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Observe with Home Assistant

Use the MeshCore integration you already run in Home Assistant to publish packet telemetry to MeshCore Canada.

Is this method right for you?

Use Home Assistant ifIt already has a working MeshCore integration and connected radio.
Use something else ifYou would install Home Assistant only for observing.
Keep onlineHome Assistant, the radio connection, and internet access.

Check your screen

Current MeshCore integrations use these fields:

Packet control Location control
Payload Mode = packet Free-text Broker IATA Code

If your screen looks different, see Home Assistant screen does not match the guide. Update the integration if it cannot accept the correct location code; do not substitute a nearby code.

Before you start

  • [ ] Home Assistant and the MeshCore integration are healthy.
  • [ ] The radio is connected over a supported USB, BLE, or TCP path.
  • [ ] The radio uses the local mesh settings.
  • [ ] You chose a real location code.
  • [ ] You read Observer data, access, and privacy.

What this changes

You will add two MQTT broker entries and enable packet payloads. Do not enter a Wi-Fi password or static MQTT password.

Set up

Open:

Settings → Devices & Services → MeshCore → Configure → Manage MQTT Brokers

Add the primary entry:

Field Value
Server mqtt1.meshcore.ca
Port 443
Transport websockets
Use TLS Enabled
TLS Verify Enabled
Username / Password Leave blank
Use MeshCore Auth Token Enabled
Token Audience mqtt1.meshcore.ca
Payload Mode packet
Status Topic meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status
Packets Topic meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets

Set the integration's location field to the real three-letter code nearest the observer.

Add the backup entry with the same settings, changing only:

Field Value
Server mqtt2.meshcore.ca
Token Audience mqtt2.meshcore.ca

Leave optional owner fields blank unless they are needed. Save both entries.

What you should see

Both entries show connected and nearby radio activity changes the packet count. If the brokers connect but no packets appear, packet mode may be off or the radio may hear nothing.

Verify in CoreScope

  1. Find the observer in CoreScope Observers.
  2. Wait for normal nearby MeshCore activity.
  3. Confirm a recent packet in CoreScope Packets.

Finish with Check your observer. Home Assistant's connected badge is not proof that packets reached CoreScope.

Recovery

Disable or remove only the two MeshCore Canada broker entries you added. Keep unrelated Home Assistant integrations and the radio connection unchanged. Confirm the original MeshCore integration still operates.

If verification fails

Use Troubleshooting. Include the Home Assistant version, MeshCore integration version, first failed stage, and a redacted error. Review any diagnostics archive before sharing it.