Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
It can be obvious, but you must also have a network configured before the disaster blows, says Meadors. So configure anyone with whom you may need to communicate during a cell and an internet breakdown before it really happens. And, due to the relatively frequent firmware updates, you cannot just launch your device in a bug bag and forget it. But “if this is something you really use, as if you remove it and use it once a month, you will be ready to leave,” explains Bennett.
Then there is the problem of the gross bandwidth. This limitation can cause problems when many people try to use the network at the same time. During a Ham radio agreement in Dayton, Ohio, last year (yes, it is called Hamvention), the meshtastic network crashed after someone organized a program that flooded the additional traffic network, pushing the network of mesh to its limits.
“Because literally a person lit this MQTT bridge, who then joined the rest of us in this mesh in a metal building in Dayton, he crushed the whole mesh,” explains Vander Houwen.
After this incident, Vander Houwen, Bennett and Meadors went to work to prepare the next DEFCON hacker convention In Las Vegas, finally publishing a special firmware for the much larger event than the estimates of Vander Houwen allows “between 2,000 and 2,500 knots” to operate simultaneously on the network. A similar firmware Released before Hamvention of 2025 in May praised of the community.
Despite the limits of Meshtastic, his promise as a rescue communication system – and the pleasure you can have with him – continues to draw new enthusiasts. The Android application alone has drawn thousands of criticisms and the SUBDITE MESHTASTICS has reached nearly 50,000 members. Some municipalities even hope Launch the mesh networks To help protect their communities in case of natural disasters.
For Bennett, Meadors and Vander Houwen, they are delighted not only to see the number of mesh nodes increase, but to see the technology develop in something that someone can use without having to become a passionate or an “analog astronaut”.
“I think the most important thing for me too is that it is not only accessible from the appearance of the material available for more people. I want to make the software more accessible, ”explains Meadors. “I want to experience as I can give this device to anyone and have them download the application and start messaging. We have gone a long way. I think there is still room to develop there. ”
Updated at 10:25 am, June 4, 2025: Corrected an ill -granted the surname of Ben Meadors.
