Overview of LoRa and Related Systems
LoRa highlights…
- LoRa is a “Long Range”, low power, low bandwidth, sub-gigabit radio transport.
- At very low power, it can transmit from 1 to multiple miles given various factors. Infrastructure and software exist to combine devices into networks of various forms, allowing for communicating over very large distances.
- It is a free, public spectrum that requires no licensing.
- In the US it operates at 915MHz base freq. Different frequencies are standardized in other countries.
- LoRa radio devices can be used in conjunction with other devices to provide various types of sensor and communications systems; E.G. IoT sensors (the original design case) as well as combined with phones, computers, to send short text messages over the LoRa radio comms.
- All-in-one devices also exist, which require no other device to operate. Basically, the Radio and User UI or networking facilities are all included in the one device. No phone needed for sending messages, etc. These range from simple to complex, including handheld Blackberry-looking devices used for texting, configuration of other LoRa devices, etc.
- Devices range from very cheap DiY kits, like electronics kits, to more expensive sensors, 3rd Party Comm and Repeater devices, etc.
Meshtastatic highlights…
- Meshtastic is a firmware that runs on LoRa devices
- It provides wide area communications abilities, as well as improved resiliency via packet handling mechanisms, etc.
- Meshtastic is a Peer-to-Peer style “mesh” framework. Devices running Meshtastic can be configured to communicate via networks and repeaters over large areas – cities, etc.
- LoRa is line-of-site and handles common obstructions very well. However, it cannot traverse through hills and mountains. Where line of sight is not possible, Meshtastic and Meshcore provide for relaying messages from device to device. In addition, it supports configuring dedicated relay LoRa devices that can forward info on to other devices. This allows for creating mesh networks that can be small, with just a few devices, like personal property or when you and friends are hiking or whatever. As well as very large metro networks, like whole cities.
- Meshtastic supports symmetric crypto algorithm(s) (Specifically the AES designated Rijndael – others?) to provide for a level of message encryption and security.
- Using Meshtastic, you can communicate across a range of topographic and topological scenarios. From small properties to whole cities.
Meshcore Info-ish
- Meshcore is a relatively recent entrant into the LoRa networking firmware stack.
- It provides similar features and advantages as Meshtastic.
- Meshcore is growing quickly in popularity, and has passionate adherents that think it is way better. As do Meshtastic adherents I imagine.
- I have not looked into it deeply yet, so I am not sure if it is way better, the same, etc. I have no opinion as of yet. But, I imagine I will stay with Meshtastic based solutions until I know more. Likely, you can flash either whenever you want, at least for some devices I have reviewed.
Detailed Info on all things LoRa
Really, if you read the bullet points above, then watch Sam’s videos I mention below, you will get all the info you need to kick start your LoRa journey. Also, YouTube recommendations will point you to numerous sources for more info, more devices, Meshcore overviews, etc. As will searching or AI’ing the various topics.
So, I won’t simply re-state all that here again. My goal is to give you a good starting point to the LoRa ecosystem and tech. Then you can soldier forth on your own with that initial perspective.
Nevertheless, here’s some general less categorized info in a stream/flow format. It might help crystalize the points above into clearer ideas and solutions.
So, the key here is to realize that LoRa, the radio tech itself, is just a physical transport. Similar to wiring in networks, it provides the messaging comms layer.
It’s built on a radio tech approach known as “chirp spread spectrum”. See my reference to the Wiki page below if you wish to know more about the technical details of LoRa and chirp spread spectrum; like, why it handles obstructions so well, carries so far, what SF5 through SF12 actually are, etc.
It was originally innovated as an industry effort to provide support for specific IoT use cases and with specific properties. So, it is not applicable for all purposes. But, for low bandwidth, low power scenarios, it is great.
You will encounter references to LoRaWAN, which is an industry standard network mechanism for communicating via LoRa devices act scale.
This does mean that LoRa is not suitable for medium to high range solutions, like voice or video. But, for text and similar small data exchanges, it’s great.
The LoRa Alliance is a group that furthers the technical aspects of LoRa itself. They worked to allocate RF frequencies for each country, with the US center at 915mhz. When you are buying LoRa tech, when applicable, you will want to make sure you choose the options for 915mhz in the U.S.
Naturally, various other interests have popularized the LoRa tech, such as emergency comms, off grid communications, and other similar scenarios.
Regarding usage on these latter scenarios, in the older days, you might use a custom electrical DiY kit, get the LoRa chips, and make a crude device your self. The device would have the LoRa radio tech, as well as some other bridging tech to connect and work over, such as your phone or desktop. You would communicate with the device over bluetooth or WiFi, which would do the RF transmit/receive stuff for you.
More currently, there are numerous options that are ready out of the box to do those things. As well as all-in-one devices, that provide the whole stack – LoRa RF, a user UI like small keyboard, and a display. To me (the old guy in the room), those appear similar to a Blackberry. If you remember what those are. 🙂
Honestly, the whole LoRa stack is just C64 Async Comms using XModem/YModem/ZModem/Kermit, but using a RF transceiver for the Physical layer, instead of your PSTN async modem over POTS. Less bandwidth on the LaRa, but a great tech where it fits.
Repeaters or routers, or whatever the roles are called, can be setup to relay messages over LoRa in that area. They have a TTl (Time to Live) basically, which ends message life when it reaches so many hops. So, the com message relay is limited of course, as it should be.
Today, you can find 3rd party repeaters and a plethora of high quality gear in this space. Refer to my source references below on M.A.D. Gear’s shop. Some way freak’n cool stuff. 🙂
Well, I’ll stop this brain dump here. Ping me or reach out to other sources you need more info. Happy LoRa’ing. 🙂
Sources and Equipment
LoRa and related topics are growing rapidly at the moment. As a result, searching YouTube and Web at large will find lot of info sources. Here are specific ones I used.
M.A.D. Gear Co folks
Probably the best resource I have personally found so far is the “M.A.D. Gear Co” YouTube channel and site. There may be many other high quality sites as well, you may like them better. But Sam does a great job covering the tech, devices, etc.
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@madgearcompany
Store Comms Gear: https://madgear.shop/collections/radios
Store Portal Entry: https://linktr.ee/madgearcompany
Specific videos Sam provides…
Meshtastic Crash Course Part 1 – What is Meshtastic?
Beginner Meshtastic Buyer’s Guide (2025)
Specific products of note on M.A.D. Gear. Note that some may referrals to other companies. Rokland and LILYGO are companies that make gear and electronics in this space, amongst many others. Some of the following will refer to their products…
Atlavox Beacon Solar Meshtastic Node – Outpost Config
https://madgear.shop/products/atlavox-beacon-solar-meshtastic-node-outpost-config
LILYGO® T-Deck Portable Microcontroller Programmer LoRa 915 MHz H642
https://madgear.shop/products/lilygo®-t-deck-portable-microcontroller-programmer-lora-915-mhz-h642
LILYGO® TTGO Meshtastic T-Echo LoRa SX1262 Wireless Module 915MHz NRF52840 GPS for Arduino H505
https://madgear.shop/products/lilygo®-ttgo-meshtastic-t-echo-lora-sx1262-wireless-module-915mhz-nrf52840-gps-for-arduino-h505
RAKwireless Wismesh Repeater Mini: Solar + Battery + Node all-in-one PID 116121
https://store.rokland.com/products/wismesh-repeater-mini-reliable-coverage-expansion-for-smart-networks?ref=MadGear
So, IMO, those AtlaVox and RAK are just way freak’n cool. 🙂
Wiki Pages
Relevant Wiki pages…
LoRa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoRa
Meshtastic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meshtastic