In this hands-on workshop, participants will build a low-power mesh-communication node based on the NiceRa design — a small form-factor board using an NRF52 (Pro-Micro) microcontroller and an SX1262 radio module. These nodes are ideal for deployment in areas with limited infrastructure — for emergency communications, community networks, or off-grid connectivity. At the end of the session, each participant will have helped build solar-powered nodes that will be donated to front-line communities, and each participant will take home a fully-functioning battery-powered node ready to interact with the wider mesh community.
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
Understand the hardware design of the NiceRa board and how it interfaces with the mesh firmware.
Assemble and wire a node including the microcontroller board, radio module, battery, solar panel, and enclosure.
Configure and flash the mesh firmware (e.g., Meshtastic-compatible) onto the board.
Learn how to configure the node for solar/battery operation (power budgeting, sleep modes, solar trickle charging).
Deploy basic mesh network communications (sending messages, understanding node-to-node connectivity, range considerations).
Gain insight into how these nodes can be used in underserved areas for emergency communications (e.g., disaster backup, off-grid communities, remote areas).
Take home a working node that they built themselves — ready for them (or their community) to deploy.
This event is for makers, tinkerers, engineers, community tech organizers, and anyone interested in emergency communications or off-grid networks.
Participants should have some familiarity with electronics and microcontrollers (e.g., soldering, flashing firmware) — but we’ll walk through everything step-by-step, so intermediate skill levels are welcome.
Ideal for community-tech groups, local disaster-prep teams, NGOs operating in remote areas, or educational groups working on connectivity challenges.
Why This Workshop Matters
In many underserved or remote regions, traditional communication infrastructure (cell towers, internet) may be unreliable or nonexistent — especially during emergencies (natural disasters, power outages). Mesh networks — where each node can relay messages — offer resilience and flexibility. By building solar-powered nodes, we eliminate dependence on mains power and allow deployment in remote and off-grid locations.
The NiceRa design is compact, efficient, and well suited for this purpose (NRF52 + SX1262 radio). The workshop empowers participants not just to build hardware, but to understand how to deploy and manage resilient communication networks — creating real-world impact.
In many underserved or remote regions, traditional communication infrastructure (cell towers, internet) may be unreliable or nonexistent — especially during emergencies (natural disasters, power outages). Mesh networks — where each node can relay messages — offer resilience and flexibility. By building solar-powered nodes, we eliminate dependence on mains power and allow deployment in remote and off-grid locations.
The NiceRa design is compact, efficient, and well suited for this purpose (NRF52 + SX1262 radio). The workshop empowers participants not just to build hardware, but to understand how to deploy and manage resilient communication networks — creating real-world impact.
Signals Rising provides education and support to the public around radio and other communication technologies. We also provide funding for projects to facilitate growth of the amateur radio community. Signals Rising provides funding and educational resources to underserved individuals and communities to receive radio licensing and equipment. We also sponsor research projects to expand the field of amateur radio communication. All solar nodes built will be distributed to the many communities that have put in requests for assistance in setting up meshtastic systems in their regions.
