Gear I use
Radios, boards, repeaters and antennas Roger has bought and run, with notes on how each one did.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked "Paid link" pay this site a small commission at no extra cost to you. Only gear Roger has used personally is listed, and commissions never affect the group directory.
Companions
LILYGO T-Deck Plus (915 MHz)
Used for: Daily-carry companion; standalone chats without a phone
The one I grab most. Keyboard, GPS and a 2000 mAh battery in a handheld that can chat on its own screen. Bulky, and the stock antenna is only OK.
Seeed SenseCAP T1000-E
Used for: Pocket companion paired to the phone
Credit-card size, IP65, built-in GPS and 700 mAh battery. No screen and no external antenna, so range is what it is. Easiest thing to hand a friend.
Seeed Wio Tracker L1 Pro
Used for: Rugged companion in the truck
nRF52840, GPS, OLED, case and battery already assembled. Sold flashed with MeshCore on this listing. Low power, long battery life, SMA antenna port.
LILYGO T-Echo
Used for: Low-power companion with e-paper
nRF52840 with a 1.54-inch e-paper screen and GPS. Battery sips. Screen is small and the buttons take getting used to.
Elecrow ThinkNode M1
Used for: Backup companion
nRF52840, 1.54-inch e-paper, GPS and a 1200 mAh battery in a finished case. Solid middle option between the T-Echo and the L1 Pro.
Boards
Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3
Used for: First board, bench testing, cheap companions
The board everyone starts on. ESP32-S3, SX1262, OLED. Fine as a plugged-in companion or a mains-powered repeater; poor on battery.
Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V4
Used for: Mains-powered repeater
Same footprint as the V3 with a higher-power radio, protected screen and a solar input on the board. Still an ESP32, so still hungry on battery.
Heltec Mesh Node T114 (kit with case and battery)
Used for: Battery repeater and companion
nRF52840 + SX1262 with battery and solar connectors on the board. Sips power. Good first repeater board if you want a screen.
RAK WisBlock Mini Meshtastic Starter Kit (RAK4631, US915)
Used for: Solar repeaters
The repeater board I trust on a roof. nRF52840 core on a WisBlock base, very low idle draw, battery and solar inputs. Ships with Meshtastic, so plan on reflashing.
Seeed XIAO nRF52840 & Wio-SX1262 Kit
Used for: Smallest repeater builds
Tiny, cheap, nRF52840. No screen, no battery, no case: a parts-bin board for people who like building.
Repeaters
Seeed SenseCAP Solar Node P1-Pro (MeshCore)
Used for: Drop-in solar repeater
Finished solar repeater: XIAO nRF52840, SX1262, GPS, 5 W panel and four 18650 cells in an IPX6 box. Costs more than a DIY build, saves a weekend.
Antennas
Waterproof 5.8 dBi 915 MHz fiberglass antenna (N-type)
Used for: Rooftop repeater antenna
The usual baseline for a fixed repeater. Check the included cable length and connector before you buy; you will likely need adapters.
ALFA AOA-915-5ACM 5 dBi outdoor antenna
Used for: Compact outdoor antenna
Short, weatherproof, N-male. Good when you can't mount a long fiberglass stick.
muzi works 17 cm 915 MHz whip (SMA)
Used for: Handheld and companion antenna
A real improvement over the stubby antennas that ship with most boards. Tuned for 915.
N-type lightning arrestor (N-male / N-female)
Used for: Rooftop installs
Cheap insurance between the antenna and the box. Ground it properly or it does nothing.
Times Microwave LMR-400 N-male to N-male, 25 ft
Used for: Feedline between mast and enclosure
Real LMR-400, not a look-alike. Low loss at 915 MHz. Keep runs short regardless.
SMA to N adapter kit (4 pack)
Used for: Connecting boards to N-type antennas
Keep a set on hand. Almost every board is SMA and almost every outdoor antenna is N.
Solar and power
Voltaic Systems 10 W 6 V ETFE solar panel
Used for: Solar repeater panel
Costs more than the no-name panels and that is the point: it keeps producing after a year outside.
Waveshare Solar Power Manager (D)
Used for: Charge controller for DIY solar repeaters
Takes a 6 to 24 V panel, charges a lithium pack, puts out regulated 5 V. Simple and it works.
Enclosures and mounts
TICONN IP67 ABS enclosure (8.7 x 6.7 x 4.3 in)
Used for: Repeater box
Room for a board, controller and a battery pack with space to work. Drill for a bulkhead N connector and a cable gland.
Reversible J-pole antenna mount (2 pack)
Used for: Mounting antennas on eaves and walls
Sturdy enough for a fiberglass antenna and a small panel. Use real lag bolts.
Meshnology case for Heltec V3
Used for: Protecting bench boards
Cheap case that keeps the OLED and antenna connector from getting wrecked in a bag.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked "Paid link" pay this site a small commission at no extra cost to you. Only gear Roger has used personally is listed, and commissions never affect the group directory.