diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 0ae35af..0e28099 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -356,6 +356,8 @@ mc.subscribe(EventType.ACK, handler)
 | `MESHCORE_BLE_PIN` | *(required with BLE)* | BLE PIN code |
 | `MESHCORE_DATABASE_PATH` | `data/meshcore.db` | SQLite database location |
 
-**Note:** `max_radio_contacts` is a runtime setting stored in the database (`app_settings` table), not an environment variable. It is configured via `PATCH /api/settings`.
+**Note:** `max_radio_contacts` and `experimental_channel_double_send` are runtime settings stored in the database (`app_settings` table), not environment variables. They are configured via `PATCH /api/settings`.
+
+`experimental_channel_double_send` is an opt-in experimental setting: when enabled, channel sends perform a second byte-perfect resend after a 3-second delay.
 
 **Transport mutual exclusivity:** Only one of `MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT`, `MESHCORE_TCP_HOST`, or `MESHCORE_BLE_ADDRESS` may be set. If none are set, serial auto-detection is used.
diff --git a/app/AGENTS.md b/app/AGENTS.md
index 7888741..d92ee03 100644
--- a/app/AGENTS.md
+++ b/app/AGENTS.md
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ app/
     ├── messages.py   # Message list and send (direct/channel)
     ├── packets.py    # Raw packet endpoints, historical decryption
     ├── read_state.py # Read state: unread counts, mark-all-read
-    ├── settings.py   # App settings (max_radio_contacts)
+    ├── settings.py   # App settings (max_radio_contacts, experimental_channel_double_send, etc.)
     └── ws.py         # WebSocket endpoint at /api/ws
 ```
 
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ await RawPacketRepository.mark_decrypted(packet_id, message_id)
 # App settings (single-row pattern)
 settings = await AppSettingsRepository.get()
 await AppSettingsRepository.update(auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert=True)
+await AppSettingsRepository.update(experimental_channel_double_send=True)
 await AppSettingsRepository.add_favorite("contact", public_key)
 ```
 
@@ -252,6 +253,7 @@ raw_packets (
 app_settings (
     id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY CHECK (id = 1),  -- Single-row pattern
     max_radio_contacts INTEGER DEFAULT 200,
+    experimental_channel_double_send INTEGER DEFAULT 0,  -- Experimental delayed byte-perfect channel resend
     favorites TEXT DEFAULT '[]',            -- JSON array of {type, id}
     auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
     sidebar_sort_order TEXT DEFAULT 'recent',  -- 'recent' or 'alpha'
@@ -527,7 +529,7 @@ All endpoints are prefixed with `/api`.
 ### Messages
 - `GET /api/messages?type=&conversation_key=&limit=&offset=` - List with filters
 - `POST /api/messages/direct` - Send direct message
-- `POST /api/messages/channel` - Send channel message
+- `POST /api/messages/channel` - Send channel message (stores outgoing immediately; response includes current ack count)
 
 ### Packets
 - `GET /api/packets/undecrypted/count` - Count of undecrypted packets
@@ -535,7 +537,7 @@ All endpoints are prefixed with `/api`.
 
 ### Settings
 - `GET /api/settings` - Get all app settings
-- `PATCH /api/settings` - Update settings (max_radio_contacts, auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert, sidebar_sort_order)
+- `PATCH /api/settings` - Update settings (max_radio_contacts, experimental_channel_double_send, auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert, sidebar_sort_order)
 - `POST /api/settings/favorites` - Add a favorite
 - `DELETE /api/settings/favorites` - Remove a favorite
 - `POST /api/settings/favorites/toggle` - Toggle favorite status
diff --git a/app/migrations.py b/app/migrations.py
index d3cb5b5..b866b32 100644
--- a/app/migrations.py
+++ b/app/migrations.py
@@ -142,6 +142,13 @@ async def run_migrations(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> int:
         await set_version(conn, 15)
         applied += 1
 
+    # Migration 16: Add experimental_channel_double_send setting
+    if version < 16:
+        logger.info("Applying migration 16: add experimental_channel_double_send column")
+        await _migrate_016_add_experimental_channel_double_send(conn)
+        await set_version(conn, 16)
+        applied += 1
+
     if applied > 0:
         logger.info(
             "Applied %d migration(s), schema now at version %d", applied, await get_version(conn)
@@ -993,3 +1000,24 @@ async def _migrate_015_fix_null_sender_timestamp(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) ->
         )
 
     await conn.commit()
+
+
+async def _migrate_016_add_experimental_channel_double_send(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> None:
+    """
+    Add experimental_channel_double_send column to app_settings table.
+
+    When enabled, channel sends perform an immediate byte-perfect duplicate send
+    using the same timestamp bytes.
+    """
+    try:
+        await conn.execute(
+            "ALTER TABLE app_settings ADD COLUMN experimental_channel_double_send INTEGER DEFAULT 0"
+        )
+        logger.debug("Added experimental_channel_double_send column to app_settings")
+    except aiosqlite.OperationalError as e:
+        if "duplicate column" in str(e).lower():
+            logger.debug("experimental_channel_double_send column already exists, skipping")
+        else:
+            raise
+
+    await conn.commit()
diff --git a/app/models.py b/app/models.py
index 019ff13..c4e9a03 100644
--- a/app/models.py
+++ b/app/models.py
@@ -263,6 +263,13 @@ class AppSettings(BaseModel):
             "(favorite contacts first, then recent non-repeaters)"
         ),
     )
+    experimental_channel_double_send: bool = Field(
+        default=False,
+        description=(
+            "Experimental: when enabled, channel messages are sent twice with a 3-second delay, "
+            "reusing the same timestamp bytes"
+        ),
+    )
     favorites: list[Favorite] = Field(
         default_factory=list, description="List of favorited conversations"
     )
diff --git a/app/repository.py b/app/repository.py
index 4d4050c..4eb00e4 100644
--- a/app/repository.py
+++ b/app/repository.py
@@ -737,7 +737,8 @@ class AppSettingsRepository:
         """
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
             """
-            SELECT max_radio_contacts, favorites, auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert,
+            SELECT max_radio_contacts, experimental_channel_double_send,
+                   favorites, auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert,
                    sidebar_sort_order, last_message_times, preferences_migrated,
                    advert_interval, last_advert_time, bots
             FROM app_settings WHERE id = 1
@@ -796,6 +797,7 @@ class AppSettingsRepository:
 
         return AppSettings(
             max_radio_contacts=row["max_radio_contacts"],
+            experimental_channel_double_send=bool(row["experimental_channel_double_send"]),
             favorites=favorites,
             auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert=bool(row["auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert"]),
             sidebar_sort_order=sort_order,
@@ -809,6 +811,7 @@ class AppSettingsRepository:
     @staticmethod
     async def update(
         max_radio_contacts: int | None = None,
+        experimental_channel_double_send: bool | None = None,
         favorites: list[Favorite] | None = None,
         auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: bool | None = None,
         sidebar_sort_order: str | None = None,
@@ -826,6 +829,10 @@ class AppSettingsRepository:
             updates.append("max_radio_contacts = ?")
             params.append(max_radio_contacts)
 
+        if experimental_channel_double_send is not None:
+            updates.append("experimental_channel_double_send = ?")
+            params.append(1 if experimental_channel_double_send else 0)
+
         if favorites is not None:
             updates.append("favorites = ?")
             favorites_json = json.dumps([f.model_dump() for f in favorites])
diff --git a/app/routers/messages.py b/app/routers/messages.py
index 0bc9438..30a6753 100644
--- a/app/routers/messages.py
+++ b/app/routers/messages.py
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ async def send_direct_message(request: SendDirectMessageRequest) -> Message:
 
 # Temporary radio slot used for sending channel messages
 TEMP_RADIO_SLOT = 0
+EXPERIMENTAL_CHANNEL_DOUBLE_SEND_DELAY_SECONDS = 3
 
 
 @router.post("/channel", response_model=Message)
@@ -153,13 +154,14 @@ async def send_channel_message(request: SendChannelMessageRequest) -> Message:
 
     # Get channel info from our database
     from app.decoder import calculate_channel_hash
-    from app.repository import ChannelRepository
+    from app.repository import AppSettingsRepository, ChannelRepository
 
     db_channel = await ChannelRepository.get_by_key(request.channel_key)
     if not db_channel:
         raise HTTPException(
             status_code=404, detail=f"Channel {request.channel_key} not found in database"
         )
+    app_settings = await AppSettingsRepository.get()
 
     # Convert channel key hex to bytes
     try:
@@ -177,6 +179,11 @@ async def send_channel_message(request: SendChannelMessageRequest) -> Message:
         TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
         expected_hash,
     )
+    channel_key_upper = request.channel_key.upper()
+    radio_name = mc.self_info.get("name", "") if mc.self_info else ""
+    text_with_sender = f"{radio_name}: {request.text}" if radio_name else request.text
+    message_id: int | None = None
+    now: int | None = None
 
     async with radio_manager.radio_operation("send_channel_message"):
         # Load the channel to a temporary radio slot before sending
@@ -202,35 +209,53 @@ async def send_channel_message(request: SendChannelMessageRequest) -> Message:
         # and the database. This ensures the echo's timestamp matches our stored message
         # for proper deduplication.
         now = int(time.time())
+        timestamp_bytes = now.to_bytes(4, "little")
 
         result = await mc.commands.send_chan_msg(
             chan=TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
             msg=request.text,
-            timestamp=now.to_bytes(4, "little"),  # Pass as bytes for compatibility
+            timestamp=timestamp_bytes,
         )
 
-    if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to send message: {result.payload}")
+        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to send message: {result.payload}")
 
-    # Store outgoing message with sender prefix (to match echo format)
-    # The radio includes "SenderName: " prefix when broadcasting, so we store it the same way
-    # to enable proper deduplication when the echo comes back
-    channel_key_upper = request.channel_key.upper()
-    radio_name = mc.self_info.get("name", "") if mc.self_info else ""
-    text_with_sender = f"{radio_name}: {request.text}" if radio_name else request.text
-    message_id = await MessageRepository.create(
-        msg_type="CHAN",
-        text=text_with_sender,
-        conversation_key=channel_key_upper,
-        sender_timestamp=now,
-        received_at=now,
-        outgoing=True,
-    )
-    if message_id is None:
-        raise HTTPException(
-            status_code=500,
-            detail="Failed to store outgoing message - unexpected duplicate",
+        # Store outgoing immediately after the first successful send to avoid a race where
+        # our own echo lands before persistence (especially with delayed duplicate sends).
+        message_id = await MessageRepository.create(
+            msg_type="CHAN",
+            text=text_with_sender,
+            conversation_key=channel_key_upper,
+            sender_timestamp=now,
+            received_at=now,
+            outgoing=True,
         )
+        if message_id is None:
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=500,
+                detail="Failed to store outgoing message - unexpected duplicate",
+            )
+
+        if app_settings.experimental_channel_double_send:
+            logger.debug(
+                "Experimental channel double-send enabled; waiting %ds before byte-perfect duplicate",
+                EXPERIMENTAL_CHANNEL_DOUBLE_SEND_DELAY_SECONDS,
+            )
+            await asyncio.sleep(EXPERIMENTAL_CHANNEL_DOUBLE_SEND_DELAY_SECONDS)
+            duplicate_result = await mc.commands.send_chan_msg(
+                chan=TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
+                msg=request.text,
+                timestamp=timestamp_bytes,
+            )
+            if duplicate_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                logger.warning(
+                    "Experimental duplicate channel send failed: %s", duplicate_result.payload
+                )
+
+    if message_id is None or now is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to store outgoing message")
+
+    acked_count = await MessageRepository.get_ack_count(message_id)
 
     message = Message(
         id=message_id,
@@ -240,7 +265,7 @@ async def send_channel_message(request: SendChannelMessageRequest) -> Message:
         sender_timestamp=now,
         received_at=now,
         outgoing=True,
-        acked=0,
+        acked=acked_count,
     )
 
     # Trigger bots for outgoing channel messages (runs in background, doesn't block response)
diff --git a/app/routers/settings.py b/app/routers/settings.py
index ce02db6..4c5e5c4 100644
--- a/app/routers/settings.py
+++ b/app/routers/settings.py
@@ -41,6 +41,13 @@ class AppSettingsUpdate(BaseModel):
             "Maximum contacts to keep on radio (favorites first, then recent non-repeaters)"
         ),
     )
+    experimental_channel_double_send: bool | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description=(
+            "Experimental: always send channel messages twice with a 3-second delay using "
+            "identical timestamp bytes"
+        ),
+    )
     auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: bool | None = Field(
         default=None,
         description="Whether to attempt historical DM decryption on new contact advertisement",
@@ -102,6 +109,13 @@ async def update_settings(update: AppSettingsUpdate) -> AppSettings:
         logger.info("Updating max_radio_contacts to %d", update.max_radio_contacts)
         kwargs["max_radio_contacts"] = update.max_radio_contacts
 
+    if update.experimental_channel_double_send is not None:
+        logger.info(
+            "Updating experimental_channel_double_send to %s",
+            update.experimental_channel_double_send,
+        )
+        kwargs["experimental_channel_double_send"] = update.experimental_channel_double_send
+
     if update.auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert is not None:
         logger.info("Updating auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert to %s", update.auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert)
         kwargs["auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert"] = update.auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert
diff --git a/frontend/AGENTS.md b/frontend/AGENTS.md
index 6208565..725394d 100644
--- a/frontend/AGENTS.md
+++ b/frontend/AGENTS.md
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ frontend/
 │   │   ├── MapView.tsx       # Leaflet map showing node locations
 │   │   ├── CrackerPanel.tsx  # WebGPU channel key cracker (lazy-loads wordlist)
 │   │   ├── NewMessageModal.tsx
-│   │   └── SettingsModal.tsx # Unified settings: radio config, identity, serial, database, advertise
+│   │   └── SettingsModal.tsx # Unified settings: radio config, identity, connectivity, database, advertise
 │   └── test/
 │       ├── setup.ts          # Test setup (jsdom, matchers)
 │       ├── messageParser.test.ts
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ App settings are stored server-side and include:
 - `favorites` - List of favorited conversations (channels/contacts)
 - `sidebar_sort_order` - 'recent' or 'alpha'
 - `auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert` - Auto-decrypt historical DMs on new contact
+- `experimental_channel_double_send` - Experimental setting to send a byte-perfect channel resend after 3 seconds
 - `last_message_times` - Map of conversation keys to last message timestamps
 
 **Migration**: On first load, localStorage preferences are migrated to the server.
@@ -264,6 +265,7 @@ interface Favorite {
 
 interface AppSettings {
   max_radio_contacts: number;
+  experimental_channel_double_send: boolean;
   favorites: Favorite[];
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: boolean;
   sidebar_sort_order: 'recent' | 'alpha';
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx b/frontend/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx
index ee879b9..92ddfe2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ export function SettingsModal({
   const [cr, setCr] = useState('');
   const [privateKey, setPrivateKey] = useState('');
   const [maxRadioContacts, setMaxRadioContacts] = useState('');
+  const [experimentalChannelDoubleSend, setExperimentalChannelDoubleSend] = useState(false);
 
   // Loading states
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
@@ -161,6 +162,7 @@ export function SettingsModal({
   useEffect(() => {
     if (appSettings) {
       setMaxRadioContacts(String(appSettings.max_radio_contacts));
+      setExperimentalChannelDoubleSend(appSettings.experimental_channel_double_send);
       setAutoDecryptOnAdvert(appSettings.auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert);
       setAdvertInterval(String(appSettings.advert_interval));
       setBots(appSettings.bots || []);
@@ -290,9 +292,16 @@ export function SettingsModal({
     setLoading(true);
 
     try {
+      const update: AppSettingsUpdate = {};
       const newMaxRadioContacts = parseInt(maxRadioContacts, 10);
       if (!isNaN(newMaxRadioContacts) && newMaxRadioContacts !== appSettings?.max_radio_contacts) {
-        await onSaveAppSettings({ max_radio_contacts: newMaxRadioContacts });
+        update.max_radio_contacts = newMaxRadioContacts;
+      }
+      if (experimentalChannelDoubleSend !== appSettings?.experimental_channel_double_send) {
+        update.experimental_channel_double_send = experimentalChannelDoubleSend;
+      }
+      if (Object.keys(update).length > 0) {
+        await onSaveAppSettings(update);
       }
       toast.success('Connectivity settings saved');
     } catch (err) {
@@ -756,6 +765,27 @@ export function SettingsModal({
                 </p>
               </div>
 
+              <div className="p-3 bg-yellow-500/10 border border-yellow-500/30 rounded-md space-y-3">
+                <p className="text-sm text-yellow-500">
+                  <strong>Experimental:</strong> Adds a duplicate channel send after a 3-second
+                  delay, using the exact same timestamp bytes.
+                </p>
+                <label className="flex items-center gap-3 cursor-pointer">
+                  <input
+                    type="checkbox"
+                    checked={experimentalChannelDoubleSend}
+                    onChange={(e) => setExperimentalChannelDoubleSend(e.target.checked)}
+                    className="w-4 h-4 rounded border-input accent-primary"
+                  />
+                  <span className="text-sm">Always send channel messages twice</span>
+                </label>
+                <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                  This increases channel airtime and adds a 3-second second-attempt delay. Most
+                  clients deduplicate repeats by payload and timestamp, but behavior can vary by
+                  firmware/client.
+                </p>
+              </div>
+
               <Button onClick={handleSaveConnectivity} disabled={loading} className="w-full">
                 {loading ? 'Saving...' : 'Save Settings'}
               </Button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/appFavorites.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/appFavorites.test.tsx
index 64cfc35..4956632 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/appFavorites.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/appFavorites.test.tsx
@@ -162,6 +162,7 @@ const baseConfig = {
 
 const baseSettings = {
   max_radio_contacts: 200,
+  experimental_channel_double_send: false,
   favorites: [] as Array<{ type: 'channel' | 'contact'; id: string }>,
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: false,
   sidebar_sort_order: 'recent' as const,
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx
index 6ac024f..24a1ff7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { fireEvent, render, screen, waitFor } from '@testing-library/react';
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
 
 import { SettingsModal } from '../components/SettingsModal';
-import type { AppSettings, HealthStatus, RadioConfig } from '../types';
+import type { AppSettings, AppSettingsUpdate, HealthStatus, RadioConfig } from '../types';
 
 const baseConfig: RadioConfig = {
   public_key: 'aa'.repeat(32),
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ const baseHealth: HealthStatus = {
 
 const baseSettings: AppSettings = {
   max_radio_contacts: 200,
+  experimental_channel_double_send: false,
   favorites: [],
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: false,
   sidebar_sort_order: 'recent',
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ const baseSettings: AppSettings = {
 
 function renderModal(overrides?: {
   appSettings?: AppSettings;
-  onSaveAppSettings?: (update: { max_radio_contacts?: number }) => Promise<void>;
+  onSaveAppSettings?: (update: AppSettingsUpdate) => Promise<void>;
   onRefreshAppSettings?: () => Promise<void>;
 }) {
   const onSaveAppSettings = overrides?.onSaveAppSettings ?? vi.fn(async () => {});
@@ -120,4 +121,22 @@ describe('SettingsModal', () => {
       expect(onSaveAppSettings).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
   });
+
+  it('saves experimental channel double-send toggle through onSaveAppSettings', async () => {
+    const { onSaveAppSettings } = renderModal({
+      appSettings: { ...baseSettings, experimental_channel_double_send: false },
+    });
+
+    openConnectivityTab();
+
+    const toggle = screen.getByLabelText('Always send channel messages twice');
+    fireEvent.click(toggle);
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Save Settings' }));
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(onSaveAppSettings).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        experimental_channel_double_send: true,
+      });
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/types.ts b/frontend/src/types.ts
index 59bf811..3525365 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types.ts
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ export interface BotConfig {
 
 export interface AppSettings {
   max_radio_contacts: number;
+  experimental_channel_double_send: boolean;
   favorites: Favorite[];
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: boolean;
   sidebar_sort_order: 'recent' | 'alpha';
@@ -135,6 +136,7 @@ export interface AppSettings {
 
 export interface AppSettingsUpdate {
   max_radio_contacts?: number;
+  experimental_channel_double_send?: boolean;
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert?: boolean;
   sidebar_sort_order?: 'recent' | 'alpha';
   advert_interval?: number;
diff --git a/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts b/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts
index a03c267..ec7f031 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ export interface BotConfig {
 
 export interface AppSettings {
   max_radio_contacts: number;
+  experimental_channel_double_send: boolean;
   favorites: { type: string; id: string }[];
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: boolean;
   sidebar_sort_order: string;
diff --git a/tests/test_api.py b/tests/test_api.py
index 99f0cba..4e07c45 100644
--- a/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/tests/test_api.py
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class TestMessagesEndpoint:
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_send_channel_message_duplicate_returns_500(self):
         """If MessageRepository.create returns None (duplicate), returns 500."""
-        from app.models import SendChannelMessageRequest
+        from app.models import AppSettings, SendChannelMessageRequest
         from app.routers.messages import send_channel_message
 
         mock_mc = MagicMock()
@@ -187,6 +187,7 @@ class TestMessagesEndpoint:
         with (
             patch("app.dependencies.radio_manager") as mock_rm,
             patch("app.repository.ChannelRepository") as mock_chan_repo,
+            patch("app.repository.AppSettingsRepository.get", new=AsyncMock(return_value=AppSettings())),
             patch("app.routers.messages.MessageRepository") as mock_msg_repo,
         ):
             mock_rm.is_connected = True
diff --git a/tests/test_migrations.py b/tests/test_migrations.py
index dff770f..de61dba 100644
--- a/tests/test_migrations.py
+++ b/tests/test_migrations.py
@@ -100,8 +100,8 @@ class TestMigration001:
             # Run migrations
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied == 15  # All 15 migrations run
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 15
+            assert applied == 16  # All 16 migrations run
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 16
 
             # Verify columns exist by inserting and selecting
             await conn.execute(
@@ -183,9 +183,9 @@ class TestMigration001:
             applied1 = await run_migrations(conn)
             applied2 = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied1 == 15  # All 15 migrations run
+            assert applied1 == 16  # All 16 migrations run
             assert applied2 == 0  # No migrations on second run
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 15
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 16
         finally:
             await conn.close()
 
@@ -245,9 +245,9 @@ class TestMigration001:
             # Run migrations - should not fail
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            # All 15 migrations applied (version incremented) but no error
-            assert applied == 15
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 15
+            # All 16 migrations applied (version incremented) but no error
+            assert applied == 16
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 16
         finally:
             await conn.close()
 
@@ -374,10 +374,10 @@ class TestMigration013:
             )
             await conn.commit()
 
-            # Run migration 13 (plus 14+15 which also run)
+            # Run migration 13 (plus 14+15+16 which also run)
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
-            assert applied == 3
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 15
+            assert applied == 4
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 16
 
             # Verify bots array was created with migrated data
             cursor = await conn.execute("SELECT bots FROM app_settings WHERE id = 1")
diff --git a/tests/test_repository.py b/tests/test_repository.py
index 3f41d52..97851a4 100644
--- a/tests/test_repository.py
+++ b/tests/test_repository.py
@@ -428,6 +428,7 @@ class TestAppSettingsRepository:
         mock_cursor.fetchone = AsyncMock(
             return_value={
                 "max_radio_contacts": 250,
+                "experimental_channel_double_send": 1,
                 "favorites": "{not-json",
                 "auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert": 1,
                 "sidebar_sort_order": "invalid",
@@ -448,6 +449,7 @@ class TestAppSettingsRepository:
             settings = await AppSettingsRepository.get()
 
         assert settings.max_radio_contacts == 250
+        assert settings.experimental_channel_double_send is True
         assert settings.favorites == []
         assert settings.last_message_times == {}
         assert settings.sidebar_sort_order == "recent"
diff --git a/tests/test_send_messages.py b/tests/test_send_messages.py
index b1681e0..4e96b49 100644
--- a/tests/test_send_messages.py
+++ b/tests/test_send_messages.py
@@ -6,7 +6,13 @@ from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock, patch
 import pytest
 from meshcore import EventType
 
-from app.models import Channel, Contact, SendChannelMessageRequest, SendDirectMessageRequest
+from app.models import (
+    AppSettings,
+    Channel,
+    Contact,
+    SendChannelMessageRequest,
+    SendDirectMessageRequest,
+)
 from app.routers.messages import send_channel_message, send_direct_message
 
 
@@ -133,7 +139,12 @@ class TestOutgoingChannelBotTrigger:
                 "app.repository.ChannelRepository.get_by_key",
                 new=AsyncMock(return_value=db_channel),
             ),
+            patch(
+                "app.repository.AppSettingsRepository.get",
+                new=AsyncMock(return_value=AppSettings()),
+            ),
             patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.create", new=AsyncMock(return_value=1)),
+            patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.get_ack_count", new=AsyncMock(return_value=0)),
             patch("app.decoder.calculate_channel_hash", return_value="abcd"),
             patch("app.bot.run_bot_for_message", new=AsyncMock()) as mock_bot,
         ):
@@ -165,7 +176,12 @@ class TestOutgoingChannelBotTrigger:
                 "app.repository.ChannelRepository.get_by_key",
                 new=AsyncMock(return_value=db_channel),
             ),
+            patch(
+                "app.repository.AppSettingsRepository.get",
+                new=AsyncMock(return_value=AppSettings()),
+            ),
             patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.create", new=AsyncMock(return_value=1)),
+            patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.get_ack_count", new=AsyncMock(return_value=0)),
             patch("app.decoder.calculate_channel_hash", return_value="abcd"),
             patch("app.bot.run_bot_for_message", new=AsyncMock()) as mock_bot,
         ):
@@ -193,10 +209,99 @@ class TestOutgoingChannelBotTrigger:
                 "app.repository.ChannelRepository.get_by_key",
                 new=AsyncMock(return_value=db_channel),
             ),
+            patch(
+                "app.repository.AppSettingsRepository.get",
+                new=AsyncMock(return_value=AppSettings()),
+            ),
             patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.create", new=AsyncMock(return_value=1)),
+            patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.get_ack_count", new=AsyncMock(return_value=0)),
             patch("app.decoder.calculate_channel_hash", return_value="abcd"),
             patch("app.bot.run_bot_for_message", new=slow_bot),
         ):
             request = SendChannelMessageRequest(channel_key=db_channel.key, text="test")
             message = await send_channel_message(request)
             assert message.outgoing is True
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_send_channel_msg_double_send_when_experimental_enabled(self):
+        """Experimental setting triggers an immediate byte-perfect duplicate send."""
+        mc = _make_mc(name="MyNode")
+        db_channel = Channel(key="dd" * 16, name="#double")
+        settings = AppSettings(experimental_channel_double_send=True)
+
+        with (
+            patch("app.routers.messages.require_connected", return_value=mc),
+            patch(
+                "app.repository.ChannelRepository.get_by_key",
+                new=AsyncMock(return_value=db_channel),
+            ),
+            patch("app.repository.AppSettingsRepository.get", new=AsyncMock(return_value=settings)),
+            patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.create", new=AsyncMock(return_value=1)),
+            patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.get_ack_count", new=AsyncMock(return_value=0)),
+            patch("app.decoder.calculate_channel_hash", return_value="abcd"),
+            patch("app.bot.run_bot_for_message", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.routers.messages.asyncio.sleep", new=AsyncMock()) as mock_sleep,
+        ):
+            request = SendChannelMessageRequest(channel_key=db_channel.key, text="same bytes")
+            await send_channel_message(request)
+
+        assert mc.commands.send_chan_msg.await_count == 2
+        mock_sleep.assert_awaited_once_with(3)
+        first_call = mc.commands.send_chan_msg.await_args_list[0].kwargs
+        second_call = mc.commands.send_chan_msg.await_args_list[1].kwargs
+        assert first_call["chan"] == second_call["chan"]
+        assert first_call["msg"] == second_call["msg"]
+        assert first_call["timestamp"] == second_call["timestamp"]
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_send_channel_msg_single_send_when_experimental_disabled(self):
+        """Default setting keeps channel sends to a single radio command."""
+        mc = _make_mc(name="MyNode")
+        db_channel = Channel(key="ee" * 16, name="#single")
+
+        with (
+            patch("app.routers.messages.require_connected", return_value=mc),
+            patch(
+                "app.repository.ChannelRepository.get_by_key",
+                new=AsyncMock(return_value=db_channel),
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "app.repository.AppSettingsRepository.get",
+                new=AsyncMock(return_value=AppSettings()),
+            ),
+            patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.create", new=AsyncMock(return_value=1)),
+            patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.get_ack_count", new=AsyncMock(return_value=0)),
+            patch("app.decoder.calculate_channel_hash", return_value="abcd"),
+            patch("app.bot.run_bot_for_message", new=AsyncMock()),
+        ):
+            request = SendChannelMessageRequest(channel_key=db_channel.key, text="single send")
+            await send_channel_message(request)
+
+        assert mc.commands.send_chan_msg.await_count == 1
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_send_channel_msg_response_includes_current_ack_count(self):
+        """Send response reflects latest DB ack count at response time."""
+        mc = _make_mc(name="MyNode")
+        db_channel = Channel(key="ff" * 16, name="#acked")
+
+        with (
+            patch("app.routers.messages.require_connected", return_value=mc),
+            patch(
+                "app.repository.ChannelRepository.get_by_key",
+                new=AsyncMock(return_value=db_channel),
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "app.repository.AppSettingsRepository.get",
+                new=AsyncMock(return_value=AppSettings()),
+            ),
+            patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.create", new=AsyncMock(return_value=123)),
+            patch("app.repository.MessageRepository.get_ack_count", new=AsyncMock(return_value=2)),
+            patch("app.decoder.calculate_channel_hash", return_value="abcd"),
+            patch("app.bot.run_bot_for_message", new=AsyncMock()),
+        ):
+            request = SendChannelMessageRequest(channel_key=db_channel.key, text="acked now")
+            message = await send_channel_message(request)
+
+        assert message.id == 123
+        assert message.acked == 2
diff --git a/tests/test_settings_router.py b/tests/test_settings_router.py
index 8bf9ea7..b93f9ed 100644
--- a/tests/test_settings_router.py
+++ b/tests/test_settings_router.py
@@ -21,9 +21,11 @@ def _settings(
     favorites: list[Favorite] | None = None,
     migrated: bool = False,
     max_radio_contacts: int = 200,
+    experimental_channel_double_send: bool = False,
 ) -> AppSettings:
     return AppSettings(
         max_radio_contacts=max_radio_contacts,
+        experimental_channel_double_send=experimental_channel_double_send,
         favorites=favorites or [],
         auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert=False,
         sidebar_sort_order="recent",
@@ -45,7 +47,11 @@ class TestUpdateSettings:
             return_value=updated,
         ) as mock_update:
             result = await update_settings(
-                AppSettingsUpdate(max_radio_contacts=321, advert_interval=3600)
+                AppSettingsUpdate(
+                    max_radio_contacts=321,
+                    advert_interval=3600,
+                    experimental_channel_double_send=True,
+                )
             )
 
         assert result.max_radio_contacts == 321
@@ -53,6 +59,7 @@ class TestUpdateSettings:
         assert mock_update.call_args.kwargs == {
             "max_radio_contacts": 321,
             "advert_interval": 3600,
+            "experimental_channel_double_send": True,
         }
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio