📡 MeshCore & Salish Mesh

Salish Mesh is a non-Radio operator volunteer-run, off-grid mesh radio network covering the Salish Sea region — including Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, and parts of the BC coast. It is built on MeshCore, an open-source firmware designed for low-power LoRa radios.

The network uses LoRa equipment in the 900 MHz band. In British Columbia, the locally coordinated MeshCore frequency of 910.525 MHz. Which is NOT changing over on October 1, 2026. Many participants are licensed amateurs, although licence-exempt equipment must be operated within the applicable Canadian technical rules. Regional settings may differ outside BC.

Most repeater nodes are solar-powered, making the network resilient during power outages and emergencies. The focus is on text messaging and small data packets — not voice or streaming — which lets it run reliably on modest hardware and low power budgets.

Learn more at the official site: salishmesh.net

For British Columbia operation beginning October 1, 2026, use the new locally coordinated frequency shown below. VA7REF is already operating on this frequency.

Parameter	Value
Configuration	BC local setting
Frequency	909.000 MHz
Bandwidth	62.5 kHz
Spreading Factor	SF7
Coding Rate	CR5 (4/5)

The frequency shown here reflects the announced BC change. Confirm all settings against the Ridgeline FAQ before configuring a repeater or other permanent infrastructure, because network parameters may be revised.

VA7REF is a solar-powered MeshCore repeater serving the local community. It has already switched to 909.000 MHz ahead of the province-wide October 1, 2026 changeover. Its solar panel and independent power system help keep the repeater available without relying on household power.

Follow these steps to get your MeshCore node up and running:

1. Flash MeshCore firmware to a compatible LoRa device (such as a LilyGo T-Beam, Heltec LoRa 32, or similar SX1276/SX1262-based board). Visit meshcore.ca for firmware downloads and instructions.
2. Set the BC frequency to 909.000 MHz. The BC network changes on October 1, 2026, and VA7REF is already using the new frequency. Consult the Ridgeline FAQ for the latest instructions before saving your configuration.
3. Set your callsign or device name. Use your amateur radio callsign if you are licensed (e.g., VE7LEE). Licensed operators should identify as required by their licence conditions.
4. Join the local channels listed below. Start with #salishmesh and #vancouver to hear local traffic.
5. Check your RF path. From Vancouver and Richmond, many nodes have line-of-sight to solar repeaters on local peaks. Use the coverage map at salishmesh.net/coverage to find nearby infrastructure.
6. Say hello! Introduce yourself on #vancouver or #salishmesh and ask for a signal report.

Channels in MeshCore work like named chat rooms. Below are the active channels used by the Vancouver and Salish Mesh community. Join the ones relevant to your area and activity.

General & Regional

Bots & Testing

#bot-van carries automated bot traffic and beacons. #testing is for experimenting with your node — please do not clutter operational channels with test traffic.

Emergency

#emergency is reserved for genuine emergency communications. Do not use this channel for routine traffic, testing, or casual conversation.

Region scopes define how widely a message is repeated across the mesh. Choosing the right scope keeps traffic local and reduces unnecessary network load.

bc — covers British Columbia broadly.
swbc — South-West BC, including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the Sunshine Coast.
salishmesh — the full Salish Mesh region, spanning the Salish Sea including parts of Washington State via the Puget Mesh link.

Use the narrowest scope that covers your intended audience to be a good mesh citizen.