Open the meeting recording on YouTube
¶ Meeting Summary: Burning Mesh 2026 Deployment
Date: June 3, 2026
¶ Overview
This was the first community meeting introducing the Burning Mesh 2026 project—a volunteer-run MeshTastic network deployment at Burning Man. The meeting covered what MeshTastic is, reviewed 2025 deployment results, outlined 2026 goals, and issued a call for volunteers.
¶ What is MeshTastic?
MeshTastic is a low-cost, open-source mesh networking solution for on-playa communication. Key points:
- Devices pair with phones via Bluetooth, enabling text/DM messaging and location sharing
- Uses LoRa radio modulation (long-range, low-power, inexpensive hardware)
- Creates a self-routing network—messages hop through intermediate nodes to reach distant recipients
- Insular network with no internet dependency
- Unlike FRS radios, supports simultaneous transmissions without interference
¶ Why This Project Exists
- Democratize playa communication – Alternatives (Starlink, Borg radio licenses) are inaccessible to most camps/projects
- Stress-test open-source mesh tech in its intended off-grid environment and contribute feedback to developers
- Lower barriers to hobby mesh networking – Participants often continue using nodes in their home communities
¶ 2025 Deployment Highlights
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Unique nodes | ~1,750 |
| Direct messages | 50,000+ |
| Group messages + position updates | 100,000+ |
| Sensor telemetry traffic | 11% (non-standard use cases) |
Peak usage occurred during a storm when attendees were sheltering in tents. Average SNR was suboptimal due to infrastructure failures.
¶ Challenges Identified
- Hardware failures: 3 of 4 repeater/support sites destroyed by weather
- Software limits: Node info negotiation issues at scale (~1,700 nodes)
- iOS app stability problems
- Accidental location sharing cluttering maps
- User onboarding friction: ~50% of users had T-Beams requiring extra documentation
¶ 2026 Deliverables & Timeline
- Firmware cut target: August 14, 2026
- Hardware documentation & quick-start guides
- User validation testing
- Private frequency allocation coordination
- Tower selection & hardware deployment
- Coupon code collection from manufacturers
¶ Volunteer Needs
The organizer (f33b) noted that three key developers from 2025 are not attending this year. Help is urgently needed across:
- Technical tasks (firmware, documentation)
- Community support / user onboarding
- Any skill level welcome—even reviewing docs for readability
Estimate: ~2,400 participants expected (conservative); cannot support that alone.
¶ Additional Notes
- Plans exist to enable mesh bridging outside Burning Man (opt-in channel to extend connectivity toward Reno)
- Burning Man map tiles cannot be bundled in the app (org IP); manual installation required
- Private camp frequencies available via application process (~17 groups used them in 2025)