diff --git a/meshtastic/__init__.py b/meshtastic/__init__.py
index 24a1dec..c5aad39 100644
--- a/meshtastic/__init__.py
+++ b/meshtastic/__init__.py
@@ -64,8 +64,10 @@ START2 = 0xc3
 HEADER_LEN = 4
 MAX_TO_FROM_RADIO_SIZE = 512
 
-BROADCAST_ADDR = "all"  # A special ID that means broadcast
-BROADCAST_NUM = 255
+BROADCAST_ADDR = "^all"  # A special ID that means broadcast
+
+# if using 8 bit nodenums this will be shortend on the target
+BROADCAST_NUM = 0xffffffff
 
 MY_CONFIG_ID = 42
 
@@ -119,7 +121,7 @@ class MeshInterface:
         if isinstance(destinationId, int):
             nodeNum = destinationId
         elif destinationId == BROADCAST_ADDR:
-            nodeNum = 255
+            nodeNum = BROADCAST_NUM
         else:
             nodeNum = self.nodes[destinationId].num
 
diff --git a/meshtastic/__main__.py b/meshtastic/__main__.py
index 7159503..f741952 100644
--- a/meshtastic/__main__.py
+++ b/meshtastic/__main__.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def main():
     parser.add_argument("--setpref", help="Set a preferences field", nargs=2)
 
     parser.add_argument(
-        "--dest", help="The destination node id for the --send commands, if not set 'all' is assumed", default="all")
+        "--dest", help="The destination node id for the --send commands, if not set '^all' is assumed", default="^all")
 
     parser.add_argument(
         "--sendtext", help="Send a text message")
diff --git a/meshtastic/test.py b/meshtastic/test.py
index e117dba..42945e2 100644
--- a/meshtastic/test.py
+++ b/meshtastic/test.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import logging
 from . import util
-from . import StreamInterface
+from . import StreamInterface, BROADCAST_NUM
 from pubsub import pub
 import time
 import sys
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def testSend(fromInterface, toInterface, isBroadcast=False):
     fromNode = fromInterface.myInfo.my_node_num
 
     if isBroadcast:
-        toNode = 255
+        toNode = BROADCAST_NUM
     else:
         toNode = toInterface.myInfo.my_node_num