I spent this weekend building a pair of MeshCore radios. MeshCore is a decentralized mesh networking platform that uses LoRa radio hardware for secure text-based communications - no internet required. Unlike Meshtastic where every node relays traffic for every other node, MeshCore only relays through dedicated repeater nodes. This makes the network potentially more efficient and reliable - regular nodes aren't bogged down forwarding everyone else's messages.

The build was based on Heltec V3 boards. I grabbed a pair of kits from Amazon along with some better antennas, 3D printed cases for them, and used batteries I already had on hand. The whole thing came together over the weekend without too much trouble.