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Beginner-friendly
New to radios? Start with the group, use the local settings, and ask questions before changing advanced options.
Several active local nodes • Facebook group • Monthly meetups
meshdbq.com
Building a friendly, practical off-grid communication mesh for Dubuque, Asbury, and the surrounding Tri-State area.
Quick facts
LoRa radios • beginner-friendly guidance • local community support
Local-first resilience
No cell service required
Coverage goalDubuque & Tri-State
CommunityFacebook Group & Monthly meetups
Best first stepJoin the Facebook group
Everyone is welcome!
What this is
Offgrid Text Messaging.
Meshtastic is an open-source project that uses affordable LoRa radios to create a private, community-sized mesh. Your phone connects to a radio, then radios pass messages across the mesh without needing cell service, Wi-Fi, or internet.
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Local resilience
We are building the mesh around Dubuque, Asbury, and nearby communities so local nodes can help each other reach farther.
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Useful outdoors
Great for hikes, events, neighborhood preparedness, experiments, and learning how radio coverage behaves in real terrain.
Start here
Your useful path into the mesh.
This page avoids hardware recommendations on purpose. The fastest path is to join the local group, confirm you are buying a US 915 MHz Meshtastic-compatible device, then use the suggested settings below.
Most common frustration to avoid: the wrong device role. Nodes should not be set up as high-priority routing infrastructure.
- Join the Facebook group.Meet local operators, ask beginner questions, and get help with your first node.
- Choose US 915 MHz hardware.Before buying, make sure the device is compatible with Meshtastic and the US LoRa region.
- Flash firmware and connect an app.Use the official flasher, then configure from Android, iOS, or the Web client.
- Apply local settings.Use LongFast, long broadcast intervals, and the right node role for your use.
- Test from a better spot.Outside, higher, near a window, or on a ridge usually beats a pocket in a basement.
Dubuque local settings
Settings that keep the mesh reliable.
These recommendations are designed to reduce unnecessary traffic, prevent role confusion, and make the network more useful as more people join.
General setting for all nodes
Preset
LongFast / LONG_FASTRegion and hardwareUS LoRa / 915 MHz
Channel utilization targetKeep under 25-30%
Channel utilization and airtime are device metrics reported by Meshtastic. Check them in your connected app or Web client. Lower numbers mean more room for real messages and fewer traffic jams.
Portable / pocket nodes
Device role
CLIENT_MUTENode broadcast interval6 hours or more
TelemetryDisabled
Smart positionDisabled unless temporarily needed
Position broadcast interval12 hours or more
Position update interval1 hour or more
Stationary nodes
Device role
CLIENT or CLIENT_BASENode broadcast interval12 hours or more
Max hops3
Telemetry6 hours or more, or disabled
Smart positionDisabled
Position broadcast interval18 hours or more
Coordinate before using ROUTER or REPEATER roles. These roles are for strategic, stationary infrastructure. In a growing local mesh, the wrong role can create packet collisions, waste airtime, and make messages less reliable.
Local terrain and events
Height is the quiet superpower.
Dubuque's hills, bluffs, trees, river valley, brick, metal, and indoor placement can all change range. A modest node in a great location can outperform a fancy node in a bad one.
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Go higher
Rooftops, upper floors, attic windows, and ridge lines usually improve line-of-sight across town.
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Move outside
Walls, basements, metal siding, and vehicles can quietly eat signal. Test near a window or outdoors.
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Use patience
Nodes may not appear instantly. Try a better location, confirm region/preset, and ask the group to test.
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Monthly meetups
Meetups are planned monthly. Event types will be announced in the Facebook group as the community grows.
Official resources
The source-of-truth shelf.
Use official Meshtastic resources for firmware, apps, and setup steps. Community advice is helpful, but firmware and app details change over time.
FAQ
Beginner questions, answered without static.
These answers are based on official Meshtastic documentation and the local settings above.
Do I need a license?
For normal Meshtastic LoRa use, a license is generally not required in the United States. Licensed amateur radio use is optional and comes with different privileges and restrictions, including restrictions around encryption. You are responsible for following applicable rules.
How far can Meshtastic reach?
Range depends on terrain, elevation, antenna placement, frequency, settings, and obstructions. Around Dubuque, hills, trees, buildings, and the river valley all matter. Test outside and higher before assuming something is broken.
Does it work without cell service?
Yes. Your phone or computer connects to a Meshtastic radio, and the radios communicate over LoRa. Cell service, Wi-Fi, and internet are not required for local mesh messages.
Can I use it during emergencies?
Meshtastic can be useful for preparedness, events, and local backup communication, but it is not a guaranteed emergency service and does not replace 911, weather radios, official alerts, or public safety systems.
What device should I buy first?
This group does not recommend a specific starter device on this page. Look for Meshtastic-compatible hardware for the US 915 MHz region, then ask the Facebook group before buying so locals can help you avoid compatibility surprises.
Can I hide my location?
Yes. Location sharing is configurable. You can disable position features, reduce precision, or choose when location is shared. Review location and channel settings before joining public or shared channels.
What settings should I use in Dubuque?
Use LongFast, US / 915 MHz hardware, and the local role guidance above. Portable nodes should usually use CLIENT_MUTE. Stationary and outdoor nodes should usually use CLIENT or CLIENT_BASE. Keep channel utilization under 25-30% when possible.
Why am I not seeing other nodes?
Common causes include being indoors or low, wrong region or preset, poor antenna placement, no nearby active nodes, app pairing issues, channel mismatch, or high local channel utilization. Move outside, get higher, verify US / 915 MHz and LongFast, then ask the group for a test.
What antenna should I use?
Use an antenna matched to your LoRa frequency, connector, and device requirements. Placement often matters more than chasing the biggest antenna: height, line-of-sight, and avoiding walls or metal are big wins.
Can I put a node at my house, farm, or business?
Yes. A stable, elevated location can help the local mesh. Use CLIENT or CLIENT_BASE, keep intervals long, and coordinate with the group before trying ROUTER or REPEATER roles.
Get involved
Join first. Ask anything.
The Facebook group is the front door for local help, meetup details, setup checks, and testing with nearby nodes.
Best first step
Join the Facebook group to meet local members, ask beginner questions, and get help with your first node.
Join the Facebook Group