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Map Grid, Ping Types & Popups

MeshMapper visualizes mesh coverage using a grid system, color-coded markers, and detailed popups. This guide explains how to interpret the map data.

The Grid System

The map is divided into small grid squares (approximately 100m x 100m).

Since a single grid square may contain multiple pings from different times or users, MeshMapper uses a Priority System to determine which color to display. The map will always show the "best" result available for that location.

Priority Color Meaning
1 (Highest) Green BIDIR (Bidirectional) - Confirmed two-way coverage.
2 Cyan DISC (Discovery) - Discovery packet sent and reply heard.
3 Orange TX (Transmit) - Message sent, but no repeat was heard.
4 Purple RX (Receive) - Heard traffic while in RX mode.
5 Grey DEAD - Repeater heard the ping, but it did not make it into the wider mesh
6 (Lowest) Red DROP - Failed ping. No repeats heard, did not make it into the wider mesh.

Example: If a grid square contains 10 failed pings (Red) and 1 successful ping (Green), the square will appear Green to indicate that coverage is possible at that location.

Ping Types Defined

Here is a detailed breakdown of the different coverage statuses:

  • BIDIRECTIONAL (BIDIR) - Green

    • You sent a message, it was received by a repeater, and your radio heard the repeater send it back.
    • This confirms a solid two-way link.

  • DISCOVERY (DISC) - Cyan

    • Your radio sent a specialized "Discovery" packet, and a node responded.

  • TRANSMIT (TX) - Orange

    • Your message was successfully sent into the mesh (it reached a repeater), but your radio did not hear the confirmation repeat.
    • This often happens when you have a high-power transmitter but a lower-gain antenna for receiving, or if the repeater is far away.

  • RECEIVE (RX) - Purple

    • Your radio heard packets from the mesh (e.g., other users, telemetry), but you did not transmit.
    • Useful for mapping where the mesh can be heard, even if you cannot reach it.

  • DEAD - Grey

    • A repeater heard your signal, but the message didn't go anywhere (it wasn't repeated to the rest of the mesh).
    • This usually indicates a "Zombie" repeater, a misconfigured repeater that is receiving but not routing, or the repeater does not have a reliable connection into the wider mesh.

  • DROP - Red

    • You sent a message, but no repeaters heard it, and no route was established.
    • Indicates a dead zone or lack of coverage.

Popups & Data

Clicking on a grid square opens a popup with detailed information.

1. Summary View

If a grid square contains multiple pings, the popup opens in Summary View first. - Counts: Shows the total number of pings for each type (BIDIR, TX, etc.) in that square. - Averages: Displays the Average SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) and Average Noise Floor. - Max Range: Shows the furthest distance achieved from a repeater in this square.

2. Detail View

You can cycle through individual pings using the < and > buttons at the bottom of the popup, arranged by the newest data first. - Identity: Who sent the ping (if not hidden via region settings). - Time: Date and time of the ping. - Telemetry: - Power: Transmit power used (e.g., 0.6W). - Ext. Ant: Indicates if an external antenna was used. - Path: - Heard Repeats: A list of all repeaters your radio heard re-broadcasting your message, sorted by signal strength (SNR). - Via: The first repeaters responsible for transmitting your coverage data to MeshMapper.

3. Visual Lines

When a popup is open, MeshMapper draws lines on the map to visualize the connection: - Solid Colored Line: Represents the signal your radio Heard from a repeater. The color indicates signal strength (Green = Good, Orange = Okay, Red = Weak). - Blue Dashed Line: Represents the one-way Via path. - Red Dashed Line: Indicates a connection to a Duplicate/Excluded repeater.