How to send reliable messages with the python api?

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1

I’ve been doing some repeater testing and wanted to see if my results are expected, or if others have suggestions as to why I am not getting the results I would expect.

Scenario 1 (Control)
Using the python API, I’m broadcasting 10 second timestamp messages directly to a t-beam (v1.1.4) connected to a directional antenna. I can reliably receive the timestamp broadcasts at 1-2km, and even 4-5km in some places. The directional antenna is rooftop height.

Scenario 2 (test)
However, when I send the timestamp broadcasts from a different t-beam near the one connected to the directional antenna, the “middle” t-beam that is still connected to the directional antenna doesn’t seem to broadcasts/relay the messages it receives. Instead, I receive messages at about 1km total, which is close to what I get with the standard antenna attached to the t-beam. (Discovered through previous tests)

Expected
I was hoping the t-beam connected would still be relaying the messages it receives.

Is there something I should sending in the messages to make sure they ‘hop’?

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Yep. If you are using the python API, the default is to not request reliable messages. to send a reliable message do something like:

  interface.sendText("hi bob", wantAck=True)
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ooh - I just re-read your message and I think I misunderstood. Even if wantAck=False other nodes should forward broadcast messages for you. (Though delivery is not guaranteed in that case)