Mesh Network Developers Showcase New Features at North Idaho Meeting

The Bonner County Civil Defense Resilience Team held a meeting on April 27, 2025, to present a new preparedness training program focused on the Meshtastic and Meshcore communication devices. The session highlighted the capabilities and features of these devices, which are designed to enhance communication in emergency situations.

During the meeting, participants discussed the advantages of using all-in-one devices that integrate GPS and mapping features. One attendee shared their experience with the devices, noting that they can effectively communicate over long distances, with one device reportedly able to send messages from 80 miles away. The devices are also praised for their power efficiency, with some models lasting up to 100 days on a single battery charge without solar input.

A key point of discussion was the cost associated with unlocking certain features of the devices, such as mapping capabilities, which require an $8 fee. Despite this, attendees expressed that the cost is reasonable given the functionality provided.

The conversation also touched on the interoperability between Meshtastic and Meshcore devices. While both systems are evolving, they currently do not communicate with each other, although there are hopes for future integration. Participants noted that all existing Meshtastic devices can be switched to Meshcore firmware, allowing users to benefit from both systems.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the importance of these communication tools in disaster preparedness, emphasizing their potential to maintain connectivity when traditional communication networks fail. The Resilience Team encouraged community members to explore these technologies as part of their emergency preparedness plans.