Nucleus

Please note this is a made-to-order product — lead time typically 2–4 weeks.

Nucleus

The Nucleus from Natak Mesh is built to be the communications core of your off-grid network. It combines long-range LoRa radio, high-speed WiFi mesh, and the processing power of a Raspberry Pi in a single compact unit — giving you a platform that keeps your team connected and data moving when normal infrastructure isn't an option.

What's new in this version: an updated case and antenna configuration, plus onboard software that makes ATAK integration completely seamless. Connect to the Nucleus and ATAK automatically uses both radios — no plugins, no configuration. It works out of the box. If you want to run it as a standard Meshtastic node instead, you can toggle the bridge off at any time.

Beyond TAK, the Nucleus opens the door to building your own private IP network — one you own and control. With Tailscale you can bridge nodes securely across existing internet infrastructure for remote access and management. Reticulum enables encrypted, infrastructure-independent mesh networking. Add Jami and you get voice calls, text, and video over your mesh — services that look and feel normal, running entirely on hardware you control. This is a capable, expandable communications platform, not just a radio.

Why We Love It

• Acts as a central hub for LoRa and WiFi mesh communications
• Zero-touch ATAK integration — connect to the node and both radios work automatically, no plugins required
• Runs Meshtastic, Reticulum, or MeshCore for long-range networking; toggle bridge mode on or off anytime
• WiFi mesh up to 6000x faster than LoRa for ATAK, voice, photo, and video data
• Onboard Raspberry Pi running OpenTAKServer for seamless team sync
• Tailscale integration enables secure remote access and over-the-air updates from anywhere with internet
• Supports private IP networking via Reticulum and Jami for voice, text, and video over mesh
• Built from modular, off-the-shelf parts — easy to replace, repair, and customize

FAQ

• What is this thing?
  Two radios and a server in one. The Nucleus combines a LoRa radio for long-range, low-bandwidth communications (text and map markers) with a high-speed WiFi mesh router capable of voice, photos, and video at intermediate ranges. The onboard Raspberry Pi runs OpenTAKServer — an open-source TAK server that keeps your entire team synced without touching a cell tower.
• What does "zero-touch ATAK integration" mean?
  The Nucleus ships with a software bridge that connects the Meshtastic LoRa radio directly to ATAK. When the bridge is enabled, you just connect your device to the Nucleus and ATAK automatically uses both radios. No plugins to install, no manual pairing. Want to use it as a standard Meshtastic node? Turn the bridge off — it's a single toggle.
• What kind of range does this radio get?
  LoRa mesh typically 8+ miles with line of sight. WiFi mesh up to 0.5–1 mile with line of sight. Range drops with vegetation or terrain — this is where mesh shines, since every node repeats the signal it receives. In real-world testing: strong connections through dense foliage at 300m and early testers reporting 1km+ in favorable conditions.
• How do I connect to it?
  Connect to the WiFi network like any router. ATAK connects automatically when the bridge is enabled. For standard Meshtastic use, connect via Bluetooth. The LoRa firmware can also be flashed to Reticulum or MeshCore if preferred.
• Is there an internal battery?
  No. Any USB-A power bank will run it for hours. For ~24 hours of continuous use, this power bank has been tested and works well.
• Can I connect multiple phones to one Nucleus?
  Yes, with some caveats: range will be limited to 10–20m from the node, and only one user can connect to the LoRa radio at a time. Mesh networks work best with one node per person or team. If budget is tight, one node per team is a workable starting point.
• How many nodes should I get?
  We recommend starting with 2–3 nodes at minimum — the high-speed WiFi mesh capability really comes into its own when you have multiple nodes in range of each other. Additional nodes can be added to your mesh later, and NATAK can push remote updates via Tailscale, so you're never locked into buying everything at once.
• Do I need TAK Server on all nodes?
  No. OpenTAKServer doesn't support federation (meaning you don't need multiple servers — one is the source of truth for the whole network). Future versions may support federated servers and can be updated later.
• Can I configure TAK Server myself?
  Yes. Every node ships ready for self-configuration if you'd prefer to save on the setup fee.
• What version of TAK Server is included?
  Latest OpenTAKServer.

Technical Specs

• LoRa Radio: RAK4631 module — Meshtastic / Reticulum / MeshCore compatible
• WiFi Mesh: 802.11s via Alfa external card, Batman routing protocol
• Processor: Raspberry Pi (OpenTAKServer + MediaMTX pre-installed on configured option)
• Ethernet: RJ45 for direct network connection
• Encryption: AES-256 for LoRa, WPA3 for 802.11
• Build: Updated case and antenna configuration
• Power: External battery required (not included)
• Dimensions/Weight: Compact/lightweight (varies by build)