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Portable Go-Kit: Field-Deployable Mesh Node

A go-kit is a self-contained, rapidly deployable mesh node in a single weather-resistant case. It powers up in under 2 minutesminutes. Runtime depends entirely on the battery, the node role, and operatesdisplay use: with the 12V 20Ah LiFePO4 pack specified below, a low-power RAK4631 will run for many days to weeks (see the corrected Power Budget); a small portable pack in client mode would give the shorter 12-48 hourshour withoutfigures externalsometimes power.quoted for compact kits.

Go-Kit Design Philosophy

The go-kit must satisfy three constraints:

  1. One-bag portability: Everything fits in a carry-on-sized case. Target weight under 10 lbs including battery.
  2. Rapid deployment: Someone with basic training should be able to set it up correctly in under 5 minutes.
  3. 12+ hour autonomous operation: Sufficient for most emergency activations without resupply.

Go-Kit Bill of Materials

ComponentChoiceNotes
CasePelican 1510 or Nanuk 910935Carry-on size, weatherproofweatherproof. The Nanuk 935 is the carry-on equivalent of the Pelican 1510; the smaller Nanuk 910 holds far less and is not interchangeable.
LoRa nodeRAK4631 WisBlockLowest power; best for battery runtime
Battery20Ah LiFePO4 12V (Dakota Lithium or Battle Born)~200Wh;256 48+Wh hrs(12.8V nominal × 20Ah). Powers the node via the buck converter below - this pack runs a RAK4631 for RAK4631weeks, not hours. Fuse and disconnect required (see safety note).
Inline fuse + disconnectFuse holder sized to wiring + master switchFuse the battery positive lead at the battery terminal and add a master disconnect (see safety note below). Charge controllerVictron MPPT 75/10Also12/24V chargessolar fromcharge includedcontroller for the 12V LiFePO4 pack. Requires a solar panel with Vmp well above battery voltage (nominal 12V panel, Vmp ~18V). 12V→5V buck/USB regulator12V to 5V USB buck converterRequired. The RAK4631 is a 3.3V nRF52 board powered via its USB/5V input - never feed 12V directly to the board. Wiring path: battery → fuse → MPPT → 12V bus → buck → 5V USB → RAK4631. Solar panel~25W foldablefoldable, nominal 12V (Vmp ~18V)For extended deploymentsdeployments. Must have Vmp ~18V to work with the 75/10 on a 12V battery - a 5V USB-style panel will NOT work with this MPPT controller. Antenna915 MHzMHz-tuned telescoping whipantenna (BNC base)CollapsesUse a proper 902-928 MHz antenna. A quarter-wave whip is only ~8 cm at 915 MHz; a generic 40 cm telescoping whip is non-resonant here (~1.2 wavelengths, high VSWR, poor performance). If you want collapsible, use one specifically tuned/loaded for transport;the extends902-928 40cmMHz for deploymentband. Antenna cableSMA to BNC, 3mAllows antenna placement away from case DisplayOLED on RAK1921 moduleShows node status without phone

: Battery safety: A 20Ah LiFePO4 cell can deliver hundreds of amps into a short - an unfused lead in a metal-tooled kit is an arc-flash and burn hazard. Fuse the battery positive at the terminal (sized to the wiring), include a master disconnect, and secure the battery so it cannot shift and short against tools or the case.

Power Budget

RAK4631 insystem current depends heavily on role:
 - CLIENT / low-duty roles can average low single-digit to ~15 mA.
 - ROUTER mode:/ repeater role keeps the radio in continuous RX and disables sleep;
   community measurements report ~80-100 mA constant for a RAK19007 + RAK4631
   in router mode. Measure your own setup before sizing.

Battery energy (use the pack's real voltage):
 - Avg12V current:LiFePO4 (12.8V nominal) x 20Ah = ~12-256 Wh
 - Capacity-based runtime (voltage-independent): 20,000 mAh / I_avg
     * at 15 mA (LoRalow-duty): RX~1,333 +h occasionaltheoretical
     TX) - 20Ah* at 3.7V = ~74 Wh - 74 Wh / (15100 mA *(router): 3.7V)~200 = 1,333 hoursh theoretical
 - Real-worldDerate with~2x for self-dischargedischarge, conversion losses, and TX:
   roughly 600+ h low-duty, ~500-700100 hoursh in router role.

For a 24-hour deployment:
 - Need:Low-duty need: 24h * 15mA = 360 mAh
 - 20AhRouter batteryneed:   24h * 100mA = 55x2,400 your daily needmAh
 - EvenA 20Ah pack covers either easily; a 2Ah 18650 bank lasts 5+~5 days
   forONLY aat ~15 mA - in router/repeater noderole (~100 mA) it lasts ~20 h.
   Measure your node's actual average current to size the pack.

Deployment Checklist

  • Place case on stable surface or tripod
  • Extend or mount antenna (highest practical point - window, pole, rooftop)
  • Connect antenna cable to node SMA connector
  • ConnectVerify the battery positive lead is fused, then connect battery to charge controller,controller; thenpower the node through the 12V→5V buck regulator (never 12V direct to nodethe board)
  • Verify node powers on and OLED shows status
  • Connect phone via Bluetooth and verify node joins network
  • Send test message to confirm operation
  • Note power level (if solar available, deploy panel south-facing)

Labeling and Documentation

Every component should be labeled inside the kit:

  • Node ID and short name (on a label inside the lid)
  • Channel key (in a sealed envelope or QR code sticker). Note: channel encryption is permitted for unlicensed Part 15 operation at stock RAK4631 power. It would be prohibited only if the kit were ever operated under an amateur (Part 97) license.
  • Quick-start laminated card with 7 deployment steps
  • Contact info for the kit owner
  • Inventory list with last-check date
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