Skip to main content

Events and Groups

Meshtastic works well for organized group activities: scout camps, field days, community events, outdoor training, and any situation where a group of people needs to stay coordinated across an area without cell coverage.

Common scenarios​

  • Scout troops on a camping trip, with leaders tracking group locations
  • Field day events where organizers need to communicate across a large site
  • Community volunteer groups working across a park, forest, or rural area
  • Outdoor training exercises where instructors monitor multiple teams
  • Workshop groups exploring an area and reporting back to a base

Why Meshtastic works for events​

  • No infrastructure needed. Works anywhere, including parks, forests, and rural areas with no cell coverage.
  • Group position sharing. Everyone can see where everyone else is on the map.
  • Multiple channels. Organizers can have a leaders-only channel and a general channel for all participants.
  • Low cost per device. Compared to renting radios, buying Meshtastic devices for a group is affordable and the devices are reusable.
  • No license required. Certified devices on the 920 MHz band in Japan do not need a radio license.

Typical event setup​

RoleDevice setup
Event organizer / baseDevice at a high point (flagpole, rooftop, table), app open for monitoring
Team leadersDevice on chest or pack, private leaders channel + general channel
ParticipantsDevice on lanyard or pack, general channel only

Channel structure for a larger event:

ChannelPurposeWho
Channel 0Default mesh (public)All
Channel 1Event generalAll participants
Channel 2Leaders / organizersLeaders and staff only

Setting up a group quickly​

When introducing Meshtastic to a group that has never used it:

  1. Pre-configure devices. Name each device, set the region to Japan, and add channels before the event.
  2. Share channels via QR code. One QR scan adds the channel to each person's app. See Channels and Groups.
  3. Test as a group. Everyone sends one message to confirm they are connected.
  4. Keep instructions simple. For most participants, all they need to know is: "Keep the device on. Check the app if you need to see where people are or send a message."

Working with youth groups​

When using Meshtastic with children or youth (scouts, school groups):

  • Adults carry the devices and monitor positions. Children do not need their own devices unless they are old enough to manage them.
  • Pair devices with leaders. Each leader is responsible for their group's device.
  • Do not rely solely on Meshtastic for youth safety. Maintain standard supervision ratios, buddy systems, and check-in procedures.
  • Use it as a teaching opportunity. Explain how mesh networking works. Kids are often fascinated by the technology.

Range at event sites​

  • Open fields and parks: 3-5 km typical range
  • Forested camps: 1-3 km, improved with a relay at a high point
  • Urban event sites: 1-2 km, buildings reduce range

Place a relay device at the highest available point (a building roof, hilltop, or elevated platform) to extend coverage across the event area.

After the event​

  • Collect devices and check battery levels
  • Reset channels if the devices will be used by different groups next time
  • Note any issues for next time (range problems, naming confusion, etc.)

Further reading​