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When disasters strike, power goes out, cell towers get congested, the Internet disappears. But communication is still essential — to check on family, coordinate help, and stay informed.
That’s why we’re building a local emergency communication network using LoRa (Long Range) radio technology. LoRa devices are:
We use a LoRa‑based system called Meshcore. Each participant carries a small device called a companion, which connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Through the Meshcore app, anyone can send short text messages that hop across the mesh until they reach their destination.
It’s simple, inexpensive, and remarkably resilient.
Across Southern California, volunteers have installed more than 700 repeaters, devices that relay messages when participants are out of range of each other. Messages already travel from the Mexican border to Ventura County, the Inland Empire and beyond, proving how far this technology can reach.
We’re adding our own stake‑hosted repeaters to strengthen coverage and provide redundancy. Repeaters use the same LoRa circuits as companion devices but are programmed to relay messages over and around mountains and other obstacles to line‑of‑sight communication. Most repeaters are solar‑powered, housed in weatherproof enclosures, and placed in strategic outdoor locations to maximize range. (A few compact units operate indoors on USB power where outdoor placement isn’t practical.)
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By placing repeaters at members’ homes and properties, we protect them from weather damage, theft, or removal, ensuring the network stays online when it’s needed most.
Our primary purpose is to ensure reliable communication within the San Diego East Stake during emergencies. While the West Coast Mesh provides broad regional coverage, we cannot depend solely on volunteer‑operated repeaters that may go offline without notice. Stake‑controlled repeaters give us the ability to maintain communication even when community repeaters fail, lose power, or are temporarily removed.
Every area of the stake should be covered by at least two stake‑controlled repeaters. This redundancy ensures that if one repeater goes offline, communication can continue uninterrupted.
Although our primary mission is internal emergency communication, we intentionally maintain compatibility with the West Coast Mesh community (a loosely organized community of Meshcore enthusiasts) . This allows stake members to communicate anywhere in Southern California where West Coast Mesh repeaters cover. Our network augments the larger system, but that augmentation is a benefit, not the purpose of establishing our own network.
We welcome anyone who wants to participate. We also encourage regular, non‑emergency use of the network. This keeps channels active, verifies that equipment is functioning, and ensures that members are familiar with the system before an emergency occurs. A quiet network is an untested network; routine traffic keeps it healthy.
Volunteer‑operated repeaters already cover much of the stake, and we value their contribution. However, because these repeaters are not under stake control, they may be intermittent, experimental, damaged or removed. Our network is designed to stand on its own while still cooperating with and benefiting from the broader West Coast Mesh community.
The mesh is currently being developed in the San Diego East Stake, and all surrounding stakes are invited to join. With the existing regional backbone and a handful of well‑placed member‑hosted repeaters, most stakes can achieve full, reliable coverage.
This effort is about more than radios. It’s about preparedness, connection, and service. By building this network together, we ensure that in times of emergency we remain:
A resilient community starts with resilient communication.
Bob DuHamel
Grossmont Ward
San Diego East Stake Emergency
Communications Specialist.
Find me in the directory on the Church web site or the Tools app.