Ouachita Link

A message can wait

Meet the Ouachita Link Mailbox.

Mailbox holds a message for a neighbor who is away from the radio network, so they can retrieve it when they return.

Set up Mailbox Full Mailbox guide →

Set up and use Mailbox

  1. Set up a companion radio. You need a MeshCore-compatible companion radio and the official MeshCore app. Follow Get started to connect your radio and enter the Ouachita Link radio settings.
  2. Open a message to Mailbox. In the app, look in your contacts or node list for Ouachita Link Mailbox. Depending on the app version, it may appear with a repeater label. If there is no way to message it, ask the community for help rather than changing your radio settings.
  3. Choose your Mailbox username. Send name sue123 as plain text. Choose 3–20 letters and numbers with no spaces. Save the recovery code in the reply somewhere private and safe.
  4. Send or collect messages. Send a username and message, such as bobdavis Hello Bob!. Send check to see how many messages are waiting for you, then get to retrieve them. Keep your radio on and connected while messages arrive.

Your first name command creates your account. You can change your username later with another name command. Use display Sue to choose the friendly name shown with messages you send. The recovery instructions explain how to move your account to a replacement radio.

For neighbors on different schedules

People move in and out of radio coverage, portable radios may be turned off, and not everyone is listening at once. Mailbox lets a message wait until its recipient checks in. Coverage and delivery still depend on the radio network, so Mailbox is not for emergencies or time-critical messages.

A different tool for a different conversation

A regular MeshCore direct message is for contacting another user directly. Rooms are shared spaces for group conversation. Mailbox is for a message addressed to one person's Mailbox username that can wait for them. Use a Room for a group conversation and Mailbox when a note is meant for one person.

Messages while they wait

Mailbox messages are stored encrypted while waiting for delivery. Undelivered messages are kept for up to 30 days, and each Mailbox can hold up to 15 waiting messages. Messages leave the waiting list when the recipient's radio receives them.

Find a username—or join the network

The optional Ouachita Link Directory lets members share their name and Mailbox username so neighbors can find them. Joining is not required to send or retrieve messages. To learn the optional listing steps, see the Directory section of the guide.

Get started with MeshCore →   Read the full Mailbox guide →   Browse the Directory →