📡 How Does It Work?
Our team has installed radio infrastructure on hilltops in Trabuco Canyon to provide initial coverage for residents. All you need is a small $50 mesh radio paired via Bluetooth to your existing cell phone.
Mesh Network
Radio nodes create a network where messages hop from device to device, bypassing obstacles.
Simple Setup
Download the Meshtastic app, pair with your device, and you're ready to communicate.
Off-Grid Messaging
Text with your community without internet, power, or cell service.
⚡ How Messages Travel
When Bobby sends a message, it hops through the network using LoRa devices and repeaters. The message can travel over mountains, through neighborhoods, and around obstacles to reach everyone in the community - even if some paths are blocked by weather or terrain.
⚙️ Quick Start
1. Get a Device
Starting at $50 and great for walking around the SenseCap Tracker T1000-E is an excellent every day carry radio the size of a credit card or try something with a screen like the WisMesh Pocket V2 for $99.
2. Install the App
Download the Meshtastic app on iOS or Android to connect with your device.
3. Connect Your Phone
Open the Meshtastic app, navigate to Bluetooth, pair with your device.
4. Join ICMESH
Go to settings -> Lora Config -> Region = United States. Use Preset ON. Preset = Long Moderate. Ignore MQTT = ON, OK to MQTT = ON. Transmit Enabled = ON.
5. Name Your Device
Settings -> User -> Short Name up to 4 characters or 1 Emoji -> Long Name <something short> + ICMESH.COM. For example: short name = BAC and long name = BACON - ICMESH.COM.
6. Send A Message
In your mobile app, go to Channel to send a message to everyone or Direct Messages to send a secure message to anyone on the network.
SenseCap Tracker T1000-E for $50
📍 Coverage Map
Current & Future Infrastructure Nodes in Trabuco Canyon, CA
🤝 We Need Your Help!
You
Grab a device, join the network, and team up with us!
Community Leaders
Rally support and help us raise $1,000 for more hilltop radios in Trabuco Canyon and special nodes to link our distant canyon folk.
Nerds & Hardware Hackers
Assist in setting up the network, placing initial nodes, managing servers, and coding cool stuff to make this all work.
✅ Current Progress
Hilltop Nodes Live
Several solar power nodes have been installed providing initial coverage with excellent coverage in our initial testing
Successful Testing
Successful testing between Hamilton, Cooks, and even Coto De Caza 📶.
Admin Tools
Tools for admins to expand and track the network: MQTT, MeshView, Maps 🗺️, and Grafana Dashboards 🌐.
📡✨ Communications Compared
| PACE Level | Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary | 📱 Cell Phone / Internet | ✅ High reliability and speed | ❌ Dependent on towers and infrastructure |
Alternate | 📶 ICMESH (Meshtastic) | ✅ No infrastructure needed, encrypted | ❌ Limited range, requires local nodes |
Contingency | 🎙️ GMRS | ✅ Easy to use, better range than FRS | ❌ Requires GMRS license, non-encrypted |
Emergency | 📻 Ham Radio | ✅ Global range, robust in emergencies | ❌ License needed, complex equipment |
Emergency | 🛰️ Satellite | ✅ Global coverage, reliable in remote areas | ❌ Expensive, limited message capacity |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📜 ICMESH Community Guidelines
To ensure a positive and respectful environment for all users, the following guidelines apply to messaging over ICMESH:
No Politics or Religion
Keep conversations neutral and avoid topics related to politics or religion to maintain harmony.
No Foul Language
Use respectful language at all times. Offensive or inappropriate language is strictly prohibited.
No SHAT
Content related to Sex, Hate, Alcohol, or Tobacco/Drugs is not allowed. Keep messages clean and safe for everyone.
All-Age Appropriate
All messages should be suitable for audiences of all ages. Think family-friendly in all communications.
No Commercial Sales or Spam
Messages promoting commercial sales, advertisements, or spam are not permitted. Let's keep the network free of unwanted promotions.
Legal Placement of Nodes
Always place nodes in areas with federal, state, city, government, and property owner permission. Avoid "rogue" installations to maintain integrity.
We look forward to seeing you on ICMESH!