The Amarillo area runs two LoRa mesh networks — Meshtastic and MeshCore. Both use the same radios on the 915 MHz ISM band. No license, no cell towers, no internet required.
Pick a protocol below to see local settings, recommended devices, and setup instructions. Not sure which one? Compare them side by side.
The most active and mature network in the Amarillo area. Open-source LoRa mesh firmware with broad device support, great for group messaging and GPS tracking.
Meshtastic Guide →Still in its infancy locally, but a few more nodes have been joining. A newer protocol built for efficient long-range routing with up to 64 hops and purpose-built roles for city-scale infrastructure.
MeshCore Guide →What You Need
- A LoRa radio — Starting around $35 for a DIY build or $50–100 for a ready-to-go device
- A smartphone — iOS or Android, to pair with your radio over Bluetooth
- The app — Meshtastic has dedicated iOS/Android apps; MeshCore has companion apps listed at meshcore.net
How It Works
Your radio sends and receives messages over LoRa — a long-range, low-power radio protocol. Messages hop from radio to radio across the mesh, reaching people miles away without any infrastructure. The more radios on the network, the further messages can travel.
Both protocols use the same hardware. Most LoRa radios support both — you just flash whichever firmware you prefer. Many people run one of each.