Skip to content

Help grow the map

If you have ever looked at an uncolored stretch of map and thought “someone should go find out,” you are in the right place. You can map coverage from the road, help your local mesh team connect an existing MQTT Watcher to FreqMapper, or support the people maintaining a region.

Become a mapper

Use the iPhone or Android app after you have joined a mapping region. Follow the Set up the app and Your first mapping trip guides, use safe low-rate tests, and help fill in places that have little verified evidence.

The useful stuff is distinct, well-spaced measurements—not thousands of duplicates from the same spot. Small, steady contributions add up faster than people think.

Connect an existing feeder

A feeder is part of the local Meshtastic network. It listens to mesh traffic and shares authorized packet receipts with FreqMapper for map activity, statistics, coverage planning, and troubleshooting.

It does not replace RF coverage, extend radio range, or bridge internet traffic back onto the mesh.

FreqMapper does not create, supply, host, or maintain the feeder node, gateway, MQTT broker, internet connection, or local mesh. The local mesh team must choose and install the hardware, configure and secure it, connect it to their network, and keep it working. Start with that team or its infrastructure documentation if you need to build a new feeder.

What FreqMapper can help with

After the local team has a working feeder and an authorized read-only MQTT path, FreqMapper can help with the FreqMapper-specific connection. A regional administrator or FreqMapper moderator can privately provide or confirm:

  • the approved mapping-channel name, key, radio preset, and frequency-slot settings needed for that region;
  • the supported read-only MQTT connection and topic requirements;
  • which region the source is allowed to serve; and
  • whether usable packet receipts are reaching FreqMapper.

Channel keys, broker credentials, and private infrastructure details must not be posted in public Help pages or public support issues. Contact the regional mesh team first, then use its private support channel or the Freq51 Discord when the existing source is ready to connect.

For verified regional coverage, the source must be approved for that region and must produce actual read-only MQTT receipts. A claimed node ID, a public Position Packet, or a planned feeder that is not yet operating is not enough.

Support a region

Regions need local stewards, feeder operators, and mappers. If your area does not have an active regional map, see Start a FreqMapper region.

Last updated: 2026-09-24