Channels

Public and hashtag channels in use on the NZ MeshCore network.

Channels are shared chat rooms on the mesh. Everyone using the same channel name (and key) sees the same messages.

Channel types

Type	How it works	Typical use
Public	The default channel, built into every device	General chat, saying hello
Hashtag	Named channels like `#testing` - the key is derived from the name, so anyone who adds the same name joins the same channel	Topic or region chat
Private	Shared secret key, only holders of the key can read	Small groups, families, clubs

Channel	Purpose
Public	General nationwide chat
`#testing`	Connection testing and bots. Send `!bot` to find which bots you can reach - standard ones include `akl`, `hlz`, `wre`, `tga`
`#emergency`	Emergency communications
`#weather`	Weather reports and warnings
`#alerts`	Notices that matter to the mesh community
`#jokes`	Keep it light (and appropriate)
`#ham`	Ham radio chat

Know of a channel that’s missing? Add it.

NZ doesn’t use regions yet - how to structure them is currently under discussion in the community.

The current idea is a hierarchy of country, island, then town/city using IATA codes:

Want to weigh in? Join the discussion in the NZ Discord thread or the Facebook group.