by Craig Cherry, N7RWB
Meshtastic and Meshcore refer to software that runs on a low cost LoRa radio node. Both Meshtastic and Meshcore support sending short text messages between nodes, using a phone, pad or laptop as the user interface. The radio node connects to your phone (or whatever) using Bluetooth, or a USB cable. The radio nodes form a mesh network automatically (there’s more to it but that’s good enough to get started) to deliver messages far beyound the range of your low powered node radio. This amounts to text messaging with no subscription or cell tower needed.
At least on recent hardware, you can load either Meshtastic or Meshcore software on the board. If you purchase a board with Meshtastic preloaded, you should be able to change it to Meshcore if you want (but you might want to verify this with respect to a particuar board before purchasing).
Informational Websites
These websites have information about the systems. There are many, many other websites and videos explaining these systems.
Gear Websites
[NOTE: These are examples of possible systems, not recommendations.]
This is a Meshtastic device I bought, but there are many others available, some at lower cost. I got this one because it has a newer design processor board and includes GPS.
If you want to put together your own system here’s a source of assembled boards, which will need a battery, antenna, case, etc.