Integrations

By default, Crow provides messaging within the AREDN network. But Crow also supports other messaging protocols. Currently these are:

• Meshtastic
• MeshCore
• APRS

You do not have to have your own Meshtastic or MeshCore node to talk to these networks from Crow. It only matters that, somewhere on your local network, someone has installed the necessary bridge device and software. With that in place, your Crow node will appear as a Meshtastic node on the Meshtastic network, and as a MeshCore node on the MeshCore network.

Meshtastic and MeshCore messages are transported as third-party, unencrypted traffic across the AREDN network with messages tagged with the callsign of bridge.

Crow does not link Meshtastic, MeshCore, or APRS networks together between regions, and it does not link these networks together even in the same region. AREDN can see your local Meshtastic, MeshCore, and APRS networks, and they can see you — but not each other. Everything remains in your local area.

Meshtastic

Meshtastic (https://meshtastic.org) is probably the best well known off-grid messaging platform. It uses LoRa radios to send small text messages between an adhoc arrange of nodes.

MeshCore

MeshCore (https://meshcore.co.uk) is an increasingly popular messaging platform which also uses LoRa radios. From a high-level its very similar to Meshtastic, but achieves its goals using a very different network philosophy.

APRS

APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) is a long-established amateur radio protocol for sending short text messages, position reports, and telemetry. Crow can send and receive APRS text messages via APRS-IS, Dire Wolf KISS-over-TCP, or Xastir/YAAC-style TCP text streams. APRS traffic is public and unencrypted — all standard amateur radio regulations apply. You must have a valid APRS passcode to pass traffic. See the APRS page for full configuration details.