MeshSense FAQ

What is MeshSense?

MeshSense is a simple, open-source application that monitors, maps and graphically displays all the vital stats of your area's Meshtastic network including connected nodes, signal reports, trace routes and more! MeshSense directly connects to your Meshtastic node via Bluetooth or WiFi and continuously provides all the information you need to assess the health of your network.

Is MeshSense open source?

Yes, you will find the source code for MeshSense on GitHub here:

https://github.com/Affirmatech/MeshSense

Is there a manual for MeshSense?

We don't have a detailed manual for MeshSense at this time. Most folks find the program very intuitive, so with a little experimentation, along with insights from the answers to the common questions that follow, you will likely become very comfortable using MeshSense quickly. With just a few experimental clicks you'll be at home with MeshSense much more quickly than reading a manual.

What are the system requirements?

MeshSense will run on Windows (X64), Linux (X64) and Mac arm64.

Where can I download MeshSense?

You can install MeshSense from here

Can I see a live version of MeshSense in action?

Yes! Check out our demo node, 70 feet in a tree, displaying all the current activity, signal reports, locations, hops, trace routes and more! This particular node is at the very edge of Bluetooth range to the PC receiving it indoors and sometimes drops, so if the map is not currently displaying, give it a few moments and it should reconnect automatically.

How do I connect my node to MeshSense?

You can connect MeshSense to your node via Bluetooth or WiFi (if your node model supports WiFi).

With Bluetooth, your node will display in the list of Bluetooth devices at the left. Depending on your system, you may first have to add your node to your list of recognized devices in your operating system before it appears, or you have the ability to connect. Click on the device and then click Connect. See Bluetooth Tips for more information.

Using WiFi, after adding your node to your local network, enter its IP address in the Device IP field and click Connect. The TLS option may be required depending on your node, but if your node doesn't require it, we recommend leaving it disabled, as it adds overhead to your connection.

What does clicking on the icons next to the node names do?

🔍
Displays raw JSON node information.
↯
Instructs your node to send a traceroute request to the selected node.
🌐
Centers map over selected node
📡
Requests position from node

How do I send messages?

At the bottom left, select the channel or node you wish to message from the drop down list. Then type your message and press Enter or click Send.

Is there an audio alert for received messages?

Yes, you can enable or disable the audio alert when messages are received from the Settings form.

How long are received packets displayed?

Packets are saved until they have scrolled beyond the log size limit. The default limit is 500, which you can adjust from the Settings menu (upper right gear button on main form). If you have an active Mesh network, you will find the log scrolls quickly.

How often does MeshSense send automated traceroute requests?

When MeshSense recieves packets from a node, a traceroute request will be automatically sent when all of the following are true:
  • Are automatic traceroute requests enabled?
  • Is traceroute data missing or has the hop count changed?
  • Has enough time passed since the last traceroute request to this node? (15 min default)

Traceroute data is not currently saved and will be cleared when closing the program. MeshSense does not request traceroute data for every node in the node list -- it only evaluates whether or not to send a traceroute when it recieves a packet from that node. This includes cached packets on the device when initially connecting.

Automatic traceroute requests can be completely disabled or rate limited from within Settings.

What are the Settings menu options?

To access the Settings menu, click gear ⚙ button at the upper right.
Log Size Limit
Specify how many packets you wish to retain in RAM
Message Prefix
Optionally add any text preceding a message sent using MeshSense. This is particularly useful if you choose to make MeshSense publicly accessible.
Message Suffix
Optionally add any text following a message sent using MeshSense.
Automatically send Traceroute
requests to active nodes
Enables or disables the automatic sending of traceroutes in reply to packets following the logic above.
Traceroute Rate Limit
Traceroute requests to a node will be skipped of one was sent within this time frame.
Minutes of inactivity
to mark node inactive
Nodes will be hidden from the node list and map if no communication has been received from them during this period of time.
Allow remote connections
to send messages
When enabled, any remote connections to MeshSense via browser the browser link can also send messages.
Connect to Node
on Startup
When enabled, MeshSense will immediately attempt to connect to the node on application launch.
Remote Address
You can access MeshSense from other devices on your local network (and make it publicly accessible if you choose) via the provided browser link.
Privileged Access Key
Enter a secret key you would like other browsers to use to enable access to the Connect / Disconnect actions.
Client Access Key
Enter the previously shared key to gain access to Connect/Disconnect actions.

Can I run MeshSense on a server without a GUI?

Yes, passing the --headless flag when starting MeshSense 1.0.15 or newer will start MeshSense in headless mode.

Do you have more information about setting up a mesh node and Meshtastic network?

Yes, and the great news it is very easy and inexpensive! Click here for the information our local Amateur Radio club members are using to quickly get started and join in the fun of our local Meshtastic network!

I know MeshSense is free, but I'd like to send a contribution as a thank you for all your hard work developing this program.

Thank you, we are very grateful! Your contribution enables us to devote time and energy towards projects like MeshSense and we deeply appreciate your donation and support! Our donation link is here!