This checklist is for preparing, installing, and validating a MeshCore repeater for SA:MUG-style community use.
Use it with:
Before building anything, confirm the repeater has a job.
CORE, DIST, EDGE, or RPT.If the purpose is unclear, do not deploy yet. Test with a companion node first.
Do not transmit without a suitable antenna connected.
For nRF52-based repeaters, flash the Oltaco DFU Bootloader before formatting or flashing MeshCore repeater firmware:
https://github.com/oltaco/Adafruit_nRF52_Bootloader_OTAFIX
Recommended order:
get bootloader.ver and record the reported bootloader version if the command is supported.This is future-proofing for over-the-air updates. Do it while the device is still easy to reach.
For South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 923.125 MHz |
| Bandwidth | 62.5 kHz |
| Spreading factor | 8 |
| Coding rate | 8 |
Verify with:
get freq
get bw
get sf
get cr
Use the local naming style:
SA-<Location>-<Role>##
Examples:
SA-MtBonython-CORE01
SA-Lobethal-DIST01
SA-Blackwood-EDGE01
SA-Example-RPT01
Choose the closest profile from Repeater settings profiles:
| Site type | Starting profile |
|---|---|
| High wide-area site | Core |
| Valley-facing or coverage-shaping site | Distribution |
| House roof or small local fill | Edge / infill |
| Unsure | Generic or conservative edge/distribution settings |
Start conservative. Increase forwarding only after testing.
Read back at least:
get repeat
get advert.interval
get flood.advert.interval
get flood.max
get flood.max.unscoped
get flood.max.advert
get path.hash.mode
get loop.detect
get txdelay
get direct.txdelay
get rxdelay
get multi.acks
Important warning:
rxdelay 0 disables rxdelay.rxdelay 1 is a no-op.rxdelay > 1 gives the intended weak-packet delay behaviour.0 < rxdelay < 1 inverts behaviour and should be avoided.Before installing:
A higher gain antenna is not automatically better. It changes coverage shape and EIRP.
stats-core and stats-radio work.get bootloader.ver has been checked and recorded for nRF52 repeaters where supported.Useful commands:
stats-core
stats-radio
After installation:
Do not judge success from one packet. Compare several positions and reports.
Record:
Good records make future tuning much easier.
When changing settings later: