Grid Down? Build This Solar Meshtastic Node (Full DIY Guide)

PARTS LIST: https://communicationready.com/solarn... When the grid goes down… your communications shouldn’t. In this video, I walk you through building a DIY solar-powered Meshtastic node designed for real-world deployment — whether that’s on your home, a pole, or a tower. This isn’t a pre-built, plug-and-play solution. This is for those who want full control over their comms setup — from power system to radio to enclosure. We’re building this step-by-step at the workbench, covering: Solar panel sizing Battery selection Charge controllers Meshtastic radio options Antenna considerations Weatherproofing for long-term outdoor use This kind of setup is designed to run 24/7 off-grid, making it a powerful tool for: Emergency communications Disaster preparedness Off-grid networking Field deployments If you’re serious about building reliable communications infrastructure… this is where it starts. Get information. Give information. 00:00 Intro – Why Build a Solar Meshtastic Node? 01:46 Node Overview 04:01 Mounting Bracket 04:59 Project Box 10:12 Antenna Placement and mounting 17:41 N connector pigtail install 21:42 RAK 4631 Radio Board 27:34 Battery Pack Holder 31:30 MPPT Solar Charge Controller 35:56 Solar Panel install and wiring 46:52 USB-C Wiring 51:51 Initial Power Up and Board Management 58:56 Flashing Firmware 01:01:01 Initial Configuring on Computer 01:12:11 Closing it all up 01:16:41 Final Thoughts