---
title: Pre-Mission Checklist and Comms Check
description: Work through the pre-mission checklist, then run a comms check that confirms mesh, high-bandwidth, and satellite delivery from your Node and ATAK plugin.
url: "https://docs.somewear.app/soldier-borne/getting-started/comms-check/"
updated: "2026-06-16"
requires: {}
facets:
  hardware:
    - node:
        since: baseline
  client:
    - atak:
        since: baseline
  satcom: []
---

Complete the pre-mission checklist and run the comms check procedure before every operation. Together they confirm firmware, pairing, Workspace alignment, and all network delivery paths are operational.

## Pre-Mission Checklist

- [ ] Update all Nodes to current firmware — see Update Node Firmware
- [ ] Confirm the mesh radio channel for the operation — all devices must be on the same channel to communicate over mesh
- [ ] Confirm network toggles: Backhaul `ON`, Satellite `ON`, Mesh Radio `ON`
- [ ] Download offline maps for the operating area in ATAK
- [ ] Confirm all EUDs are joined to the correct Workspace (shared team environment where messages and locations are exchanged)
- [ ] Double check callsigns on all EUDs — see Set Your Callsign

![Pre-mission settings screen showing Backhaul, Satellite, and Mesh Radio toggles all in the ON state](https://docs.somewear.app/_astro/pre-mission-settings-screen-showing-back.BIXfXGqw_Z25xl4v.webp)

## Comms Check Procedure

Running a comms check before you leave your high-bandwidth connection is best practice to prevent any issues arising in the field.

**Preconditions before starting:**

- Backhaul, Satellite, Mesh: `ON`
- All users on the same Workspace
- All devices on the same mesh channel
- If key rotation is enabled: confirm all devices using the same Mesh Key Phrase (shared encryption passphrase for mesh radio traffic)

Run through every step in order. Do not skip satellite verification.

### Step 1 — Pair Node while connected to WiFi or LTE

1. Confirm the EUD has active WiFi or cellular connectivity before pairing.
2. Follow the Bluetooth pairing procedure to pair the Node to the EUD.

### Step 2 — Send a Workspace message, verify mesh + high-bandwidth delivery

1. Open the Plugin and tap **Messages**.
2. Tap **Workspace** chat.
3. Type a test message and send.
4. Confirm the sent message shows both delivery icons white: the **mesh icon** mesh and the **high-bandwidth icon** cell.

![Sent Workspace message with both mesh and high-bandwidth icons white](https://docs.somewear.app/_astro/sent-message-mesh-and-high-bandwidth-icons.DC5b_giE_ZFoLJG.webp)

### Step 3 — Disconnect from WiFi and LTE

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade.
2. Turn off WiFi.
3. Enable Airplane Mode to disable cellular.
4. Confirm Bluetooth is ON before proceeding to Step 4.

![Android quick-settings panel with WiFi off, Airplane Mode on, and Bluetooth on](https://docs.somewear.app/_astro/quick-settings-airplane-mode-on-wifi-off-bluetooth-on.BvmR0_Tt_Pd9dA.webp)

> **Note**
>
> Airplane Mode may disable Bluetooth. Toggle Bluetooth back ON separately after enabling Airplane Mode — the Node connection requires active Bluetooth.

### Step 4 — Send a Workspace message, verify mesh-only delivery

1. Open the Plugin and tap **Messages**.
2. Tap **Workspace** chat.
3. Type a test message and send.
4. Confirm the sent message shows only the **mesh icon** mesh white. The high-bandwidth icon cell should remain gray — not white.

### Step 5 — Satellite verification

> **Note**
>
> Requires outdoor environment with a clear view of the sky.

1. Navigate to **Hardware Settings** → **Mesh Radio** → toggle **OFF**.
2. Type a test message in the Workspace chat and send.
3. Confirm the sent message shows the **satellite icon** satellite white.

![Hardware Settings with Mesh Radio toggled OFF, Backhaul and Satellite ON](https://docs.somewear.app/_astro/hardware-settings-mesh-radio-off-backhaul-sat-on.BWk_Kgmm_1zUxW4.webp)

![Sent Workspace message with satellite icon white and mesh icon absent](https://docs.somewear.app/_astro/sent-message-satellite-icon-only.5ZJ0H4Oi_Z8nGJN.webp)

### Step 6 — Verify PLI (position reporting)

1. Open the ATAK map.
2. Confirm all team members appear as position markers on the map.
3. Tap each marker and verify the **Last Report** timestamp is recent.

### Step 7 — Restore settings

1. Disable Airplane Mode to restore cellular connectivity, or re-enable WiFi.
2. Toggle **Mesh Radio**, **Backhaul**, and **Satellite** back ON in Hardware Settings.

Comms check complete.