I am seeking some general advice on how to optimise batman-adv in the context of a dense mesh.

Update to newest compat wireless Change multicast rate to something higher like 18M/54M Change radio distance setting to something < 300m Increase beacon_int of all VIf to something like 5000 (5 sec) or higher Enable sst in Adhoc (modifying source for 2.4GHz required http://article.gmane.org/gmane.linux.kernel.wireless.general/100844 ) Increase batman-adv ogm interval to 5000 or 10000 Increase batman-adv hop penalty to to 50 or 70