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XTOC The Tactical Comms Game-Changer You Didn’t Know You Needed
- Glyn Smith
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
When it comes to staying connected off-grid, reliable communication is often the difference between a smooth operation and chaos. Enter XTOC™ Tactical Operations Center Software Suite, a tool that’s quietly redefining how teams handle field communications, even in the toughest conditions.
XTOC is essentially a local-first operations hub that runs in your browser or as an installable web app on iOS, Android, or desktop. Unlike traditional platforms, it doesn’t rely on central servers or constant internet access. Each device maintains its own log, making it ideal for scenarios where connectivity is patchy or non-existent.
How XTOC Works
At its core, XTOC transforms structured reports such as situation updates, tasks, check-ins, or location data into compact “packets” of text. These packets can be shared over almost any communication channel, including copy-and-paste, QR codes, email, SMS, WhatsApp, ham radios, and even mesh networks like LoRa.
In fact, XTOC works directly with Project LoRa and Meshtastic, opening up exciting possibilities for UKSN members. For those with Advanced and Ultimate membership, we just dropped a dedicated XTOC channel on Meshtastic for encrypted XTOC packets. There’s also a new WhatsApp channel where packets can be manually imported if you’re unable to receive them via Meshtastic. There is one important caveat: to make this work seamlessly, you’ll need to use a Chrome-based browser, which allows a direct Bluetooth connection between your device and the node.
Unfortunately, iOS devices don’t currently support this functionality due to system restrictions. For the smoothest experience, especially if you want real-time automatic packet updates, we highly recommend using a dedicated Android tablet. This setup ensures your team’s location and messages shared via Meshtastic are synced automatically, making off-grid coordination far more efficient.
That said, everything else works perfectly fine on an iPad, so don’t be put off by this limitation. It simply means the process is slightly more manual - you’ll just need to copy and paste packets from Meshtastic into XTOC.
The Future of Tactical Operations is Here (Official Video)
In the last couple of days, the developer has implemented full mesh integration. Nodes now appear on the map, so you can see your team’s locations (provided they are carrying a GPS enabled node). This is a game-changing development for real-time off-grid coordination. XTOC also works with ATAK, further unlocking situational awareness and structured communications.
Why UKSN Members Might Love XTOC
For anyone in the UKSN community, from everyday members, to mutual assistance Charters leaders, XTOC offers a structured, offline-ready way to manage field operations. Whether it’s coordinating a large camping event, running an extended bushcraft exercise, or simply keeping friends/family in sync during off-grid adventures, XTOC provides clarity without relying on mobile coverage.
Who is XTOC Is Designed For?
While XTOC is perfect for UKSN members, it’s also built to support a wide range of other teams operating off-grid or in challenging environments. This includes search and rescue, outdoor education groups, expedition leaders, and community emergency response units.
Any situation where structured communication, situational awareness, and offline coordination are critical can benefit from XTOC. Its flexible packet system, mesh integration, and mapping capabilities make it a practical tool for professionals and enthusiasts alike, helping teams stay organised, connected, and safe in the field.
Offline-First, Flexible, and Compliant
XTOC defaults to CLEAR packets that are openly readable - perfect for legal ham radio and off-grid communications. Encrypted SECURE packets are available for non-radio channels, ensuring sensitive information stays private while staying within compliance guidelines.
Crazy Value for Money
One of the most impressive things about XTOC is the price. Right now, it’s available for just $19.99 (around £15.00) and this isn’t a yearly fee; this is a one-time payment for 'lifetime' access. That makes it the most affordable Tactical Operations Center available today. The price will inevitably increase to the standard rate ($39.99) very soon (if it hasn’t already), so it’s worth grabbing it while you can.
A Platform Evolving Fast
It’s important to note that XTOC is still very much in development, and not yet mobile phone friendly but progress is moving in leaps and bounds. We’ve been in direct communication with the developer at MKME, who is actively implementing our suggestions and fixing any issues we discover. Updates over the last few days alone have already made a noticeable difference in usability and mesh functionality.
We’ll also be sharing more soon about how UKSN will be implementing XTOC with Project LoRa, so stay tuned for practical guides and tips for real-world off-grid use.
In short, XTOC turns complex field operations into a manageable, transportable, and reliable communication workflow. For UKSN members looking to elevate their event coordination, emergency exercises, or off-grid communications, this is a platform worth using.
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