Set up a repeater

Repeaters carry messages across IdahoMesh. Adding one is one of the best ways to extend the network, especially where coverage is thin. Here's how to set one up from scratch.

1. Get the hardware

Pick a low-power radio and a good antenna. A repeater on a roof or hill usually needs a solar panel, a battery and a weatherproof box. See Choosing a radio and Siting, power and antennas.

2. Flash the repeater firmware

1. On a computer, open the MeshCore flasher in Chrome or Edge.
2. Plug in the radio with a USB data cable and select it.
3. Choose the Repeater firmware.
4. On a new radio, click Erase, then Flash.

3. Set it up over USB

Use the flasher's repeater setup or its console, while the radio is still on your desk.

• Name: something people will recognize, like a place name.
• Admin password: lets you manage the repeater remotely later. Keep it somewhere safe.
• Guest password (optional): lets others see its stats.
• Location: a nearby park or landmark is fine for privacy. Keep it close, so the map shows real coverage.
• Radio preset: USA/Canada (Recommended).

4. Apply our settings and regions

Run the commands on Repeater settings, then get the region commands for your spot from Region setup.

5. Put it up high

Height and a clear view matter more than anything else. A repeater on a hill or rooftop reaches far more people than one on a shelf.

6. Check it

Within a day or two your repeater should show on the Repeaters page. Open its page to see its health card and any setting that still needs a fix.

After that, you can manage it from the MeshCore app. Open the repeater from your contacts and log in with the admin password.

Planning a hilltop or high-profile site?

Please reach out on Discord or Signal first. We'll help it fit into the wider network.