128 lines
5.0 KiB
Markdown
128 lines
5.0 KiB
Markdown
# rMesh Hardware Bill of Materials
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All hardware is **868 MHz** (EU ISM band). Prices are approximate USD as of early 2026.
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## Architecture: MeshCore + Reticulum
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- **MeshCore** = LoRa mesh (structured routing, 64 hops, low power)
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- **Reticulum** = Internet backbone (bridges LoRa islands, encrypted)
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Most hardware runs MeshCore. One optional RNode adds Reticulum Internet bridging.
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---
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## Quick Start (~$60)
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Get two MeshCore nodes talking through rMesh immediately.
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| Qty | Item | Role | Price |
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|-----|------|------|-------|
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| 2x | Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3 (868 MHz) | MeshCore companion + companion | $20 ea |
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| 2x | LiPo battery 1000mAh (JST 1.25mm) | Portable power | $5 ea |
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| 2x | USB-C data cable | Flashing + gateway link | $5 ea |
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| | | **Total** | **~$60** |
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Flash one as a **MeshCore Companion with WiFi** (TCP gateway to rMesh server).
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Flash the other as a **MeshCore Companion** and pair with your phone.
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---
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## Recommended Full Setup (~$236-271)
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### Nodes
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| Qty | Item | Role | Price | Notes |
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|-----|------|------|-------|-------|
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| 1x | Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3 | MeshCore Companion WiFi (TCP gateway) | $20 | Flash via meshcore.io/flasher |
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| 1x | LILYGO T-Beam Supreme S3 | MeshCore solar outdoor repeater | $50 | GPS + 18650 holder built-in |
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| 1x | LILYGO T-Deck | Standalone MeshCore messenger | $50 | Screen + keyboard, no phone needed |
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| 1x | Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3 | RNode for Reticulum backbone (optional) | $20 | Flash with `rnodeconf` |
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### Antennas
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| Qty | Item | Role | Price | Notes |
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|-----|------|------|-------|-------|
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| 1x | Rokland 868 MHz fiberglass omni (5.8 dBi) | Outdoor repeater | $35 | N-type connector, pole/roof mount |
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| 2x | SMA stubby 868 MHz | Indoor / gateway | $0 | Included with boards |
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| 1x | SMA to N-type pigtail (30cm, LMR-195) | Board to outdoor antenna | $10 | Keep short to reduce signal loss |
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### Solar Repeater Kit
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| Qty | Item | Role | Price | Notes |
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|-----|------|------|-------|-------|
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| 1x | 6W 5V USB solar panel | Powers T-Beam | $20 | Sufficient for central Europe year-round |
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| 1x | Samsung 18650 30Q (3000mAh) | Battery buffer | $7 | ~4 days autonomy without sun |
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| 1x | IP65 junction box (100x68x50mm) | Weatherproof enclosure | $8 | Drill for antenna + cable glands |
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| 1x | N-type bulkhead connector | Antenna through-wall mount | $6 | |
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| 1x | Cable gland set (PG7/PG9) | Seal cable entries | $5 | |
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### Optional
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| Qty | Item | Role | Price | Notes |
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|-----|------|------|-------|-------|
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| 1x | Raspberry Pi 4/5 | Local RNode host | $45-80 | Skip if server has USB passthrough |
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| 1x | 868 MHz Yagi antenna (10-12 dBi) | Point-to-point link | $40 | For bridging distant sites |
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## Phased Purchasing
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| Phase | Items | Cost | What it enables |
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|-------|-------|------|-----------------|
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| 1 | 2x Heltec V3 + batteries + cables | ~$60 | Two-node mesh, test rMesh end-to-end |
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| 2 | T-Beam + solar + outdoor antenna + enclosure | ~$100 | First outdoor repeater, extends range |
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| 3 | T-Deck | ~$50 | Standalone field messaging, no phone |
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## Board Comparison
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| Board | MCU | LoRa | GPS | Screen | Battery | RNode | MeshCore | Price |
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|-------|-----|------|-----|--------|---------|-------|----------|-------|
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| Heltec V3 | ESP32-S3 | SX1262 | No | 0.96" OLED | JST LiPo | Yes | Yes | $20 |
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| T-Beam Supreme | ESP32-S3 | SX1262 | Yes | None | 18650 holder | Yes | Yes | $50 |
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| T-Deck | ESP32-S3 | SX1262 | Optional | 2.8" IPS + touch | LiPo | Limited | Yes | $50 |
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| T-Echo | nRF52840 | SX1262 | Yes | 1.54" e-paper | 850mAh | No | Limited | $40 |
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| RAK4631 | nRF52840 | SX1262 | Module | Module | Connector | Experimental | Limited | $40 |
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| XIAO ESP32-S3 | ESP32-S3 | SX1262 (addon) | No | None | Small LiPo | Yes (DIY) | Community | $18 |
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**For rMesh (Reticulum-first): stick with ESP32-based boards.** RNode firmware targets ESP32.
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nRF52-based boards (T-Echo, RAK4631) are primarily Meshtastic.
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---
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## EU Suppliers
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| Supplier | Ships from | Best for |
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|----------|-----------|----------|
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| LILYGO Official (AliExpress) | China | T-Beam, T-Deck, T-Echo |
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| Heltec Official (AliExpress) | China | Heltec V3 |
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| Berrybase.de | Germany | Fast EU, carries Heltec/LILYGO |
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| Antratek.nl | Netherlands | Good EU stock |
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| Wimo.com | Germany | Antennas |
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| Paradar.co.uk | UK | 868 MHz antennas |
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| RAKwireless.com | China/EU warehouse | WisBlock modular |
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| Amazon.de | EU | Fastest delivery, ~30% markup |
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> Orders from AliExpress over 150 EUR may incur EU customs duties (~20% VAT).
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---
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## EU Regulatory Notes
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- **Band:** 868 MHz ISM (ETSI EN 300.220)
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- **Max power:** 25 mW ERP (14 dBm) with 1% duty cycle on most sub-bands
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- **High-gain antennas:** If using >3 dBi antenna, reduce TX power accordingly
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- **Never use 915 MHz (US band) hardware in EU** — it's illegal
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---
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## Power Budget
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A typical LoRa repeater draws ~30 mA average (50-80 mA active, 10-20 mA sleep).
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- Daily consumption: ~720 mAh
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- 3000mAh 18650: ~4 days without sun
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- 6W panel in central Europe: produces ~1500-3000 mAh/day depending on season
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- Year-round self-sustaining with single 18650 buffer
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