# Dual Deployment: Repeater + Room Server

## Dual Deployment: Separate Repeater and Room Server

The recommended best practice for any fixed site is to deploy **two separate devices** rather than enabling repeat mode on the room server.

### Why Two Devices?

A repeater and a room server have conflicting placement requirements:

<table id="bkmrk-deviceideal-placemen"> <thead><tr><th>Device</th><th>Ideal Placement</th><th>Why</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td>**Repeater**</td><td>Outdoors, elevated, high external antenna</td><td>Maximum RF range in all directions</td></tr> <tr><td>**Room Server**</td><td>Indoors, near power and USB/BT access</td><td>Easy administration, configuration, and monitoring</td></tr> </tbody></table>

Forcing one device to do both jobs means compromising on placement - either the repeater antenna is too low, or the room server is too hard to access for administration.

### Recommended Hardware

- **Device 1 (Repeater):** Heltec V3 flashed with Repeater firmware + high-gain external antenna (fiberglass omni or directional yagi)
- **Device 2 (Room Server):** Heltec V3 flashed with Room Server firmware + stock indoor antenna

### Cost

Two Heltec V3 units cost approximately **$40 - $60** total (as of 2025 pricing). This is a minimal investment for a significant capability improvement at a fixed site.

### When Single-Device is Acceptable

If budget or space constraints make dual deployment impossible, enabling `set repeat on` on the room server is workable - it simply won't perform as well as a dedicated repeater at height. In that case, do your best to place the device near a window or in an elevated location to improve the antenna's line of sight.