Getting Started

Pick hardware, flash Meshtastic, pair the app, and set US-915 for El Paso.

This page gets you from zero to your first working Meshtastic node in El Paso (US-915).
If you hit a snag, jump into Discord (top right) — we’ll help.

1) Choose hardware (US-915 friendly)

Pick one of these common boards — they’re easy to flash and well supported:

  • LILYGO T-Beam (built-in GPS, battery header; great starter)
  • Heltec LoRa32 V3 (compact, onboard screen)
  • LILYGO T-Deck / T-Echo / T-Watch (more UI options)
  • Stationary node ideas: ESP32 + LoRa module with good external antenna, solar

Antenna: use a 915 MHz antenna. Height and line-of-sight matter more than raw power.

2) Flash the Meshtastic firmware

You have two easy paths:

Option A — Web Flasher (easiest)

  • Use the official in-browser flasher (Chrome/Edge recommended).
  • Select your board, connect USB, click Install.

Option B — CLI (power users)

  • Install esptool.py and download the correct .bin for your board.
  • Put the device in bootloader mode (usually BOOT + reset).
  • Example command pattern (addresses/filenames vary by board): 
    esptool.py --chip esp32 --baud 921600 write_flash -z 0x0 firmware.bin
  • After flashing, power-cycle the device.

Tip: If the screen shows garbage after flashing, re-flash with the correct build for your exact board.

3) Pair the app

  • Install the Meshtastic app (Android/iOS).
  • Power your node, then pair via Bluetooth (or Wi-Fi for boards that support it).
  • The app will sync settings and show battery, GPS, and channel info.

4) Set the region to US-915

  • In the app, open Device → Radio / Region and select US-915.
  • Save/apply, then reboot the node if prompted.

Using the right region keeps you legal and improves network compatibility.

5) Send a first test message

  • From the app, send a short message to All (or a buddy) and confirm you see TX/RX on the device/app.
  • If you’re alone, you’ll still see your node’s own messages — that confirms basic operation.

6) Join the El Paso channel

  • We share current channel settings (PSK / channel name, etc.) in Discord.
  • In the app: Channels → Add / Import, then paste or scan what we provide.

We keep onboarding easy while avoiding publishing private settings on the public site.

  • Position/Telemetry: on for mapping/range tests (set a sane interval, e.g., 2–5 min)
  • Role: “Client” for handhelds; “Router/Repeater” for fixed nodes with good elevation
  • Power: enable screen timeout; for fixed nodes use stable USB or solar
  • GPS: useful for waypoints/range; disable if you’re optimizing battery and don’t need it

Antenna & placement quick wins

  • Elevate the antenna (even a few meters helps).
  • Keep coax runs short and use low-loss cable if you extend.
  • Avoid placing the antenna right next to large metal surfaces.

Troubleshooting basics

  • No Bluetooth? Reboot the node and phone, re-pair.
  • No GPS lock? Give it sky view; first lock can take a few minutes.
  • No messages? Verify US-915, correct channel, and that your friend is in range.
  • Random reboots? Try a different USB cable/power source; check battery connections.

Next steps

  • Weekly Net: see Weekly Net for when/where and what to bring
  • FAQ: common questions on range, power, antennas in FAQ
  • Maps: live tools in Map & Data
  • Links: curated resources in Useful Links