Restore the original 1 W solar repeater build guide - #92
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| ### Antenna | ||
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| Use the [300 mW draft build](repeater-solar-300mw-diy-build.md) or a reviewed pre-built path unless a network operator and hardware/RF reviewer agree that this experiment addresses a measured need. | ||
| An antenna is not included in this parts list as selection will vary by deployment. It is highly recommended to use a higher dBi antenna such as a 6-8 dBi or higher with 1W builds. We have found that the Ikoka Stick does not pair well with the Alfa 5.8 dBi antenna for some reason, with several folks in Ottawa observing noticeably worse signal quality when using them together. This is not a definitive statement, just a pattern observed across multiple deployments. |
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For builds producing 1 W at the antenna feed, recommending an 8 dBi-or-higher antenna without requiring a link-budget calculation can exceed the 4 W EIRP limit applicable to Canadian 902–928 MHz digital-modulation systems under ISED RSS-247. The guide should require builders to account for filter/cable loss and reduce conducted power whenever the resulting antenna gain would exceed the limit, rather than presenting higher gain as an unconditional recommendation.
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| | Step drill bit | For drilling clean holes in the junction box | | ||
| | Jigsaw or rotary tool | For cutting the solar panel opening | | ||
| | 1/8" drill bit | For opening up mounting holes | |
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Anyone following the enclosure-preparation steps is told to drill and cut the junction box with a step bit, jigsaw, or rotary tool, but the restored tools list omits the eye protection that the parent guide explicitly required. Plastic chips or a broken cutting accessory can injure the builder, so eye protection and a safely supported work area should be listed before these operations.
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Ready for review. The guide again includes the original 16-part list and prices, all 28 assembly steps, eight build photos, the wiring diagram, three printable downloads, antenna notes, and optional INA3221 wiring/firmware details. English and French are aligned. Try the restored guide: English preview · French preview Verified revision:
The preview was updated without restarting the server or changing its configuration. The prior preview is retained for rollback. meshcore.ca has not been changed or merged by this work. |
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Restore the useful build guide
Restores MrAlders0n's pre-overhaul 1 W Ikoka Stick guide, using the version on main immediately before #66 merged.
Removes the blanket “experimental/unverified” language and repeated approval gates that replaced the practical instructions. Keeps concise warranty, antenna, polarity, battery, and disconnected-power precautions. This is a documentation restoration, not a claim of new hardware testing.
Small clarifications
Prices are explicitly dated to the original January 1, 2026 guide. The BOOT-button modification is scoped to the standard Waveshare model. The original INA3221 address and driver flags are retained; the example also specifies the Adafruit board's documented 0.05-ohm shunts, matching the configurable value in the current MeshCore sensor code. Manufacturer and upstream references are linked in the guide.
Validation
Preview
English guide · French guide
The public manifest identifies
caed58631f6d84f7c4dc6fcf166951393802febf. The preview remains excluded from indexing. The previous release is retained for rollback; no server restart or configuration change was needed. The main Canadaverse homepage and meshcore.ca remain unchanged. This PR has not been merged.