A small watt node pcb design compatible with Meshtastic®, and RNode!
The pcb is designed to take as little space as possible, ideal for portable and hidden nodes.
It was created to be fitted into 32mm PVC pipes with a JPole (not kidding). With some adjustments it also fits TonyG's case.
Click to open
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- Small size: 60 x 25 mm
- Compatible with Ebyte's E22; E22P and E80 radios.
- You can select between E22 or E22P with a solder bridge.
- 2mm mounting holes.
- Firmware is ProMicro DIY (same as FakeTec)
- Recover from brownouts (TLV840)
- Mosfet to control external hardware (GPS)
- 2 versions: NRF52 (ProMicro) & ESP32 (S3)
- ProMicro -- 2025-10-08 -> ✅Tested - Working 👍
- ProMicro -- 2025-11-04 -> ✅Tested - Working 👍
- S3 -- 2025-11-21 -> ✅Tested - Working
⁉️ - e80 -- 2026-04-12 ->
⁉️ Tested - Working⁉️
Check here for further info.
You'll notice two links, both lead to the same product page.
To support me, please use the 🤝 (referral links).
| Part | Source |
Cost (€) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProMicro (aka NiceNano) | AliExpress AliExpress |
5€ 2x for 5€ |
|
| ESP32 S3 SuperMini | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
3€ | |
| Ebyte E22P | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
10€ | |
| Ebyte E22-XXXM30s | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
10€ | M33S might work 🤔 |
| Ebyte E80 | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
7€ | |
| 1206 SMD Resistor | 1- AliExpress 1- 🤝AliExpress 2- AliExpress 2- 🤝AliExpress |
3€ pack 0.1€/resistor |
I'm using 2x 1M ohms. Option 1: multiple values. Option 2: choose your value. |
| Boost HW-085 | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
1.73€ pack of 5 |
I'm using 2x 1M ohms |
| OLED SSD1306 i2c (optional) | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
1.5€ | No need to solder, just be careful and add some tape in between the boards to avoid a short. |
| SD05CRMA (optional) | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
2.5€ pack of 5 |
Ideal if you'll insert it into a tube. There's also a LifePo4 version. |
| TLV840 (optional) | AliExpress | 5€ pack of 10 |
Useful for unattended nodes. Ensures the device only boots once a safe battery voltage is reached. |
| JST PH2.0 Battery connection (optional) | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
2€ pack 0.4€/unit |
This is an example. |
| RG178 Antenna pigtail (recommended) | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
2€ | I saw that it underperformed with a cheap black pigtail, after using one of these, it worked fine. |
| Antenna (my favourites) -868 band- |
Gizont 20cm 🤝AliExpress GrandWisdom 🤝AliExpress |
2€ to 6€ | If you buy the Gizont, please just buy 20cms. If buying a GrandWisdom, do not bend it. |
| PCB | 2€ pack of 5 0.4€/unit |
Use your favourite company to get the PCB. | |
| 2x Buttons | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
2.7€ pack of 50 |
I couldn't find a part code, search for "3*4*2 2 Pin Button" |
| Mosfets SI2312 | AliExpress 🤝AliExpress |
9€ pack of 200 |
--- |
| Total | 20€ |
Caution
- E22P-868M30S*: set to 8dBm outputs 27dBm; with 12dBm you should get the full watt.
- E22P-915M30S*: set to 10dBm outputs 27dBm; with 15dBm you should get the full watt.
- E22-900M30S: set to 22dBm outputs 30dBm. (PA is around +7dBm)
- E22-900M33S: set to 9dBm outputs 30dBm.
*According E22P datasheet (page 10) and measurements from the community.
Check if the bootloader version is >0.8, update if needed from here
Look for: "update-nice_nano_bootloader-X.X.X_nosd" where X.X.X is the version.
Latest version is: update-nice_nano_bootloader-0.9.2_nosd.uf2
To flash all you need to do is to connect the device via USB and double tap RST and GND pins with tweezers. After doing so you should see in your OS a USB storage device named "NICENANO". Copy/move the .uf2 file into the storage device and wait for the reboot.
If you cannot do this, consider the board came without bootloader, keep reading to know how to flash it.
If you plan to charge the batteries, remember you can increase the charging current by bridging the boost pads at the bottom of the proMicro board. You'll find more info on AliExpress listing, and also here.
Some sellers sell the ProMicros for very very cheap, but they don't provide bootloader (so you basically got a very smol brick), no problem.
Download the .hex bootloader from here and prepare an ESP32 with the instructions provided here.
Latest .hex bootloader is nice_nano_bootloader-0.9.2_s140_6.1.1.hex.
Once you got the ESP32 board ready, solder CLK,DIO,GND,VDD (or the 3v) to the corresponding pins on the ESP32. (The ProMicro pins are on the back of the board.)
Then:
- Power the ESP32 on, on your browser open swd.local (or the IP assigned)
- Click Init SWD (if the "Status" shows not okay, check the wiring)
- Erase nRF -> Ok: Everything erased (if nRF info mentions locked, erase & reset)
- Flash Uploaded File -> Select file (the .hex bootloader), offset = 0
- Flash uploaded File; Wait for the upload to complete.
- 🧟♀️IT'S ALIVEEEE🧟♀️
Thanks to all the folks using the fakeTec ♥ and specially to those who contributed to improve it.
(Special shout out to lupusworax & ShimonHoranek )
Also thanks to Karman and melkati on the testing and improvement of these designs.
Meshtastic® is a registered trademark of Meshtastic LLC. Meshtastic software components are released under various licenses, see github for details.
No warranty is provided. You use it at your own risk and take the responsibility upon yourself.