Confirmed on hardware
Mesh messaging.
Original VEIL nodes discover MeshCore repeaters, send and receive messages, and connect to the private iPhone app. Message and discovery notifications are working.
VEIL A5 / Next-generation mesh hardware
One board.
More possibilities.
On your phone, in your pocket, or up on a pole. VEIL A5 brings a stronger radio design, onboard location and flexible power into a narrow board made for more than one kind of mesh node.
- 21.6 mm
- Board width
- 1 W
- Transmit power target
- GNSS
- Onboard location
VEIL A5MagSafe concept
Original VEIL: on the air. A5: next on the bench. The original hardware exchanges messages with our private iPhone app. A5 adds new radio, location and power capabilities. Firmware bring-up, RF measurements and power testing are next.
Smaller footprint. More capability.
Room for what matters.
The board narrows from 30 mm to 21.6 mm, leaving more room beside it for a battery. An external radio front end targets up to 1 W transmit power, compared with roughly 160 mW on the original design.
Onboard GNSS adds location without depending on a phone. Updated charging, a fuel gauge, temperature monitoring and USB/solar power selection support a wider range of installations.
Motion sensing, more storage and labeled test pads round out the new board. Actual output, receive performance and battery life still need to be measured.
See all six board views ↗Different enclosures. Shared hardware.
Build it for your day.
MagSafe is the starting point. A standalone pocket or clip-on case and a solar pole enclosure are also in development.
MagSafe & portable
Keep it close.
A slim magnetic case keeps the radio with your phone. The narrower board sits beside a rechargeable pouch battery, with separate antenna leads for GNSS and 915 MHz.
The same hardware can move into a standalone case for a pocket, bag or clip. The enclosure and battery can change with the use.
Solar repeater
Give it a place to stay.
A slim pole-mounted cylinder pairs the board with a larger battery pack, an external antenna and an angled solar canopy. The 18650 cells sit end to end to keep the enclosure narrow.
Protected solar input and automatic USB/solar selection are part of the A5 design. Panel sizing, winter energy balance, cold-weather charging and weather sealing still need validation before year-round outdoor use.
Enclosure images are AI-assisted design illustrations. Final dimensions, wiring and fit will be developed in CAD and checked on hardware.
A5 r101p / October 22, 2026
Inside the new board.
Design specifications for the A5 prototype.
- Revision & stage
- A5 r101p · In development
- Board
- 21.6 × 80 mm · 8 layers · 0.8 mm bare PCB thickness
- Radio
- 915 MHz SX1262 with SE2435L front end · up to 1 W design target
- Processor
- nRF52840 with Bluetooth LE · 4 MB external flash
- Location & sensing
- LC76G GNSS · motion sensor · temperature monitoring
- Power
- USB-C and protected solar input · automatic source selection · rechargeable single-cell battery system and fuel gauge
- Development access
- SWD programming, labeled test pads and two locating holes
- Firmware
- MeshCore or Meshtastic planned · one at a time · A5 firmware bring-up is next
Already working on the original VEIL
Built on real conversations.
The software work continues alongside the new hardware.
Private iPhone build
A clearer conversation.
Maps, saved contacts and linked replies bring received traffic together. Android support and an on-device “Catch me up” summary remain planned.
First update verified
Bluetooth updates.
A MeshCore-to-MeshCore firmware update completed from the app, preserving its pairing. Switching between MeshCore and Meshtastic over Bluetooth remains unvalidated.
Experimental research
Tiny image transfers.
Desktop tests have produced lossy image files around 512 bytes with a shared model. Radio overhead adds traffic; mobile integration and routed-mesh testing are still ahead.
Original VEIL / Print files
Print the original enclosure.
H20 enclosure · PETG r2
STL + 3MF / Prototype files
A flush antenna. A case to try.
These H20 files are for the original VEIL board, not the new A5. The bundle contains six enclosure parts, four prepared print projects, and a short print and assembly guide. Start with the 29-minute recess sample, then print the complete case or just the upgrade parts.
Experimental prototype · Not a final design
Download STL + 3MF ZIP · 7.0 MB
- Made for
- Original VEIL prototype PCB
Not compatible with A5 - Prepared for
- Bambu P1S · 0.4 mm nozzle
Generic PETG · one spool - Included
- Base, lid, antenna cap, backing,
USER button and power slider - Start small
- Recess sample: ~29 min
Full case: ~2 h 8 min
Experimental prototype — not a final design.
CAD and slicer checks are complete. The H20 flush fit, thin edges, hinge durability and revised support finish still need physical testing. Parts and dimensions may change. No weather sealing or RF improvement is claimed. Electronics and hardware are not included.
A few things to know.
Can I buy VEIL A5 yet?
A5 is still in development. There is no public release date, preorder or app download yet. Follow the build log for measured results and availability.
Will it run Meshtastic and MeshCore?
The A5 goal is to support either firmware, one at a time. Both have run on original VEIL boards; the A5 port still needs to be brought up. The two networks do not interoperate over the air.
Will it work with my phone?
The original VEIL connects to an iPhone over Bluetooth, and the companion app is in private iPhone testing. Android is planned. A5 Bluetooth and magnetic-case fit will be tested on the new hardware.
How far will it reach, and how long will it run?
A5 range and runtime are not measured yet. Battery size, radio settings, traffic, antenna and installation all matter. We’ll publish test conditions alongside the results.
Can I print the new cases?
The A5 enclosures are still concepts. The available H20 STL + 3MF bundle is for the original VEIL board and is not compatible with A5.
Is the solar repeater ready for winter?
Not yet. The enclosure needs weather and condensation testing, and the complete power system needs cold-weather charging and winter energy-budget checks. No year-round autonomy or waterproof rating is claimed.
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Follow the VEIL series: mesh node progress, the 2 m / 70 cm ham radio in design, and results from the bench as the hardware takes shape.