Signal and Steel OpenMANET Heltec HaLow Mesh Node – Airsoft & Milsim Comms (915MHz Long-Range, HT-HD01 V2, Pre-Flashed)

Signal and Steel OpenMANET Heltec Node – Lightweight Field Comms for Airsoft & Milsim

The Signal and Steel OpenMANET Heltec Node is a compact, field-ready mesh communication device built for airsoft and milsim teams that need reliable comms beyond standard radios.

Powered by Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah) in the 915 MHz band and preloaded with OpenMANET firmware, this node creates a self-forming, long-range mesh network that keeps your squad connected across large fields, dense woods, and complex terrain.

Small, lightweight, and easy to deploy, it’s ideal for players who want real coordination tools without bulky or complicated setups.

Built for the Field

Airsoft and milsim environments are tough on comms. This system is designed to handle:

• Large AO operations and long-distance coordination

• Dense foliage, buildings, and terrain interference

• Multi-squad movement and split objectives

• Dynamic gameplay where positions constantly change

Nodes automatically connect and route traffic using BATMAN-V mesh routing, meaning your network adapts as your team moves.

Core Capabilities

📡 Long-Range HaLow Connectivity

• 915 MHz operation for extended range vs standard Wi-Fi and many radios

• Morse Micro MM6108 HaLow radio

• Strong signal penetration through terrain and structures

• External SMA antenna for optimized placement

🔗 Self-Forming Mesh Network

• Automatic node discovery and connection

• Multi-hop routing across players and positions

• Flat network: 10.41.0.0/16

• Expand coverage by adding more nodes to your squad

🔒 Private Team Network

• No reliance on repeaters, cell service, or external infrastructure

• Fully local communication controlled by your team

• Ideal for events where comms reliability matters

🌐 Device Connectivity in the Field

• Built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi access point

• Connect phones, tablets, or field devices

• DHCP enabled, no manual setup required

• mDNS support for easy access (example: manet01.local)

Hardware Overview

• Platform: Heltec HT-HD01 V2

• CPU: MediaTek MT7628AN (580 MHz)

• RAM: 128MB DDR2

• Storage: 32MB SPI NOR

• Radio: Morse Micro MM6108 (Wi-Fi HaLow)

• Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz (AP mode only)

• Ethernet: 1x 100 Mbps

• Power: USB-C (5V)

• Antenna: External SMA (sub-GHz)

Pre-Flashed & Ready

• OpenMANET firmware pre-installed

• No flashing or setup required

• Preconfigured mesh settings for immediate deployment

Power it on and join the network.

Airsoft & Milsim Use Cases

• Squad-level communication across large fields

• Linking multiple squads without radios stepping on each other

• Command element coordination

• Real-time mapping tools (ATAK and similar)

• Lightweight mesh nodes for distributed teams

Important Notes

• Minimum of 2 nodes required to form a working mesh

• Designed for lightweight, portable deployments

• Ethernet is 100 Mbps (not gigabit)

• Web interface may be slower due to hardware limits

• 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is AP mode only

Setup & Documentation

https://openmanet.github.io/docs/

Signal and Steel Notes

• Built for real gameplay use, not just testing

• Simple, reliable, and scalable

• No subscriptions, no cloud dependency

• Add more nodes to increase range and reliability