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Range Test Module Settings

Overview​

This module allows you to test the range of your Meshtastic nodes. It requires at least two nodes, a sender and a receiver. The receiving node then saves the messages along with the GPS coordinates at which they were received into a .csv file. This .csv file can then be integrated into Google Earth, Google Maps - My Maps, or any other program capable of processing .csv files. This can enable you to visualize your mesh.

important
The name of ths option changed between Meshtastic 1.2 and 1.3. This documentaton already reflects the 1.3 syntax. Please substitute 'range_test_module' prefix with 'range_test_plugin' to get the 1.2 compatible command name.
tip

Once module settings are changed, a reset is required for them to take effect.

Settings​

SettingAcceptable ValuesDefault
range_test_module_enabledtrue, falsefalse
range_test_module_savetrue, falsefalse
range_test_module_senderinteger (Seconds)0

range_test_module_enabled​

Enables the module.

Enable/Disable the module​

Enable the module
meshtastic --set range_test_module_enabled true
Disable the module
meshtastic --set range_test_module_enabled true

range_test_module_save​

If enabled, we will save a log of all received messages to a file named rangetest.csv which you can access from the web server Extensions > File Browser > rangetest.csv. The file will be created after receiving messages. The device will abort writing if there is less than 50k of space on the filesystem to prevent filling up the storage.

Enable/Disable range test save csv​

Enable range test save
meshtastic --set range_test_module_save true
Disable range test save
meshtastic --set range_test_module_save false

range_test_module_sender​

Number of seconds to wait between sending packets. Using the long_slow channel configuration, it's best not to go more frequent than once every 60 seconds. You can be more aggressive with faster settings. 0 is default which disables sending messages.

Enable/Disable range test sender​

Enable range test sender (send every 60 seconds)
meshtastic --set range_test_module_sender 60
Disable range test sender
meshtastic --set range_test_module_sender 0

Details​

While a minimum of two radios is required, more can be used. You can have any number of receivers and senders that your mesh is able to handle. You can test having a single sender with multiple receivers or a single receiver with multiple senders. Let us know on the forum thread the results of your configuration.

Be sure to turn off either the module configured as a sender or the device where the module setup as sender when not in use. This will use a lot of time on air and will spam your channel.

Also be mindful of your space usage on the file system. It has protections from filling up the space but it's best to delete old range test results.

note

Leaving this module on can slow down your mesh. Currently, the messages are sent using the same TEXT_MESSAGE_APP port that all other messages are sent on.

Accessing your CSV​

Connect to your device over WiFi, either using the software access point or WiFi Client. Then navigate to meshtastic.local (or your IP address). Your file will be available for download under Extensions > File Browser > rangetest.csv once it has been created by receiving messages.

Example URLs
http://meshtastic.local
http://198.168.0.15
Radio Settingrange_test_module_sender
Long Slow60
Long Alt30
Medium15
Short Fast15

Examples​

Sender Node​

Example - Sender Node
meshtastic --set range_test_module_enabled true
meshtastic --set range_test_module_sender 60

Receiver Node​

Example - Receiver Node
meshtastic --set range_test_module_enabled true
meshtastic --set range_test_module_save true