In a previous project we've build a very crude LoRa based messenger app and it turns out that there is already an open-source project doing just that called Meshtastic.
In simple terms, Meshtastic is an open-source project that lets your devices talk to each other directly, creating their own private, off-grid network. Imagine if your phone could whisper to a friend's phone miles away, and that friend's phone could whisper to the next person, passing your message along like a digital game of telephone. This "mesh" of connected devices can cover huge distances, and it's all powered by low-cost, low-energy LoRa radio technology. It's perfect for hikers, preppers, festival-goers, or anyone who wants a backup communication plan.
So, why am I telling you all this? Because I recently got my hands on two beginner-friendly kits from Meshnology—the N30 and the N32—that are designed to make getting into Meshtastic as easy as possible. In this article, I'm going to walk you through unboxing, building, and setting up both of them.
Unboxing the Meshnology Kits: N30 vs. N32
When I opened the boxes from Meshnology, I found two different kits ready to build. The first one was the N30 Kit. Inside, I discovered the main part, which is a Heltec LoRa 32 module with a small screen. It also included a 1100mAh battery, a case that felt like it was injection-moulded, two antennas—one small and one larger external one—and some helpful extras like headers and tape to stick the battery. The case came in red, though black is also available, and it had a nice texture that made it feel sturdy and durable.
The second kit was the N32 kit. Right away, I noticed it was a bit different. The biggest change was the battery—it was much larger, at 3000mAh, which means it should last a lot longer. The case also surprised me. It is 3D-printed, but felt very smooth and looked very professionally made, almost like it was made in a factory mold.
So, basically, the N30 is smaller and more portable, good for carrying around. The N32 is bigger and has a much bigger battery, making it better for leaving in one place for a long time. Both are great, but which one you might prefer depends on how you plan to use it.
Kit Assembly
Putting these kits together was pretty straightforward, but each one was a little different. I started with the N30. The first thing I did was peel the protective plastic film off the Heltec module's screen—it’s satisfying and makes the display nice and clear. Then, I simply clicked the board into the front half of the case; it snapped right into place. Next, I attached the antenna connector to the board and screwed the external antenna onto the outside of the case. For the battery, I used the included double-sided tape to stick it to the back cover before plugging it into the board. To finish up, I pressed the protective window over the screen and snapped the two halves of the case together. It was all very simple and took just a few minutes.
Assembling the N32 felt a bit different because of its design. I had to slide the antenna connector through an opening in the case first before screwing it onto the case. To hold the board in place, the kit comes with two small screws that hold the Heltec board in place in the corners. Getting the antenna cable to sit neatly inside took a little extra care. I also had to add these small 3D-printed plastic pieces that act as button extenders, so you can easily press the buttons through the case.
I did run into one small issue with the N32. The screws that hold the case together were very hard to thread into the metal nuts. One of them just wouldn't go in. I had to use a pair of pliers to hold the nut steady while I carefully turned the screw to get it started. After a little effort, it worked, but it’s something to be aware of—sometimes there can be small variances in manufacturing. Just be patient and don’t force it if it feels stuck. Once all the screws were in, the device felt very solid and well-built.
Flashing the Meshtastic Firmware
Getting the Meshtastic software onto the devices was easier than I thought it would be. Before I started, I made sure my computer had the right drivers to talk to the boards. These are called CP2102 drivers, and if you’ve ever used an Arduino or ESP32 board before, you might already have them installed. If not, a quick search online will help you find and install them—it only takes a minute.
Once that was sorted, the process was the same for both the N30 and N32. I connected one of the devices to my computer with a USB cable. Then, I opened my web browser and went to the Meshtastic website’s Web Flasher tool. This handy tool does all the heavy lifting right in the browser—no extra software to download.
I selected the correct device type from the list; for these Heltec modules, it’s Heltec v3. Then, I chose the latest recommended firmware version and clicked ‘Flash’. The tool found my device automatically, and the flashing process began. A progress bar showed me how it was going, and after a minute or two, it was done.
The moment of truth was looking at the device’s small OLED screen. As soon as the flashing finished, the board restarted and the Meshtastic logo appeared right there on the display. Seeing that logo was a confirmation that everything worked perfectly and the device was ready for the next step.
Configuration and Pairing with the Mobile App
With the Meshtastic logo shining brightly on the screen, I knew it was time to connect the device to my phone. The first thing I did was go to my phone’s app store—whether you’re on Android or iOS, just search for "Meshtastic" and download the official app. It’s free and easy to find.
Once the app was installed, I opened it up and tapped to start. The app immediately began looking for nearby devices using Bluetooth. In just a few seconds, it discovered my new node—it showed up with a funny name like "Meshtastic_9358." I selected it, and the app asked me to enter a pairing code. The code was right there on the device’s screen, so I just typed those numbers in. Just like that, my phone was connected to the node.
Now, here’s a step you really don’t want to skip. I had to make sure the device was using the right radio frequency for my part of the world. Since I’m in Europe, I went into the device settings in the app and selected EU 868 as the region. This is super important because using the wrong frequency isn’t just ineffective—in some places, it might not even be allowed. So take a moment to get this right.
After changing the region, I sent the new settings to the device. It rebooted automatically, and when it came back on, I could see "EU 868" displayed on the screen. That’s how I knew everything was set up properly and my node was ready to try and talk to other devices.
Testing and Real-World Performance
Now for the fun part—seeing if these devices could actually talk to each other! First, I did a simple test at my workbench. I set up the second device, the N32, exactly like the first one and connected it to a different phone. Almost immediately, the two devices saw each other. I typed a simple "Hello!" message on one phone, and a second later, it popped up on the other screen. It was amazing to see them working together perfectly in my own lab, creating their own little private network.
But the real test was outside. I took the nodes on a road trip through southern Greece, hoping to connect with other users. I’ll be honest—it was pretty quiet out there. For most of my trip, my app screen was empty. It showed just my two devices, which proved that the technology was working, but it also showed that not many people are using Meshtastic in this area yet.
The excitement came when I was driving through the area near Thina. Suddenly, a few other nodes appeared on my list but since I was driving I missed them and when I noticed them I was already over a mountain and out of their range! They weren’t sending messages, but seemed to be environmental sensors, reporting data like temperature and humidity. It appears that I was only in range for a very short time, and I was not able to send out a message but at least it proved that there is hope.
The big takeaway from my testing is that the technology is powerful and really works, but it’s still growing. You need other people nearby to get the most out of it. Right now, finding another Meshtastic user in some areas can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. But the potential is huge. As more people build devices and join the network, this could become an incredibly powerful tool for off-grid communication.
Pros, Cons, and Final Verdict
After building, flashing, and testing both kits, I’ve put together a clear list of what I liked and what could be better.
What I Really Liked
These kits are fantastic for beginners. They come with absolutely everything you need in one box—there's no hunting for separate parts or wondering what antenna to buy. The custom cases are sturdy and do a great job protecting the electronics inside, which is great peace of mind. I especially have to praise the N32’s huge battery. If you want to set up a node somewhere remote and just leave it running for weeks, the N32 is definitely the way to go. Overall, these are probably the easiest way to get started with Meshtastic.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
I did run into that small issue with the screws on the N32 case—some of them were tough to get threaded correctly. Also, because the cases are sealed up to protect the components, you can’t easily access the pin headers on the board. That means if you’re the kind of person who likes to tinker and add sensors or wires, these cases might feel a bit limiting. And of course, the biggest thing to remember about Meshtastic itself is that it only works if there are other devices nearby to talk to. Right now, that can be a challenge depending on where you live.
My Final Thoughts
So, who are these kits for? I would absolutely recommend them to anyone new to Meshtastic who wants an all-in-one solution without any hassle. They’re simple, well-designed, and just work. If you’re choosing between the two, I’d suggest going for the N32 for its massive battery—the extra battery life is worth it for most uses. These kits won’t disappoint if you're looking for a straightforward way to join the mesh.
Conclusion
Building and testing these Meshtastic kits was a really rewarding experience. From unboxing the parts to finally sending my first message between the two devices, it felt great to be part of a growing community focused on off-grid communication. It’s amazing to see how accessible and functional decentralized networks have become—anyone can now build a device that keeps them connected, even without traditional infrastructure.
The potential here is huge. Whether for outdoor adventures, emergency preparedness, or just as a fun tech project, Meshtastic offers a powerful way to stay in touch when regular methods aren’t available.
Now, it’s your turn!
Have you tried Meshtastic yet? What has your experience been like? I’d love to hear about your projects or any tips you have. If you’re new to all this and want to learn more, visit the Meshtastic website or join one of their friendly online communities. The more people who get involved, the stronger and more useful this network becomes. Let’s grow the mesh together!
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- ESP32 Developement Board - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_opldaUf
- WeMos D1 Mini ESP8266 - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oCkcvo3
- Heltec LoRa 32 Dev Board - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_olOFb1V
- SX1262 LoRa Module - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okOItUF
- Heltec T114 V2 Nordic nRF52840 - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oldjhC7
- LPS8v2 Indoor open-source LoRaWAN Gateway - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_olsF5mX
