LILYGO
T-Beam v1.1 LoRa + GPS (Meshtastic)
Build a private, GPS-aware communication grid with no towers, no SIM cards, and no monthly fees. The T-Beam v1.1 puts an ESP32, LoRa radio, NEO-6M GPS module, and 18650 battery holder on a single board purpose-built for Meshtastic. Flash firmware in under 10 minutes, drop nodes across a property, and start passing geotagged messages across kilometers.
Each node acts as a mesh router, so messages hop through intermediate nodes to reach well beyond direct radio range. Configuration happens over BLE via the official Meshtastic iOS or Android app. The SMA connector lets you swap the stock antenna for a higher-gain option when terrain or distance demands it.
Things to build with this
- Deploy three nodes across a rural property with the middle node solar-charged and running in router-only mode. The NEO-6M GPS on each node reports live coordinates into the mesh, so you get a private moving-map of people and equipment with no cell service required.
- Use the T-Beam's ESP32 WiFi radio alongside LoRa to run a Meshtastic MQTT bridge: the node connects to your home WiFi and forwards all mesh packets to a local Mosquitto broker, feeding position data into a self-hosted map like Traccar or Node-RED without any cloud dependency.
- Build a search-and-rescue comms kit by pairing a T-Beam with a power bank in a waterproof case. The onboard GPS broadcasts your position into any existing Meshtastic mesh automatically, and the BLE interface lets a phone configure channels and send messages without cellular, making it a standalone go-bag communicator.
Key Features
- LoRa radio: 5-10+ km line-of-sight range, with mesh-relayed hops extending effective network coverage further
- NEO-6M GPS module: real-time position sharing and geotagged messages out of the box, no external module needed
- ESP32: dual-core 240MHz with WiFi and Bluetooth, handles BLE app config and optional WiFi-to-mesh bridging simultaneously
- 18650 battery holder on-board: days of runtime in router mode on a single cell, no external power board required
- SMA antenna connector: drop-in compatible with tuned higher-gain antennas for serious range or terrain work
- Meshtastic-ready: open-source firmware, flashes via the official web flasher, joins or creates a mesh immediately
- Frequency variants: 915 MHz for US ISM band use (no license required), 868 MHz for EU operation
Frequently Asked Questions
What realistic range should I expect from the stock antenna?
Urban environments with buildings and RF interference typically yield 1-3 km. Clear line-of-sight opens up 5-10+ km. A tuned higher-gain antenna on the SMA connector extends that further, and mesh relaying through intermediate nodes means your effective network reach can exceed any single radio link significantly.
Which frequency variant do I need for the US?
Order the 915 MHz version for US use. It operates in the unlicensed ISM band and requires no amateur radio license. The 868 MHz variant is for EU operation. The radio hardware is frequency-specific, so match the variant to your region before ordering.
Can I use a single unit as a standalone GPS tracker before building out a full mesh?
Yes. One T-Beam pairs with the Meshtastic app over BLE and functions as a standalone GPS tracker immediately. It will also connect to any existing Meshtastic node within range. You only need multiple units to build your own mesh network from scratch.
What size 18650 cell should I use, and how long will it run?
Any standard unprotected 18650 cell fits the onboard holder. A 3000-3500 mAh cell runs the board for roughly 8-20 hours in active GPS-transmitting mode, and several days in low-power router-only mode depending on message traffic and transmit power settings.
Why we stock this
Curated by Kindly Morrow. We test and vet every product before it hits the store. If we wouldn't use it in our own builds, we don't sell it.
Things to build with this
Fun projects to try once you get your hands on it.
Weather station that texts you
Hook up a temperature sensor and have it send you a Telegram message when it drops below freezing. 20 lines of MicroPython.
Garage door opener you control from bed
Wire a relay to your garage door motor and trigger it from your phone via Home Assistant. No cloud, no subscription.
Plant watering system that knows when to water
Soil moisture sensor + a small pump. Runs on a schedule or when the soil gets dry. Your plants stop dying.
Desk presence sensor for smart lighting
mmWave or PIR sensor detects when you sit down and turns on your desk lights. Turns them off when you leave. Zero effort after setup.
