Identity
Long name
Full display name shown to other nodes (max 36 chars)
Short name
4-char callsign shown on map and node list
Device Role
role guide
Role
Defines routing behavior. Use CLIENT for almost everything.
Routes messages intelligently when no other node has done so
Rebroadcast mode
Controls which packets get rebroadcast
LoRa Radio
⚠ Don't change modem preset
Region
Must be US for 915 MHz ISM band
Modem preset
⚠ Must stay LongFast to communicate with CVM nodes
Hop limit
Max hops per message (3 is CVM default, 7 is max)
TX power override
Leave default unless you know your hardware's max
OK to MQTT
Required for map reporting on firmware 2.5+. Grants permission for your packets to be forwarded to MQTT.
Position & GPS
Position precision
Bits of precision shared. Higher = more precise = less private. 13 bits ≈ 1 mile, enough to appear on map.
Fixed position
Enable for stationary nodes without GPS. Uses --setlat/--setlon/--setalt commands.
Map reporting
Send periodic position to map server via MQTT
Map report interval
Seconds between map position reports (900 = 15 min)
Display & Device
Screen timeout
Seconds before screen turns off (0 = always on)
Timezone
POSIX TZ string for local time on display
LED heartbeat
Blink the status LED to show the node is alive
Node info broadcast
How often to broadcast your node info (seconds). 0 = default.
Power Management
Power saving mode
Sleep between transmissions. ESP32 only. Forced on for ROUTER role.
Min wake time
Minimum seconds awake before sleeping (power saving mode)
Telemetry Intervals
Device telemetry
How often to send battery/voltage/channel utilization (seconds)
Environment telemetry
How often to send temperature/humidity/etc (SENSOR role)
MQTT Uplink
optional
Enable MQTT uplink
Forward telemetry to the CVM MeshInfo server
Server
Username
Password
Root topic
MQTT proxy to client
Enable if your node connects via BLE/WiFi without direct internet access
Settings Summary
Python CLI — meshtastic
Install CLI:
Connect USB:
Connect TCP:
Run
pip install meshtasticConnect USB:
--port /dev/ttyUSB0 (Linux/Mac) or --port COM4 (Windows)Connect TCP:
--host meshtastic.localRun
meshtastic --info first to verify connection.
Using the app? All these settings are in the Meshtastic Android/iOS app under Config → LoRa, Config → Device, Config → Position, and Config → MQTT. No CLI required.
⚠ Role warning: Use CLIENT for almost all deployments. Misplaced ROUTER/REPEATER nodes harm the mesh by gobbling hops. ROUTER_CLIENT is fully deprecated since firmware 2.3.15. Full guide