Famparc Meshcore Group

Hardware is based around a RAK WisBlock 1 Watt mounted inside a small IP-rated enclosure. To keep things neat and secure, Initial testing has been promising. The repeater successfully linked to the Kinglake West node from Carrum Downs, with a reported signal level of around -6.5 dB. Not bad for a first test and a small 915MHz antenna, gives me confidence that the setup will perform well once it is fully complete. Still plenty of tweaking and testing to do, but it's been a fun project combining 3D printing, radio, electronics, and a bit of problem-solving. One of the reasons I chose the RAK WisBlock platform is its modular design. Rather than being locked into a single-purpose device, additional modules and sensors can be added as the project evolves.

The next planned addition is the $25 RAK1906 environmental sensor module, which will provide temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, gas sensing and air quality monitoring. This will allow the node to act not only as a MeshCore repeater but also as a remote environmental monitoring station. I also decided to replace the tiny factory Bluetooth antenna with a larger external antenna. The original antenna worked, but Bluetooth range and reliability can be a bit limited once everything is sealed inside an enclosure. The upgraded antenna provides a stronger and more reliable connection when configuring or maintaining the node, especially when it's mounted in less accessible locations. Will update the finished project with details