Configuring Channels

Configuring Channels

Channels are how you organize messaging on your Crow node. Each channel can be configured to route messages to AREDN, Meshtastic, MeshCore, APRS, or any combination.

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Quick Start: /join Command

The fastest way to create and configure a channel is using the /join slash command. See Slash Commands — Join / Leave for full details.

Common Examples

Create a hash-named channel (auto-generated key):

/join #TacNet

Create an AREDN-only unencrypted channel:

/join %PublicChat

Create an APRS group and channel together:

/join #TacNet KN6PLV KJ6DZB-4 radio check

This creates the channel, an APRS group with those callsigns, and sends an initial message.

Create an APRS group on a specific backend:

/join #TacNet backend=direwolf1 KN6PLV KJ6DZB-4 radio check

For additional join command options and syntax, see Commands — Join / Leave Commands.

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Initial Setup

The initial installation of Crow comes with three default channels accessible via the cog icon at the top-right of the channel box:

These channels provide access to:

• AREDN og== — Primary AREDN mesh channel (unencrypted)
• Meshtastic — Meshtastic device bridge channel
• MeshCore — MeshCore device bridge channel

Note: Messages on the primary AREDN channel are never automatically shared on Meshtastic or MeshCore networks unless you explicitly bind those bridges to the channel.

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Creating a New Channel (UI Method)

To add a new channel via the UI:

1. Press the plus icon on the right of any current channel
2. A new channel entry appears below it:

3. Enter a Name and an ID or Key
4. Configure additional options (backends, images, storage, etc.)
5. The channel is saved immediately

A channel name and key together uniquely identify the channel. The key is also used to cryptographically secure messages when transmitted across Meshtastic or MeshCore networks. AREDN traffic is not encrypted.

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Channel Configuration Options

Name and Key

Name: Human-readable channel identifier (e.g., "TacNet", "Alerts")

Key: Cryptographic identifier. You can:

• Paste a key if you have one from another party (supports Meshtastic and MeshCore formats)
• Generate a key using the new key dropdown:

Key Types:

Key Type	Use Case	Networks
1 byte & 256 bit	Explicit key pairs	Meshtastic
128 bit	Maximum flexibility	Meshtastic + MeshCore
Meshtastic modem presets	Match Meshtastic default channels (e.g., MediumFast)	Meshtastic
MeshCore	Use MeshCore's standard primary channel	MeshCore
Hash channel (#name)	Auto-generated from channel name (MeshCore feature)	All networks
Open key (og==)	AREDN-only unencrypted channel	AREDN only

Hash Channel Names

If you start the channel name with # (hash), the key is automatically generated from the name and cannot be changed. This is a MeshCore convention that allows users to quickly create shared channels without exchanging complex keys.

Example: #TacNet will always generate the same key on any Crow node or MeshCore device.

Hash channels work across Crow, Meshtastic, and MeshCore.

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Backend Selection

Each channel can be bound to one or more bridges/backends to route messages to other networks. Backends are only available if they are enabled and configured on your node.

Available Backends

Backend	Type	Prerequisite
Meshtastic	Device bridge	Meshtastic device configured on LAN. See Meshtastic.
MeshCore	Device bridge	MeshCore serial bridge configured. See MeshCore.
APRS	Radio gateway	APRS backend configured (APRS-IS, Dire Wolf, Xastir). See APRS.

Binding a Backend to a Channel

Via UI: When editing a channel, toggle checkboxes for each backend you want to bind:

• ☑ Meshtastic — Forward messages to Meshtastic device
• ☑ MeshCore — Forward messages to MeshCore device
• ☑ APRS — Forward messages to APRS network

Via Configuration File: Edit crow.conf.override and add backend flags to channel entries:

{
  "channels": [
    {
      "namekey": "TacNet AQ==",
      "meshtastic": true,
      "meshcore": true,
      "aprs": true
    }
  ]
}

See Configuration — Bridge Configurations for full config details.

APRS Backend Selection (Multi-Backend)

If you have multiple APRS backends configured (e.g., APRS-IS and Dire Wolf), you can bind a specific backend to a channel. Use the slash command:

/join #TacNet backend=direwolf1 KN6PLV KJ6DZB-4 message

Or configure in crow.conf.override:

{
  "channels": [
    {
      "namekey": "TacNet AQ==",
      "aprs": {
        "backend_name": "direwolf1"
      }
    }
  ]
}

See APRS for backend configuration and naming.

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Modifying Existing Channels

To change a channel's settings:

1. Press the cog icon to open the channels list

2. Click on the channel row to edit inline:

   • Name: Click the name field to edit
   • Key: Click the key field (cannot edit hash channels)
   • Max Messages: Adjust storage limit
   • Images: Toggle image support
   • Backends: Toggle Meshtastic, MeshCore, APRS checkboxes
   • Winlink: Toggle form support

3. Changes are saved immediately

For advanced options (e.g., specific APRS backend selection), edit crow.conf.override directly. See Configuration for all options.

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Channel Features

Max Messages

AREDN devices have limited storage. Set the maximum number of messages this channel should retain. Older messages are automatically pruned when the limit is exceeded.

Images

AREDN is high-bandwidth, so image sharing is supported. When enabled:

• Send/receive images on this channel
• Meshtastic/MeshCore: Placeholder text is sent (those networks don't support large image sizes)
• Storage: Images are stored in RAM and deleted if space is needed
• Size: Images are automatically reduced to ~1 MB before posting

Winlink

Winlink forms can be created and shared on channels that have this enabled. You can:

• Create Winlink documents using installed form templates
• Send/receive Winlink forms with other nodes
• Store and archive forms in channel history

Enable this option only on channels where you want form support.

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Removing a Channel

Any channel except the primary AREDN channel can be removed by:

1. Pressing the cog icon to open the channels list
2. Pressing the minus button on the right of the channel row

The channel and all its messages are deleted.

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Related Commands

Common channel management slash commands:

Command	Purpose
/join #name	Create/join a channel quickly
/channels	List all available channels
/channels join <name> [key]	Join by name
/channels leave <name>	Leave a channel
/leave #name	Leave and cleanup APRS group
/groups	List APRS groups
/backends	List APRS backends

See Slash Commands for complete command reference.

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Related Topics

• Configuration Reference — Advanced config options for channels and backends
• Commands — Full slash command reference including /join and /channels
• APRS — APRS backend setup and multi-backend configuration
• Meshtastic — Hardware and bridge setup for Meshtastic devices
• MeshCore — Hardware and bridge setup for MeshCore devices
• Winlink — Winlink form setup and usage