''' for the repeater — this is required for remote management over MeshCore.
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| 11. Apply the Ottawa frequency defaults: '''910.525 MHz / BW: 62.5 kHz / SF7 / CR5'''.
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| 12. Click '''Save''' and reboot the node.
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| 13. Reconnect to the device using the configuration tool and click '''Send Advert'''.
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| * If your repeater is running correctly, you should see the advert appear on nearby companion nodes.
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| After the repeater has been configured and discovered by your companion node, log into it via MeshCore Remote Administration and set the following advert intervals:
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| 14. Set '''Zero-hop adverts (direct)''' to every 1 hour.
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| 15. Set '''Flood adverts (forwarded across repeaters)''' to every 3 hours.
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| 16. Click '''Save'''.
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| '''Tip:''' After every reboot, you must resync the repeater’s clock.
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| The repeater will still route messages without a clock, but its adverts will be ignored until the time is set.
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| == How Adverts Work ==
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| MeshCore uses a '''repeater-driven advert system''' for discovery (not a prerequisite to transmit).
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| * '''You do not need to have recevied an advert from a repeater to send a message.''' You can transmit at any time; any repeater that hears your packet will forward it.
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| * Adverts allow your node to '''discover repeaters''' (their ID and info). This enables features such as:
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| * Tracing paths to confirm connectivity
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| * Seeing repeater names in the path summary of a message
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| * Setting static paths to a specific user
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| * Repeaters periodically broadcast '''adverts''' (short beacon packets) across the mesh.
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| * In Ottawa, adverts are configured for:
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| * '''Zero-hop adverts (direct):''' every 1 hour
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| * '''Flood adverts (forwarded across repeaters):''' every 3 hours
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| This approach keeps discovery traffic low while still ensuring that repeaters can be identified and messages are reliably forwarded across the mesh.
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| == The Public Channel ==
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| By default, MeshCore companion nodes in Ottawa have access to the shared '''public channel'''.
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| * Any correctly flashed node set to the correct frequency can join immediately and begin passing traffic.
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| * When you send a message and a repeater hears it, you will see '''Heard X Repeats''' under your message (instead of just '''Sent''').
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| * You can click and hold the message, then select '''Heard Repeats''' to see which repeaters heard it.
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| * If you have discovered the repeater through adverts, you will see its '''name'''.
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| * If not, you will see only its '''ID'''.
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| == Next steps ==
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| Once your node is flashed and configured, check out [[MeshCore/Frequency Settings]] for Ottawa defaults and [[MeshCore/Repeaters & Coverage]] for areas with established repeater links.
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← Home
This guide will help you flash a node, configure it as a companion.
Flashing & Configuring a Companion Node
Flashing a Companion Node
The easiest way to flash a MeshCore-supported node is by using the official web flasher tool in Google Chrome:
MeshCore Web Flasher
Only Google Chrome supports the serial connection required for flashing.
Steps:
- Plug your device into your computer via USB.
- Open the MeshCore Web Flasher.
- Select your device hardware
- Select the firmware choice Companion Radio (Bluetooth)
- Click Enter DFU Mode.
- Click Erase Flash.
- Click Flash to install the MeshCore firmware.
Note: Sometimes after erasing, the flash step may fail. If this happens, refresh the page, click Enter DFU Mode again, and then click Flash to retry.
Configuring a Companion Node
After flashing, follow these steps to set up your companion node:
- Pair the node with your phone or computer (usually over Bluetooth).
- Give the node a descriptive name (e.g. your callsign, location, or handle).
- Set it to the Ottawa frequency defaults: 910.525 MHz / BW: 62.5 kHz / SF7 / CR5.
- Test by sending a message in the Public channel.
* If a repeater hears you, the message will show Heard X Repeats instead of just Sent.
Tip: You may wish to disable Message Settings → Auto Reset Path. This isn’t required, but many users find it helpful when testing links that aren’t fully stable, as it prevents the path from constantly resetting.