Hardware Considerations
A MeshCore repeater needs three things: a LoRa radio running repeater firmware, an antenna, and reliable power. How you combine these depends on your deployment location and budget.
The LoRa radio
Any MeshCore-compatible LoRa device can be flashed with repeater firmware. The radio is rarely the performance bottleneck - location and antenna matter far more. Key requirements:
- 915 MHz band - required for US/Canada. Beyond interoperability, the band choice is a legal one: 902-928 MHz is the FCC-authorized license-free ISM band in the US/Canada (47 CFR 15.247). The EU 868 MHz band is not authorized for this use in the US, so 868 MHz hardware (common in European product listings) should not be transmitted on here regardless of network compatibility — and it would not interoperate with the US network anyway.
- External antenna connector - essential for connecting a quality external antenna. Devices with only a PCB trace antenna are not suitable for fixed outdoor deployment.
- MeshCore firmware compatibility - verify against the MeshCore compatibility list before purchasing.
Purpose-built outdoor units vs. DIY
Purpose-built solar repeater units
Several manufacturers produce all-in-one weatherproof units with integrated solar panels, batteries, and LoRa radios. These are the simplest path to a permanent outdoor installation - they arrive ready to mount and flash.
Advantages: weatherproof from the factory, integrated power system, no enclosure engineering required.
Disadvantages: higher cost, limited hardware customization.
DIY builds
A builder can assemble a repeater from individual components: a LoRa board, weatherproof enclosure, solar panel, charge controller, and battery. The main challenges are reliable weatherproofing and correctly sized cable penetrations.
Advantages: full customization, potentially lower cost, complete control over every component.
Disadvantages: requires time and skill; waterproofing failure is a leading cause of field failures.
Enclosures
Electronics exposed to outdoor conditions should live in a weatherproof enclosure rated IP65 or higher. Note that the IP rating only holds if every penetration is sealed with a rated cable gland — drilling unsealed holes voids the rating. Key considerations:
- Proper cable glands on all penetrations (antenna, power, USB)
- Desiccant packs inside to absorb residual moisture
- UV-resistant material for sun exposure
- Thermal management - a sealed enclosure in direct sun can reach internal temperatures that exceed electronics and battery ratings (typically around 60 °C) without ventilation or shading. Shade the box or use a light-colored, UV-resistant material to reduce solar heating.