diff --git a/data/mesh_ingestor/__init__.py b/data/mesh_ingestor/__init__.py
index 784faca..85b6d49 100644
--- a/data/mesh_ingestor/__init__.py
+++ b/data/mesh_ingestor/__init__.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import threading as threading  # re-exported for compatibility
 import sys
 import types
 
-from . import config, daemon, handlers, interfaces, queue, serialization
+from . import channels, config, daemon, handlers, interfaces, queue, serialization
 
 __all__: list[str] = []
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def _export_constants() -> None:
     __all__.extend(["json", "urllib", "glob", "threading", "signal"])
 
 
-for _module in (daemon, handlers, interfaces, queue, serialization):
+for _module in (channels, daemon, handlers, interfaces, queue, serialization):
     _reexport(_module)
 
 _export_constants()
diff --git a/data/mesh_ingestor/channels.py b/data/mesh_ingestor/channels.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2546a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/data/mesh_ingestor/channels.py
@@ -0,0 +1,223 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2025 l5yth
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Helpers for capturing and exposing mesh channel metadata."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+from typing import Any, Iterable, Iterator
+
+from . import config
+
+try:  # pragma: no cover - optional dependency for enum introspection
+    from meshtastic.protobuf import channel_pb2
+except Exception:  # pragma: no cover - exercised in environments without protobufs
+    channel_pb2 = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
+
+_ROLE_PRIMARY = 1
+_ROLE_SECONDARY = 2
+
+if channel_pb2 is not None:  # pragma: no branch - evaluated once at import time
+    try:
+        _ROLE_PRIMARY = int(channel_pb2.Channel.Role.PRIMARY)
+        _ROLE_SECONDARY = int(channel_pb2.Channel.Role.SECONDARY)
+    except Exception:  # pragma: no cover - defensive, version specific
+        _ROLE_PRIMARY = 1
+        _ROLE_SECONDARY = 2
+
+_CHANNEL_MAPPINGS: tuple[tuple[int, str], ...] = ()
+_CHANNEL_LOOKUP: dict[int, str] = {}
+
+
+def _iter_channel_objects(channels_obj: Any) -> Iterator[Any]:
+    """Yield channel descriptors from ``channels_obj``.
+
+    The real Meshtastic API exposes channels via protobuf containers that are
+    list-like. This helper converts the container into a deterministic iterator
+    while avoiding runtime errors if an unexpected type is supplied.
+    """
+
+    if channels_obj is None:
+        return iter(())
+
+    if isinstance(channels_obj, dict):
+        return iter(channels_obj.values())
+
+    if isinstance(channels_obj, Iterable):
+        return iter(list(channels_obj))
+
+    length_fn = getattr(channels_obj, "__len__", None)
+    getitem = getattr(channels_obj, "__getitem__", None)
+    if callable(length_fn) and callable(getitem):
+        try:
+            length = int(length_fn())
+        except Exception:  # pragma: no cover - defensive only
+            length = None
+        if length is not None and length >= 0:
+            snapshot = []
+            for index in range(length):
+                try:
+                    snapshot.append(getitem(index))
+                except Exception:  # pragma: no cover - best effort copy
+                    break
+            return iter(snapshot)
+
+    return iter(())
+
+
+def _primary_channel_name() -> str | None:
+    """Return the name to use for the primary channel when available."""
+
+    preset = getattr(config, "MODEM_PRESET", None)
+    if isinstance(preset, str) and preset.strip():
+        return preset
+    env_name = os.environ.get("CHANNEL", "").strip()
+    if env_name:
+        return env_name
+    return None
+
+
+def _normalize_role(role: Any) -> int | None:
+    """Convert a channel role descriptor into an integer value."""
+
+    if isinstance(role, int):
+        return role
+    if isinstance(role, str):
+        value = role.strip().upper()
+        if value == "PRIMARY":
+            return _ROLE_PRIMARY
+        if value == "SECONDARY":
+            return _ROLE_SECONDARY
+        try:
+            return int(value)
+        except ValueError:
+            return None
+    name_attr = getattr(role, "name", None)
+    if isinstance(name_attr, str):
+        return _normalize_role(name_attr)
+    value_attr = getattr(role, "value", None)
+    if isinstance(value_attr, int):
+        return value_attr
+    try:
+        return int(role)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def _channel_tuple(channel_obj: Any) -> tuple[int, str] | None:
+    """Return ``(index, name)`` for ``channel_obj`` when resolvable."""
+
+    role_value = _normalize_role(getattr(channel_obj, "role", None))
+    if role_value == _ROLE_PRIMARY:
+        channel_index = 0
+        channel_name = _primary_channel_name()
+    elif role_value == _ROLE_SECONDARY:
+        raw_index = getattr(channel_obj, "index", None)
+        try:
+            channel_index = int(raw_index)
+        except Exception:
+            channel_index = None
+        settings = getattr(channel_obj, "settings", None)
+        channel_name = getattr(settings, "name", None) if settings else None
+    else:
+        return None
+
+    if not isinstance(channel_index, int):
+        return None
+
+    if isinstance(channel_name, str):
+        channel_name = channel_name.strip()
+    else:
+        channel_name = None
+
+    if not channel_name:
+        return None
+
+    return channel_index, channel_name
+
+
+def capture_from_interface(iface: Any) -> None:
+    """Populate the channel cache by inspecting ``iface`` when possible."""
+
+    global _CHANNEL_MAPPINGS, _CHANNEL_LOOKUP
+
+    if iface is None or _CHANNEL_MAPPINGS:
+        return
+
+    try:
+        wait_for_config = getattr(iface, "waitForConfig", None)
+        if callable(wait_for_config):
+            wait_for_config()
+    except Exception:  # pragma: no cover - hardware dependent safeguard
+        pass
+
+    local_node = getattr(iface, "localNode", None)
+    channels_obj = getattr(local_node, "channels", None) if local_node else None
+
+    channel_entries: list[tuple[int, str]] = []
+    seen_indices: set[int] = set()
+    for candidate in _iter_channel_objects(channels_obj):
+        result = _channel_tuple(candidate)
+        if result is None:
+            continue
+        index, name = result
+        if index in seen_indices:
+            continue
+        channel_entries.append((index, name))
+        seen_indices.add(index)
+
+    if not channel_entries:
+        return
+
+    _CHANNEL_MAPPINGS = tuple(channel_entries)
+    _CHANNEL_LOOKUP = {index: name for index, name in _CHANNEL_MAPPINGS}
+
+    config._debug_log(
+        "Captured channel metadata",
+        context="channels.capture",
+        severity="info",
+        always=True,
+        channels=_CHANNEL_MAPPINGS,
+    )
+
+
+def channel_mappings() -> tuple[tuple[int, str], ...]:
+    """Return the cached ``(index, name)`` channel tuples."""
+
+    return _CHANNEL_MAPPINGS
+
+
+def channel_name(channel_index: int | None) -> str | None:
+    """Return the channel name for ``channel_index`` when known."""
+
+    if channel_index is None:
+        return None
+    return _CHANNEL_LOOKUP.get(int(channel_index))
+
+
+def _reset_channel_cache() -> None:
+    """Clear cached channel data. Intended for use in tests only."""
+
+    global _CHANNEL_MAPPINGS, _CHANNEL_LOOKUP
+    _CHANNEL_MAPPINGS = ()
+    _CHANNEL_LOOKUP = {}
+
+
+__all__ = [
+    "capture_from_interface",
+    "channel_mappings",
+    "channel_name",
+    "_reset_channel_cache",
+]
diff --git a/data/mesh_ingestor/daemon.py b/data/mesh_ingestor/daemon.py
index 06f782f..3fdc97a 100644
--- a/data/mesh_ingestor/daemon.py
+++ b/data/mesh_ingestor/daemon.py
@@ -242,6 +242,7 @@ def main() -> None:
                         iface, resolved_target = interfaces._create_default_interface()
                         active_candidate = resolved_target
                     interfaces._ensure_radio_metadata(iface)
+                    interfaces._ensure_channel_metadata(iface)
                     retry_delay = max(0.0, config._RECONNECT_INITIAL_DELAY_SECS)
                     initial_snapshot_sent = False
                     if not announced_target and resolved_target:
diff --git a/data/mesh_ingestor/handlers.py b/data/mesh_ingestor/handlers.py
index 269de38..efba9f0 100644
--- a/data/mesh_ingestor/handlers.py
+++ b/data/mesh_ingestor/handlers.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import json
 import time
 from collections.abc import Mapping
 
-from . import config, queue
+from . import channels, config, queue
 from .serialization import (
     _canonical_node_id,
     _coerce_float,
@@ -64,6 +64,21 @@ def _apply_radio_metadata(payload: dict) -> dict:
     return payload
 
 
+def _is_encrypted_flag(value) -> bool:
+    """Return ``True`` when ``value`` represents an encrypted payload."""
+
+    if isinstance(value, bool):
+        return value
+    if isinstance(value, (int, float)):
+        return value != 0
+    if isinstance(value, str):
+        normalized = value.strip().lower()
+        if normalized in {"", "0", "false", "no"}:
+            return False
+        return True
+    return bool(value)
+
+
 def _apply_radio_metadata_to_nodes(payload: dict) -> dict:
     """Attach radio metadata to each node entry stored in ``payload``."""
 
@@ -857,6 +872,8 @@ def store_packet_dict(packet: Mapping) -> None:
     rssi = _first(packet, "rssi", "rx_rssi", "rxRssi", default=None)
     hop = _first(packet, "hopLimit", "hop_limit", default=None)
 
+    encrypted_flag = _is_encrypted_flag(encrypted)
+
     message_payload = {
         "id": int(pkt_id),
         "rx_time": rx_time,
@@ -871,6 +888,12 @@ def store_packet_dict(packet: Mapping) -> None:
         "rssi": int(rssi) if rssi is not None else None,
         "hop_limit": int(hop) if hop is not None else None,
     }
+
+    channel_name_value = None
+    if not encrypted_flag:
+        channel_name_value = channels.channel_name(channel)
+        if channel_name_value:
+            message_payload["channel_name"] = channel_name_value
     _queue_post_json(
         "/api/messages",
         _apply_radio_metadata(message_payload),
@@ -881,14 +904,17 @@ def store_packet_dict(packet: Mapping) -> None:
         from_label = _canonical_node_id(from_id) or from_id
         to_label = _canonical_node_id(to_id) or to_id
         payload_desc = "Encrypted" if text is None and encrypted else text
-        config._debug_log(
-            "Queued message payload",
-            context="handlers.store_packet_dict",
-            from_id=from_label,
-            to_id=to_label,
-            channel=channel,
-            payload=payload_desc,
-        )
+        log_kwargs = {
+            "context": "handlers.store_packet_dict",
+            "from_id": from_label,
+            "to_id": to_label,
+            "channel": channel,
+            "channel_display": channel_name_value or channel,
+            "payload": payload_desc,
+        }
+        if channel_name_value:
+            log_kwargs["channel_name"] = channel_name_value
+        config._debug_log("Queued message payload", **log_kwargs)
 
 
 _last_packet_monotonic: float | None = None
diff --git a/data/mesh_ingestor/interfaces.py b/data/mesh_ingestor/interfaces.py
index 00f0452..4ee08da 100644
--- a/data/mesh_ingestor/interfaces.py
+++ b/data/mesh_ingestor/interfaces.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 from meshtastic.serial_interface import SerialInterface
 from meshtastic.tcp_interface import TCPInterface
 
-from . import config, serialization
+from . import channels, config, serialization
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover - import only used for type checking
     from meshtastic.ble_interface import BLEInterface as _BLEInterface
@@ -334,6 +334,24 @@ def _ensure_radio_metadata(iface: Any) -> None:
         )
 
 
+def _ensure_channel_metadata(iface: Any) -> None:
+    """Capture channel metadata by inspecting ``iface`` once per runtime."""
+
+    if iface is None:
+        return
+
+    try:
+        channels.capture_from_interface(iface)
+    except Exception as exc:  # pragma: no cover - defensive instrumentation
+        config._debug_log(
+            "Failed to capture channel metadata",
+            context="interfaces.ensure_channel_metadata",
+            severity="warn",
+            error_class=exc.__class__.__name__,
+            error_message=str(exc),
+        )
+
+
 _DEFAULT_TCP_PORT = 4403
 _DEFAULT_TCP_TARGET = "http://127.0.0.1"
 
@@ -581,6 +599,7 @@ def _create_default_interface() -> tuple[object, str]:
 __all__ = [
     "BLEInterface",
     "NoAvailableMeshInterface",
+    "_ensure_channel_metadata",
     "_ensure_radio_metadata",
     "_DummySerialInterface",
     "_DEFAULT_TCP_PORT",
diff --git a/tests/test_mesh.py b/tests/test_mesh.py
index 731f1f0..14d6f00 100644
--- a/tests/test_mesh.py
+++ b/tests/test_mesh.py
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ def mesh_module(monkeypatch):
     for attr in ("LORA_FREQ", "MODEM_PRESET"):
         if attr in module.__dict__:
             delattr(module, attr)
+    module.channels._reset_channel_cache()
 
     yield module
 
@@ -402,6 +403,64 @@ def test_ensure_radio_metadata_extracts_config(mesh_module, capsys):
     assert second_log == ""
 
 
+def test_capture_channels_from_interface_records_metadata(mesh_module, capsys):
+    mesh = mesh_module
+
+    mesh.config.MODEM_PRESET = "MediumFast"
+
+    class DummyInterface:
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            self.wait_calls = 0
+            primary = SimpleNamespace(role=1, settings=SimpleNamespace())
+            secondary = SimpleNamespace(
+                role="SECONDARY",
+                index="7",
+                settings=SimpleNamespace(name="TestChannel"),
+            )
+            self.localNode = SimpleNamespace(channels=[primary, secondary])
+
+        def waitForConfig(self) -> None:  # noqa: D401 - matches interface contract
+            self.wait_calls += 1
+
+    iface = DummyInterface()
+
+    mesh.channels.capture_from_interface(iface)
+    log_output = capsys.readouterr().out
+
+    assert iface.wait_calls == 1
+    assert mesh.channels.channel_mappings() == ((0, "MediumFast"), (7, "TestChannel"))
+    assert mesh.channels.channel_name(7) == "TestChannel"
+    assert "Captured channel metadata" in log_output
+    assert "channels=((0, 'MediumFast'), (7, 'TestChannel'))" in log_output
+
+    mesh.channels.capture_from_interface(SimpleNamespace(localNode=None))
+    assert mesh.channels.channel_mappings() == ((0, "MediumFast"), (7, "TestChannel"))
+
+
+def test_capture_channels_primary_falls_back_to_env(mesh_module, monkeypatch, capsys):
+    mesh = mesh_module
+
+    mesh.config.MODEM_PRESET = None
+    monkeypatch.setenv("CHANNEL", "FallbackName")
+
+    class DummyInterface:
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            self.localNode = SimpleNamespace(
+                channels={"primary": SimpleNamespace(role="PRIMARY")}
+            )
+
+        def waitForConfig(self) -> None:  # noqa: D401 - placeholder
+            return None
+
+    mesh.channels._reset_channel_cache()
+    mesh.channels.capture_from_interface(DummyInterface())
+    log_output = capsys.readouterr().out
+
+    assert mesh.channels.channel_mappings() == ((0, "FallbackName"),)
+    assert mesh.channels.channel_name(0) == "FallbackName"
+    assert "FallbackName" in log_output
+
+
 def test_create_default_interface_falls_back_to_tcp(mesh_module, monkeypatch):
     mesh = mesh_module
     attempts = []
@@ -1292,6 +1351,64 @@ def test_store_packet_dict_handles_invalid_channel(mesh_module, monkeypatch):
     assert priority == mesh._MESSAGE_POST_PRIORITY
 
 
+def test_store_packet_dict_appends_channel_name(mesh_module, monkeypatch, capsys):
+    mesh = mesh_module
+    mesh.channels._reset_channel_cache()
+    mesh.config.MODEM_PRESET = "MediumFast"
+
+    class DummyInterface:
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            self.localNode = SimpleNamespace(
+                channels=[
+                    SimpleNamespace(role=1, settings=SimpleNamespace()),
+                    SimpleNamespace(
+                        role=2,
+                        index=5,
+                        settings=SimpleNamespace(name="Chat"),
+                    ),
+                ]
+            )
+
+        def waitForConfig(self) -> None:  # noqa: D401 - matches interface contract
+            return None
+
+    mesh.channels.capture_from_interface(DummyInterface())
+    capsys.readouterr()
+
+    captured = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        mesh,
+        "_queue_post_json",
+        lambda path, payload, *, priority: captured.append((path, payload, priority)),
+    )
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mesh, "DEBUG", True)
+
+    packet = {
+        "id": "789",
+        "rxTime": 123456,
+        "from": "!abc",
+        "to": "!def",
+        "channel": 5,
+        "decoded": {"text": "hi", "portnum": 1},
+    }
+
+    mesh.store_packet_dict(packet)
+
+    assert captured, "Expected message to be stored"
+    path, payload, priority = captured[0]
+    assert path == "/api/messages"
+    assert payload["channel_name"] == "Chat"
+    assert payload["channel"] == 5
+    assert payload["text"] == "hi"
+    assert payload["encrypted"] is None
+    assert priority == mesh._MESSAGE_POST_PRIORITY
+
+    log_output = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "channel_name='Chat'" in log_output
+    assert "channel_display='Chat'" in log_output
+
+
 def test_store_packet_dict_includes_encrypted_payload(mesh_module, monkeypatch):
     mesh = mesh_module
     captured = []
@@ -1322,6 +1439,7 @@ def test_store_packet_dict_includes_encrypted_payload(mesh_module, monkeypatch):
     assert payload["text"] is None
     assert payload["from_id"] == 2988082812
     assert payload["to_id"] == "!receiver"
+    assert "channel_name" not in payload
     assert payload["lora_freq"] == 868
     assert payload["modem_preset"] == "MediumFast"
     assert priority == mesh._MESSAGE_POST_PRIORITY
@@ -2056,6 +2174,8 @@ def test_store_packet_dict_debug_message(mesh_module, monkeypatch, capsys):
     out = capsys.readouterr().out
     assert "context=handlers.store_packet_dict" in out
     assert "Queued message payload" in out
+    assert "channel_display=0" in out
+    assert "channel_name=" not in out
 
 
 def test_on_receive_skips_seen_packets(mesh_module):