2025-08-08 –, Ham Radio Village (W321)
Meshtastic is an innovative open-source project leveraging LoRa technology to create affordable, robust, off-grid mesh communication networks. This presentation offers an approachable introduction to Meshtastic and LoRa, covering essential concepts and practical applications. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of mesh networking technology, along with a hands-on demonstration of setting up a Meshtastic network using a readily available ESP32 device and a smartphone. Ideal for both amateur radio enthusiasts and newcomers to mesh networking, this session will highlight how Meshtastic empowers users with resilient communication in remote and emergency scenarios.
This session provides participants with an accessible introduction to Meshtastic, a powerful yet simple-to-use mesh networking solution built upon LoRa's long-range radio technology. We will start by exploring core mesh networking principles and LoRa's capabilities, emphasizing how these technologies complement amateur radio practices and enhance emergency communications. Following a concise overview, attendees will experience a practical demonstration of setting up a Meshtastic network using an inexpensive ESP32-based kit, readily available through online retailers. The demonstration includes installing smartphone apps, flashing firmware, and establishing communication between devices. Attendees will leave equipped with the foundational knowledge required to deploy their own resilient mesh networks for various communication needs.
Jon is the Cybersecurity Evangelist at VikingCloud with a true passion for information security. Jon is an amateur radio operator, lockpicker, phreaker, repairer of all things, and maker. As a result of his long-standing commitment to open source software, Jon has offered his expertise as a package manager for the Debian GNU/Linux OS distribution since 1998.