Pick a radio
Choose a supported device that matches how you plan to use it: portable, GPS, vehicle, or fixed node.
Hardware guide →Start Here
FIRST BOOT / FIRST TEST
Meshtastic is easiest to learn one step at a time. You need a compatible radio, current firmware, a client app, and a little time to test what your local terrain can actually do.
01Choose hardware
02Flash & configure
03Test the link
Flash & configure
Use the official Meshtastic flasher, set the correct region, then configure the device from a client.
Setup checklist →Measure what works
Start close, increase distance, change elevation and surroundings, and record what you learn.
Coverage guide →Before you transmit
Make sure your device is configured for the correct regulatory region and hardware frequency range. Do not copy settings from another country or another radio band without checking that they are appropriate for your location and device.
For Connecticut, use the current Meshtastic documentation and applicable U.S. rules as the source of truth. Local recommendations on this site may change as the community learns more.
Good first project: Put two compatible radios a short distance apart, exchange a message, then move one radio farther away or to a different elevation. That simple test teaches you more about your local RF environment than guessing from specifications.