This module allows you to test the communication range between two Meshtastic nodes. Only nodes with the module enabled will display range test messages on their connected clients.
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Sender: A fixed node that sends sequential packets at an interval of 30-60 seconds (configured as "Sender message interval").
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Receiver: A mobile node (typically you) that optionally uses onboard GPS or phone GPS. The nodes are considered in range as long as the sequential packets can be successfully received.
The receiving node has the capability to save the messages along with the GPS coordinates at which they were received into a .csv file. This .csv file can then be integrated into Google Earth, Google Maps - My Maps, or any other program that can process .csv files, allowing you to visualize your mesh. Make sure to set the position precision in the default channel to high; otherwise, the collected data will not accurately record your true location.
NOTE: Be sure to turn off the module or disable sending when not in use, as this will consume significant time on air, slow down your mesh, and clutter your channel with unnecessary messages. The module will automatically turn off after 8 hours of use.
The range test module configuration options include: Enabled, Sender, and Save. The Range Test Module configuration uses an admin message to send a ModuleConfig.RangeTestConfig protobuf.
Range Test Module Configuration Values
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Enabled: Enables the range test module. Both Sender and Receiver must have the module enabled. For Apple and Android apps to receive any range test messages, the module must also be enabled on those devices. Please note that the device screen may still display range test packets from older firmware versions even if the module is disabled.
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Sender Interval
The time to wait between sending sequential test packets is configurable, with 0 as the default value, which disables sending messages.
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Recommended Sender Settings
| Radio Setting | range_test.sender |
| Long Slow | 60 |
| Long Fast | 30 |
| Medium | 15 |
| Short Fast | 15 |
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Save CSV File
If enabled, all received messages are saved to the device's flash memory in a file named rangetest.csv.
To access this file, activate the WiFi on your device and connect to your network. Once connected, navigate to meshtastic.local/rangetest.csv (or your_device_ip/rangetest.csv), and the file will be downloaded automatically. This file will only be created after the device receives initial messages.
To prevent filling up the storage, the device will stop writing if there is less than 50KB of space available on the filesystem.
NOTE: Leave this feature disabled when using the Android or Apple apps. It saves data directly to the device's flash memory (without requiring a smartphone) and is only available on ESP32-based devices.
Range Test Module Configuration Client
Android
Android exports a rangetest.csv file from packets in the Debug Log. To clear old packet history data:
Debug Panel > Clear
Note: Range Test configuration options are available on Android.Open the Meshtastic App and go to Settings > Range Test.
Apple
Apple apps let you download logged position data stored on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. To access it, open the Nodes tab, choose a node, then select Position Log and click Save. This file can be saved without the Range Test module being active.
Note: All range test module config options are available on iOS, iPadOS and macOS at Settings > Module Configuration > Range Test.
CLI
Range Test module config options are available in the python CLI. Example commands are below:
| Setting | Acceptable Values | Default |
| range_test.enabled | true, false | FALSE |
| range_test.save | true, false | FALSE |
| range_test.sender | integer (Seconds) | 0 |
Because the device will reboot after each command is sent via CLI, it is recommended when setting multiple values in a config section that commands be chained together as one. For example：
meshtastic --set range_test.enabled true --set range_test.save false
Enable / Disable the range test
meshtastic --set range_test.enabled true meshtastic --set range_test.enabled false
Enable / Disable range test save
meshtastic --set range_test.save true meshtastic --set range_test.save false
Enable range test sender (send every 60 seconds)
meshtastic --set range_test.sender 60
Disable range test sender
meshtastic --set range_test.sender 0
Web
All range test module config options are available in the Web UI.
Application Examples
Google Earth Integration
Steps:
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Download and open Google Earth.
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Go to File > Import.
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Choose CSV.
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Select Delimited, Comma.
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Ensure the option “This dataset does not contain latitude/longitude information, but street addresses” is unchecked.
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Assign rx lat and rx long to the latitude/longitude fields.
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Click Finish.
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When prompted to create a style template, select Yes.
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Set the Name field to any column you want displayed on the map (all data will still appear when clicking an icon).
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Choose a color, icon, etc., then click OK.
Your dataset will load onto the map; check the box next to it in the sidebar to make it visible.
My Maps
You can use Google My Maps, which supports CSV files and offers a simpler interface. Google provides instructions on how to set this up. You can also style ranges based on values—for example, make pins appear darker when SNR or RSSI is higher.
OpenStreetMap - uMap
For an open-source option, you can use uMap, a service built on OpenStreetMap.
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Visit uMap in your preferred language.
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Click Create a map.
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Select the Import data icon or press CTRL + I.
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Choose your rangetest.csv file and click Import.
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The format will be recognized automatically, and the locations will be added to the map.
