Hardware/Repeaters: Difference between revisions

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| WisMesh Unifiy Enclosure 910422
| WisMesh Unifiy Enclosure 910422
| $72.50
| $72.50
| aliexpress.com/item/1005008369061766.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005008369061766.html Link]
|-
|-
| LoRa Board (Small)
| LoRa Board (Small)
| RAK WisBlock RAK19003/RAK4631 (Type 6)
| RAK WisBlock RAK19003/RAK4631 (Type 6)
| $36.38
| $36.38
| aliexpress.com/item/1005008285698839.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005008285698839.html Link]
|-
|-
| Antenna
| Antenna
Line 38: Line 38:
| N Female to IPX
| N Female to IPX
| $6.79
| $6.79
| aliexpress.com/item/1005001920963497.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005001920963497.html Link]
|-
|-
| Battery
| Battery
Line 53: Line 53:
| Waterproof Vent Plug (M12X1.5-10)
| Waterproof Vent Plug (M12X1.5-10)
| $6.12
| $6.12
| aliexpress.com/item/1005006370919409.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005006370919409.html Link]
|}
|}


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| Solar Oxygenator Pump
| Solar Oxygenator Pump
| $32.00
| $32.00
| aliexpress.com/item/1005005292297937.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005005292297937.html Link]
|-
|-
| SMA Male to N Type Female Adapter (required for cheaper enclosure)
| SMA Male to N Type Female Adapter (required for cheaper enclosure)
| SMAJ-NK
| SMAJ-NK
| $2.94
| $2.94
| aliexpress.com/item/1005006063342722.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005006063342722.html Link]
|-
|-
| LoRa Board (Small)
| LoRa Board (Small)
| RAK WisBlock RAK19003/RAK4631 (Type 6)
| RAK WisBlock RAK19003/RAK4631 (Type 6)
| $36.38
| $36.38
| aliexpress.com/item/1005008285698839.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005008285698839.html Link]
|-
|-
| Antenna
| Antenna
Line 90: Line 90:
| N Female to IPX
| N Female to IPX
| $6.79
| $6.79
| aliexpress.com/item/1005001920963497.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005001920963497.html Link]
|-
|-
| Battery
| Battery
Line 105: Line 105:
| Waterproof Vent Plug (M12X1.5-10)
| Waterproof Vent Plug (M12X1.5-10)
| $6.12
| $6.12
| aliexpress.com/item/1005006370919409.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005006370919409.html Link]
|}
|}


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| N Female to IPX
| N Female to IPX
| $6.79
| $6.79
| aliexpress.com/item/1005001920963497.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005001920963497.html Link]
|-
|-
| Antenna Cable – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted separately)
| Antenna Cable – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted separately)
| N Male to N Male Cable (12") — shorter = better
| N Male to N Male Cable (12") — shorter = better
| $10.00
| $10.00
| aliexpress.com/item/1005002862006827.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005002862006827.html Link]
|-
|-
| Antenna Adapter – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted directly)
| Antenna Adapter – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted directly)
| N Male to N Male Connector
| N Male to N Male Connector
| $13.00
| $13.00
| aliexpress.com/item/1005005275644347.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005005275644347.html Link]
|}
|}


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| N Male to N Male Cable (12") — shorter = better
| N Male to N Male Cable (12") — shorter = better
| $10.00
| $10.00
| aliexpress.com/item/1005002862006827.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005002862006827.html Link]
|-
|-
| Antenna Adapter – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted directly)
| Antenna Adapter – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted directly)
| N Male to N Male Connector
| N Male to N Male Connector
| $13.00
| $13.00
| aliexpress.com/item/1005005275644347.html
| [https://aliexpress.com/item/1005005275644347.html Link]
|}
|}

Revision as of 09:19, 25 August 2025

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If you plan to use a RAK for a repeater (as recommended), please update to the OTAFIX bootloader firmware. Without this fix, if an OTA update fails over BLE the repeater will end up in an unusable state and will require physical intervention.

Download the OTAFIX firmware here: OTAFIX Bootloader UF2 File

Repeaters form the stable backbone of the Ottawa MeshCore network and are less common in Meshtastic (where companion nodes handle most packet forwarding). Below are some example build lists from the community.

Solar Node – Expensive Enclosure

A robust build using a purpose-built weatherproof enclosure.

Item Product Name Cost (CAD) Link
Enclosure WisMesh Unifiy Enclosure 910422 $72.50 Link
LoRa Board (Small) RAK WisBlock RAK19003/RAK4631 (Type 6) $36.38 Link
Antenna ALFA AOA-915-5ACM $27.74 Link
Antenna Coax Cable N Female to IPX $6.79 Link
Battery 3000mAh + Battery $16.00 Link
Battery Protection VoltaicEnclosures Li-ion PCM $7.50 Link
Vent Waterproof Vent Plug (M12X1.5-10) $6.12 Link

Approximate total cost: $173.03 CAD

Solar Node – Cheaper Enclosure

A more budget-friendly build using a re-purposed enclosure.

Item Product Name Cost (CAD) Link
Enclosure Solar Oxygenator Pump $32.00 Link
SMA Male to N Type Female Adapter (required for cheaper enclosure) SMAJ-NK $2.94 Link
LoRa Board (Small) RAK WisBlock RAK19003/RAK4631 (Type 6) $36.38 Link
Antenna ALFA AOA-915-5ACM $27.74 Link
Antenna Coax Cable N Female to IPX $6.79 Link
Battery 3000mAh + Battery $16.00 Link
Battery Protection VoltaicEnclosures Li-ion PCM $7.00 Link
Vent Waterproof Vent Plug (M12X1.5-10) $6.12 Link

Approximate total cost: $135.00 CAD

Better Antenna – Tested & Recommended

This antenna setup has been tested by a local RF enthusiast and showed great results for the price.

Item Product Name Cost (CAD) Link
Better Antenna HOgardenME 12 dBi Fibreglass $36.36 Link
Antenna Mount Double Antenna Mast Clamp $19.99 Link
Antenna Coax Cable – Node to Enclosure Mount N Female to IPX $6.79 Link
Antenna Cable – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted separately) N Male to N Male Cable (12") — shorter = better $10.00 Link
Antenna Adapter – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted directly) N Male to N Male Connector $13.00 Link

Better Antenna – May Not Be Worth the Cost

This alternative antenna is more expensive and may not provide significantly better performance compared to the option above.

Item Product Name Cost (CAD) Link
Better Antenna Rokland Fibreglass 8 dBi $74.59 Link
Antenna Coax Cable – Node to Enclosure Mount N Female to IPX $6.7
Antenna Cable – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted separately) N Male to N Male Cable (12") — shorter = better $10.00 Link
Antenna Adapter – Enclosure to Antenna (if mounted directly) N Male to N Male Connector $13.00 Link