STS Collective OpenMANET SenseCAP HaLow Mesh Gateway – Modded M1 (WM6108, 915MHz Off-Grid Node, Pre-Flashed)

STS Collective OpenMANET SenseCAP Gateway – High-Power Off-Grid Mesh Node The STS Collective OpenMANET SenseCAP Gateway is a high-performance, modified mesh networking device built on the proven SenseCAP M1 platform, upgraded from LoRa to Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah) using a WM6108 radio module and preloaded with OpenMANET firmware. This conversion transforms a traditional LoRaWAN gateway into a long-range, IP-based mesh communication node, enabling fully off-grid, infrastructure-free networking with significantly higher bandwidth and real-time capabilities compared to LoRa. What Makes This Different This is not a standard SenseCAP M1. The original LoRa (WM1302) module has been replaced with a Wi-Fi HaLow (WM6108) radio Fully repurposed for OpenMANET mesh networking Designed for real-time IP communication, not low-bandwidth LoRa telemetry Result: a true long-range mesh network node, not just a sensor gateway. Core Capabilities 📡 Wi-Fi HaLow (915 MHz) Long-Range Networking WM6108 HaLow radio operating in 902–928 MHz (US) Extended range with strong obstacle penetration External antenna support for optimized deployments 🔗 Self-Forming Mesh (BATMAN-V) Automatic node discovery and routing Multi-hop communication across distributed nodes Flat network architecture: 10.41.0.0/16 Add nodes to scale coverage seamlessly 🔒 Private, Off-Grid Communications No dependency on ISPs, cellular, or centralized infrastructure Fully local, user-controlled network Supports standard IP-based tools, services, and integrations 🌐 Full Linux-Based Platform Powered by Raspberry Pi 4 (2–8GB RAM variants) 64GB storage for firmware, logs, and expansion Capable of running additional services alongside mesh networking (as long as they are installable on openwrt) ❄️ Built for Continuous Operation Aluminum enclosure with active cooling (heatsink + fan) Designed for long-term uptime in real-world environments Important Deployment Notes Single Ethernet port only Cannot act as both client access and upstream gateway simultaneously without additional configuration Minimum of 2 nodes required to form a functional mesh network Best used as part of a multi-node deployment Hardware Overview Platform: Modified SenseCAP M1 CPU: Raspberry Pi 4 (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 @ 1.5GHz) RAM: 2GB / 4GB / 8GB (varies by unit) Storage: 64GB MicroSD Radio (Modified): WM6108 Wi-Fi HaLow (replaces LoRa module) Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz (client/AP access) Ethernet: 1x RJ45 Power: USB-C (5V, 3A) Antenna: External RP-SMA (sub-GHz) Pre-Flashed with OpenMANET Firmware OpenWRT-based OpenMANET firmware pre-installed Preconfigured for immediate mesh deployment BATMAN-V routing DHCP + local access Optimized HaLow drivers No flashing, compiling, or setup required. Use Cases Off-grid communications networks Emergency / disaster response Rural or large-area deployments Privacy-focused local networking Field teams and mobile coordination Airsoft / milsim command networks Setup & Documentation For setup, configuration, and advanced use: 👉 https://openmanet.github.io/docs/ STS Collective Notes Professionally modified and configured for OpenMANET operation Converts legacy LoRa hardware into a high-performance mesh node No subscriptions, no cloud dependency Designed for users who want control over their communications infrastructure