MeshCore SAR
Overview
MeshCore SAR turns ordinary smartphones into a practical off-grid coordination tool for search and rescue teams.
Paired with MeshCore radios, it delivers messaging, GPS tracking, and tactical mapping when cellular service and internet access are unavailable.
Hardware & Infrastructure
MeshCore SAR requires MeshCore devices for LoRa transport.
The app connects to those devices over Bluetooth and turns a smartphone into a field terminal for communication, location sharing, and navigation.
MeshCore Device Options
- Dedicated MeshCore nodes — purpose-built for field deployment
- Existing repeaters — leverage installed infrastructure
- Client devices — other team members’ MeshCore units
- Room nodes — persistent communication hubs
Seamless Integration: MeshCore SAR works with existing MeshCore deployments, so teams can extend a current network or deploy their own without changing workflows.
Whether you’re extending an established mesh or starting from scratch, every MeshCore node becomes part of a resilient field communication backbone.
Client Devices
The client interface takes inspiration from Meshtastic InkHUD and adapts it for MeshCore with a cleaner, more operational display:
- Improved navigation with redesigned screens for Messages, Contacts, and Settings
- Multi-language support — including Slovenian and Croatian
- Better visual hierarchy with clearer typography and screen layout
- Enhanced GPS display showing both fix age and accuracy
Reliability Improvements
Watchdog timer implementation helps devices stay operational when teams are under pressure:
- Automatic recovery from software freezes
- NRF52 hardware watchdog to prevent lockups
- Continuous operation in harsh field conditions
- No manual intervention after common crashes
Together, these changes make client devices more dependable during long SAR operations where failures are expensive.
Project Repository
Find the source, releases, and implementation details at:
github.com/dz0ny/meshcore-sar
Messages
Messages View
Send SAR Marker
SAR Alerts Feed
Mission Communication
- Direct Messages – private one-to-one coordination
- Public Channels – broadcast updates across the network
- Rooms – persistent shared logs (e.g., General, Emergency)
SAR Marker Messages
Send geo-tagged alerts in seconds:
Found Person • Fire Location • Staging Area • Object Found
Messages appear directly on the map with delivery states such as Sent, Delivered, Retrying, and Failed.
Contacts
Team List
Contact Details
Compass View
Situational Awareness
- Real-time GPS, bearing, and distance for each teammate
- Battery telemetry and voltage readings
- Routing path indicator (Direct / Multi-hop / Flood)
- Role badges for fast visual identification (Police, Firefighter, Medic)
- Compass guidance for nearby contacts and SAR markers
Map
Tactical Map
Drawing Tools
Compass Navigation
Tactical Display
- Offline vector maps (MBTiles) with street, topo, and satellite layers
- SAR event markers — color-coded by type
- Drawing tools for routes, sectors, and quick visual planning
- Compass integration — precise direction and range to people, markers, and nodes
Plan, navigate, and coordinate without relying on network infrastructure.
FAQ
Q: Is this a fork of MeshCore?
A: No. MeshCore SAR is a specialized application built to work with existing MeshCore infrastructure and devices. Messages remain ASCII-only and human-readable; the app adds SAR-focused workflows and interface layers around those message formats.
Q: Can I use existing MeshCore repeaters in my area?
A: Yes. MeshCore SAR can operate on any existing MeshCore network as long as your team has the correct frequency and configuration.
Q: What if there are no repeaters nearby?
A: You can still communicate device-to-device, but range will be more limited. Even a single repeater can improve coverage and reliability for the whole group.
Q: How does this work with SAR teams that have their own equipment?
A: Teams can deploy their own MeshCore infrastructure, integrate with an existing network, or combine both approaches depending on the mission area.
Q: Will SAR features be merged into the main MeshCore app?
A: The messaging model stays compatible, but SAR-specific features such as offline maps, tactical drawing, and compass navigation are better served by a dedicated application.
Download
Explore MeshCore SAR on GitHub:
Source, releases, and project updates
View on GitHub