RF

05
Sep
A ThinkNode Meshtastic handheld node on a workbench, its screen showing 77% battery, 8 GPS satellites, 2% channel utilization, and the node name Meshtastic 3b90

The 900 MHz Band Fight: What's Actually Happening to Meshtastic's Spectrum

A spectrum grab and a bandwidth rule nobody had read collided on the 900 MHz band this year. Here's what's real, what's not, and what NEPAMesh is doing about it.
8 min read
03
Jun
Frequency spectrum display of a Meshtastic message on the medium-fast modem preset showing the LoRa chirp signal

LoRa Settings Explained: What Spreading Factor, Bandwidth, and Coding Rate Actually Do

Open the LoRa settings in the Meshtastic app and you'll find a screen full of options that look
7 min read
16
May
NanoVNA pocket-sized vector network analyzer

Testing Your Antenna with a NanoVNA: What the Numbers Mean and What to Do About Them

How to calibrate a NanoVNA, connect your 915 MHz antenna, and read what the SWR graph is telling you. Covers homebrew and purchased antennas, what good looks like, and what to do when it isn't.
5 min read
15
May
NanoVNA handheld vector network analyzer, the essential RF test tool for Meshtastic antenna builders

RF Test Equipment for the Meshtastic Builder: What's Worth It and What to Do With It

NanoVNA, SA6 spectrum analyzer, TinySA Ultra, RTL-SDR, and a dummy load. What each instrument is for, what to watch out for, and how to use them on a Meshtastic build. Contributed by Storm017.
5 min read