Hi there, me an my friend are on cusp of hearing one another…
We’ve had like 2 messages received, with no return acknowledgement out of several dozen of tries.
We both have moxon antennas roughly hand held pointing at one another. 2nd floor to 2nd floor about 3 miles apart in the city.
How do channel names work. I understand the concept of channel speeds… but the QR and channel name…
We have strayed from the default channel and now we cant seem to connect at all.
If we have identical channel name, are we on same channel ?
Does QR represent that same string in channel name ? and vice versa ?
How does one typically use QR code in this ?
How does one use the share link function typically ?
Are channels with letters on them unique each time ? or if my buddy changes channels till our letter matches… are we on same channel ? or it just looks like we are and they are technically different behind the scenes ?
Thanks!
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You have to setup the channel on 1 device and it will generate a QR code, which is just an http address. Your friend can scan your QR code from your phone or send the http link in an EMail or SMS. You open this web address with Meshtastic not a browser. This will assign their device with the same Encryption Keys you are using so they will be able to decrypt your messages.
If you just assign the same Channel name on 2 different devices, you will each have 2 different Encryption keys and neither one of you will be able to read each others messages.
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to elaborate on @satkiwii’s great answer:
The reason for the letter suffix, is that we regenerate that letter whenever we regenerate the key (i.e. on any fundamental setting change). So that if you see the letter not matching, that means you and ‘them’ are definitely not using the same underling key.
btw: if anyone wants to edit this question and and answer into the FAQ that would be great.
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This had me stumped on my first couple of days trying to set both of my devices to the same channel via the app.
Simply typing in the same name in the channel field will not connect your devices. And once you try, you can’t just type “LongSlow” back into the field to go back.
I finally made a channel, paired to my other device, and managed to open the “share channel” link in the app instead of a web browser.
Thank you for the answers, this is what I sort of expected based on other messages here.
Now, heres the question.
How do I get back to the stock default channel ? Im “living” up my city and wish it to be open for anyone to use if they ever decide to play around with this.
Anyone have the default channel qr saved ?
How’s this work for you?
https://www.meshtastic.org/c/#GAMiAQE
I re-flash my devices almost every day as I am messing around with them, and that’s what I also did when I first “got stuck” on the wrong channels.
I’m in the same boat, keeping it on the default LongSlow in hopes that it helps other new users looking to try it out, seems easier to look for me if I was lost too. Seems like the thing to do when you’re trying to help create a wide spread mesh.
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Yes, re-flashing the firmware gets you on the default channel.
You might be able to copy the default channel link and open the link to revert back as well.
Or screen shot the QR code and print it. Allowing you to scan back to the default channel.
Default link and QR from a fresh 1.1.33 flash
https://www.meshtastic.org/c/#GAMiAQE
Edit; I am blind. I so did not see @Lure.Exciting.Salads posted the link above
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thank you very much, both were helpful ! 
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