Should I encrypt my mesh network? public wifi settings

Installing and Using OpenWrt Network and Wireless Configuration
#1

The network is serving a captive portal for public wifi.
All wifi AP are open (non encripted).

Would encrypting the mesh offer any advantage?
In unecrypted mesh i can still use a secret password right? "option key"

config wifi-iface 'mesh0'
        option device 'radio5pci'
        option ifname 'mesh0'
        option network 'nwi_mesh0'
        option mode 'mesh'
        option mesh_fwding '0'
        option mesh_id '<your advertised mesh "name" goes here>'
        option encryption '**none**'
        option key '**your secure pass phrase goes here'**

i was thinking if i encryption the mesh it will just add overhead to the mesh wifi. and would not offer any security advantage because the AP that will serve clients is open.

thoughts?

#2

Wow...I didn't know that was even possible.

#3

anyone? unencrypted mesh have lower overhead?

#4

Can you provide a link to the Wiki or instructions you have regarding encrypting a RF mesh link?

#5

read the guide
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/80211s

   option encryption 'psk2/aes' # or 'none'
#6

Thanks for the link.

(FYI, there's more mesh technologies other than 802.11s, so your link provided clarity.)

If you want security on RF, why wouldn't you encrypt?

Seems like a personal choice?