Meshtastic firmware v2.8.0.47db0e3 is available as the current 2.8 alpha release. This is a prerelease, but it replaces the revoked first 2.8 build and includes several changes that Oklahoma mesh operators should know about before flashing.

Important: new US nodes now default to LongTurbo instead of LongFast on first-time region setup. LongTurbo and LongFast do not interoperate, so nodes joining the existing Oklahoma mesh should verify the modem preset and switch back to LongFast if that is what the local mesh is using.

Notable changes

  • New node ID behavior derived from public-key identity instead of hardware MAC address.
  • XEdDSA packet signing and related unsigned-packet policy hardening.
  • Telemetry and position broadcasts are now opt-in by default.
  • Redesigned NodeDB storage and traffic management for busier meshes.
  • New LoRa region and preset work, including amateur-radio regions and TinyFast/TinySlow presets.
  • Position privacy fixes that clamp precision on public or known-key channels.
  • Display/UI updates across BaseUI, InkHUD, and MUI, including offline map tile support for InkHUD.

Oklahoma operator notes

  • If you are maintaining a router or high-site node, avoid blind upgrades until you have console access or a recovery plan.
  • Export your node config before flashing. The upstream notes recommend a full erase and flash if you hit bootloops or repeated crashes after upgrading.
  • Check modem preset after first boot. LongFast/LongTurbo mismatch is the big foot-gun here.
  • Because telemetry and position are opt-in now, verify those settings if your node feeds maps, monitoring, or solar telemetry.

Downloads

Read the upstream release notes before flashing: Meshtastic Firmware v2.8.0.47db0e3.