MeshMapper Wardriving Guide
MeshMapper Wardriving Guide
MeshMapper is a platform for mapping actual measured RF coverage of a MeshCore network - not just node locations, but real signal coverage at road level. This is the ground truth that theoretical planners cannot provide. MeshMapper is a MeshCore tool (Android, iOS, and web); for Meshtastic coverage mapping see meshmap.net or the Meshtastic Site Planner instead.
Getting the App
- Android: Google Play - search "MeshMapper"
- iOS: App Store - search "MeshMapper"
- Web interface: wd.meshmapper.net
- The app is free.
Connecting Your Radio (BLE)
For wardriving, MeshMapper connects directly to your MeshCore radio over Bluetooth LE (BLE) - it does not require an MQTT connection to collect coverage data. Pair your MeshCore device to the app over BLE before starting a session.
Important: MeshCore devices only support one BLE connection at a time. Disconnect the MeshCore companion app before launching MeshMapper or the connection will fail.
Observer / Region-Admin Setup (Optional)
Separately from the per-user wardriving flow above, an MQTT observer can be configured to aggregate mesh traffic for region administrators. This is not part of normal per-user wardriving. If you are running an observer, connect to one of these brokers:
mqtt-us-v1.letsmesh.net:443(WebSocket TLS)mqtt.meshmapper.cc:443(WebSocket TLS)
Operating Modes
| Mode | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (recommended) | Alternates discovery requests and channel messages. 50% fewer transmissions than legacy Active mode. | General wardriving - balances coverage data quality with network impact |
| Passive | Discovery requests every 30 seconds; no channel messages. | Minimal network impact; good for densely populated mesh areas |
| Manual Ping | Single on-demand ping. | Spot-checking coverage at a specific location without driving |
| Active | Legacy channel-message-only mode. | Backward compatibility - Hybrid is superior in all cases |
| Trace | Focus on a single repeater identified by its hex node ID. | Antenna alignment, diagnosing a specific repeater's coverage, post-installation validation |
Coverage Map Color Meanings
| Color | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Green | BIDIR | Two-way confirmed contact - gold standard coverage. Your device and the repeater can hear each other. |
| Cyan | DISC | Discovery-based two-way confirmation - confirmed via discovery protocol rather than channel message. |
| Orange | TX | Transmit-only path - your signal reaches the repeater but return path is incomplete (asymmetric link). |
| Purple | RX | Receive-only - you can hear the repeater but it cannot hear you. |
| Grey | DEAD | Signal heard but not relayed - marginal contact; unreliable for mesh routing. |
| Red | DROP | No repeater responded - no coverage at this location. |
Wardriving Best Practices
- Mount your device with the antenna as high as practical in the vehicle (dashboard or roof magnet mount).
- Drive at normal road speeds - the app samples frequently enough.
- Cover roads in a grid pattern for systematic area mapping.
- Use Trace mode after installing a new repeater to confirm its actual coverage footprint.
- Share your coverage data back to the community map so others benefit.