Meshtastic / LoRa Device Database
Meshtastic is an open-source project that turns LoRa radio hardware into a licence-free, off-grid mesh messaging network. Nodes relay packets hop-by-hop with no internet or cellular connection required — a practical building block for sovereign, decentralized communications in remote areas, emergencies, or anywhere infrastructure is unavailable.
This dataset covers 29 verified Meshtastic-compatible devices with specs that matter for deployment decisions: the microcontroller (MCU), LoRa transceiver chip, whether the device supports the 902–928 MHz ISM band used in Canada (which includes 915 MHz), battery type, GPS/GNSS presence, solar suitability, and the most appropriate Meshtastic device role. Data is sourced from official meshtastic.org documentation and manufacturer pages as of June 2026.
Canadian regulatory note: The 902–928 MHz band is licence-exempt in Canada under ISED RSS-210 / RSS-247 for devices meeting the power limits defined therein. No EIRP values are published in this dataset. Device-level IC (ISED) certification varies by unit — verify with the manufacturer before commercial or high-power deployment. The B&Q Station G2 includes a 35 dBm power amplifier that exceeds typical licence-exempt limits; licensed amateur radio (HAM) authorization is required to operate at full power in Canada.
Two MCU families dominate: nRF52840 (Nordic Semiconductor — ultra-low power, BLE 5.0, no WiFi) and ESP32-S3 (Espressif — WiFi + BLE, higher power draw). For solar-powered repeaters and long-duration deployments, nRF52840-based devices are generally preferred. For devices needing WiFi backhaul or MQTT bridging, ESP32-S3 variants are the natural fit.
LoRa chip generations: First-generation SX127x chips (e.g., SX1276) are being phased out of active Meshtastic development. Second-generation SX126x (SX1262) and LR11xx (LR1110, LR1121) chips support Spreading Factors 5–6 and have wider feature sets. Note that LR11xx radios cannot receive from SX127x devices — check your local node map before deploying LR11xx-based hardware on an existing network.
Credit to the Meshtastic Project and all referenced manufacturers for publishing open hardware documentation that makes this dataset possible.
| Device | Manufacturer | MCU | LoRa chip | 915 MHz (CA) | Battery | GPS | Solar | Role fit | IP |
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Click any column header to sort. Use the filters above to narrow results. Full notes (confidence flags, caveats) are in the JSON download and via the REST API.
Frequently asked questions
What is Meshtastic and why does it matter for sovereignty?
Meshtastic is an open-source project (Apache 2.0 firmware, GPL hardware schematics where applicable) that turns commodity LoRa radio modules into a self-healing, encrypted mesh network for text messages and GPS tracking — no SIM card, no internet, no central server. Nodes relay messages up to 10+ km per hop. For communities focused on decentralized infrastructure, Meshtastic provides a resilient communications layer that cannot be deplatformed, throttled, or surveilled by a central operator. See also: our Mesh Networking overview.
Is 915 MHz operation legal in Canada?
The 902–928 MHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band is licence-exempt in Canada under ISED RSS-210 and RSS-247 for devices that meet the power limits set therein. Most Meshtastic devices operate well within those limits. This dataset does not publish specific EIRP values; consult the device manufacturer for their IC (ISED) certification documentation. High-power devices such as the B&Q Station G2 (35 dBm PA) operate above typical licence-exempt limits and require a licensed amateur radio (HAM) authorization to use at full power in Canada. For current regulatory text, refer to ISED RSS-210 and ISED RSS-247 directly. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between nRF52840 and ESP32-S3?
The nRF52840 (Nordic Semiconductor) is an ARM Cortex-M4 with BLE 5.0 and no WiFi. Its sleep current can drop below 2 µA, making it the preferred MCU for solar-powered or battery-optimized repeaters and trackers. The ESP32-S3 (Espressif) is a dual-core Xtensa LX7 with WiFi and BLE 5.0, suited for MQTT bridging, web UI, and WiFi-connected gateway nodes, at the cost of higher idle power draw. Both support Meshtastic firmware equally well.
What do the Meshtastic device roles mean?
CLIENT — standard messaging node; rebroadcasts when no other node has done so. TRACKER — prioritizes GPS position broadcasts. ROUTER — always rebroadcasts, appears in network topology; best for fixed high-elevation nodes. REPEATER — always rebroadcasts once, hidden from the node list; ideal for infrastructure nodes where stealth matters. LOST_AND_FOUND — regularly transmits position to help locate lost items or people. CLIENT_BASE — always rebroadcasts packets from favorited nodes; personal base station role. Full role documentation: meshtastic.org device config.
Which devices are best for a solar-powered repeater in Canada?
The leading options confirmed in this dataset are: (1) RAK WisMesh Repeater — IP67, 5–16V DC solar input, optional 5200 mAh battery, nRF52840 ultra-low power; (2) RAK WisMesh Repeater Mini — IP67 with integrated solar panel, 3200 mAh, nRF52840; (3) Seeed SenseCAP Solar Node P1 Pro — 5W panel, ~13,400 mAh battery bank, nRF52840, GPS. For DIY builds, the RAK4631 WisBlock on an RAK19007 base board provides a 5V JST solar input and supports optional GPS and display modules. All of these operate on the 902–928 MHz ISM band. Canadian deployment note: confirm IC certification with the manufacturer before commercial installation.
What is the difference between SX1262 and LR1110/LR1121?
The SX1262 is Semtech’s mainstream 2nd-generation LoRa transceiver (SX126x family) supporting Sub-GHz bands (433 MHz to 928 MHz). The LR1110 and LR1121 are newer Semtech chips combining LoRa with Wi-Fi/GNSS scanning (LR1110) or dual-band Sub-GHz + 2.4 GHz LoRa (LR1121). All three are compatible with the Meshtastic SX126x driver path. Important compatibility caveat: LR11xx radios cannot receive packets from 1st-generation SX127x radios — check your local node map before deploying LR11xx hardware on an established network.
Why does the dataset not list specific EIRP values?
Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) depends on the transmit power setting, cable losses, and antenna gain — all of which vary by installation. Publishing a device-level EIRP figure without capturing the full antenna system would be misleading and potentially harmful for regulatory compliance planning. Consult ISED RSS-210 / RSS-247 for the applicable limits in Canada, and refer to the device manufacturer’s certification documentation for their tested EIRP.
How is this data licensed and how do I cite it?
See the “Cite this dataset” section below. CC BY 4.0 — free to use for any purpose with attribution.
Cite this dataset
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Attribution: D-Central Technologies. “Meshtastic / LoRa Device Database.” d-central.tech, 2026-06-15. https://d-central.tech/data/meshtastic-lora-device-database/. Data sourced from Meshtastic Project (meshtastic.org) device documentation and manufacturer pages.
Downloads:
CSV •
JSON •
REST API
Note: Specs are as of June 15, 2026. Hardware specifications change; verify at manufacturer before purchasing or deploying. No EIRP values are published. Not legal advice.
Credits: Device documentation credit to the Meshtastic Project, Heltec Automation, LILYGO, RAKwireless, Seeed Studio, and B&Q Consulting.
BibTeX
@misc{dcentral_meshtastic_lora_db_2026,
author = {{D-Central Technologies}},
title = {Meshtastic / {LoRa} Device Database},
year = {2026},
month = {June},
url = {https://d-central.tech/data/meshtastic-lora-device-database/},
note = {CC BY 4.0. Sourced from meshtastic.org device documentation.}
}