A nest box that extends the mesh: solar-powered LoRa repeater built around the Inhero MR2 – all the electronics including the integrated 868 MHz ground-plane antenna sit in the roof section, the brood chamber stays free. The enclosure is self-printed (STL files free in the shop); this kit supplies the complete electronics plus the antenna set.
Two build variants – the filament color decides
- Stealth: black filament, entrance hole permanently closed or brood chamber filled with rot-proof material. Maximum low profile – but deliberately not a nest box, because dark enclosures get too hot inside for a brood in the summer sun.
- Nest box: light-colored filament (light grey, cream, green), entrance hole open (Ø 30 mm – blue tits & co.). Bird conservation and mesh infrastructure in one device.
Keeps running where other setups fail
The MR2 is extremely frugal (approx. 1 Wh/day). Together with five 18650 cells and 3 W of solar across three sides of the enclosure, the repeater keeps going in locations where other setups give up – the vertical front panel still delivers yield even when the roof is covered in snow. And should the battery ever run down after long spells of bad weather, the MR2 enters deep sleep and wakes up on its own once the sun has recharged the battery. No ladder trips, no manual reset.
Included in the kit
- 1 × MR2 solar mesh repeater board (multi-chemistry, MPPT, RED/CE-certified)
- 3 × solar panel 6 V / 1 W, ETFE, monocrystalline
- 1 × solar connector board (parallel connection of the three panels)
- 1 × adapter cable JST-PH 2.0
- 1 × battery cable – choose variant: with LiFePO4 or Li-Ion protection module (incl. temperature sensor), or without BMS (open ends – for LTO and Na-Ion builds)
- 1 × antenna kit 868 MHz ground plane: 5 × brass tubes Ø 2 mm cut to length and tuned (1 × radiator, 4 × radials), SMA bulkhead jack, pigtail SMA → U.FL
- 1 × BLE adhesive antenna 2.4 GHz (configuration and OTA updates via app)
- 4 × mounting screws stainless steel A2 for the MR2
The antenna is measured in the assembled roof: SWR ≈ 1.1 across the 868 MHz band – enclosure integration barely detunes it.
Also required
- 5 × 18650 cells – LiFePO4 or Li-Ion, matching the chosen battery cable variant (without-BMS variant: for LTO/Na-Ion – details in the battery chemistry guide). Recommended: cells with pre-welded solder tags, then a soldering iron is all that is needed
- 3D printer; any filament – make sure it is weather- and UV-resistant. Alternatively: the ready-printed enclosure
- Adhesive/sealant for the solar panels and for sealing the antenna pass-through: WEICON Flex+bond 85 ml transparent – available in the shop
📖 Detailed assembly guide – from slicer settings to antenna build to tree mounting
📦 STL files: free download in the shop
Manufacturer Information (GPSR)
Inhero GmbH, Gewerbestraße 19, 08115 Lichtentanne, Germany · info@inhero.de