Jackson Mesh

Your Community Meshtastic Network

Welcome to Jackson Mesh!

Connecting our community in Jackson, Michigan, through a resilient Meshtastic network. Stay informed, share your location, and communicate even when traditional networks are down.

Meshtastic is an open-source project that allows you to use inexpensive LoRa radios as a long-range off-grid communication platform. Create your own mesh network with devices that can send messages and GPS locations to each other, all without internet or cellular service.

Explore our site to learn how to join, what features are available, and where our network currently covers.

What is Meshtastic?

Meshtastic is an open source, off-grid, communications platform that lets you use inexpensive LoRa radios as a long-range mesh. The Meshtastic devices act as repeaters, forwarding messages from other nodes, extending the range of the network dynamically.

Learn more about Meshtastic at meshtastic.org.

Here's an illustration of a Meshtastic network in action:

Connecting to the Private Jackson Mesh Channel

To join the private Jackson Mesh channel and access enhanced features, you'll need to configure your Meshtastic device with specific settings. This channel is designed for residents of Jackson, Michigan, to ensure local, reliable communication.

Steps to Connect:

  1. Update Your Meshtastic Device: Ensure your device is running the latest stable firmware. You can do this via the Meshtastic Android/iOS app or the Meshtastic Web Flasher.
  2. Open Your Meshtastic App: Connect your Meshtastic device to your phone via Bluetooth.
  3. Navigate to Channel Settings: Go to the "Channels" section in your Meshtastic app.
  4. Add New Channel (or Edit Existing):
    • If adding a new channel, select "Add Channel" or similar option.
    • If you have an existing default channel, you might choose to modify it or add a new one.
  5. Enter Channel Name: Set the channel name to something recognizable, e.g., "Jackson Mesh Private".
  6. Enter PSK (Pre-Shared Key): This is crucial for connecting to the private channel.

    Private Jackson Mesh PSK: YOUR_PRIVATE_PSK_HERE

    Please contact a network administrator or local community organizer for the actual PSK. This ensures the privacy and integrity of our local network.

  7. Set Channel LongFast Settings:

    For optimal performance on our network, we recommend the following LoRa settings for the private channel:

    • Modem Preset: LongFast
    • Channel Number: (Leave default or specify if provided by admin)
    • Bandwidth: 125kHz
    • Spreading Factor: 12
    • Coding Rate: 4/5

    These settings balance range and data rate for our local topology.

  8. Save Settings: Apply the changes to your device. Your device should now attempt to connect to the private Jackson Mesh channel.

If you encounter any issues, please check our About page for contact information or join our public discussion forum.

Features of the Private Jackson Mesh Channel

The private Jackson Mesh channel offers several enhanced features designed to improve your Meshtastic experience within our community:

  • More Accurate Location Reporting

    With denser node coverage and optimized settings on the private channel, your device can report its GPS location more frequently and with higher precision. This is especially useful for tracking community events, search and rescue efforts, or simply knowing where your friends and family are in a reliable, off-grid manner.

    Imagine being able to see precise locations on your connected map, even without cellular data:

  • Store and Forward Capability

    Our private channel leverages a robust "store and forward" mechanism. If a message cannot immediately reach its destination due to a temporary lack of direct path, it will be stored by intermediary nodes and forwarded as soon as a path becomes available. This significantly increases message reliability and ensures your communications get through, even in challenging RF environments or when nodes go offline and come back online.

    This feature is vital for maintaining communication continuity across our mesh network.

  • Enhanced Security and Privacy

    By using a private PSK, the Jackson Mesh channel offers a higher level of security and privacy compared to public channels. Only devices configured with the correct key can join and participate in communications, reducing unwanted interference and ensuring that your local conversations remain within our trusted community.

  • Optimized Node Routing

    The private channel is configured with routing preferences that prioritize local Jackson Mesh nodes, leading to more efficient message delivery and better network performance within our specific geographical area.

  • Community-Specific Applications

    Future plans for the private channel include support for community-specific applications, such as local alerts, event coordination, and dedicated message groups for various local interests.

These features combine to create a powerful and reliable communication platform for the Jackson, Michigan community.

Jackson Mesh Coverage Map

This map illustrates the current estimated coverage of the Jackson Mesh network. As more people join and deploy nodes, our coverage will expand!

Note: This is a placeholder image. An actual coverage map generated from our network data will be uploaded here soon.

Jackson Mesh Coverage Map Placeholder

(Placeholder: Actual coverage map coming soon!)

If you're interested in helping expand our coverage, consider setting up a Meshtastic repeater node at your location!

About Jackson Mesh

Jackson Mesh is a community-driven initiative dedicated to building and maintaining a resilient Meshtastic mesh network in Jackson, Michigan. Our goal is to provide a robust, off-grid communication option for residents, enhancing local preparedness, fostering community connection, and exploring the exciting possibilities of decentralized wireless communication.

Our Mission

  • To establish and grow a reliable Meshtastic network across Jackson.
  • To educate and support community members in utilizing Meshtastic.
  • To promote local communication and emergency preparedness.
  • To foster a collaborative environment for network development.

Get Involved!

We welcome all interested community members to join us! Whether you're a seasoned radio enthusiast or new to Meshtastic, there are many ways to contribute:

  • Set up a Node: Deploy a Meshtastic device as a stationary repeater to extend network coverage.
  • Spread the Word: Tell your friends, family, and neighbors about Jackson Mesh.
  • Contribute to Development: If you have technical skills (coding, hardware, mapping), we'd love your help!
  • Join Discussions: Participate in our online forums or local meetups to share ideas and ask questions.

Contact Us

Have questions, suggestions, or want to get involved?

  • Email: info@jacksonmesh.com
  • Community Forum: (Link to your preferred forum/chat, e.g., Discord, Reddit, etc.) - Coming Soon!
  • Social Media: (Links to Facebook, Twitter, etc.) - Coming Soon!

We look forward to building this network with you!