The US 915 MHz rules for mesh radios, in plain words

The short version: most US mesh radios run license-free in the 902 to 928 MHz band under FCC Part 15. That comes with a power ceiling, a rule about antenna gain, and the expectation that the device itself is authorized. Firmware support is none of those things.

We are not lawyers. This page summarizes the regulation text we read on eCFR, current as of 2026-10-22, and links to it so you can check our reading.

The band

US LoRa mesh radios use 902 to 928 MHz. Meshtastic’s US region covers 902.0 to 928.0 MHz, and MeshCore publishes a recommended USA and Canada preset centered at 910.525 MHz. European 868 MHz hardware is not a substitute.

Power: the 1 watt line

47 CFR 15.247(b)(3) sets a maximum conducted output of 1 watt (30 dBm) for systems using digital modulation in 902 to 928 MHz. Section 15.247(b)(2) sets separate limits for frequency-hopping systems. Which one applies to a given radio depends on how it was certified.

Most handheld radios we list publish outputs well under that: the T-Deck Plus lists +22 dBm, the Heltec T114 lists 21 dBm.

Where we flag a radio: the B&Q Station G2 is documented at 35 dBm, about 3.2 W. That is above the 1 W conducted limit for digital modulation, so we do not recommend it for US use at full output.

Antennas: the 6 dBi line

Under 15.247(b)(4), the 1 W figure assumes an antenna of 6 dBi or less. Use a higher-gain antenna and conducted power must come down by the amount the gain exceeds 6 dBi.

Our coax loss calculator shows this limit for the gain you enter. It does not credit cable loss toward the limit.

Firmware is not authorization

• A firmware project listing a board means the software runs on it. It says nothing about whether the hardware was authorized for sale or use in the US.
• Meshtastic’s docs say its US power value is “the ceiling the firmware applies, not your national limit.”
• Changing antennas, adding amplifiers or raising power can take an authorized device outside the conditions it was approved under.

On our product pages, an FCC ID field reads “Not verified” until we find one in a source.

Licensed operation is a different set of rules

If you hold an amateur license, you can operate some of this hardware under Part 97 instead, with different power limits. The trade:

• 47 CFR 97.113(a)(4) prohibits messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.
• Meshtastic’s docs say that in licensed mode “encryption is not permitted, and you must transmit your call sign,” and that its amateur-only regions should not be used without a license.

So a licensed setup and a private encrypted family channel do not mix.

Your checklist

1. US 902 to 928 MHz hardware, region set to US.
2. Output at or under 30 dBm, less with antennas above 6 dBi.
3. No amplifiers or high-power boards unless you know the rules that cover them.
4. Encryption only when operating license-free under Part 15.
5. If unsure, read the rule linked above or ask a qualified professional.