High Desert Mesh Network

Transmission and Reception

In Meshtastic it's generally easier to receive than send on portable units with stock antennas. What getting those nodes in your list means though is you've established your basic settings are correct and your receiver is working.

Antennas and Height

Antennas and height are the name of the game here. Better antennas help get the maximum signal transmitted out of your node and height tends to mean you have better line of sight. Signals at these frequencies are very dependant on line of sight. Anything other than glass or plastic in the way tends to be a signal loss and Meshtastic runs at very low power.

With good antennas and good line of sight to the receiver, the range is actually quite amazing.

Two-Way Communication Challenges

Due to the way Meshtastic works, it's entirely possible (though less probable) the intended recipient actually did get the message, but conditions were such a confirmation couldn't get back to you even at the "max transmissions" status level.

The more "hops" though other nodes, the less the probability is of you being able to actually establish two-way communication. But that's all just part of the game here.

Channel Configuration

For the Default "LongFast" channel to function, it either needs to keep its default name with no other changes made, or it needs to be called "LongFast" (with no other changes made).

The LongFast channel can be used as a Secondary channel, if again called "LongFast" with a Key of "AQ==".

Also, if the Primary channel is changed in any way (name, key, etc.), the Frequency Slot setting under LoRa Config must be set back to "20".