Natak Mesh

Nucleus v1

Regular price: $600.00
Sale price: $600.00
Regular price

Please note this is a made-to-order product - lead time typically 2-4 weeks. Nucleus v1 The Nucleus v1 from Natak Me...

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Description

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

Nucleus v1

The Nucleus v1 from Natak Mesh is designed to be the beating heart of your off-grid network. Built around proven, commercial-off-the-shelf components, it brings together long-range LoRa communications, high-speed WiFi mesh networking, and the processing power of a Raspberry Pi in one unit. The result: a flexible, modular platform that lets you connect your team and keep data flowing when you’re beyond the reach of normal infrastructure.

With the Nucleus, you can run Meshtastic, Reticulum, or MeshCore on the built-in LoRa module for long-distance comms, while the 802.11s WiFi mesh router gives you near-instant speeds across short distances—fast enough for ATAK real-time location tracking, voice over mesh, or even photo and video streaming. The onboard Raspberry Pi can be configured as a TAK Server, syncing data across all connected devices and keeping your entire team on the same page without relying on cell towers, internet, or satellites.

This isn’t a piece of hardened military kit, but that’s not the point. The Nucleus is 3D-printed and externally powered, making it lightweight, adaptable, and easy to modify or repair. That makes it a smart choice for hobbyists, airsoft teams, volunteer SAR groups, or anyone who wants to experiment with building real off-grid mesh networks at a fraction of the cost of commercial-grade systems.

Why We Love It

Acts as a central hub for LoRa and WiFi mesh communications
Runs Meshtastic, Reticulum, or MeshCore for long-range networking
WiFi mesh up to 6000x faster than LoRa for ATAK, voice, photo, and video data
Onboard Raspberry Pi with optional TAK Server for seamless team sync
Built from modular, off-the-shelf parts—easy to replace, repair, and customize
Compact, lightweight design—ideal for light field use, training, and experimentation

FAQ's

What is this thing? It's two radios in one. It combines a LoRa Mesh radio for long-range, low-bandwidth (text and map marker data) and a High-bandwidth, Low Range Mesh WiFi router which can not only transmit text and data but also voice, pictures and streaming video over intermediate ranges. It also has a Raspberry Pi inside which can run TAK server.
What Kind of Range does this radio get? LoRa Mesh typically 8+ miles with direct line of sight. WiFi Mesh up to .5-1 miles with direct line of sight. However, keep in mind that range drops considerably when there are obstacles like vegetation or terrain. This is where mesh technology shines, as every radio repeats whatever signals it receives, boosting range. In real world applications, we have had strong connections through dense foliage at ranges up to 300 meters directly from two radios - and some early testers getting strong connections over 1 km away.
How do I connect to it? Using a phone, connect to the wifi router just as you would any wifi network, and connect to the LoRa radio using bluetooth. By default, the Nucleus ships with Meshtastic as the LoRa standard, however, users can flash the board with Reticulum or MeshCore if they prefer.
Is there an internal battery? No, however any portable charger supporting USB-A will power this radio for hours. For about 24 hours of continuous use, you can use this power bank that we've tested.
Can I connect multiple phones to one Nucleus? Yes with some caveats:
- Range will be limited - 10m-20m of the Nucleus node.
- Only one user can connect to the LoRa board at a time.
- Mesh works best when there are more nodes - so this is no and ideal configuration. However, if you are trying to connect two or more teams on a very tight budget, a node per team is a workable solution.
How many nodes should I get? We highly recommend buying all the nodes for you and your team at once - this way we are able to ensure interoperability between all nodes before they ship to you.
Do I need TAK server on all the nodes? No, but this depends on your preference. You could have one node running a TAK server and sync all users data using the Data Sync Plugin, or you could have all nodes running federated TAK servers. If you have questions about this, don't hesitate to reach out. If you want to go with DataSync, simply select the "TAK Server" variant and add to cart, then add as many of the standard variant as you want to your cart.
Can I configure TAK Server Myself? Yes - all nodes will ship ready to go for you to configure TAK server, so you can save a few bucks and do it yourself if you prefer.
What Version of TAK server comes with the server option? Official TAK Server 5.3