{"product_id":"thinknode-m7-lora-gateway-node-poe-usb-powered","title":"ThinkNode M7 LoRa Gateway Node | PoE\/USB powered","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe ThinkNode M7 from Elecrow is a fixed gateway node for Meshtastic™ and MeshCore™, designed to be the permanent anchor of your mesh. Power it over PoE or plain USB-C, connect it to your network by Ethernet or Wi-Fi, mount it wherever the signal is best, and it stays online 24\/7. Pick your protocol in the dropdown above and we flash and configure it immediately before shipping, so it joins your mesh the moment you plug it in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost meshes have the same weak spot: no reliable node at home. A handheld on a windowsill with a small battery and a compromised antenna position is not infrastructure. The M7 is, and it never needs charging or babysitting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho it's for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMesh network builders\u003c\/strong\u003e who want a proper base station in the attic or top floor holding down their coverage, on either protocol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeshCore™ operators\u003c\/strong\u003e who need an always-on room server or repeater that can't be allowed to go dark\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe prepared\u003c\/strong\u003e who want a family communication hub that stays on the mesh whether or not anyone is home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMQTT and home automation tinkerers\u003c\/strong\u003e bridging their local mesh to Home Assistant, map servers, or a private broker over wired Ethernet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocal mesh communities\u003c\/strong\u003e filling indoor coverage gaps in towns, shops, and barns where solar nodes don't make sense\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🔌 \u003cstrong\u003ePower It Your Way\u003c\/strong\u003e Any USB-C source runs it, or go PoE (IEEE 802.3af) and deliver power and network over a single Ethernet cable to spots no outlet reaches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🏠 \u003cstrong\u003eBuilt to Stay Put\u003c\/strong\u003e No battery, no screen, no charging schedule. It trades the pocket features for a mounting plate and permanent uptime\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e📡 \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork-Connected Mesh\u003c\/strong\u003e Ethernet and Wi-Fi connect your mesh to your apps, MQTT, and map servers across your LAN\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e⚙️ \u003cstrong\u003eYour Protocol, Pre-Flashed\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose Meshtastic™ or MeshCore™ (officially supported since v1.17.0) at checkout. We flash the latest stable firmware and configure it right before shipping, not months ago on a shelf. Reflash between protocols yourself anytime\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eConnection options\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a companion device, you can connect to the M7 a number of ways to read and send messages on the mesh. All four work on Meshtastic™, and MeshCore™ v1.17.0 covers the same ground with its companion firmware:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBluetooth\u003c\/strong\u003e Power it via USB or PoE and pair a phone or computer over Bluetooth, exactly like any handheld node. Works with the Meshtastic app or the MeshCore app.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWi-Fi\u003c\/strong\u003e Power it via USB or PoE, join it to your Wi-Fi network, then connect from any device on the same network. On Meshtastic, that's the mobile app via the node's IP address or a browser at client.meshtastic.org; on MeshCore, the companion app connects over Wi-Fi the same way. No pairing, no Bluetooth range limit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSB\u003c\/strong\u003e A single USB-C cable provides power and a serial connection to an Android device or computer, on either protocol.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthernet \/ PoE\u003c\/strong\u003e One cable provides power and puts the node on your wired network. Both protocols support a wired companion connection on the M7 (MeshCore added its Ethernet companion interface for this board in v1.17.0), giving you the same app access as Wi-Fi with the reliability of a wired link.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDeployment configurations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHome base station\u003c\/strong\u003e The classic use, on either firmware. On Meshtastic™, set the role to CLIENT_BASE, favorite your handhelds and trackers, and the M7 prioritizes relaying their traffic through its superior position. On MeshCore™, run the companion firmware as your fixed home node. Either way, your pocket nodes suddenly perform like they're on the roof.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRepeater\u003c\/strong\u003e Deploy it purely as infrastructure to relay traffic in an indoor dead zone: a warehouse, a campus building, a valley-floor shop. MeshCore has a dedicated repeater firmware built for exactly this. On Meshtastic, use ROUTER only if the node has genuinely commanding elevation; misused routers are the leading cause of degraded mesh performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeshCore room server\u003c\/strong\u003e This is where the M7's form factor really earns its keep. A room server is a store-and-forward message hub (think BBS for your mesh): members post to it, and it holds messages for nodes that were out of range or powered off. That only works if the server itself never goes down, which is exactly what a PoE-powered node on a mounting plate is for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMQTT gateway\u003c\/strong\u003e On Meshtastic, enable MQTT and the M7 bridges your local RF mesh to the wider world over its wired connection: uplink to the public broker and community maps, or downlink to your own private broker for Home Assistant automations, logging, and alerting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObserver node\u003c\/strong\u003e On Meshtastic™, leave it uplinked to MQTT and connected over the network and it becomes a monitoring window into your mesh: watch traffic, node lists, and signal reports from the web client without touching your daily-carry radio. The MeshCore™ community has a parallel observer ecosystem feeding maps and analyzers like LetsMesh; it currently relies on community firmware and bridges rather than stock MeshCore, so check device support before buying for that specific purpose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✅ No Cell Towers\u003cbr\u003e✅ No License Required\u003cbr\u003e✅ No Subscriptions\u003cbr\u003e✅ No SIM Cards\u003cbr\u003e✅ Internet Optional (the mesh works with or without it)\u003cbr\u003e✅ Free, Open-Source Firmware \u0026amp; Apps\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSemtech LR1110 LoRa Radio\u003c\/strong\u003e Modern transceiver supporting US 915MHz and EU 868MHz, with an external antenna on an RP-SMA connector so you can upgrade to a higher-gain antenna anytime.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eESP32-S3 Dual-Core Processor\u003c\/strong\u003e 240MHz dual-core MCU with 8MB PSRAM handles mesh traffic, network bridging, and MQTT without breaking a sweat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard Active PoE\u003c\/strong\u003e IEEE 802.3af, 37-57V DC, compatible with any compliant PoE switch or injector. No proprietary passive PoE nonsense.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting Plate Included\u003c\/strong\u003e The rear-mount plate screws to a wall or stud, or zip ties to a rafter, mast, or conduit. The node clips on and off the plate, so firmware updates don't mean unscrewing hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStatus LEDs\u003c\/strong\u003e Power, LoRa activity, and Bluetooth indicators give you at-a-glance health checks without opening an app.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere to install it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight and clear surroundings beat everything else: the attic, a top-floor closet, high on a garage or barn wall, a window with a good view of your area. If there's an outlet nearby, USB-C power and Wi-Fi get you running with zero infrastructure. If the best spot has no power at all, that's what PoE is for: one cheap Ethernet cable replaces the power adapter, the extension cord, and the compromise location. Keep it indoors or inside a weatherproof enclosure; the plastic housing is not rated for direct weather exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e915 MHz (US) or 868 MHz (EU)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLoRa Transceiver\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemtech LR1110\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMCU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eESP32-S3 dual-core, 240MHz, 8MB PSRAM, 4MB flash\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthernet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRJ45, 10\/100 Mbps, PoE (IEEE 802.3af, 37-57V DC)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSB\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSB-C, 5V\/1A (power and serial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWi-Fi \/ Bluetooth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.4GHz 802.11 b\/g\/n, Bluetooth 5.0 \/ BLE\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAntenna Connector\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRP-SMA Female (external LoRa antenna)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirmware\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMeshtastic™ or MeshCore™, your choice, flashed before shipping\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMounting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRear-mount plate (screws or zip ties), wall, or desktop\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperating Temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e-20°C to 70°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e74mm x 74mm x 33mm (without antenna)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80g (without antenna)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThinkNode M7 gateway node, flashed with your choice of firmware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoRa antenna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWLAN\/BT antenna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting plate (base)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting screws\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUSB-A to USB-C cable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUser manual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: a PoE switch or injector is not included. The M7 also runs on standard USB-C power.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRuns \u003cstrong\u003eMeshtastic™\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eMeshCore™\u003c\/strong\u003e (companion, repeater, and room server firmware, officially supported since v1.17.0). Choose either at checkout, and reflash between them yourself anytime\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpgrade coverage with a higher-gain \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/atlavox.com\/products\/915mhz-antenna\"\u003e915 MHz antenna\u003c\/a\u003e on the RP-SMA connector\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes \"gateway\" mean it needs the internet?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The mesh itself is pure LoRa radio and works with zero internet, like any other node. The network features are optional extras. Unplug the Ethernet and the M7 keeps meshing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeshtastic or MeshCore: which should I pick in the dropdown?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhichever your local mesh runs. The two protocols don't talk to each other, so match your community. If you're building your own private network from scratch, the M7 works well as the fixed hub of either: a CLIENT_BASE station on Meshtastic, or a repeater or room server on MeshCore. And your choice isn't permanent: reflashing between protocols is easy and reversible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a PoE switch or injector?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly for single-cable installation or wired networking. If you don't have PoE gear, the included USB-C cable and any 5V\/1A adapter power it fine, and you can connect to your network wirelessly over WiFi if you want to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I mount it outside?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot directly. The M7 is an indoor device with no waterproof rating. Attics, garages, barns, and covered porches are fine; for a fully exposed outdoor node, that's what a solar node like the Beacon is for.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Elecrow","offers":[{"title":"915Mhz(USA)","offer_id":52657802903826,"sku":"ELC-RA-M79","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"868Mhz(EU)","offer_id":52657802936594,"sku":"ELC-RA-M78","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0872\/0957\/4674\/files\/MSD4453.jpg?v=1786626015","url":"https:\/\/atlavox.com\/products\/thinknode-m7-lora-gateway-node-poe-usb-powered","provider":"Atlavox","version":"1.0","type":"link"}