---
id: overview
title: Getting Started
sidebar_label: Getting Started
slug: /getting-started
sidebar_position: 2
---

import Link from '@docusaurus/Link';

## What is Meshtastic?

Meshtastic® is a project that lets you use inexpensive LoRa radios as a long range off-grid communicator for areas without reliable cellular service. These radios are great for hiking, skiing, paragliding - essentially any hobby where you don't have reliable internet access. Each member of the mesh can send and view text messages and enable optional GPS based location features.

The radios automatically create a mesh to forward packets as needed, so everyone in the group can receive messages from even the furthest member. The radios will optionally work with your phone, but no phone is required.

Meshtastic uses LoRa for the long range communications and depending on settings used up to 80 device nodes. Each device supports a connection from a single user at a time.

<div className="indexCtasBody">
  <Link
    className={'button button--outline  button--lg cta--button'}
    to={'/docs/about'}
  >
    Learn More
  </Link>
</div>

## Supported Hardware

<div className="indexCtasBody">
  <Link
    className={'button button--outline  button--lg cta--button'}
    to={'/docs/category/supported-hardware'}
  >
    Supported Hardware
  </Link>
</div>

## Flashing Firmware

<div className="indexCtasBody">
  <Link
    className={'button button--outline  button--lg cta--button'}
    to={'/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware'}
  >
    Flash Firmware
  </Link>
</div>

## Troubleshooting

Hopefully your "getting started" experience has been straight forward and headache free. If you've had issues, please consider updating our documentation to improve future user experiences. If you're still having issues. Reach out on the [forum](https://meshtastic.discourse.group) or [Discord](https://discord.gg/ktMAKGBnBs). Our support is 100% volunteer based. We are passionate about the project hope to help newcomers become Meshtastic experts.
