| Observer | Key Prefix | Model | Firmware | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Connecting to MQTT sources… | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Configure a MeshCore observer node to publish packet data to the Chicago Mesh MQTT broker. Your node's data will appear in the matrix above and feed into CoreScope, Live Map, and Health Check.
What's an observer? An observer is a MeshCore node running firmware that captures packets heard over LoRa radio and publishes them to an MQTT broker over WiFi. It's like a packet sniffer for the mesh — you don't need to be a repeater or route traffic, just listen and report.
observer-uplink-native-devFlash the Chicagoland firmware — all MQTT brokers and radio settings are baked in. Just add WiFi and identity.
Connect via serial (115200 baud) and run:
# Configure WiFi
set wifi.ssid YourNetworkName
set wifi.pwd YourPassword
# Set region and identity
set mqtt.iata ORD
set name MyObserver
set lat 41.8781
set lon -87.6298
# Save and reboot
rebootIf you're running standard MeshCore firmware (not chioff-flex), use plain TCP to our Mosquitto broker:
set mqtt.server mqtt.chicagooffline.com
set mqtt.port 1883
set mqtt.iata ORD
rebootmqtt.chicagooffline.com:1883If you're running meshcore-packet-capture (mctomqtt) on a Raspberry Pi or similar, it can bridge packets from a USB-connected node to the MQTT broker — no observer firmware needed.
# TCP (production)
mctomqtt --broker mqtt://mqtt.chicagooffline.com:1883 --topic meshcore/ORD
# WSS (dev — requires WS support in mctomqtt)
mctomqtt --broker wss://wsmqtt.chicagooffline.com/mqtt --topic meshcore/ORDAfter configuring and rebooting, confirm your node is connected:
[MQTT] Connectedget wifi.status, check DNS, confirm port 1883 isn't blockedmeshcore/ORD/<pubkey>/packets), check your public key with get public.keyver