Recently, Heltec supported a community-led MeshCore meetup at Bitlair Hackerspace in Amersfoort.

Local users discussed MeshCore, LoRa, RF testing, flashing, OTA updates, regulations, sensors, and outdoor deployments. Some professional RF test equipment was also used to check antenna and radio performance.

We provided hardware support and a discount code for attendees. More importantly, we received useful real-world feedback from experienced users, which has been shared with our engineering team.

Thanks to the Dutch MeshCore community and Bitlair Hackerspace for organizing it.

Are there similar MeshCore / LoRa meetups happening in your area?

Recently, Heltec supported a community-led MeshCore meetup at Bitlair Hackerspace in Amersfoort.

Local users discussed MeshCore, LoRa, RF testing, flashing, OTA updates, regulations, sensors, and outdoor deployments. Some professional RF test equipment was also used to check antenna and radio performance.

We provided hardware support and a discount code for attendees. More importantly, we received useful real-world feedback from experienced users, which has been shared with our engineering team.

Thanks to the Dutch MeshCore community and Bitlair Hackerspace for organizing it.

Are there similar MeshCore / LoRa meetups happening in your area?

Hi everyone,

As the MeshCore community continues to grow, we’ve noticed that the demand for stable repeater/router nodes also seems to be increasing, especially in scenarios where users need wider coverage, better network stability, or long-term outdoor deployment.

So before making any assumptions, we’d like to hear feedback from real users first and then evaluate whether it makes sense to develop a dedicated MeshCore repeater product based on community needs.

We’d like to ask a few questions:

1. What device are you currently using as your MeshCore repeater/router node?
2. What is your main use case? For example: indoor, outdoor, rooftop, vehicle-mounted, mountain area, remote unattended area, etc.
3. What specifications or features would you most like to see in a repeater? For example: higher TX power, better receiver performance, solar power, larger battery, waterproof enclosure, external antenna, low power consumption, easy mounting, SD card logging, etc.
4. What are your expectations for durability? For example: rain resistance, long-term outdoor use, high/low temperature resistance, UV resistance, and the ability to operate unattended for long periods.
5. If it were a repeater/router node, what purchase price range would you consider reasonable?

We don’t want to assume what users need from the manufacturer’s perspective. Instead, we’d like to hear directly from real users first, and then evaluate whether we can build something that truly meets the needs of the community.

Any suggestions, ideas, or even criticism are very welcome.

Thank you!

One of our users in France has been testing the Heltec Wireless Tracker V2 in a solar node setup, exploring how it can be used for longer-term outdoor mesh deployments.

The Wireless Tracker V2 is based on the  ESP32-S3 +GPS+LoRa Node + SX1262 platform, which makes it a good candidate for low-power mesh applications. Combined with solar charging and a suitable enclosure, it opens up some interesting possibilities for remote repeaters, local mesh coverage expansion, and off-grid communication nodes.

One of our users in France has been testing the Heltec Wireless Tracker V2 in a solar node setup, exploring how it can be used for longer-term outdoor mesh deployments.

The Wireless Tracker V2 is based on the  ESP32-S3 +GPS+LoRa Node + SX1262 platform, which makes it a good candidate for low-power mesh applications. Combined with solar charging and a suitable enclosure, it opens up some interesting possibilities for remote repeaters, local mesh coverage expansion, and off-grid communication nodes.

One of our users in France has been testing the Heltec Wireless Tracker V2 in a solar node setup, exploring how it can be used for longer-term outdoor mesh deployments.

The Wireless Tracker V2 is based on the  ESP32-S3 +GPS+LoRa Node + SX1262 platform, which makes it a good candidate for low-power mesh applications. Combined with solar charging and a suitable enclosure, it opens up some interesting possibilities for remote repeaters, local mesh coverage expansion, and off-grid communication nodes.

We've taken your feedback seriously and switched the magnetic charging to USB-C. This is the second prototype with the new design, and from preliminary tests so far, things look really promising. We’re aiming to share it with you around May — can’t wait!

💡 Now we need your input!
As we prepare the video for this new product, we’d love to know:

1️⃣ Content – What do you want to see most?

• Extreme environment tests: high/low temperature, rain, snow, dust, or coastal conditions
• Everyday outdoor use: hiking, biking, farming, or urban deployments
• Technical deep dive: hardware structure, sensors, LoRa performance, battery life

2️⃣ Style – How should we present it?

• Professional & technical, with detailed data and testing results
• Lighthearted & fun, easy to understand and engaging
• A mix of both

3️⃣ Language – Our engineers will present in Chinese, because they are not fluent in English and this allows them to explain the product more smoothly. We will provide English subtitles so everyone can follow along.

• Is this okay for you?
• Or would you prefer full English narration?

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments! Your feedback will shape the video so it’s exactly what you want to see.

We just released a new board called Mesh Node T096 built around nRF52840 + SX1262 (28 dBm) with onboard GNSS (L1+L5).

Key points:

• Bluetooth + LoRa + GNSS in one device
• supports Meshtastic and MeshCore
• USB-C, battery + solar connectors onboard
• LNA bypass option
• designed for low-power field deployments

If anyone here is planning to try this one, there’s currently 10% off with code: Z4GGTD6T.

Curious what people would build with it.

We’re currently in the final round of testing for our new solar-powered node. The goal of this stage is to validate long-term stability and real-world deployment behavior before wider release.

At the same time, we’re selecting a small group of users to participate in early field testing. We’re looking forward to seeing how these devices perform in practical environments across different regions and use cases.

Structurally, this version continues to use a rugged enclosure and waterproof connectors, keeping it suitable for long-term outdoor deployment scenarios such as relay nodes, remote monitoring points, and off-grid mesh coverage.

One important note:
This revision does not include a 28 dBm upgrade yet. However, higher transmit power support is part of our roadmap and will be introduced progressively in future iterations.

For users with strong hands-on experience, it is already possible to DIY-modify the node to reach 28 dBm operation.

In addition, we currently offer a separate solar kit designed specifically for the V4 28 dBm platform, which is available on our official website if that configuration better fits your deployment needs.

As always, feedback from real deployments helps shape the next revision. Looking forward to hearing how you would use a solar node like this in your mesh setup.

We didn’t develop this product just to create a node that simply “works.”
Our goal was to build a complete, field-ready device designed for long-term outdoor use, with a robust structure and reliable power performance.

Over time, the feedback we kept hearing from the community pointed to the same expectations:

Thinner
Better sealing
Longer battery life
Lower standby power consumption

So instead of continuing with an ESP32-based platform, we rebuilt the foundation around the nRF52840 — delivering a cleaner power profile, lower sleep current, and behavior better suited for long-term field deployment.

What’s inside？

This one integrates communication, positioning, and environmental sensing into a compact enclosure:

· nRF52840 low-power MCU

· SX1262 LoRa radio

· 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

· 85 × 55 × 9 mm enclosure

Slim enough to clip onto a backpack.
Sealed for real outdoor use.
Efficient enough for full-day runtime in the field.

Development status

We are currently in the final development and validation phase.

Before public release, we’re gonna open a community field testing round.

We will provide 20 early test units to users operating in real deployment environments, such as:

Desert regions
Snow / alpine terrain
Rainforest environments
High-altitude locations
Coastal or marine conditions

If you already have a specific use case or deployment scenario in mind, feel free to share it in the comments. We’ll review submissions based on environmental diversity and testing value, and follow up with selected participants.

Real-world feedback matters to us — especially before launch.

On a busy exhibition floor in Lyon, something quieter—but more powerful—was taking shape.

At Ond’Expo 2026, it wasn’t just about radios, hardware, or protocols.
It was about connection—real, human, and decentralized.

From the moment the doors opened, the Gaulix stand became a living network.
Not just devices talking to each other, but people exchanging ideas, solving problems, and building something bigger together.

The difference?
Not just more nodes… but the right nodes, in the right places, built by the right community.

That’s where Mesh networking changes everything.

✅ Live node flashing and configuration turned theory into hands-on learning.
✅ Real-time demos showed how Meshtastic and MeshCore enable resilient, off-grid communication.
✅ Community-driven discussions sparked new deployments—from local coverage to regional expansion.

Throughout the day, one thing became clear:
Decentralized communication isn’t a concept anymore—it’s happening, node by node.

With support from Heltec, the ecosystem continues to grow stronger. Reliable hardware, accessible tools, and an engaged community are lowering the barrier to entry for anyone looking to build their own network.

And it all starts locally.
One node. One connection. One community at a time.

At Ond’Expo 2026, Gaulix didn’t just showcase technology—
they demonstrated what a truly connected, resilient network looks like in the real world.

MYLE is a project initiated by Steven Boonstoppel, an IT teacher at Ichthus College Veenendaal in the Netherlands. With support from the local government and school, it aims to help students explore and understand their immediate surroundings through authentic, real-world data.

The project provides students with portable sensor boxes connected over LoRaWAN, which can monitor a wide range of environmental conditions:

• Temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and noise
• Air quality indicators including CO₂, particulate matter and VOCs

Students can place these boxes at home or around the town for several weeks. The devices automatically wake up every 15 minutes to record measurements and upload data via The Things Network.

At the heart of the device is the Heltec Wireless Tracker, equipped with a UC6580 GNSS chip for fast and reliable positioning, which helps preserve battery life. The whole system is optimized for low power use, drawing only around 17 microamps in deep sleep, allowing a battery life of 3 to 4 weeks in default mode. An SD card slot is also included to back up data when network coverage is weak, ensuring no measurements are lost.

To support different research needs, the sensor box offers flexible working modes:

• Default mode: one measurement every 15 minutes, suitable for long-term environmental monitoring
• Active mode (switchable via DIP switch): one measurement every 30 seconds, better for tracking noise or quickly changing conditions
• In high-frequency mode, data is stored locally on the SD card to avoid overloading the LoRaWAN network

This project turns abstract classroom learning into a tangible, hands-on experience. Instead of working with hypothetical numbers, students analyze live data from their own neighborhood to discover real environmental patterns — such as why paved areas are warmer than green spaces, or how traffic influences local air quality and noise. By collecting, analyzing and interpreting real-world measurements, students build practical skills in math, science and research while connecting their learning to actual local issues, making the whole process far more vivid, meaningful and engaging.

Just wanted to share a quick update on the latest progress of the MeshTower upgrade.

With summer coming up, we’re seeing a big increase in demand for solar nodes, and quite a few people have been asking when the MeshTower upgrade will be ready.

If everything goes smoothly, we’re aiming to complete all upgrades by the end of April.

This round of updates includes:

• Upgraded BMS system
• New baseplate redesign
• Improved button layout
• Added SD card support

Everything is progressing steadily, and we’ll keep everyone posted as we get closer.

The V4 expansion display is finally vertical, and now the antenna can point upwards — exactly what we’ve been waiting for! This will make setups much cleaner and more practical in real-world use. https://github.com/meshtastic/firmware/pull/9938

The Wireless Tracker V2 features:

ESP32-S3 MCU paired with SX1262 LoRa chip, delivering up to 28 dBm transmit power for extended range.

UC6580 GNSS chip with onboard antenna (external antenna support via simple resistor modification).

Upgraded CN3165 power management IC with full charge/discharge protection and seamless small-scale solar setup.

Integrated 0.96-inch TFT display (160×80) with LDS-embedded antennas for a smaller footprint (53×26 mm) and improved stability over the V1 model.

A low-power nRF52840 variant is entering final testing stages for specialized applications.

This tracker is ideal for wildlife monitoring, environmental sensing, mesh networking, and solar-powered IoT deployments.

10% off：S8YR9YUW

We’ve just wrapped up SCALE 2026 in Pasadena, and it was a fantastic experience.

We had the chance to connect with a wide range of people across the IoT, embedded systems, and cybersecurity communities. There were a lot of great conversations—whether about LoRa, Meshtastic deployments, or real-world use cases in different regions.

A big thank you to the volunteer teams who supported us on-site, especially our friends from San Francisco. This was the second time they helped out, and once again they did an amazing job. Their technical knowledge and hands-on support made a real difference throughout the event.

What stood out most was the strength of the community—people genuinely sharing ideas, testing setups, and helping each other solve problems.

And if you’re working on anything related to LoRa or Meshtastic or Iot, I’d be really interested to hear what you’re building or testing.