The pocket stone

What it is

A small, optional radio device that carries SOS, alerts and short messages kilometres away, where phones alone can't reach.

Why it exists

In the mountains, at sea or in remote areas there may be nobody within a phone's range. The stone extends the community's reach.

How it works for you

It works with the two most common kinds of radio node (Meshtastic and MeshCore firmware): ERERE recognises which one you have. With MeshCore it uses its own channel, the node's last free one, and leaves the channels you already have untouched. It connects to your phone by itself when it's on nearby. If it finds a new one, ERERE asks you with one tap whether to use it. It never connects by itself to other people's stones.

What you give

The device and its battery; a share of the radio airtime which, by law, is shared with everyone.

What you get

SOS and short messages kilometres away.

What you choose

Whether to use it, and to turn it off whenever you like.

Honest limits

It carries only small things: SOS, alerts and short text. Typical range is a few kilometres in town and more in open country or from a high point; covering a region takes repeaters on high points, not a few distant nodes. Meshtastic and MeshCore nodes don't talk to each other. Transmission time is limited by law and ERERE uses only a small part of it, keeping a share reserved for SOS.

Where it stands

Tested in simulation with two mock firmwares (Meshtastic and MeshCore). Field testing: with real devices.