An interesting dicussion from the Meshtastic firmwware lead. Some of the proposed preset changes bring things closer to the defaults of MeshCore, which is interesting to see.

A new addition to the Heltec lineup, the T096 combines the power of the nRF52840 with integrated GPS and LoRa capabilities. Is this a worthy RaK competitor?

I am a huge fan of the RaK boards, mainly for their reliability and low power draw - making them great for solar or portable nodes.

This board is based on the same nRF52840 as the RaK with the addition of GPS, which could come in handy for keeping out clocks correct. Will be curious to see what the power comparisons look like.

• Protected Cells: Include built-in safety features to prevent overcharge, over-discharge, and short circuits.
• Unprotected Cells: Lack these safety features, making them more compact and slightly higher performing but riskier if not managed properly.

For mesh deployments, protection choice comes down to how much you trust the device’s battery control design.

The core team claims a breakdown in trust and communication, asserting the official project remains tied to the original GitHub and human-written development.

They are moving forward independently via meshcore.io, while contesting ownership and distancing themselves from the competing “MeshOS” direction.

In this release there will be a new concept of Default Scope, for both companion nodes and repeater/room server. This will make it possible to do scoped DM messages, login requests, stats request, etc. (even in a mesh that has disabled un-scoped flood traffic)

To learn more about the Default Scope Region changes, check out the the following write-up.

Putting my new NanoVNA-H4 through its paces and testing the SWR of some of the antennas I have collected so far on my mesh journey.

A new color option for the WisMesh Tag - I really like WisMesh, even though its black.

Room Servers are a component of the MeshCore network, providing a centralized point for nodes to connect to and exchange data.

In this write-up, the author explores what Room Servers are, how they work, and how you can deploy one to support your local mesh network.

• Protective cases
• Expansion carrier boards
• Sensor modules
• And more...

You can view 3D models and customize product parameters on the MQB platform to assemble a kit that meets your needs.

Having been bit by this myself, I wanted to share this link that illustrates and discusses the difference between RP-SMA and SMA connectors.

Remember: RP-SMA and SMA connectors are not interchangeable!

This is my first attempt at setting up a MeshCore repeater, and running it side by side with my Meshtastic node.

The goal is to have a single rooftop node that can serve both networks, providing better coverage and reliability for my home area.

Personally I didnt see any additional nodes locally...

Parts list:

• Solar Modules x 3: Fellden 5v 200mA
• Acetone and/or Marine Epoxy x 1
• BMS Boards x 2: KOOBOOK 3A BMS works well
• 18650 Cells x 2
• Muzi Works 915 Mhz Whip Antenna x 1
• Schottky Diode x 3: 1N5817
• RAK Mini Kit x 1: Includes SMA connector

• nRF52840 low-power MCU
• UC6580 GNSS positioning module
• 0.96" TFT display
• BME280 environmental sensor
• 9-axis motion sensor
• Magnetic charging interface
• 1800 mAh internal battery
• IP65 weather protection

The most notable addition here is Multi-byte path support, which will help limit collisions on larger meshes or those with duplicate repeater IDs.

To learn more about multi-byte path improvements, check out the the following write-up.

I have been installing this on all of my Rak MeshCore and Meshtastic nodes, and it has made OTA updates more reliable and easier to manage.

Boards Supported:

• Heltec Automation Mesh Node T114 / HT-nRF5262
• Nologo ProMicro NRF52840 (aka SuperMini NRF52840)
• Seeed Studio SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E
• Seeed Studio Wio Tracker L1
• Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 BLE (and Seeed SenseCAP Solar Node)
• Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 BLE SENSE
• RAK 4631 (See note)
• RAK WisMesh Tag (new 28/11/2025)