Swiss Mesh
MeshCore Tutorial
MeshCore infrastructure and networking for Swiss Mesh. Complete guide to setup, configuration, and recommended settings for MeshCore repeaters and room servers in Switzerland.
Resilient LoRa backbone infrastructure for regional coverage
MeshCore focuses on reliable long-range routing and infrastructure. It is designed for fixed nodes, gateways, and backbone links that connect regions and communities.
Key features:
- Long-range LoRa backbone nodes and gateways
- Regional routing and relay infrastructure
- Optimized for fixed, always-on installations
- Interconnects multiple local meshes
- Shared deployment guides and best-practice playbooks
Basic setup
- Install the antenna.
- Warning: if you power on your board before the antenna is mounted it may burn out.
- Plug it into the USB port.
Flash the firmware
- Go to https://flasher.meshcore.co.uk
- Select your board.
- Choose a role
- Select the firmware.
- Put your board into flash mode (google search)
- Press flash.
- Select the USB port.
- Flash the firmware.
Swiss MeshCore Settings (Switzerland preset)
| Setting | Recommended value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name | (anything) | Pick whatever you want; be respectful. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Frequency | 869.618 MHz | Same frequency used by much of Europe/UK (per the page). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Bandwidth | 62.5 kHz | Default for much of Europe/UK (per the page). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Spreading Factor (SF) | 8 | Default for much of Europe/UK (per the page). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Coding Rate (CR) | 8 | Default for much of Europe/UK (per the page). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Transmit Power | 22 dBm | Default; watch EIRP if using amps/high-gain antennas. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Airtime Factor (AF) | 1 | Community/default recommendation; page discusses duty-cycle considerations and gives formula. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| LoRa configuration name | “Narrow” | The page says it switched to a LoRa config summarized/named “Narrow”. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
General Settings (recommended for all nodes)
| Setting | Recommended value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Password | change from default | Default is “password”; change it so others can’t mess with your managed repeaters. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Guest Password | empty | Lets others read stats/telemetry/neighbours without changing settings. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Advert Interval — Zero-Hop-Advert | 0 | Disable (local-only advert; flood advert covers it). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Advert Interval — Flood-Advert | 12 (hours) | Reduce unnecessary traffic; companion nodes don’t need frequent repeater adverts. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| RX Delay | 0.0 | “Currently proposed best setting” by the MeshCore community (per page). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| TX Delay | 0.5 | “Currently proposed best setting” by the MeshCore community (per page). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Time | (must be correct) | Important for repeaters (ads etc.); easiest via Remote Management; RAK repeaters: add RTC module (per page). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Map | (add your repeater) | Recommended to add repeaters to the official MeshCore map via the app. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
Repeaters (extra guidance)
| Setting | Recommended value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Password | change from default | Default is "password"; change it to prevent others modifying your repeater / infra nodes. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Guest Password | "hello" (or change) | Default guest password is "hello". Leave it if you want others to be able to post in rooms; change it if you want it restricted. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Advert Interval — Zero-Hop-Advert | 0 | Disable (local-only advert; flood advert covers it). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Advert Interval — Flood-Advert | 3 (hours) | Page recommendation for repeaters: set to the lowest possible value of 3 hours. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| RX Delay | 0.0 | “Currently proposed best setting” (per the page). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| TX Delay | 0.5 | “Currently proposed best setting” (per the page). (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Enable Repeater | (optional) | Room servers can also be repeaters; this is disabled by default — enable if desired. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Time | must be correct | Use Remote Management via companion node; for RAK-based repeaters, add an RTC module. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
| Map | add to official map | Recommended to add repeaters/room servers to the official MeshCore map via the app. (Meshcore Switzerland) |
MeshCore Room Server
| Setting | Recommended value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Password | change from default | The default admin password is "password". Change it to prevent other users from modifying the settings of the MeshCore room servers you manage. |
| Guest Password | "hello" (or change) | Default guest password is "hello". Leave it unchanged if you want others to post in MeshCore rooms. Change it if you want access restricted to users you share the password with. |
| Advert Interval | — | Controls how repeaters advertise themselves automatically. Consists of Zero-Hop-Advert and Flood-Advert. |
| Zero-Hop-Advert | 0 (disabled) | Local advert only. Not needed because Flood-Advert already covers this functionality. |
| Flood-Advert | 3 (hours) | Recommended to set to the lowest possible value of 3 hours. |
| RX Delay | 0.0 | Currently proposed best setting by the MeshCore community. |
| TX Delay | 0.5 | Currently proposed best setting by the MeshCore community. |
| Enable Repeater | optional | MeshCore room servers can also function as repeaters. Disabled by default; enable if desired. |
| Time | must be correct | Correct time is critical for advertising and network stability. Best set via Remote Management in the Android or iOS app using a Companion Node. For RAK-based repeaters, adding an RTC module is recommended. |
| Map | add to MeshCore Map | Room servers should be added to the official MeshCore Map. This can be done directly via the MeshCore Android or iOS app. |