First Contact

Your Companion is configured, the firmware is installed, and the initial setup is complete.

Now comes the exciting part.

When you switch on your Companion for the first time, you may notice… nothing.

That’s perfectly normal.

A Companion is intentionally quiet when it first joins the network. It listens for messages and advertisements from nearby Repeaters and other MeshCore participants, but it does not automatically announce its own presence. This design keeps network traffic to a minimum, allowing even large MeshCore networks to remain efficient.

As soon as your Companion receives an advertisement from a Repeater or another participant, the information will appear in the Companion App. If you prefer, you can also send an advertisement manually to make your own device visible to the network.

If you’re in the Rhön, there’s a good chance you’ll soon discover your first Repeaters or other participants. Over the past few years, the regional network has grown steadily and continues to expand thanks to the efforts of many volunteers.

Your first contact doesn’t have to be a conversation. Simply seeing another device appear is often an exciting moment. Every Repeater you receive and every new participant you discover reveals another small part of the network around you.

If nothing appears at first, try moving to a different location. Even a short walk or a slightly higher position can make a noticeable difference. In a mountainous region like the Rhön, the landscape itself often determines which radio paths are possible.

Take your time to get familiar with your Companion. Observe which Repeaters you can receive regularly, how reception changes from place to place, and how different your experience can be at home, on a hilltop or during a hike.

MeshCore is about exploration.

Every new location teaches you something about the network, and every new connection shows how individual Companions and Repeaters become part of a larger communication network.

Once you’re comfortable using your Companion and have gained your first experiences, continue with “Next Steps” to discover what else you can do with MeshCore.