Integrating Meshtastic with ATAK-CIV

The integration of Meshtastic with ATAK creates a powerful solution for off-grid situational awareness and team coordination that functions independently of traditional communication infrastructure. This combination is particularly valuable for operations in remote areas, disaster zones, or any scenario where conventional networks are unavailable or compromised.

ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit) originated as a military tool developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory around 2010. It was designed to provide warfighters with enhanced situational awareness through digital mapping and position tracking. Its effectiveness in combat operations led to widespread adoption across U.S. military and government agencies. In recent years, civilian versions (CivTAK) have made this powerful technology available to emergency responders, search and rescue teams, and disaster relief organizations.

By connecting Meshtastic's mesh networking capabilities with ATAK's robust mapping and coordination features, users gain:

Infrastructure independence: Communicate and coordinate without cell towers or internet
Enhanced team tracking: View near real-time team member locations on detailed maps
Tactical messaging: Send waypoints, areas of interest, and coordination data
Improved operational security: Keep sensitive communications off commercial networks

Whether you're coordinating search and rescue operations, responding to natural disasters, managing event security, or conducting fieldwork in remote locations, this integration provides critical capabilities when traditional communication methods fail.

Prerequisites

  1. Meshtastic-compatible device (like Node MKI)
  2. Android smartphone with Bluetooth capability

Install Required Applications

  1. Install Meshtastic app.
  2. Download from Google Play Store
  3. Open and grant necessary permissions (Bluetooth, Location)
  4. Install ATAK app
  5. Download appropriate version (CivTAK for civilian use)
  6. Complete initial ATAK setup wizard

Set Up Meshtastic Device

Check the Initial Setup Guide.

Recommended Meshtastic Settings

  1. Go to the three dot menu in the upper right corner and select Radio configuration.

  2. Go to Device Config → Role → TAK

  3. In Device Config → Rebroadcast mode → LOCAL_ONLY

  4. In Device Config → Disable LED heartbeat

  5. Go to Position Config →Position broadcast interval (seconds) → 120

  6. In Position Config → GPS mode → ENABLED

  7. In Position Config → GPS update interval (seconds) →120

  8. Go to Display Config → Screen timeout (seconds) →120

  9. Go to LoRa Config → Modem Preset → LONG_FAST

  10. In LoRa Config → Region (frequency plan) → European Union 868MHz

  11. In LoRa Config → TX enabled (enable)

  12. In LoRa Config → TX power (dBm) → 27

  13. In LoRa Config → Override Duty Cycle (enable)

  14. In LoRa Config → SX126X RX boosted gain (enable)

Now exit the settings menu and go to the Contacts tab. Send test messages from each device to ensure proper connection.

ATAK Setup

  1. Download and install ATAK-CIV from Google
  2. Allow all the required permissions during first launch
  3. Go to https://github.com/meshtastic/ATAK-Plugin/releases
  4. As of 28/08/2025 version 1.1.16 is the most recent
  5. Download the plugin .apk file
  6. Install .apk by allowing the related permissions
  7. Go back to ATAK
  8. Go to the main menu (three vertical lines)
  9. Go to Plugins and then tap refresh on the upper right corner
  10. Tap the ‘load’ box next to the Meshtastic Plugin
  11. Status should be loaded

Recommended ATAK Settings

  1. Go to the main menu (three vertical lines)
  2. Go to Settings → Callsign and Device Preferences → Device Preferences → GPS Preferences → GPS Option → External or Network GPS / Fallback Internal GPS
  3. In Settings → Callsign and Device Preferences → Device Preferences → GPS Preferences → Use GPS Time
  4. In Settings → Tool Preferences → Specific Tool Preferences → Meshtastic Preferences → Enable reporting rate controls → ON
  5. In Settings → Tool Preferences → Specific Tool Preferences → Meshtastic Preferences → Reporting rate → ½ minutes

ATAK Maps

Get your .mbtiles map files into your android device via a USB cable or direct download from your source. Store the files in any suitable location (e.g. Downloads).

  1. Go to ATAK
  2. Go to the main menu (three vertical lines)
  3. Go to Import → Local SD and then navigate to your maps directory
  4. Choose your .mbtiles map file
  5. In the prompt Suggested Import Strategy → Use In Place
  6. In the quick access menu (upper right part of the screen) go to Maps
  7. Tap on your .mbtiles file and load the map

ATAK Tips & Troubleshooting

Reporting rate is 30 seconds. Given the conditions, RF interference, distance, LOS obstacles you will notice a delay between data transmission. This is normal, be patient. Node MKI requires GPS LOS to lock initial position. If GPS jamming or other conditions prevent location lock set your position manually.

ATAK features that work reliably with Meshtastic:

  1. Team position reporting

  2. Blue force tracking → PLI for Enemy, Friendly, Neutral positions
  3. Chat in "All Chat Rooms"

For any prolonged connection or transmission problems reset Node MKI & restart ATAK.

Checklist before deployment

  1. Is Node MKI turned ON?
  2. Is Bluetooth enabled?
  3. Is Location enabled?
  4. Is Node MKI connected to the Meshtastic app?
  5. Are Meshtastic settings in place?
  6. Is Transmission in Meshtastic operational? Can you chat in the group chat?
  7. In ATAK is the Meshtastic plugin loaded?
  8. Are the ATAK settings in place?
  9. Are the appropriate maps loaded?
  10. Is the Meshtastic Icon in the bottom right corner Red or Green? (Needs to be Green)

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