Frequently Asked

Eastside Mesh is a community-owned, decentralized wireless network serving Detroit's Eastside and surrounding neighborhoods. We use LoRa (Long Range) radio hardware to create a mesh network that lets neighbors communicate off-grid — no internet required, no central server, no subscription fee.

It's built by local residents, for local residents, rooted in Detroit's tradition of self-reliance and collective action.

A mesh network is a system where every device (called a node) acts as both a receiver and a relay. Instead of all traffic routing through one central point, messages hop from node to node until they reach their destination. This makes the network resilient — if one node goes down, traffic finds another path. The more nodes there are, the stronger and more reliable the network becomes.

Right now, the primary use cases are:

· Text messaging — send encrypted messages to individuals or the whole mesh
· Location sharing — share your GPS position with others on the network
· Emergency comms — stay connected even when cell towers or internet are down
· Community coordination — organize with neighbors without relying on corporate platforms

The network runs on Meshtastic and MeshCore, both open-source projects that continue to add new features.

Not at all. While the network is excellent for emergency preparedness, it's designed for everyday community use — chatting with neighbors, coordinating local events, sharing information without dependence on corporate platforms or internet access. Think of it as a neighborhood intranet that happens to also be there when everything else fails.

Signal is a free, open-source messaging app — it works like any texting app but is built around one principle: your conversations belong to you, not a corporation. No ads, no data harvesting, no algorithm deciding what you see. Unlike Discord, Slack, or Teams, Signal is run by a nonprofit foundation and has no interest in monetizing who you talk to or what you say.

The Eastside Mesh community group chat lives on Signal. It's where members ask questions, share updates, coordinate meetups, and help each other get set up. Whether you have hardware yet or are just curious, it's the best first step.

Download Signal, then join the group: → Join the Eastside Mesh Signal group

You need a LoRa-capable device running Meshtastic firmware. Popular options include:

· SenseCAP T1000-E — compact card-sized tracker with GPS, great for portable use
· Seeed Wio Tracker L1 Pro — rugged handheld with GPS and long battery life
· RAK WisBlock — modular platform, excellent for building custom fixed nodes
· Heltec V4 — small, affordable dev board with built-in display
· Heltec T114 — compact and low-power, good all-around option

All of these can be found on Amazon or directly through the manufacturer's website. Make sure you're ordering the 915 MHz version (US band). Meshtastic uses the 915 MHz frequency band (US standard).

No license is required. Meshtastic and MeshCore operate in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) frequency bands — specifically 915 MHz in the US — which are unlicensed for low-power operation. Anyone can legally transmit on these frequencies within FCC Part 15 power limits. No amateur radio license needed.

Range varies depending on antenna, terrain, and obstacles. In an urban environment like Detroit's Eastside, a typical handheld device gets 0.5–2 miles of direct range. A rooftop or elevated fixed node with an upgraded antenna can reliably reach over 2 miles.

Because the network is a mesh, messages hop between nodes — so your effective reach extends across the entire network, not just to your nearest neighbor.

Portable nodes are battery-powered handheld devices. You carry them with you, and they connect you to the mesh wherever you are in range.

Fixed nodes (also called infrastructure or router nodes) are permanently installed — typically on a rooftop or high point — powered by a small solar panel with battery, and left running 24/7. They form the backbone of the network, extending range and reliability for the whole community. Hosting a fixed node is one of the most valuable contributions you can make.

It's simple:

1. Get a compatible LoRa device (see Hardware section above)
2. Flash it with Meshtastic firmware
3. Configure it to the LongFast channel on 915 MHz
4. Send a message saying hello!

No approval process, no gatekeeping. If you're in range, you're on the network.

No. Getting a basic Meshtastic node up and running takes about 20 minutes and the Meshtastic app walks you through everything. You don't need to know anything about radios, networking, or programming.

Our community is here to help. Come to a monthly meetup or drop a message in the Signal group — we've helped neighbors of all technical backgrounds get connected.

There are active nodes across Detroit's Eastside, including Jefferson Chalmers, East English Village, Morningside, Cornerstone Village, and into the broader region including Grosse Pointe and Saint Clair Shores.

Coverage is growing. Adding a node in your neighborhood — especially a rooftop fixed node — directly expands the network for everyone around you. If your area isn't covered yet, you can be the one to bring it there.

Yes. A portable or window-mounted node requires no landlord permission and no permanent installation. For rooftop fixed nodes, you'd want to check with your landlord — but even a node placed in a high window or balcony can meaningfully extend the network.

Drop a message in the Signal group and community members can help figure out the best setup for your situation.

It depends on the message type. Channel messages on LongFast are broadcast openly — treat them like a public radio channel. Anyone running Meshtastic in range can read them. Direct messages and private channels in Meshtastic do offer encryption, so those are suitable for more personal conversations.

There is no central server storing anything. Messages exist only on devices within radio range.

Yes — the public LongFast channel is open, and anyone with a Meshtastic device tuned to 915 MHz can receive those messages. Think of it like an open community radio channel, not a private line. That's part of what makes it a community mesh: it's shared, open infrastructure.

If you need a private conversation, use Meshtastic's direct messages or a private channel instead.

Location sharing is entirely opt-in. You can enable GPS and broadcast your position if you want others on the network to see where you are — useful for coordination, hiking, or emergency situations. You can also turn it off completely. Your device will still relay messages for the mesh without revealing your location.

No. Eastside Mesh is an independent, community-run project with no investors, no corporate sponsors, and no government affiliation.

Both are open-source LoRa mesh networking platforms, but they have different design philosophies:

Meshtastic is the more established platform, with a large community, mature apps for iOS and Android, and a broad range of supported hardware. It's the easiest entry point for most people.

MeshCore is a newer, more experimental platform focused on different architectural choices. It's worth exploring if you're technically inclined and want to participate in its development.

Both platforms are active in the Detroit mesh community. Most nodes run Meshtastic; MeshCore is worth exploring for those who want to dig deeper.

Meshtastic uses the LongFast preset at 915 MHz (US region). This is the default modem setting for US devices — if you set your region to US and haven't changed the modem preset, you're already on it. Preset: LongFast · Frequency: 915 MHz · Region: US Jump into the Signal group to connect with local node operators and get oriented.

By default, Meshtastic allows up to 3 hops per message (configurable up to 7). Each hop is a relay through one node. With a well-distributed network, 3 hops can carry a message across several miles through multiple neighborhoods.

More hops mean more coverage but also more radio congestion — 3 is a reasonable default for a dense urban mesh.

Yes — via an MQTT broker. Meshtastic supports connecting nodes to the internet, which allows mesh messages to be forwarded to and from other mesh networks globally. This is optional and must be deliberately configured.

The mesh operates entirely without internet by default. Internet-bridging via MQTT is an opt-in extension, not a dependency — the network functions fully off-grid.