About Ouachita Link

Ouachita Link is a community-driven mesh network utilizing Meshtastic technology to provide off-grid communication across the Ouachita region. Our goal is to enhance connectivity in areas lacking reliable communication infrastructure.

About Meshtastic

Meshtastic is an open-source project that enables long-range, off-grid communication using affordable LoRa devices. It allows users to create decentralized mesh networks without relying on existing infrastructure. Learn more at the official Meshtastic website.

Setting Up Your Device

1. Download the Meshtastic App: Install the Meshtastic app on your smartphone from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
2. Connect to Your Device: Pair your Meshtastic device with your phone via Bluetooth or USB. For detailed instructions, refer to the Initial Configuration Guide.
3. Configure Regional Settings: Set your device's region to comply with local regulations. Detailed steps are available in the Initial Configuration Guide.
4. Set Device Role: For most users, setting the device role to 'CLIENT' is recommended. More information can be found in the Device Configuration Guide.
5. Start Communicating: Use the app to send text messages through the mesh network.

How to Add Our Channel

1. Open the Meshtastic app and navigate to the channel settings.
2. Enter the following channel details:
   • Channel Name: Ouachita Link
   • Channel URL: https://meshtastic.org/docs/software/web-client/
3. Save the settings and restart your device to join the Ouachita Link network.

Best Practices

Radio Speed Settings

Ouachita Link recommends using the Long Range / Slow setting as we build our network.

Meshtastic devices offer various modem presets that balance speed and range. Here are some common presets:

• Short Range / Fast: Data rate of 10.94 kbps; suitable for dense environments with many devices. Learn more.
• Long Range / Fast: Data rate of 1.07 kbps; balanced speed and range; ideal for general use. Learn more.
• Long Range / Slow: Data rate of 0.18 kbps; slower data rate with extended range; useful for sparse networks requiring long-distance communication. Learn more.

Device Roles

Ouachita Link strongly recommends setting your device role to CLIENT for optimal network performance.

Choosing the appropriate device role is crucial for network stability:

• CLIENT: Efficiently repeats and routes packets as needed, using smart delays for rebroadcasting to improve network stability. This role is suitable for most users. Learn more.
• ROUTER: Designed for stationary devices placed in strategic locations to act as hubs for routing packets. Misuse can lead to network issues such as increased packet collisions and reduced message delivery rates. Learn more.
• REPEATER: Similar to ROUTER but focuses solely on rebroadcasting messages without originating its own. Should be used sparingly and only in specific scenarios. Learn more.

General Tips

• Position devices in elevated locations to maximize signal range and reliability.
• Ensure all devices are set to the same channel to communicate within the same network.
• Regularly update your firmware to benefit from the latest features and fixes.
• Coordinate with your local community before changing device roles to ensure positive network impact.
• Maintain the default hop limit of 3 unless a specific need arises; unnecessarily high hop counts can lead to network congestion. Learn more.

Resources