This guide provides an in-depth overview of all configurable settings for Meshtastic nodes, tailored for the South Australia: Meshtastic Users Group (SA:MUG).
Defines radio transmission parameters.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Region | Set to Australia/New Zealand (AU915) for SA:MUG |
| Modem Preset | ShortFast (default for SA:MUG) |
| Frequency Slot | Slot 16 (918.875 MHz) |
| Max Hops | Max number of packet rebroadcasts (default: 4) |
| Transmit Power | Adjusts RF output level; higher = longer range, more power usage |
| Bandwidth / SF / CR | Advanced tuning options (based on preset) |
| Transmit Enabled | Enables or disables packet transmission |
| Ignore Incoming | List of node IDs to ignore |
| OK to MQTT | Allows messages to be forwarded to MQTT brokers |
Manages GPS and broadcasting of location.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| GPS Mode | ENABLED, DISABLED, or NOT_PRESENT |
| GPS Update Interval | Seconds between location checks (default: 120s) |
| Fixed Position | Set static coordinates (no GPS) |
| Smart Broadcast | Only send updates when moving |
| Broadcast Interval | Regular interval for sending location updates (default: 900s) |
| Packet Flags | Include altitude, heading, speed, battery, etc. |
General system settings for the node.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Role | CLIENT, ROUTER, ROUTER_LATE, REPEATER, TRACKER, SENSOR, TAK |
| Rebroadcast Mode | Determines packet handling behavior |
| GPIO for User Button | Physical GPIO pin mapping |
| GPIO for PWM Buzzer | GPIO for sound output |
| Node Info Interval | Broadcasts info to mesh at set interval |
| Double Tap as Button | Enable/disable double-tap as input |
| Disable Triple Click | Disables triple-press actions |
| Timezone | Set for local time-based features |
| LED Heartbeat | Toggle LED blinking indicator |
Access control and encryption settings.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Public/Private Keys | Automatically managed for encryption |
| Admin Key | Define keys that can issue admin commands |
| Managed Mode | Lock configuration to authorized keys only |
| Serial Console | Enables access over USB serial |
| Debug Logging | Enables verbose logging (only when needed) |
| Admin Channel | Enables legacy admin control channel |
Settings for connectivity over WiFi, Ethernet, or serial links.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| WiFi Enabled | Toggle WiFi support (ESP32 only) |
| SSID / PSK | WiFi network credentials |
| Ethernet Enabled | For devices with LAN support |
| NTP Server | Time sync server (default: time.google.com) |
| Static IP Settings | IP, Gateway, Subnet, DNS (if not using DHCP) |
| Rsyslog Server | Remote log collector for node events |
Modules extend functionality such as MQTT, Telemetry, Serial, etc.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enabled | Enable MQTT support |
| Broker Address | mqtt://host[:port] or ssl://... |
| Username / Password | Auth for MQTT (optional) |
| TLS Enabled | Enables secure connection |
| JSON Enabled | Send messages in JSON format |
| Root Topic | Prefix for MQTT topics |
| Client Proxy | Use phone’s internet for MQTT |
| Map Reporting Enabled | Include node in public map |
| Map Reporting Precision | Decimal accuracy of GPS location |
| Map Report Interval | Seconds between GPS sends (e.g., 300s) |
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Env Telemetry Enabled | Sends temperature/humidity/pressure |
| Update Interval | Frequency of telemetry data (default: 300s) |
| Air Quality Enabled | Send PM2.5/PM10 metrics if supported |
| Power Metrics Enabled | Sends battery, solar, and voltage status |
| Display Fahrenheit | Toggle between °C and °F |
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Mode | TEXTMSG, SIMPLE, PROTO, etc. |
| Baud Rate | Communication speed (e.g. 115200) |
| RX/TX GPIO | Pins for serial communication |
| Override Console | Use this port for CLI instead of USB serial |
| Echo | Repeat input on serial |
For help tuning your node or sharing your setup, join the SA:MUG community: