MeshCore/Getting Started

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Getting Started with MeshCore

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. This guide will help you flash firmware onto a companion node and understand how adverts and the public channel work.

Flashing Firmware onto a Companion Node

The easiest way to flash a MeshCore companion 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:

1. Plug your companion node into your computer via USB.
2. Open the MeshCore Web Flasher.
3. Select your device type: Companion Radio (Bluetooth).
4. Click Enter DFU Mode.
5. Click Erase Flash.
6. Click Flash to install the MeshCore firmware.
7. When complete, the device will reboot and begin listening on the Ottawa defaults (910.525 MHz / BW: 62.5 kHz / SF7 / CR5).

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.

How Adverts Work

MeshCore uses a repeater-driven advert system for discovery (not a prerequisite to transmit).

• You do not need to hear an advert to send a message. You can transmit at any time; any repeater that hears your packet will forward it.
• Adverts allow your node to discover repeaters (their ID and info). This enables features such as:

 * Tracing paths to confirm connectivity  
 * Seeing repeater names in the path summary of a message  
 * Setting static paths to a specific user  

• Repeaters periodically broadcast adverts (short beacon packets) across the mesh.
• In Ottawa, adverts are configured for:

 * Zero-hop adverts (direct): every 1 hour  
 * Flood adverts (forwarded across repeaters): every 3 hours  

This approach keeps discovery traffic low while still ensuring that repeaters can be identified and messages are reliably forwarded across the mesh.

The Public Channel

By default, MeshCore repeaters and companion nodes in Ottawa use the shared public channel.

• Any correctly flashed node set to the correct frequency can join immediately and begin passing traffic.
• When you send a message on the public channel and a repeater hears it, you will see Heard X Repeats under your message (instead of just "Sent").
• You can click and hold the message, then select Heard Repeats to see which repeaters heard it.

 * If you have discovered the repeater through adverts, you will see its name.  
 * If not, you will see only its ID.  

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Next steps: Once your node is flashed and connected, check out MeshCore/Frequency Settings for Ottawa defaults and MeshCore/Repeaters & Coverage for areas with established repeater links.