[DARARepeater] TNG June 25: MeshCore presentation follow-up...

[ahermetz]

Part 2 in the series...

Continuing on to the question of MeshCore hardware and why it's all about the fit that's right for you.

To wit, I would direct you to <okimesh.org> as the best starting place. For specific help w/ builds you can check <docs.okimesh.org>, but be aware that this area is still being assembled.

Let us start w/ companions (the thing you use via phone/computer to access the mesh’s repeater network): the selection is pretty wide, but this list of options might be a good place to start:

<https://nodakmesh.org/meshcore/devices>

I had been using a Heltec v3 (in this config)

<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6712Q52>

then upgrades to a Heltec v4 (in this config)

<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS1QBJFJ>

with the intention of moving the v3 to a repeater. I experimented with it some, but success was limited, so I upgraded the v4 companion with a 915 MHz-specific Muzi antenna

<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7D6866W>

While it greatly improved reception, the issue with the ESP32-based systems (which the v3 & v4 are) tends to be around them being powerhogs. So I picked up an Elecrow ThinkNode M1, an nRF52*-based (* meaning there are many sub-models of the chip series) unit, as they have a reputation for being very power efficient, with an e-ink display (which is also supposed to be super energy saving)

<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPLWYB8R>

While it seems to do good on battery -- 2-3 days vs. barely 1 day from an ESP32 unit with a full battery -- I had issues with the display not updating, got side-tracked, and never got back to it. Next on the to-do list...

Around that time several manufactures came out with antenna-less "card companions" which looked perfect: built-in battery, no external display to mash or suck battery, & no bigger than 3-4 stacked credit cards. I had questions about their range & battery life -- at least one person reportedly started using a "mobile repeater" (so now two devices, instead of one) in order to reach the wider mesh -- but then people I knew were reportedly very happy with the performance (it looks like that one person had some other issue). I held off on buying yet another device until the one that has recently gotten the most solid performance reviews got slightly cheaper on Amazon

<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYHPTPZD>

Other than the unexpected fact that the "buzzer" actually beeps (& I've not found an explanation for the various noises, nor how to turn it off -- until a Meshtastic site mentioned "4 button presses to mute device"!) and the need for a specialty connector (a magnetic four pin config which gives it an IP66 rating, also you can buy spare adapters) I've been very happy with the performance -- battery life, range, durability, etc. -- so far.

Long, long story very short: I'd start with the RAKwireless WisMesh Tag as an entry point. No assembly required, flash & go!

Next up: flashing for fun and profit!

Obediently yours,
Andrew KR4FIA
73
On Sunday, June 28th, 2026 at 7:51 PM, ahermetz via DARARepeater <dararepeater at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> Some responses to pick from our Field Day in-person conversation & your previous emails (which, hopefully is useful to the wider audience; if not, we can move it off the list-serv.)
>
> I'll break it down into digestible chunks for the list-serv & steal some bits that may not have been covered in the original presentation.
>
> Let me start off by saying that I personally am an introvert, so "social media" has never been my thing. I was on some Usenet groups & IRC servers back in the day, but never had an account for Facebook, Instagram, etc. However, as other people tend to like to talk to each other, it seems only natural they gather, and eventually it becomes the main way they communicate. Hence I'm not a fan of it being the __only__ way to communicate with users, but I understand there are only so many hours in the day, etc. Also, for me, Discord in particular is "IRC w/ fancy formatting & animated GIFs"; so less of a cognitive load, but still sometimes annoying based on how others use it.
>
> To the particular point regarding DaytonMesh: there are conversations that happen regarding that site & its info. My understanding is the person who originally organized it prefers MeshTASTIC & was not interested in the work being done on MeshCORE. That is what lead to the various off-shoots that eventually came around Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana (OKI) Mesh. Those of us involved in local MeshCore work have largely moved there.
>
> Keep in mind: like any good mouse trap, this one has all kinds of ways to draw you in. I'm currently in (9) of them, including the "DARA TNG" one (which I notice does not get much use, sadly). To ease the way here are Discord links (as they're not my systems I've set them to never expire, but 100 uses, so that it doesn't get too abused by anyone outside this list-serv) which you can use to access it via a web browser or native app:
>
> * DaytonMesh.org <https://discord.gg/nVNyemzphm>
> * CincyMesh.org <https://discord.gg/352eM8DRqZ>
> * OKIMesh.org <https://discord.gg/TpP9Pn7J8J>
> * DARA TNG <https://discord.gg/ctHYBR7k>
>
> Okay, that gets us online with other interested parties. Next up: hardware options...of which there are many.
>
> Obediently yours,
> Andrew KR4FIA
> 73
> On Sunday, June 28th, 2026 at 1:35 AM, Ken via DARARepeater <dararepeater at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>> Chuck,
>>
>> There is a lot to learn, but I'm confident it will all come together quickly for you.
>>
>> I've found this resource very helpful, clear to understand, and well presented.
>>
>> https://m.youtube.com/@The_Comms_Channel
>>
>> Best,
>> Ken
>> W4KGR
>> 73
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