From Experimentation to Standardization — The “Australia: Victoria” Preset was born
This article represents the culmination of months of dedication, collaboration, and experimentation from many contributors within the MeshCore Victoria community. Through countless field tests, range trials, and live deployments across the state, the team worked together to refine a configuration that pushes the limits of LoRa CSS performance in real-world conditions.
The result of these collective efforts is the “Australia: Victoria” preset — a finely tuned setup optimized for long-range, high-reliability operation across Victoria’s diverse geography.
These findings were built on extensive testing between core nodes in Mt Buninyong, Geelong, Melbourne, Warragul, Mt Dandenong, and the newly established Mt Anakie site. By systematically adjusting parameters such as bandwidth, spreading factor, and coding rate, the community achieved a configuration that significantly improved range, responsiveness, and overall network stability — demonstrating that LoRa CSS, when properly engineered, can deliver robust, state-wide mesh connectivity across both regional and metropolitan environments.
From Wideband to Narrowband — The Evolution of MeshCore in Victoria
When the Victorian MeshCore network first went live, it operated using the standard Australian LoRa wideband configuration —
915.8 MHz, Spreading Factor 10 (SF10), Bandwidth 250 kHz, and Coding Rate 5 (CR5).
While this setup worked well as a baseline, it quickly became clear that it wasn’t ideal for a distributed, high-density mesh:
- Extended airtime from SF10 caused delays and collisions
- Wide bandwidth increased susceptibility to noise and interference
- Antenna efficiency dropped off due to imperfect tuning around 915.8 MHz
- Range was inconsistent, especially in mixed elevation or suburban terrain
These challenges inspired the team to explore narrowband LoRa CSS — specifically targeting 62.5 kHz channels centered precisely at 915 MHz, where most ISM antennas perform best.
Why Stay Close to 915 MHz?
The decision to center the system at 916 MHz was both technical and practical. Many affordable LoRa antennas are factory-tuned for this frequency, and even small deviations can degrade VSWR and reduce effective gain.
Before locking in the final settings, the team conducted noise floor scans using SDRs (Software Defined Radios) across Victoria. From Ballarat to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, results showed a consistently clean spectrum around 916 MHz — ideal for long-range mesh communication with minimal interference.
LoRa CSS Fundamentals and Key Parameters
| Parameter | Function | Impact on Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth (BW) | Determines channel width | Lower BW = higher sensitivity, lower throughput |
| Spreading Factor (SF) | Number of chirps per symbol | Higher SF = longer range, slower data rate |
| Coding Rate (CR) | Error correction level | Higher CR = better reliability, longer airtime |
Typical LoRa CSS Sensitivity vs. Time-on-Air
| Spreading Factor | Sensitivity (125 kHz) | Time on Air |
|---|---|---|
| SF7 | −123 dBm | 41 ms |
| SF8 | −126 dBm | 72 ms |
| SF9 | −129 dBm | 144 ms |
| SF10 | −132 dBm | 288 ms |
| SF11 | −134.5 dBm | 577 ms |
| SF12 | −137 dBm | 991 ms |
Higher SF values provide superior range, but increase airtime exponentially — a critical factor in a mesh where hundreds of nodes share the same channels.
Testing and Tuning Toward the New Preset
Original Configuration
- 915.800 MHz, SF10, BW 250 kHz, CR5
- Standard for wideband Australian setups
- High airtime and congestion under mesh load
- Range limited by noise and antenna mismatch
Intermediate Testing
- 916.575 MHz, SF8, BW 62.5 kHz, CR8
- Substantial range improvement
- Slightly longer airtime led to slower routing responsiveness
Final “Australia: Victoria” Preset
- 916.575 MHz, SF7, BW 62.5 kHz, CR8
- Reduced airtime and packet collision rate
- Excellent stability across all node types
- Strong, repeatable long-range performance
Testing showed that lower CR settings (below CR8) slightly reduced airtime but created synchronization instability when mixed across networks. CR8 proved to be the sweet spot — maintaining reliable error correction without reducing interoperability.
Why 62.5 kHz, SF7, and CR8 Work So Well
This configuration delivers the ideal balance between range and responsiveness for a shared ISM-band mesh:
- Narrowband (62.5 kHz): Increases link budget and reduces adjacent-channel interference
- SF7: Keeps airtime short for fast, collision-free routing
- CR8: Ensures error-tolerant operation even in noisy conditions
- 915 MHz center frequency: Maximizes antenna efficiency and output power
These characteristics have made the new “Australia: Victoria” preset the benchmark for MeshCore deployments across the region — offering both urban reliability and rural range without needing per-node customization.
Conclusion
Through months of experimentation, real-world testing, and parameter optimization, the Victorian MeshCore community created a configuration worthy of standardization — the “Australia: Victoria” preset.
This narrowband 916.575 MHz (SF7 / BW62.5 / CR8) setup combines:
- Extended range across Victoria’s regional and mountain terrain
- Reduced airtime and network congestion
- Consistent interoperability across all node types
With numerous core nodes strategically deployed at high elevations, the MeshCore network now forms a robust and resilient statewide backbone. These elevated sites — including Creswick, Mt Buninyong, Mt Anakie, the You Yangs, Geelong, Melbourne, Mt Dandenong and more.. — providing exceptional coverage and long-range connectivity across Victoria. Together, they create a strong, reliable infrastructure that continues to grow every day, extending the reach and performance of LoRa-based MeshCore deployments throughout the region.