Popular Build Options

Once you’ve chosen an MCU and modem configuration, the next step is selecting a hardware platform. Here are three popular build options:

Option A: WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit

RAK4631 Core module + RAK19007 Base Board

Option B: Heltec V4

WiFi LoRa 32 (V4), ESP32S3 + SX1262 LoRa Node, Meshtastic and LoRaWAN Compatible + L76K GNSS Module

Option C: Lilygo T-Beam

Lilygo T-Beam Meshtastic

Full Board Comparison

Board	WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit	Heltec V4	Lilygo T-Beam
Full Name	RAK4631 Core module + RAK19007 Base Board	WiFi LoRa 32 (V4), ESP32S3 + SX1262 LoRa Node, Meshtastic and LoRaWAN Compatible + L76K GNSS Module	Lilygo T-Beam Meshtastic
Link	WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit	Heltec V4	Lilygo T-beam
Price (Will be covered by club)	$30.99	$27.90	$33.15
Microcontroller	Nordic nRF52840	ESP32-S3R2	ESP32
Radio Chip	SX-1262	SX-1262	SX-1276
TX Power	~160mW (22dBm)	~630mW (28dBm)	~100mW (20dBm)
Includes GPS	No	Yes (external module)	Yes
WiFi	No	Yes	Yes
Screen	Optional (RAK1921)	0.96in OLED	0.96in OLED
Est. Battery Life (3000mAh)	~278 hrs (11 days)	~10.7 hrs	~18.75 hrs Note must use (one) 18650 cell

Recommendations

RAK WisBlock is the usual first pick. The boards are modular, so you can mix and match cores, radios, sensors, and power modules, and they come in different sizes to fit whatever enclosure you are building. That modularity is what makes them easy to extend later.

Heltec boards are all-in-one instead: a complete LoRa development board with an OLED display and higher TX power already on it. Pick these if you want less assembly.

For a stationary or infrastructure node, look at the Heltec Meshtower or a comparable RAK-based solar enclosure. These are built to sit outside long term, and usually include:

• Solar charging
• Battery support
• Weatherproof enclosures
• Higher-gain external antennas for increased coverage