MBS1 Base Mesh Node

Description

This streamlined node is accomplished via the proprietary “antenna with a node on it” approach, vs the standard approach to mount the radio independently of the antenna (thus requiring lots of coax). While nodes and connectors can’t support these heavy base antennas, such antennas CAN easily support the node, if it’s kept to a minimum.

The solar and battery, however, need not be integrated into the node itself, and in fact it’s beneficial for a lot of reasons to mount them separately. For starters, the ideal antenna placement isn’t necessarily the ideal solar panel placement, both due to sun exposure and for aesthetic or visibility concerns.

These nodes feature genuine Ring branded 10ft weather resistant USB-C cables. The Ring weather resistant cable system is rugged enough for outdoor installations, is relatively affordable, and has a plethora of both Ring branded and third party accessories, like extension cables and solar panels. The cables also support low loss data, so doing firmware updates is a breeze; simply unplug the node from its solar power and plug it into your computer and do the update via serial connection, bypassing unreliable over the air updates altogether, without having to climb a ladder. While these are mostly intended for residential rooftops, the data rate is slow enough that you can reliably update these from pretty far away, and in extreme cases you can get powered USB-C cables that will transfer data up to about 100 feet.

While the nodes are primarily intended to be base stations, to hop messages from your other devices, you can also route the cable inside to your computer and run them via the web client.

The nodes are fully potted in electronics grade silicone, degassed at 30in/hg to ensure complete encapsulation. The housings are carbon fiber composite and ASA, so they’re made to stand the test of time in permanent outdoor installations.

They come with all the mounting hardware you might need, including a pole mount and wood and masonry hardware, as well as cable routing hardware to secure the 10ft USB-C cable to the side of your house.

They come with everything you need, including a 6dbi fiberglass antenna. You can plug them into any 5v power source (like your phone’s AC wall adapter). There are also aftermarket solar panels with integrated batteries for about twenty dollars on Amazon. There are also myriad ways you might tap into existing devices like security cameras, as long as the power source is 5v DC.