A resilient mesh communication network, for Sussex and beyond
MeshCore is open-source firmware that turns small, low-power LoRa radios into a self-healing mesh network. Locally, we're knitting together nodes across Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Eastbourne, Hastings, Chichester, Lewes, Crawley and the South Downs — so the more people who join, the further every message travels.
End-to-End Encrypted
Direct messages and private group chats are end-to-end encrypted. No one in the middle can read them — not even node operators.
Long Range LoRa
Built on 868 MHz LoRa — the licence-free EU band. Single hops of 5–20+ km are routine from elevated repeaters.
Off-Grid & Resilient
No SIM, no broadband, no cloud. Works in storms, power cuts and dead-zones — useful when you need it most.
Open Source
MIT-licensed firmware, apps and tooling. Inspect it, contribute, or run your own — nothing is locked behind a vendor.
Solar Repeaters
Repeater nodes can run indefinitely from a small solar panel. Install once, forget about it — quiet, weatherproof, low-fuss.
Public & Private Channels
Chat openly on community channels, or spin up a private encrypted channel for your family, club, sailing crew or response team.
Works With Your Phone
Pair a small LoRa "companion" node over Bluetooth and use the MeshCore app on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux or web.
Emergency Ready
When mobile networks fail — storms, floods, outages, large events — the mesh keeps texting working across the county.
Coast, Downs, weald — perfect mesh country
Sussex's geography is genuinely well-suited to LoRa. The chalk ridge of the South Downs gives long, clean line-of-sight paths from places like Ditchling Beacon, Devil's Dyke, Firle Beacon and Ditchling Hill. The Channel coast offers obstruction-free overwater hops between Worthing, Brighton, Newhaven, Eastbourne and Hastings.
A handful of well-placed repeaters — on a barn, an oast house, a chimney stack, an office roof or a cliff-side garden — can light up coverage across thousands of homes. That's why the project depends on local property owners stepping forward.
See how to hostThree steps onto the mesh
Get the app, get a node, start chatting.
Install the app
Grab the free MeshCore app for Android, iOS or your computer. Keep an offline copy handy in case the internet's out.
Get the AppPick up a node
Buy a supported LoRa radio (an "868 MHz EU" companion node). Around £30–£80 depending on the model.
View HardwareFlash & pair
Use the web flasher to install MeshCore firmware (EU 868 region). Pair to your phone over Bluetooth and you're on the Sussex mesh.
Open FlasherHost a repeater — help your neighbours stay connected
Repeaters are the backbone of the mesh. Every well-placed node — on a chimney, a barn roof, a tall garden pole, a cliff-edge cottage, a church tower, an office block — extends free, encrypted messaging coverage to thousands of homes around it.
Hosting is free, low-maintenance, and entirely reversible. We provide the kit and the install support; you provide a small bit of roof, wall, or pole real estate. There is no cabling into your building, no internet needed, no electricity bill.
Sites we'd love
- South Downs ridge properties
- Tall buildings in Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Eastbourne, Hastings, Chichester & Crawley
- Coastal cottages with sea views
- Farms, oast houses, barns & outbuildings
- Church towers & community halls
- Office roofs & industrial estates
Property owner questions, answered
Everything we get asked before someone says "yes, put it on my roof".
What exactly is the node being used for?
It expands a free, open-source community mesh network using low-power radio. The Sussex mesh acts as a county-wide text-messaging system, letting people communicate publicly or privately across distances where mobile signal is weak, saturated, or unavailable.
Common uses include hiking and sailing comms, emergency readiness, and everyday messaging for community groups.
What kind of equipment will be installed?
A small, weatherproof box containing a microcontroller and battery, a lightweight whip antenna, and a small solar panel. The whole assembly is typically under 1 kg and roughly the size of a Wi-Fi router (the antenna is longer).
How is it powered? Do I pay for the electricity?
Repeater nodes are solar-powered and self-sufficient. There's no mains connection, no cabling into your building, and zero impact on your electricity bill.
What antenna or cabling will be involved?
A small external antenna mounted to a mast, pole, chimney or wall bracket. There is no cabling into the building. Typical installations use magnets, U-bolts around an existing mast, or hose clamps — no drilling or screwing unless specifically agreed with you.
What's the maintenance like?
Very low. Nodes are designed to run autonomously for long periods. Occasional visits — once or twice a year — may be needed for firmware updates or hardware checks. Access terms can be agreed in writing in advance.
What range and signal coverage will the node support?
It depends mainly on elevation and antenna placement. Real-world hops are typically 5–20 km, occasionally much further over the sea or from the South Downs ridge. The mesh then relays messages onward through other nodes, so coverage compounds as more hosts join.
It operates on the licence-free 868 MHz UK/EU ISM band.
Will it interfere with my Wi-Fi, mobile signal, or TV?
Extremely unlikely. The mesh operates on entirely different frequencies (868 MHz) from Wi-Fi (2.4 / 5 GHz), mobile (700 MHz / 800 MHz / 1.8 GHz / 2.6 GHz / 3.4 GHz), and broadcast TV. Transmit power is well under 1 watt and complies with Ofcom regulations for licence-free use.
Are there permits, planning, or HOA / freeholder issues?
For a small antenna and non-commercial install, planning permission is generally not required — the kit is classed as a small wireless device under permitted development. Listed buildings and conservation areas have stricter rules, so we check on a case-by-case basis. If you're a tenant or in a leasehold flat, written permission from the freeholder or managing agent is recommended.
What about lightning?
It is not expected to materially increase the likelihood of a lightning strike. One reason we use solar-powered, fully isolated nodes (no mains or low-voltage cabling into the structure) is to keep the radio electrically separate from your building's wiring. We can fit additional surge protection on request.
What about liability and insurance?
The building owner carries the same liability they would for any rooftop fixture, although the likelihood of an incident is not expected to be material. Equipment is fitted by experienced volunteers and we can put a written hosting agreement in place that covers access, removal and responsibilities.
How long is the node expected to stay? Can I have it removed?
There is no long-term obligation. We agree a timeframe up front, and you can request removal at any time — we'll coordinate a visit and take it away. Removal should leave no permanent marks or damage.
Does the node collect personal data?
No. A repeater simply forwards encrypted radio packets — it cannot read direct messages or private channels, and we don't run analytics, accounts, or tracking on hosting properties. Public channel traffic is, by design, public and visible on the mesh.
Help build the Sussex mesh
Whether you want to send your first encrypted off-grid message, host a repeater on your roof, or just lend a hand at the next meet-up — you're welcome.