Wi-Fi

Field Guide 11 · 32 min read

Find nearby networks and devices, capture Wi-Fi activity, test connections, and check channel use.

Before you start

Authorized use

For legal and authorized use only. Use Wi-Fi tools only on networks you own or are authorized to test.

Wi-Fi includes tools for viewing nearby networks, checking channel activity, capturing diagnostic data, and running focused network tests.

Exit Bluetooth before opening Wi-Fi. Insert a writable card for saved networks, handshakes, beacon lists, or PCAPNG captures.

Networks

Networks scans nearby 2.4 GHz access points and lets you review, save, and inspect their associated devices.

Menu pathMain Menu → Wi-Fi → Networks

1. Wait for the AP scan or cached list.
2. Use Left and Right to move through the network results; use Rescan for a fresh result.
3. Press Center on Actions.
4. Choose Scan for Devices to look for associated stations.
5. Choose Save Network to add or update SSID, BSSID, channel, RSSI, and security.
6. Choose Network Details for the full AP summary.
7. Choose Saved Networks to inspect the SD list.
8. In Saved Networks, choose Actions → Delete and confirm the intended entry.

Saved network

The saved entry includes the network name, address, channel, signal strength, and security type. It does not include the password.

Deauth Client

Deauth Client performs a short disconnect test against a selected device.

Menu pathMain Menu → Wi-Fi → Deauth Client

1. Choose Use Selected when the correct AP is already selected, or Scan Networks.
2. Open the selected AP’s Actions.
3. Choose Target Devices, or Details to verify the AP first.
4. Select the exact station and review Device Details.
5. Verify network and device on the confirmation screen.
6. Choose Start and keep the test brief.
7. Press Center or Back to stop.
8. Use Change Device, Change Network, or Rescan before another test.

Short connection test

Deauth Client briefly disconnects the selected device from its network. Use it for authorized testing and stop when you have the result you need.

MonstaShark

MonstaShark records Wi-Fi traffic on a selected channel as a PCAPNG file for later analysis.

Menu pathMain Menu → Wi-Fi → MonstaShark

1. Select an AP; use Rescan for fresh results.
2. Verify SSID and fixed channel.
3. Use Up or Down for capture duration.
4. Press Center on Run.
5. Watch packet, byte, drop, and storage counters on both result pages.
6. Press Center or Back to stop cleanly.
7. Review the saved PCAPNG filename under wifi/.
8. Transfer the capture through USB Drive and open it in Wireshark for review.

Manual mode

When no AP is found, Left/Right changes channel and Up/Down changes duration; confirm the channel independently before Run.

Handshake

Handshake captures WPA authentication traffic from a selected network and saves complete or partial results for analysis.

Menu pathMain Menu → Wi-Fi → Handshake

1. Choose Use Selected or Scan Networks.
2. Select the AP and verify channel.
3. Choose Start Capture.
4. Watch stages and packet count.
5. Press Center or Back to stop when needed.
6. For a complete result, choose Save Capture and name it.
7. For an incomplete result, deliberately choose Save Capture, Retry, or Back.
8. At Capture Stopped, choose Save Capture or Discard.

Saved captures are stored under wifi/ and can be transferred through USB Drive.

Beacon

Beacon transmits test network names over 2.4 GHz from an SD list or a name entered on the keypad.

Menu pathMain Menu → Wi-Fi → Beacon

Source	Instructions
SD List	Put one SSID per line in wifi/ap_lists.txt; up to 16 non-empty entries, 32 bytes each.
Keypad SSID	Enter one SSID and verify it before transmission.

1. Select the source.
2. Review the running names and count.
3. Use it in a controlled test environment and stop when finished.
4. Press Center or Back to stop.
5. Wait for Stopping before leaving.

Fallback

If the SD list is empty, the M1 may use the currently selected network name. Check the running screen.

Channel Survey

Channel Survey summarizes nearby 2.4 GHz activity by channel using access-point count and strongest signal.

Menu pathMain Menu → Wi-Fi → Channel Survey

1. Wait for the one-shot 2.4 GHz scan.
2. Read total detected APs.
3. Use Left and Right to move through channels 1–14.
4. Compare AP count and strongest RSSI.
5. Press Center to rescan.
6. Press Back to exit.

Fewer APs does not automatically mean a better channel; consider signal strength, width, interference, and regulatory domain.

Troubleshooting

Problem	What to do
ESP32 not ready	Leave, try bridge reset, and reopen Wi-Fi.
Radio busy	Leave Bluetooth completely.
No APs	Move closer, rescan, and confirm supported 2.4 GHz channels.
No devices	Rescan; the station may be idle, randomized, or unassociated.
Capture link failed	Retry once after leaving BLE; then verify ESP32 firmware pairing.
Save failed	Check mount, free space, and USB Drive ownership.
Handshake incomplete	Verify channel and activity; stay inside the approved window.

Visual guide

Wi-FiFour rows are visible at a time. Use Up and Down to scroll through all 6 items.

Network actions

Scan networks→Select AP→Select device or channel→Run function

MonstaShark

Select AP→Set duration→Capture→Save PCAPNG→Open in Wireshark

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Need help? Email support@monstatek.com and include the firmware version and screen name.