How to set up a relay radio.
A relay passes your group's messages along, so they reach farther. There are two ways: let the radios you carry do it, or leave a spare radio up high.Not sure why this helps? Read how the radios reach each other. The orange ring shows what to tap or click.
The easy way: the radios you carry
- 1
Making a group
Leave Help relay messages for the group ticked when you create the group. Every radio in the group then passes messages along for the others.
Leave it ticked - 2
Joining or connecting
After you join a group or connect a radio, Signum may ask Enable off-grid repeat? Tap Enable. It may need to move your radio to a setting allowed for relaying: only agree if that's legal where you are. It needs up-to-date radio software.
Enable
More reach: a spare radio left up high
A spare radio set up only to pass messages along, left on a ridge, at camp or on the truck's roof, can cover a whole valley. It isn't paired to a phone. You set it up once, from a computer with Chrome or Edge.
- 1
Load the relay software
Follow the radio software guide, but choose Repeater instead of Companion Bluetooth.
Choose Repeater - 2
Set it up
With the radio still plugged in, open config.meshcore.io and click Connect. Give it a name, choose the same region and radio settings as your group's radios, and change its admin password from the default.
Connect - 3
Put it up high
Height matters most: a hilltop, a ridge or a vehicle's roof. Give it power for the whole trip, like a big battery pack or a small solar panel, and keep it dry.
- 4
Check it's working
Spread out and send a Radio check from the chat's +. People who couldn't reach each other before should now hear it.
Good to know
- Relays can't read your messages. Only phones that joined your group can.
- Relays help everyone nearby, including other people's groups, and theirs can help yours.
- Check the rules where you leave it. Some public land limits leaving equipment unattended.