Channels
Channels are how groups communicate on the Acadiana Mesh network. Each channel has a shared encryption key that allows members to send and receive messages.
Core Channels
General chat for all mesh users. Uses a well-known shared key.
Connection testing. Send test, ping, or path.
Acadiana Region general chat for all mesh users across South Louisiana.
Lafayette area local chat for nodes in the greater Lafayette area.
Emergency communications only. Please keep clear for urgent traffic.
Severe weather updates and weather-related reports across the Acadiana Region. Use this channel to share alerts, storm reports, radar observations, and other weather information that may impact users on the network. Keeping weather discussions here helps ensure important alerts are easier for everyone to find.
How Channels Work
Public Channel
The Public channel uses a well-known key shared across all MeshCore networks worldwide. Anyone running MeshCore can read and send messages on the Public channel.
Hashtag Channels
Channels starting with # use a key automatically derived from the channel name. Anyone who knows the channel name can join — no manual key exchange needed.
Private Channels
Private channels use a custom key that you set manually. Only people you share the key with can join. Use these for group communications where privacy matters.
Direct Messages
Direct messages are encrypted end-to-end between two nodes. Only the intended recipient can read them.
Channel Regions & Scopes
Regions control which repeaters will forward a channel’s messages. When you send a message on a scoped channel, repeaters check if they have that region configured — if not, the message stops there.
Why this matters: Without region scoping, every message floods the entire mesh network. With regions, messages stay in their intended geographic area.
How to read the scope: gc-la-lft breaks down as:
gc— Gulf Coast (broad regional scope)gc-la— Louisiana (state scope)gc-la-lft— Lafayette (local scope)
Choosing the right scope:
- Use a wider scope (
gc-la) to reach more people across Louisiana - Use a narrower scope (
gc-la-lft) to keep traffic local to Lafayette - Channels with no scope flood the entire mesh — use sparingly
Discovering local regions: In the MeshCore app tap Discover → Discover Regions to see what region scopes are active on nearby repeaters.
Adding a Channel
- Open the MeshCore app
- Tap ⋮ → Add Channel → Join a Hashtag Channel
- Enter the channel name (e.g.
acadiana) - Press Join Channel
Privacy
All channel messages are encrypted using AES-256-CTR. With secured keys and trustworthy recipients, your data is cryptographically protected.
| Channel Type | Privacy Level |
|---|---|
| Public | 🔓 Public — key is shared worldwide |
| Hashtag channels | 🔓 Semi-public — key derived from name |
| Private channels | 🔒 Private — custom secret key |
| Direct messages | 🔒 Private — unique per conversation |