RNode and supported boards
What Is an RNode?
RNode is firmware that turns LoRa-capable microcontroller boards into Reticulum-native radio interfaces. It uses a custom MAC layer optimized for mesh networking - no gateways, no network servers, no cloud infrastructure. Depending on the board and firmware profile, an RNode connects to your computer or phone via USB serial, Android USB-OTG, Bluetooth LE, or a TCP bridge and provides a radio interface that Reticulum uses like any other network connection. Reticulum handles private-message encryption end-to-end before packets reach the radio.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Range | 1-50+ km (terrain/antenna dependent) |
| Speed | ~37 bps to ~11 Kbps (depends on preset) |
| Protocol | Custom MAC layer (not LoRaWAN) |
| Encryption | Handled by Reticulum (end-to-end) |
| Connection | USB serial, Android USB-OTG, Bluetooth LE, or TCP bridge, depending on board/firmware |
| Power | Low - solar/battery capable |
| Cost | ~$25-100 USD depending on board |
RNode vs LoRaWAN
| RNode | LoRaWAN | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Peer-to-peer mesh | Star topology with gateways |
| Infrastructure | None required | Requires gateways + network server |
| Encryption | End-to-end (Reticulum) | Network-level (keys shared with operator) |
| Data routing | Decentralized, multi-hop | Centralized through network server |
| Cost | Hardware only | Hardware + service fees |
How to Get an RNode
Before buying or flashing, check the practical kit:
- A supported board from the tables below
- An antenna matched to your frequency band (SMA connector, usually included). See Antennas, Range & Power.
- A USB cable - USB-C or micro-USB depending on board
- A computer to flash firmware and run Reticulum
Warning: Never power on a LoRa radio without an antenna connected. Transmitting without an antenna can damage the radio module.
- Flash your own - buy a supported board (see below) and run
rnodeconf --autoinstallto flash RNode firmware. See Flashing Firmware. - Buy pre-made - purchase from unsigned.io or community vendors.
- Use Ratspeak hardware - Ratdeck includes an integrated LoRa radio, and rsCardputer attaches one through the Cap LoRa add-on.
Connection Methods
USB Serial - most common and reliable:
[[LoRa Radio]]
type = RNodeInterface
port = /dev/ttyUSB0
Bluetooth LE - wireless connection to a nearby RNode:
[[LoRa Radio]]
type = RNodeInterface
port = ble://RNode 3B87
TCP bridge - connect to an RNode KISS stream exposed on a local network:
[[LoRa Radio]]
type = RNodeInterface
port = tcp://10.0.0.1:7633
In Ratspeak's Add LoRa Device sheet, the TCP field accepts host, host:port, tcp://host, or tcp://host:port. If you omit the port, Ratspeak uses 7633.
Supported Boards
RNode firmware runs on 14+ boards across three microcontroller platforms. All can be flashed with rnodeconf --autoinstall.
LilyGO (ESP32-based)
| Board | Transceiver | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| T-Beam Supreme | SX1262 / SX1268 | GPS, large battery holder, best all-around |
| T-Beam | SX1262 / SX1276 / SX1278 | GPS, battery holder, widely available |
| T3S3 | SX1262 / SX1276 / SX1278 | Compact, no GPS, good for fixed nodes |
| T-Deck | SX1262 / SX1268 | Display + keyboard (also used by Ratdeck) |
| LoRa32 v2.1 | SX1276 / SX1278 | Small OLED display, affordable |
| LoRa32 v2.0 | SX1276 / SX1278 | Older revision, still supported |
| LoRa32 v1.0 | SX1276 / SX1278 | Original model |
Heltec (ESP32-based)
| Board | Transceiver | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| LoRa32 v4.0 | SX1262 | Latest model, compact |
| LoRa32 v3.0 | SX1262 / SX1268 | OLED display, USB-C |
| LoRa32 v2.0 | SX1276 / SX1278 | Budget option |
nRF52-based
| Board | Transceiver | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| RAK4631 | SX1262 / SX1268 | Modular, industrial-grade |
| OpenCom XL | SX1262 + SX1280 | Dual-band (sub-GHz + 2.4 GHz), nRF52 |
| LilyGO T-Echo | SX1262 / SX1268 | E-ink display, very low power |
| Heltec T114 | SX1262 / SX1268 | Compact nRF52 board |
Other
| Board | Transceiver | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Unsigned RNode v2.x | SX1276 / SX1278 | Original RNode hardware by the creator |
Transceiver Comparison
| IC | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| SX1262 | 150-960 MHz | General use, all regions, modern and efficient |
| SX1268 | 150-960 MHz | Optimized for 470 MHz (China band) |
| SX1276 | 137-1020 MHz | Legacy, widely available, cost-effective |
| SX1278 | 137-525 MHz | 433 MHz band specialist |
| SX1280 | 2.4 GHz | High-speed short-range (OpenCom XL only) |
For new purchases, choose boards with SX1262 - the most modern, power-efficient, and versatile transceiver.
Buying Recommendations
| Use Case | Board | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginners | LilyGO T-Beam Supreme | ~$35-50 | GPS, battery holder, SX1262, widely documented |
| Budget | Heltec LoRa32 v3.0 | ~$18-25 | Compact, USB-C, OLED, SX1262 |
| Portable | LilyGO T-Echo | ~$30-40 | nRF52, e-ink display, extremely low power |
| Dual-band | OpenCom XL | Varies | SX1262 + SX1280, run two links with RNodeMultiInterface |
| Standalone | Ratdeck or rsCardputer | ~$30-70 | Complete mesh communicator with display, keyboard, and LoRa |
Where to Buy
| Vendor | URL | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LilyGO Official | lilygo.cc | Direct from manufacturer |
| Heltec Official | heltec.org | Direct from manufacturer |
| RAK Wireless | rakwireless.com | Modular IoT hardware |
| AliExpress | aliexpress.com | Search "LilyGO T-Beam" or "Heltec LoRa32" |
| Amazon | amazon.com | Higher prices, faster shipping |
| unsigned.io | unsigned.io | Original RNode hardware, pre-flashed |
A complete RNode setup (board + antenna + USB cable) typically costs $25-100 USD.
Next
After choosing a board, read Antennas, Range & Power, then Flashing Firmware.