Range testing your node

IntermediateMeshtasticAbout 1–2 hours

You'll need

• Two Meshtastic radios
• A phone with the Meshtastic app (for GPS on the mobile radio)
• A car or bike

The range test module sends numbered test packets from one radio and logs where another radio hears them, so you can map real coverage.

It uses a lot of airtime

The docs warn that range test “will use a lot of time on air, slow down your mesh, and spam your channel.” Run it briefly, preferably away from busy times, and turn it off when you’re done. It also switches itself off after 8 hours.

1. Set up the sender

On the fixed radio (the one you’re testing, like a new repeater):

• Turn on the Range Test module.
• Set the sender interval. The docs recommend 30 seconds for LongFast and 15 seconds for Medium or Short presets. The default of 0 means it doesn’t send.

2. Set up the receiver

On the mobile radio you’ll carry:

• Turn on the Range Test module (both radios need it).
• Use phone or onboard GPS so each received packet gets a location.
• Save CSV writes rangetest.csv to the device, but only on ESP32 devices, and the docs advise leaving it off when you use the Android or Apple apps.
• Set position precision to high on the channel so the logged spots are accurate.

3. Drive or walk

Move away from the sender, noting where packets stop arriving. Go to the spots you actually care about, such as a friend’s house or the trailhead.

4. Map it

Open the log in Google Earth, Google My Maps or uMap to see your coverage.

5. Turn it off

Disable the module (or set the sender interval back to 0) on both radios.

Sources

Checked on October 18, 2026.

1. meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/module/range-test
2. meshtastic.org/docs/overview/range-tests