Channels

MeshCore channels are used to separate different kinds of conversations on the mesh. Keep public traffic simple and predictable so new users can find help, test their node, and understand which channel is appropriate for their message.

Types

Type	How it works	Typical use
Public	The default shared channel available to MeshCore users.	General chat, first contact, and simple coordination.
Hashtag	A named channel with a key generated from the channel name.	Regional chat, topic channels, testing, and community channels.
Private	A channel using a private key shared only with trusted participants.	Small teams, event operations, or conversations that should not be readable by the broader mesh.

The Public channel and hashtag channels should be treated as public. They may be heard by repeaters, other users and observers (nodes that publish to the internet).
Private channels are only private if the key stays private. Do not reuse a private channel name or key for unrelated groups.

Generic Channels

Useful channels used mesh-wide.

Key	Suggested region scope	Purpose
Public	None (Unscoped)	General chat for all mesh users.
#test	au-nsw or IATA	Connection testing. Bots may auto-reply to test, ping, or path.
#emergency	None	Emergency communications only.
#alert	None	Automatic situation alerts such as fires.

Regional Channels

Scoped to a particular region. These are also listed in each region's popup on the interactive region map.
Note: Check with the NSW Mesh community before creating a new long-lived regional or operational channel.

Key	Suggested region scope	Purpose
#nsw	au-nsw	State-wide coordination.
#act	au-act	State-wide coordination.
#midnorthcoast	TBC	Mid-North Coast conversation and coordination.
#newcastle	au-nsw-ntl	Newcastle & Hunter conversation and coordination.
#sydney	au-nsw-syd	Sydney metro conversation and coordination.
#centralcoast	au-nsw-syd	Central Coast conversation and coordination.
#macarthur	au-nsw-syd	Macarthur conversation and coordination.
#nepean	au-nsw-syd	Nepean conversation and coordination.
#bathurst	au-nsw-bhs	Bathurst & Central West conversation and coordination.
#illawarra	au-nsw-wol	Illawarra & Wollongong conversation and coordination.
#nowra	au-nsw-noa	Nowra and Shoalhaven conversation and coordination.
#riverina	au-hume	Wagga Wagga & Riverina conversation and coordination.
#canberra	au-act	Canberra conversation and coordination.
#farsouthcoast	TBC	Far South Coast conversation and coordination.
#hume	au-hume	Albury & Wodonga conversation and coordination.