Choose a Meshtastic-compatible radio for EU868 (868 MHz), with a matching antenna. Attach the antenna before switching it on; a ready-to-use device is an easy place to start.
What it is
Small radios. A growing island network.
Each radio is called a node. Meshtastic lets nodes exchange messages directly and, where settings and signal allow, relay them to others. ManxMesh’s fixed infrastructure nodes are named after stars. Well-placed nodes can help connect people using portable radios or nodes at home.
Try it while walking, cycling or exploring the coast, including places with patchy mobile signal. Radio-to-radio messages do not need internet access, so they can be useful when the internet is unavailable or the mobile network is down, including during emergencies or disruption. Both ends need powered radios and a reachable radio path; terrain, antennas and any relay nodes affect how far messages can travel.
Infrastructure status
Last successful update: 24 Oct 2026, 18:45 UTC.
Checked every five minutes
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ALFA · Alpha CentauriLocation: Hillberry / BaldwinHeard <24h Last heard 24 Oct, 18:41 UTC
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BARN · Barnard's StarLocation: Braaid / Southern glensNot heard recently Last heard unavailable
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CAPE · CapellaLocation: Snaefell area eastwardsNot heard ≥72h Last heard 18 Oct, 13:31 UTC
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DENE · DenebolaLocation: Snaefell area westwardsNot heard 24–72h Last heard 23 Oct, 07:14 UTC
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ERID · Epsilon EridaniLocation: RamseyNot heard ≥72h Last heard 1 Oct, 11:10 UTC
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FOMA · FomalhautLocation: South Barrule to PeelNot heard recently Last heard unavailable
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GB34 · Groombridge 34Location: South Barrule to CastletownHeard <24h Last heard 24 Oct, 18:35 UTC
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HADR · HadarLocation: Douglas / OnchanHeard <24h Last heard 24 Oct, 16:42 UTC
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IZAR · IzarLocation: Castletown / Port St MaryHeard <24h Last heard 24 Oct, 16:02 UTC
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JABB · JabbahLocation: Port ErinHeard <24h Last heard 24 Oct, 17:01 UTC
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KAPT · Kapteyn's StarLocation: LaxeyHeard <24h Last heard 24 Oct, 15:49 UTC
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LALA · LalandeLocation: Jurby / AndreasNot heard recently Last heard unavailable
Join in
Your first messages, step by step.
Install the Meshtastic app on your phone and pair it with your radio. Set the region to EU_868 and the modem preset to LongFast; keep the default primary channel to try the public mesh.
Try a message with a friend using the same settings. Take your radios on a walk or bike ride and see where they can reach. Height and a clear view often help; hills and buildings can block the signal.
Explore the live map to see where nodes have been heard. Once you have tried a portable radio, you could experiment with a fixed node at home and a well-placed antenna.
Useful links
Explore the live dashboard.
Start with the map and chat to get a feel for the network, then use the Meshtastic guide to set up your radio. The dashboard needs internet access and shows what has reached it — it is not a complete coverage map or a guarantee that a message will get through.