What should I be setting TX power to?

[ProjectMoon]

The Meshtastic documentation says that max ERP in Europe is 27 dBm. But is this the number I should actually put in the TX power box? Because everything else I'm reading is saying that max power for broadcast is 14 dBm?

I have a 2.5 dBi gain antenna, and the country in question is the Netherlands.

[ProjectMoon]

Further context: I'm aware different devices have different maximum power output, and it depends on cable and antenna. Is the number in this box the power of the transmitter itself without factoring in antenna and cable? Does the firmware make sure the radio is not broadcasting above the regulatory power level?

[KnorkFox]

The answer is no. The user is supposed to know how much output power to give, in relation to his or her antenna.

But, with a short antenna ( 5 cm) it should be almost impossible to output too much power. Only with bigger antennas, you are able to violate this law. So please, stay low on output power, if you have a high gain antenna.

[victordomingos]

I also wonder that myself. When discussing this issue with other community members, I was told that some popular devices like the T1000-e only support up to 22dBm (in the particular case of that device, it does not support antenna replacements, so it should be easier). However the iOS app allows setting 27dBm for devices like that one, which is confusing.

[KnorkFox]

The android app, allows 27dBm also.

[KnorkFox]

I am no raidio amateur, but the regulation said, that the total out power, is not allowed to exeed 27dBm in europe, ever.

A user needs to know the gain of his antenna and needs to calculate the output power of his radio. This is not practical in my opinion, because noobs like me, have no clue about this. This regulation is made for radio amateurs, who are not bound by this regulation, if they transmit undecoded (clear text) and use their official call sign.

The best approach, would be to use less output power, to never violate the law. Else, you need to measure the actual output of your radio, with your antenna. Also not practical, because we have no power meter for radio transmission in our garage.

[KnorkFox]

For the netherlands, there is a document available:
https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/region-by-country/#n

I dont know, if this helps. You are responsible for your radio, to not exceed the allowed output power.