Private Meshtastic - Secure & Hidden Mesh Network Communication

The best way to experience Meshtastic is with mostly default settings, perhaps the most important of which is the Primary Channel, this setting will be the difference between making contact with other public nodes, and complete radio silence, and so for 99% of users the default setting of ‘LongFast’ is the correct one, however for a small number of use cases a little more discretion may be desired and with a few simple tweaks you can use Meshtastic to create a discreet and secure method of mesh communication.
Two methods can be employed to accomplish this goal depending on your desired result, however, please note that these changes should be made before defining your ‘LoRa Region’ this is to prevent your information from being broadcast to the public mesh before making the required changes
Option 1: A Private Mesh with None of your Data Broadcast to nodes on the Public Mesh
To use this option you simply need to remove the default Primary Channel, and create a new encrypted Primary channel across all your nodes, this new channel will enable your nodes to communicate, and share GPS and other data privately however your range will be dictated by the size of your mesh network
Option 2. A Semi-Private Mesh, with hidden Nodes utilizing the public mesh to communicate discreetly
Within the user settings, set the device’s ‘Mode’ to ‘Client_Hidden’, and ‘Rebroadcast Mode’ to ‘KnownOnly’ this will ensure your node will not be visible by other nodes on the public Meshtastic network and your device will only rebroadcast data from nodes on your mesh saving your battery life and reducing your RF signature
Keep the default ‘LongFast’ as the Primary channel, but create a Secondary channel with encryption that will be used by your nodes to communicate
This will allow you to communicate at much further distances whilst remaining out of the database of public mesh nodes, and the map, however, you do have the compromise of your information entering the public mesh network
If applicable also consider disabling the device's, Bluetooth and WiFi functions to further reduce the amount of RF emissions coming from the device and ensure the lowest possible power consumption
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MeshAbout.com

[@bearwolffish]

Imagine all youtube shorts were this useful.

[@MeshAbout]

Thank you

[@craigblackie2034]

If your LoRa settings are the same for your private channel, the public mesh will forward your messages no matter if they can decrypt them and not limited by the size of your private mesh. You can set LongFast as your Secondary channel.

[@armando92]

Any chance you can do a video on adding a rotaty encoder to a heltec v3? (meshtastic)

[@MeshAbout]

Just waiting for a rotary encoder to arrive. I tried to substitute with buttons but was unable to get it working correctly

[@MeshAbout]

Rotary Encoder Video Now Published 👍 ua-cam.com/users/shortsj1viz92gFsU?feature=share