Mesh Radio

Background

Diagram showing how mesh radio works: smartphones connect via Bluetooth to mesh radio nodes, which communicate with each other using LoRA radio technology over several miles

Most modern communication depends on distant, expensive infrastructure we rarely see and don't control.

In contrast, a mesh radio network uses small, inexpensive radio devices (around $30) that are able to send and relay messages without relying on cellular towers or the internet. These devices can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, then uses LoRA (Long Range) radio technology to communicate with other mesh nodes up to several miles away -- even if the cellular network or power grid is down.

The "mesh" part is key: when nodes are spread across an area, messages automatically hop from one device to the next until they reach their destination. A node in the middle can act as a repeater, extending the network's reach far beyond what any single radio could achieve on its own. No special license is required, and all messages are encrypted.

What We'll Explore

  • What mesh radio is and how it differs from cellular and Wi-Fi
  • How messages hop between radios in a mesh network
  • The role of antennas, placement, and terrain
  • Working with affordable hardware
  • Real-world use cases: farms, neighborhoods, events, field work, and protests

Applications

  • Farm monitoring - Track conditions across large properties without cellular coverage
  • Grid-down communications - Maintain text messaging when power and internet are unavailable
  • Remote sensing - Monitor water levels, temperature, and other conditions in areas without infrastructure
  • Community networks - Build neighborhood communication systems independent of commercial infrastructure

You'll Leave With

  • A clear mental model of how mesh networks function
  • Experience sending messages across a live mesh
  • Practical insight into deploying radios in the field
  • Better questions about range, reliability, and power

Who This Is For

Curious beginners, farmers, organizers, educators, outdoor workers—anyone interested in resilient or off-grid communication. No technical background or prior radio experience required.

Instructors

Mike Beach is an Electrical Engineer with experience designing and debugging electro-optical and analog systems. He has held low-noise analog design classes for IEEE, co-taught a robotic design course based on a hybrid Raspberry Pi/Arduino platform at Artisan's Asylum, and is an active participant and mentor at Circuit Hacking night held at the Asylum every Wednesday.

Don Blair is a researcher, educator, and tinkerer with a background in physics and philosophy. He has built off-grid systems for remote monitoring, and enjoys exploring ways of helping folks to gain greater control over the technologies on which they depend.