Where it fits
A community mesh network is a last-mile layer for short text. It doesn’t replace public safety radio, IPAWS, sirens or 911. It fills the gap between them and residents’ homes when cell service and power are out.
Capabilities
- Resident check-ins. Consoles and apps send “I’m OK” or “Need help” with an optional location.
- Alerting. The hub can rebroadcast National Weather Service warnings to the town channel.
- Situational awareness. A dashboard shows every node, battery, signal, message and help request.
- Staff channel. AES-encrypted channel for staff and volunteers, separate from the public channel.
- Resilience. Solar relays with battery storage; no single point of failure in the radio layer.
Technical summary
| Firmware | Meshtastic (open source) |
|---|---|
| Band | 902–928 MHz ISM, FCC Part 15, no license |
| Payload | Short text, roughly 200 characters |
| Power | Solar with battery at each relay |
| Encryption | AES-256 on private channels |
| Interoperability | Any Meshtastic device set to the US region |
Working with you
We document every site, share the coverage map, and can include the network in your emergency operations plan and exercises. Ask about a free consultation.