# Heltec MeshTower

> High-power Meshtastic relay/repeater kit with nRF52840 + SX1262 LoRa, 18V/10W solar panel, 3x2800mAh battery pack, IP66 aluminum enclosure, and 5.5dBi fiberglass antenna.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** Heltec
- **Board Type:** dev-board
- **Price:** ~$209
- **Product Readiness:** consumer
- **CPU:** nRF52840
- **CPU Architecture:** ARM Cortex-M4
- **CPU Cores:** 1
- **RAM:** 256KB SRAM
- **Flash:** 1MB
- **Power:** Solar MPPT (18-25V), USB PD3.0, DC (18-25V)
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V
- **Operating Temp:** -20°C to 60°C
- **Weight:** 140g
- **Battery:** 8400mAh (3x2800mAh)
- **Antenna:** SMA + IPEX

## Connectivity

- **Bluetooth:** BLE 5.0, Bluetooth Mesh
- **Lora:** SX1262 (863-928 MHz)

## Open Source

- **Firmware:** Yes
- **Schematics:** No
- **PCB Layout:** No

## Compatible Firmware

meshtastic

## Use Cases

- lora-mesh-networking
- off-grid-communication
- environmental-monitoring
- remote-sensor-nodes

## Components

- **nRF52840** (mcu): Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 ARM Cortex-M4 MCU with Bluetooth 5 — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.nordicsemi.com%2Fbundle%2Fps_nrf52840%2Fpage%2Fkeyfeatures_html5.html&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-meshtower&source=md-export)
- **SX1262** (radio): Semtech SX1262 LoRa transceiver supporting 863-928 MHz with +22 dBm output — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.semtech.com%2Fproducts%2Fwireless-rf%2Flora-connect%2Fsx1262&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-meshtower&source=md-export)

## Description

## Overview

The Heltec MeshTower is a complete outdoor Meshtastic relay/repeater kit built on the MeshSolar platform. It combines the nRF52840 + SX1262 LoRa radio with a rugged IP66 aluminum enclosure, 18V/10W solar panel, and 3x2800mAh battery pack for autonomous off-grid mesh network deployment.

## Key Features

- **MeshSolar core** — nRF52840 MCU with SX1262 LoRa transceiver (21±1 dBm TX power)
- **18V/10W solar panel** (320 x 230 mm) with MPPT charging
- **3x2800mAh lithium battery pack** for extended autonomous operation
- **IP66 waterproof aluminum enclosure** (125 x 125 x 52 mm)
- **N-interface 5.5dBi fiberglass antenna** for maximum range
- **Optional GPS** sensor for location reporting
- **External SMA antenna port** for antenna flexibility
- **Included accessories** — 2.4G rubber BLE antenna, GPS antenna, mounting hardware

## Variants

| Variant | Price |
|---------|-------|
| With GPS / 863-870 MHz | ~$209 |
| With GPS / 902-928 MHz | ~$209 |
| Without GPS / 863-870 MHz | ~$202 |
| Without GPS / 902-928 MHz | ~$202 |

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|------|-------|
| MCU | nRF52840 |
| LoRa Chip | SX1262 |
| LoRa Bands | 863-870 MHz, 902-928 MHz |
| TX Power | 21±1 dBm |
| Battery | 3x2800mAh lithium cells |
| Solar Panel | 18V / 10W |
| Input Voltage | 18-24V DC |
| Enclosure | IP66 aluminum alloy |
| Enclosure Size | 125 (+40) x 125 x 52 mm |
| Solar Panel Size | 320 x 230 mm |
| Weight | 140g (enclosure) |
| Operating Temp | -20°C to 60°C |
| Antenna | N-interface 5.5dBi fiberglass |

## Use Cases

- **Meshtastic relay node** — extend mesh network coverage in remote areas
- **Solar-powered repeater** — autonomous relay requiring no external power
- **Environmental monitoring station** — deploy sensors in off-grid locations
- **Emergency communication hub** — resilient communication during disasters

## Where to Buy

- [OpenELab](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2Fheltec-meshtower-based-on-meshsolar&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-meshtower&source=md-export) — $209

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fheltec.org%2Fproject%2Fmeshtower%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-meshtower&source=md-export)

## Tags

`meshtastic`, `solar`, `lora`, `nrf52840`, `sx1262`, `outdoor`, `repeater`, `ip66`

## Images

![Heltec MeshTower](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-meshtower/065428296032.png)
![Heltec MeshTower](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-meshtower/6e956bfd2a4f.png)
![Heltec MeshTower](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-meshtower/8a2cb81e26a0.png)
![Heltec MeshTower](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-meshtower/78a1957b57b5.png)
![Heltec MeshTower](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-meshtower/050e3fd83b47.png)
![Heltec MeshTower](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-meshtower/771ec82417dd.png)
![Heltec MeshTower](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-meshtower/719b99043bf7.png)
![Heltec MeshTower](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-meshtower/292b72e589e9.png)

> **Battery Powered:** Li-ion

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