MeshCore Repeater Firmware v1.14.0: Path Hashes and Power Fixes

MeshCore repeater firmware v1.14.0 is out. This release focuses on routing efficiency, radio behavior, and power fixes for three of the more common repeater boards.

We haven’t flashed v1.14.0 to our production repeaters yet. Notes below are from the published changelog. If you run this on a live repeater, especially on one of the affected Heltec boards, we’d love to hear what changed in the field.

What’s New

Multibyte path hash support. The routing layer can now carry longer path hashes. For larger multi-hop deployments, this should cut collisions where hashes used to overlap. If you’re running a busy mesh with many repeaters, this is the headline change. For deeper background on why path hashes matter, see our MeshCore path hash explainer.

Radio AGC reset. The automatic gain control on the SX1262 can drift or get stuck under certain conditions, which shows up as packet loss that feels mysterious. This release implements an AGC reset that should recover receive performance without a full reboot.

New CLI commands. Four additions worth knowing:

• get/set loop.detect for turning loop detection on and off
• get/set path.hash.mode for switching between path hash modes (see the path hash post for what each mode does)
• get bootloader.ver for checking bootloader version remotely
• discover.neighbors for enumerating what your repeater currently sees

Useful for node operators fine-tuning performance or chasing down routing weirdness without a USB cable.

Board-specific power fixes. Heltec V4 and Heltec Tracker V2 both get power-related fixes that affect idle draw and sleep behavior. The RAK3401 gets its own round of power optimizations. If any of those boards are in your deployment, this release probably saves you battery or solar headroom.

What to Test

A few things worth watching after the update:

• Routing on busy meshes. Does multibyte path hash actually reduce collisions or improve delivery rates on your network?
• Receive behavior over long uptimes. If your repeaters used to lose sensitivity after a few days, does the AGC reset fix it?
• Idle current on the affected boards. Heltec V4, Tracker V2, and RAK3401 should all show measurably lower idle draw. Easy to verify with a USB power meter.

The full changelog is on the MeshCore GitHub releases page. Review it before flashing, especially if you’ve customized your build.

Who Should Update

If you’re running a HeltecV4, Heltec Tracker V2, or RAK3401 repeater, this is the update. The power fixes alone are worth it.

If you’re running a busy repeater backbone with lots of hops, enable multibyte path hash and watch delivery rates.

If you’re on a stable repeater that’s working fine on a slower board and a smaller mesh, there’s no urgency. MeshCore releases are generally safe to take at your own pace. Read the changelog, flash when it makes sense for your deployment.