Description

Our goal is to create a practical, community-owned free messaging system that complements existing emergency plans and strengthens neighborhood-level connectivity. Meshtastic is an excellent choice for disaster and emergency communication because it enables direct, long-range messaging without relying on cell towers or internet service. This resilience is critical when infrastructure is compromised by storms, power failures, or other disasters. Additionally, Meshtastic devices run on low power and can use simple antennas to extend range, making them suitable for rapid deployment across a county. A primary focus of the meetup will be building out the Marion County Meshtastic infrastructure. We are asking local churches to support the project by installing solar-powered nodes in high, secure locations on their buildings or properties. Churches often have ideal siting—elevated roofs, central locations, and community trust—making them natural partners for hosting nodes that provide coverage to surrounding neighborhoods. Solar nodes reduce maintenance needs and keep the network running during prolonged power outages, increasing the reliability of the mesh when it is needed most.