📖 Start Here — Hardware Guide

This book helps you choose the right hardware for your specific use case - whether you're buying your first node, kitting out a field team, or specifying infrastructure for a community network.

🚀 Just Want a Quick Answer?

• First node, just want something to try: Best Hardware for Beginners
• Portable / hiking / field use: Best Hardware for Portable and Handheld Use
• Fixed outdoor repeater: Best Hardware for Fixed Repeaters
• Room server / gateway: Fixed Infrastructure Node Hardware Selection
• Side-by-side comparison table: Popular Board Comparison Table

📚 What's In This Book

Platform Choice: ESP32 vs nRF52840

• ESP32 vs nRF52840: Which Platform? - Power, performance, and compatibility differences
• nRF52840 vs ESP32: Architecture Comparison for Mesh Operators

Radio Chip Selection

• LoRa Radio Chips Explained: SX1262 vs SX1276 vs LR1110
• SX1262 vs SX1276: Why It Matters

Device Categories

• Budget Devices - Under $30
• Mid-Range Devices - $30 - 80
• Premium & Feature-Rich Devices
• T-Deck as a Standalone Communicator
• T114 and T3-S3: New Hardware for 2025 - 2026

Infrastructure Hardware

• Fixed Infrastructure Node Hardware Selection
• Prebuilt Solar Repeater Units
• Base Station Nodes

Accessories

• GPS Modules for LoRa Nodes
• Displays for LoRa Nodes
• PCB Trace vs External Antenna

Software / Apps

• MeshCore App (Official)
• Meshtastic App
• MeshOS (Standalone Device Firmware)

➡️ Related Books

• DIY Build Guides - Device-specific setup and enclosure builds
• Antennas & RF - Choosing and installing antennas
• Solar & Power Systems - Powering your nodes