Building a Meshtastic Node

Encrypted Messaging for the Apocalypse (or Your Next Camping Trip)

Author

Ryan Zagrodnik
May 07, 2025

🛰️ Introduction

These days, any bozo with ChatGPT and a CRISPR kit can start editing DNA at home. We’ve all seen I Am Legend and know how that ends: zombie apocalypse. With a looming recession and World War III proxy conflicts already brewing, you and your family need off-grid encrypted communication. That’s where Meshtastic comes in.

🌐 What is Meshtastic?

Meshtastic is an open-source project that enables long-range, decentralized communication using low-power LoRa (Long Range) radios. Designed for use in off-grid scenarios, it allows users to send encrypted text messages and GPS data without relying on cell towers, Wi-Fi, or the internet. Devices running Meshtastic form a mesh network, meaning messages can hop across multiple nodes to reach their destination, even if the sender and recipient are not within direct radio range. This makes it ideal for outdoor adventures, emergency preparedness, remote communities, and hobbyist experimentation, offering a resilient and cost-effective alternative to traditional communication infrastructure.

❓ Why?

What if the phone networks and internet go down? Ham radio is the obvious solution, but that requires a license and communications are not encrypted. These devices are low-cost alternatives.

🥇 My First Device:

I was super disappointed with this device as there were no nodes near me after monnths of operating. Turns out I just had a bad flash and needed to re-flash the device. Which I didn’t know until I bought the second device.

ESP32 LoRa V3 Module Board with 3000mAh Battery Set

ESP32 LoRa V3 Module Board with 3000mAh Battery Set - with 915MHz Antenna and SX1262 LoRa V3 Case Devices for Meshtastic Arduino LoRawan IOT

🥈My Second Device (The one I should have bought first):

This device has a nicer case and antenna that also holds a battery. You can use a battery with the other case; however, it just dangles out the back.

ESP32 LoRa V3 Development Board + 1100mAh Battery

ESP32 LoRa V3 Development Board + 1100mAh Battery + N30 Protect Case Set - with 915MHz Antenna and SX1262 LoRa V3 Devices for Meshtastic Arduino LoRawan IOT (Upgraded N30 Case)

⚡ Flashing

Flashing is really easy. Use the Meshtastic site:

Flasher.meshtastic.org

flasher.meshtastic.org

💼 Practical Use Cases:

I attended CypherCon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and had a lot of fun in the CTF where they had some Meshtastic based flags. It was also super fun to send random strangers the 💩 emoji.

Recently, I flew to Fort Meyers beach and was messaging people from the airplane and the beach:

Sending messages from 15,000 feet

Other use cases include messaging in heavily saturated cellular networks at sporting events, concerts, theme parks, natural disasters, etc.

Many other nodes have popped up in my area making this a viable communication method:

Mesh map after traveling for work

🤼 Groups

If you’re in Wisconsin check out the Meshconsin Discord.

There are also several other groups:

🏁 Conclusion

If you’re like me and have been procrastinating getting your ham radio license and interested in alternatives communication methods, Meshtastic is a low cost, interesting, fun project that you can complete in less than hour. Good luck and happy hacking.

Hack the planet!