getuncabled

Guides

Task-focused instructions. Each guide lists difficulty, time and cost up front and links its sources at the bottom.

Getting connected

  • Which mesh is right for you?

    Match your goal (replacing broadband, off-grid messaging, or licensed amateur data) to the type of mesh network that can actually deliver it.

    Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 10 min readCost: FreeUpdated 29 Oct 2026

  • Zero-hardware start

    What you can do before buying a radio: run Reticulum over the internet, understand Meshtastic MQTT, install free apps, and plan the move to real hardware.

    Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 30 minCost: FreeUpdated 29 Oct 2026

  • Find a local mesh

    Maps and directories for checking whether a Wi-Fi community network, Meshtastic, MeshCore or Reticulum mesh already covers your area, with a Coventry and West Midlands case study.

    Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 20 minCost: FreeUpdated 29 Oct 2026

  • Join a community Wi-Fi mesh

    What joining NYC Mesh, Guifi.net or Freifunk involves: checking coverage, requesting an install, hardware, donations and etiquette, and what to do if there is no network near you.

    Difficulty: IntermediateTime: Varies by community (not sourced)Cost: NYC Mesh: suggested donation of $240 average equipment plus $50 install expenses; others varyUpdated 29 Oct 2026

Hardware

  • Hardware buyer's guide

    Boards, radios and antennas for LoRa meshes, and routers for Wi-Fi meshes.

    Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 30 min readCost: Roughly £25-40 for a basic board (LocalMesh's indicative figures); UK GBP prices not independently checkedUpdated 29 Oct 2026

Software

  • Flash Meshtastic

    Flash firmware onto a LoRa board, set your region and send a first message.

    Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 30 minCost: Free (software); you need a board, see the hardware guideUpdated 29 Oct 2026

  • Flash MeshCore

    Flash MeshCore firmware and connect a companion app.

    Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 30 minCost: Free (software); you need a board, see the hardware guideUpdated 29 Oct 2026

  • RNode and Reticulum setup

    Set up an RNode and the Reticulum stack for encrypted off-grid networking.

    Difficulty: IntermediateTime: 1 hCost: Free (software); a supported LoRa board is the only hardware costUpdated 29 Oct 2026

  • Clients and apps

    Phone, desktop and web clients for the main mesh networks.

    Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 15 min readCost: FreeUpdated 29 Oct 2026

Power & placement

  • Antenna placement

    Height, line of sight, the Fresnel zone, cable loss and the UK e.r.p. limit: where to put the antenna of a 868 MHz LoRa node.

    Difficulty: IntermediateTime: 20 min readCost: Varies (antenna and cable prices not sourced)Updated 29 Oct 2026

  • Power

    Powering a LoRa mesh node: USB, power banks that switch off, 18650 and LiPo safety, ESP32 versus nRF52 draw, and solar as an option.

    Difficulty: IntermediateTime: 20 min readCost: Varies (battery, bank and solar prices not sourced)Updated 29 Oct 2026