Repeater Guide - Netherlands

Set up a repeater for MeshCore

Step-by-step guide to flash and configure your MeshCore repeater in the Netherlands. EU/UK (Narrow) preset settings.

Go to the MeshCore webflasher ↗ View step-by-step guide ↓

Setting up a repeater: how to do it

A MeshCore repeater is a device that forwards messages to other nodes in the network. By placing a repeater, you expand the range of the entire network and help others stay connected.

In this guide you'll learn how to flash a repeater using the official MeshCore webflasher, choose the correct preset, and optimally configure your repeater.

Important: This guide shows the settings for the MeshCore network in the Netherlands. The EU/UK (Narrow) preset is required here. If you're located outside the Netherlands, different presets may apply for your region.

What do you need?

Make sure you have these items ready before starting:

A MeshCore-compatible device

A LoRa radio suitable as a repeater. Popular choices are the Heltec V3, RAK WisBlock, or LilyGo T-Beam.

See our devices page for recommendations.

A computer with Chrome browser

The MeshCore webflasher only works in Chrome or Edge (Chromium-based browsers). Firefox and Safari are not supported.

No software installation needed, everything works via the browser.

A USB cable

A good USB cable to connect your device to the computer. Note: some cables are charging-only!

Preferably use the included cable or a data cable.

15-20 minutes of time

Flashing and configuring takes about 15-20 minutes. The first time might take a bit longer.

Take your time, rushing leads to mistakes.

Step-by-step: flash your repeater

Follow these steps to flash and configure your repeater:

1

Go to the MeshCore webflasher

Open the official MeshCore webflasher in your Chrome browser. This is the only official way to flash MeshCore firmware.

• Go to meshcore.io/flasher
• Use Chrome or Edge browser
• Allow WebUSB access when prompted

2

Connect your device

Connect your LoRa device to the computer via USB. Make sure the device is turned on.

• Use a data cable (not charging-only)
• Turn on the device if it's off
• Wait for the computer to recognize the device

3

Select your device type

Choose in the MeshCore webflasher the exact type of device you have. This is important for the correct firmware.

• Select your device from the list (e.g., Heltec V3, T-Beam)
• Choose the firmware version (usually the latest)
• Select "Repeater" as device role

4

Check your flash settings

Do one final check before flashing so you install the correct firmware right away.

• Confirm the correct device type is selected
• Confirm the latest firmware version is selected
• Confirm "Repeater" is selected as device role

5

Flash the firmware

Click the flash button to write the firmware to your device. This takes 1-2 minutes.

• Click "Flash" or "Install"
• Do NOT disconnect the device during flashing
• Wait until the progress bar shows 100%

6

Configure your repeater

After flashing you can configure additional settings like the name and location of your repeater.

• Always start with your region code, then add a unique name. Example: if you are in Amsterdam, use "NL-AMS Repeater-01"; if you are in Drenthe, use "NL-DR Repeater-01". Use the same region prefix as nearby repeaters, but keep the name after the prefix unique. You can find codes on the Region Layout page and on the MeshCore map.
• Set GPS coordinates if your device doesn't have GPS. For privacy, you do not need to share your exact location: a nearby point is fine.
• During configuration, go to "Choose Preset" and select EU/UK (Narrow) (not EU868 or US915)

Go to the MeshCore webflasher ↗

Tips for a good repeater

📍

Location is everything

Place your repeater as high as possible. A repeater in the attic or on the roof reaches much further than one in the living room.

🔌

Stable power supply

Connect your repeater to a reliable power source. A powerbank with pass-through charging or direct USB power works best.

📡

Antenna direction

Keep the antenna vertical for best range. Horizontal antennas have much less range.

🌡️

Protect from weather

Place an outdoor repeater in a weatherproof enclosure. Electronics don't like moisture and extreme temperatures.

🔋

Solar option

Consider a solar-powered repeater for locations without power. The Seeed SenseCAP P1 Pro is perfect for this.

👥

Share your location

Let the community know where your repeater is so others know there's coverage in your area.

Main repeater settings

Use the same core settings here as on our repeater overview page. That way there is no doubt about which values you should use for a repeater in the Netherlands.

1

Auto Advert Interval (Flood)

Set to 49 hours.

49 hours

2

Auto Advert Interval (Zero Hop)

Set to 240 minutes.

240 minutes

3

Frequency

For the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, use the 868 MHz band.

868 MHz

4

Channel

Keep a repeater on the default public channel so other nodes can use it normally.

Public (default)

5

Loop detection

Enable loop detection so your repeater does not keep chattering if something goes wrong in the network path.

minimal

6

Duty cycle

Limit how much your repeater is allowed to transmit so it does not put unnecessary load on the air or the network.

10%

7

Preset

Use the preset that is required in the Netherlands and Europe. If you pick another preset, your repeater ends up on the wrong network.

EU/UK (Narrow)

Why these settings? Together these settings keep your repeater useful without generating unnecessary traffic. They help prevent a repeater from becoming too noisy, transmitting too much, or adding extra load when something goes wrong.

How do you actually set this?

For Flood and Zero Hop, you can simply enter the values in your repeater configuration. For loop detection and duty cycle, use the CLI, just like on our repeater overview page.

Loop detection via CLI

Open the CLI of your repeater and set loop detection to the recommended level. This helps prevent the repeater from chattering if something goes wrong in the network path.

CLI command

set loop.detect minimal

Duty cycle via CLI

Then also set the duty cycle to 10%, so your repeater does not keep transmitting unnecessarily and stays within the European limit.

CLI command

set dutycycle 10

So use the filled-in values in the configuration for adverts, and the CLI commands above for loop detection and duty cycle.

Technical settings

If you also want to check the technical values: this is the same overview as on the other repeater page. With the EU/UK (Narrow) preset, these settings are normally applied automatically.

BW (Bandwidth)

62.5 kHz

Bandwidth determines how wide the radio signal is. A narrower bandwidth (like BW62.5) provides better range but lower data speed. MeshCore uses BW62.5 for optimal range in Europe.

SF (Spreading Factor)

8

Spreading Factor determines how robust the signal is against noise. Higher SF = longer range but slower transmission. For this configuration, the SF setting is 8.

CR (Coding Rate)

8

Coding Rate adds error correction to the signal. Higher CR = better error correction but more overhead. For this configuration, the CR setting is 8.

Hop Limit

Max 32 hops

Messages can be forwarded through up to 64 repeaters. In practice, 3-5 hops are sufficient to reach all of the Netherlands via the repeater network.

Advertisements (Adverts)

Repeaters automatically broadcast "advertisements" to announce their presence. This contains name, location, and public encryption key.

Interval: every 49 hours
Zero hop = 240 minutes
Flood = forwarded by other repeaters

🌍

Configure region settings

Configure regions on your repeater to reduce network load. Messages will only be forwarded within the configured regions, creating extra airtime.

View region configuration

Common mistakes

Avoid these mistakes when setting up your repeater:

Choosing wrong preset

The #1 mistake! You MUST choose EU/UK (Narrow). Other presets don't work with the MeshCore network.

Using charging-only cable

Some USB cables are charging-only and can't transfer data. Use a real data cable.

Using wrong browser

The MeshCore webflasher only works in Chrome or Edge. Firefox and Safari don't support WebUSB.

Disconnecting device during flashing

Never disconnect the device during flashing! This can corrupt the firmware.

Frequently asked questions

Which preset should I choose?

EU/UK (Narrow) - this is the only preset that works with the MeshCore network in the Netherlands. All other presets don't work!

Can I use any device as a repeater?

Not every device is supported. Before buying a device, always check meshcore.io/flasher to see which devices are supported. Popular choices are Heltec V3, T-Beam and RAK WisBlock.

Does my repeater need to be on all the time?

Yes, a repeater must be continuously on to forward messages. Ensure a stable power supply.

How much power does a repeater use?

A typical repeater uses 0.5-2 Watts, depending on the device and activity. A small powerbank or USB adapter is sufficient.

Can I also use my repeater as a regular node?

Yes, but it's not recommended. A repeater should send as few own messages as possible to optimally forward. Better use a separate device.

Where can I get help?

Join the MeshCore Telegram group for help from the community.

Ready to strengthen the network?

With this guide you have all the knowledge to flash and configure your MeshCore repeater. Don't forget: always choose EU/UK (Narrow) as preset!

Go to the MeshCore webflasher and start expanding the network today.

Go to the MeshCore webflasher ↗ View devices →