Wardriving is the practice of traveling around an area while scanning for wireless signals. In the context of HRMesh, it means driving (or walking) around with your node active while MeshMapper records which nodes you can hear and where. The result is a growing, community-built picture of the network’s real-world coverage.
What is MeshMapper?
MeshMapper.net is the service HRMesh uses to visualize network coverage. When you wardrive, your location data and node observations get uploaded to MeshMapper, where they appear as coverage traces on a shared map. Over time, contributions from many members paint an accurate picture of where the network reaches and where it needs more nodes.
MeshMapper is entirely community-driven. The more people who contribute, the more useful the map becomes for everyone.
Why Wardrive?
- Identify coverage gaps — see where the network doesn’t reach so the community can focus on adding new nodes.
- Verify coverage — confirm that existing repeater nodes are actually heard at street level in the areas they’re meant to serve.
- Help new members — a detailed coverage map lets people check whether they can reach the network before investing in hardware.
- It’s easy — if you already own a node, wardriving just means going about your normal day while logging what you hear.
What You Need
- A MeshCore-compatible node (any companion node works well)
- A phone with the MeshMapper app installed
- GPS enabled on your phone
Getting Started
1. Connect to Your Companion Node
Open the MeshMapper app and connect to your companion node. The app communicates with your node over Bluetooth and handles the logging automatically once connected.
2. Enable Passive or Hybrid Mode
Set the app to Passive or Hybrid mode before heading out. Passive mode listens for nearby nodes without transmitting, while Hybrid mode both listens and pings. Hybrid mode is recommended — the two-way exchange produces richer coverage data. Either mode will log your path as you move.
3. Drive or Walk Your Area
Simply move around your area with your node active. There’s no special action required while you’re out — the MeshMapper app logs which nodes you hear and where you were when you heard them.
Some tips for a useful wardrive:
- Cover a grid of streets rather than just main roads
- Make multiple passes at different times of day if possible
- Note any dead spots you find — these are just as valuable as areas with strong coverage
- Keep your node’s antenna in a consistent position (avoid tucking it under metal)
4. View Your Results
Once you’ve been out, open MeshMapper.net to see your contributions on the map. Your pings will appear automatically without needing to log in or upload anything.
Tips for Better Coverage Data
Antenna placement matters. Keeping your node’s antenna above the roofline of your vehicle will dramatically improve what it can hear compared to sitting it on the seat next to you.
Slower is better. Driving at residential speeds gives the node more time to receive beacons from distant nodes at each location.
Log everything. Even areas where you hear nothing are useful data. They show the community where coverage doesn’t exist.
Contribute regularly. The network changes over time as nodes are added or go offline. Periodic wardrive runs keep the map current.
Reading the MeshMapper Map
Anyone can view the map at MeshMapper.net — no account needed. The map tracks ping data broken down by type:
- Bidirectional — your node and a repeater successfully exchanged pings
- TX only / RX only — one-way contact between your node and a repeater
- Discovery — Specialized discovery packet sent, and a node responded
- Dead / Dropped — signal attempts that didn’t complete
The leaderboard shows contributor rankings by data points and grid squares covered.