Channel (Meshtastic)

A channel in Meshtastic is a named, encrypted logical group that determines which nodes can read and relay a given message. Each device supports up to eight channels — one Primary and up to seven Secondary — all sharing the same physical LoRa radio and frequency slot, but each protected by its own pre-shared key (PSK). Channels are how a single mesh can carry private group conversations alongside public traffic without giving every node access to everything.

Primary vs. secondary

Exactly one Primary channel exists per device and cannot be disabled; periodic broadcasts such as position and telemetry go out exclusively over it. The Primary defaults to the well-known key "AQ==", which is effectively public, so anyone with stock settings can hear it. Secondary channels let you set a custom PSK to create a closed group. Meshtastic uses AES-256 (32-byte key) or AES-128 (16-byte key); a 0-byte key disables encryption entirely.

Why it matters for sovereignty

Channels turn an open LoRa mesh into something usable for a family, a mining crew, or a community without everyone sharing one transparent broadcast. To form a private group, all members import the same channel name and PSK — often via the QR code the app generates. Remember that channel membership controls confidentiality, while the hop limit controls reach; the two are configured independently. For internet-backed end-to-end privacy with no shared secret to distribute, compare app-layer messengers like SimpleX Chat.