My First Meshtastic Network

Posted by rickcarlino 12/29/2025

My First Meshtastic Network(rickcarlino.com)

175 points | 96 commentspage 2

spacebacon 12/29/2025|

The Meshtastic list of networks is nice, but it is missing several. For example, the lack of listings in North Carolina led me to find https://ncmesh.net/.

VikingCoder 12/29/2025||

Did you grab lunch at Smitty's?

I live 5 miles west of the maker space in the last photo, and I've been thinking about getting some Meshtastic nodes...

clumsysmurf 12/29/2025||

I'm ignorant of mesh technologies, but can somebody explain to me why they are using MQTT in their stack? Topics and pub-sub over TCP doesn't sound like a mesh-y kind of thing. Does it work well in this context?

wtallis 12/29/2025||

The mesh isn't doing MQTT or TCP. They're using MQTT to bridge between meshes, with mesh nodes that have an internet connection or are paired to a smartphone with an internet connection relaying mesh traffic with an MQTT server.

the_gipsy 12/29/2025||

MQTT is used for map reporting, and sometimes as a "fallback" or to connect distant meshes.

hexo 12/29/2025||

Also very good way to instantly spend all your air time. Remember, legally you can only transmit at something like 10% of time. In some bands even less, afaik.

wtallis 12/29/2025|||

> Remember, legally you can only transmit at something like 10% of time

In Europe. See the duty cycle limits summarized at https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/radio/lora/#region

the_gipsy 12/29/2025|||

It's best not to retransmit MQTT. Unless you want to set up some very specific link between two meshes, or just some private or non-default channel.

aboardRat4 12/29/2025|

Would you be interested in a small commercial application of your node?

I need a few messages transmitted to as many peers as possible once in a while.

Nothing illegal, just a small contribution to the economy.

We're selling pure herbal organic medicine which helps males perform better, and our product announcement will fit perfectly in you 200 characters limit.

mcdonje 12/29/2025|

Are ads a thing on meshtastic? If a node is spamming ads, would I have the ability to block it?