LoRa (Meshtastic/Meshcore/APRS...) Resources for Ham Radio / Emergency Service (By VK3TWO)

Video comparing the technologies/modes.

WARNING! - Do NOT connect power/USB to device unless an antenna is connected!!!!!!

MESHTASTIC or MESHCORE Hardware - 915Mhz (and LoRa APRS if it has a 433Mhz version)

Note: not really suitable for Solar/battery powerd nodes (See further below)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007752194012.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007223737730.html

(check for specials, otherwise more expensive) - Note the internal antenna on these isn't as good as the full length spiral antenna

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008177147021.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006802372624.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007763201732.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006995974983.html

Heltec V4 - Just releasted!

(ESP32 - WiFi or Bluetooth) - Will do up to 1W output (with a firmware hack - likely illegal output - ok if needing a longer coax run, or for a portable unit needing higher power)

RX -137dBm@SF12 BW=125KHz/28dBm TX(400/750mA)/1.25-2P Solar Input(4.7-6v)/1.25-2P Battery/1.25-8P GNSS/

Note: not really suitable for Solar/battery powerd nodes (See further below)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010177636156.html

$25.59+(special) +post($7.49+)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010096152608.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010168788998.html

$38+ (special) +post (with GPS)

https://youtu.be/xKG9sLa41zs

Heltec Wireless Stick Lite

(ESP32 - can Manage over your WiFi network or Bluetooth)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005443311259.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008447100070.html

(ESP32 - can Manage over your WiFi network or Bluetooth)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005681504175.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007074175365.html

(with low consumption nRF processor) - These are really good/reputable units! These are considered the "Go-To" companion node!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009580365375.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009130689959.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008707258616.html

For Solar/Battery Nodes nRF based processors (Much lower power drain):

Seeed XIAO nRF52840 & Wio-SX1262

<$22ea + shipping (bulk option)

Seeed XIAO nRF52840 & Wio-SX1262 internal Bluetooth Ant. Note: No solar charging ckt. Need separate ckt (see further below)

https://core-electronics.com.au/seeed-studio-xiao-nrf52840-and-sx1262-kit-for-meshtastic.html

Has Solar panel input - Best for Solar node - for ~5v solar panel. Minimum input voltage to charge is 4.4v, maximum 5.5v (<6-6.5v).

https://core-electronics.com.au/meshtastic-starter-kit-rak4631-wisblock-lora-antenna-offgrid-mesh-network-a.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006901039995.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008285698839.html

$52+ (Type 6) - Lots of info/options

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006901039995.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009828028772.html

DIY with a NRF/Raspberry Pi Pico + HT-RA62 or Wio-SX1262 (also above) - The RP2040 can have more functionality such as monitoring stats etc (in development)

https://core-electronics.com.au/raspberry-pi-pico.html

https://core-electronics.com.au/raspberry-pi-pico-w-wireless-wifi.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006865919374.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007010555229.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008896605856.html?mp=1

https://github.com/gargomoma/fakeTec_pcb

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006593701624.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009210010654.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008708628792.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008519248397.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009216873051.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000543921245.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002073080246.html

EBYTE E22P 1W with SAW filter

EBYTE E80-900M2213S module

T-Deck Launcher (Multi-Boot Loader)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007568074083.html

https://store.meshcore.co.uk/products/meshcore-t-deck-software-license

https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2024/realizing-meshtastics-promise-t-deck

You can see other Meshtastic supported hardware via the flashing tool (With images - https://flasher.meshtastic.org/)

Antenna options (Longer will likely be higher gain - But often can't trust quoted gain):

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007018472860.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007301116616.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006428104797.html

Gizont Base Antennas 5.8/7/8/10/12/15dBi dBi 35/45/55/cm (Gizont are highly recommended) - 45cm Most common

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008334853813.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008570800315.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005132043560.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008920125492.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006323613569.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006673760959.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007308749444.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009210548173.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006156412166.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004607615001.html