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MeshCore FAQ

This page covers frequently asked questions about using MeshCore in Ottawa.
Each section provides quick guidance for common tasks.

How Adverts Work

MeshCore uses a repeater-driven advert system for discovery (not a prerequisite to transmit).

  • You do not need to receive an advert from a repeater to send a message.

  • You can transmit at any time; any repeater that hears your packet will forward it.

  • Adverts allow your node to discover repeaters (their ID and info). This enables:

  • Tracing paths to confirm connectivity
  • Seeing repeater names in message paths

  • Setting static paths to a specific user

  • Repeaters periodically broadcast adverts (short beacon packets).

  • In Ottawa:

  • Zero-hop adverts: Every 1 hour
  • Flood adverts: Every 3 hours

Repeater Neighbours

Repeaters build their neighbour list over time based on the direct adverts they receive.
Keep in mind that having a neighbour listed doesn’t guarantee a bidirectional link.
It’s common for a repeater to transmit down a path that it can’t reliably receive from.
This is one of the reasons MeshCore allows repeaters to route messages through the entire mesh rather than relying only on direct neighbours.

Example:

Repeater 1 Neighbours:

  • Repeater 2
  • Repeater 3

Repeater 2 Neighbours:

  • Repeater 3

Repeater 3 Neighbours:

  • Repeater 1

The Public Channel

All Ottawa MeshCore nodes have access to the public channel.

  • Any correctly flashed node on the correct frequency can pass traffic.
  • When you send a message and a repeater hears it, the app shows Heard X Repeats.
  • Hold a message → tap Heard Repeats to see which repeaters heard it.
  • Known repeaters show names
  • Unknown repeaters show IDs