RAK WisMesh 1W Booster vs RAK4631: Which WisBlock is Right for Your Mesh Network?

Choosing between RAKwireless WisBlock options for your LoRa mesh network? This comparison covers the hardware differences between the WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit (RAK10724) and a standard RAK4631 WisBlock Core setup.

Both work with Meshtastic and MeshCore, so this focuses on the hardware that matters regardless of firmware.

Quick Comparison

Spec	WisMesh 1W Booster Kit	RAK4631 WisBlock
TX Power	30 dBm (1W)	22 dBm (~160mW)
MCU	nRF52840 (RAK3401)	nRF52840 (integrated)
LoRa Transceiver	SX1262	SX1262
Power Amplifier	SKY66122	None (SX1262 internal PA)
RF Filter	Integrated SAW filter	Basic matching network
TX Current	~1000mA @ 30dBm	~125mA @ 22dBm
Power Supply	Requires 5V	3.3V (from battery/USB)
Price	~$39	~$25-30 (core + base)
Best For	Long-range, rural deployments	General use, portable nodes

Hardware Architecture

WisMesh 1W Booster Kit

The WisMesh 1W kit uses a two-module approach:

• RAK3401 WisBlock Core - Nordic nRF52840 MCU (no integrated LoRa)
• RAK13302 1W LoRa Module - SX1262 + SKY66122 PA + SAW filter

Signal path: nRF52840 MCU to SX1262 transceiver to SAW filter to SKY66122 PA to antenna. This allows 1W output while maintaining receiver sensitivity through the integrated LNA and filtering.

RAK4631 WisBlock Core

The RAK4631 is a single-module solution with the nRF52840 MCU and SX1262 LoRa transceiver on one board.

Simpler RF chain: nRF52840 to SX1262 to basic matching network to antenna. Maximum output is 22 dBm using the SX1262’s internal PA boost mode.

RF Performance

Transmit Power

The 8 dB difference between 22 dBm and 30 dBm matters:

• 22 dBm = ~160 mW
• 30 dBm = 1000 mW (1W)

Each 6 dB increase roughly doubles theoretical range in ideal conditions. The WisMesh 1W kit can cover several times the distance of a standard RAK4631.

Receiver Sensitivity

The WisMesh 1W kit includes an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) and SAW band-pass filter in the RAK13302 module. This cleans out-of-band noise and amplifies incoming signals, improving receive performance compared to simple amplifier add-ons that can degrade RX sensitivity.

The RAK4631 relies on the SX1262’s internal receiver, which achieves around -137 to -140 dBm sensitivity at SF12. Good enough for most applications.

Power Requirements

This is one of the most important practical differences.

WisMesh 1W Kit

• Requires 5V supply for full 1W output
• Peak current draw: ~1000mA at 30 dBm
• Options: USB power, external 5V, or LiPo battery (4.2V max may reduce output slightly)
• Higher TX current means faster battery drain
• Voltage sag from weak batteries can cause resets

RAK4631

• Operates from 3.3V (regulated from battery or USB)
• TX current: ~125mA at 22 dBm
• Standard LiPo batteries work without issues
• Much longer battery life for the same capacity

The WisMesh 1W kit needs beefier power. Plan for larger batteries, more frequent charging, or solar for remote deployments.

Thermal Considerations

Pushing 1W from a small module generates heat. The SKY66122 PA in the WisMesh kit will warm up during transmission.

For typical mesh usage (bursty, low duty cycle messaging), this is not a problem. However:

• Avoid continuous high-power transmissions
• Do not enclose the 1W kit in a tight, unventilated box at max power
• Consider duty cycle if sending frequent messages

The RAK4631 at 22 dBm generates negligible heat, around 0.3-0.4W during TX, easily dissipated by the board itself.

Regulatory Compliance

US (FCC Part 15.247)

Both devices operate in the 902-928 MHz ISM band. The US allows up to 1W (30 dBm) for spread spectrum devices meeting certain conditions (frequency hopping or sufficient bandwidth). The WisMesh 1W kit’s 30 dBm output is legal when properly configured.

Europe (CE) and Other Regions

The RAK13302 module is tuned for 900 MHz only. It is not designed for EU 868 MHz use. Attempting to use it at 868 MHz would result in poor performance.

EU868 typically limits EIRP to 14-27 dBm depending on sub-band and duty cycle requirements. The RAK4631’s 22 dBm max is within or near these limits and is available in regional variants (RAK4631-H for 779-923 MHz, RAK4631-L for 433-470 MHz).

For non-US users: The WisMesh 1W kit is primarily a US/Canada/Australia product. If used elsewhere, output must be reduced in firmware to meet local regulations.

Firmware Support

Meshtastic

• WisMesh 1W Kit: Uses firmware-rak3401-... builds (controls external PA)
• RAK4631: Uses standard firmware-rak4631-... builds
• Both ship with Meshtastic pre-flashed from RAKwireless

MeshCore

• RAK4631: Fully supported with firmware available in the MeshCore flasher
• WisMesh 1W Kit (RAK3401): Not yet supported (as of January 2025)

If you want MeshCore today, the RAK4631 is currently the only option. MeshCore support for the RAK3401/WisMesh 1W kit is likely coming given the hardware compatibility. We’ll update this when support becomes available.

Both Meshtastic builds offer the same core features: BLE configuration, mesh routing, encryption, and position sharing (with GPS module). The nRF52840 MCU provides Bluetooth 5.0 for mobile app connectivity.

A mixed mesh with 1W and standard nodes works fine. They just have different coverage footprints.

Expandability

Both use the WisBlock modular ecosystem.

WisMesh 1W Kit (RAK19007 Base)

• 1 core slot (RAK3401)
• 1 IO slot (occupied by RAK13302)
• 4 sensor slots free for expansion
• USB-C, battery connector, solar input

RAK4631 on RAK19007

• 1 core slot (RAK4631 with integrated LoRa)
• 1 IO slot free
• 4 sensor slots free
• Same power options

RAK4631 on RAK19003 Mini Base

• Smaller footprint (30 x 35mm)
• 1 core slot + 2 general slots
• Good for size-constrained builds

Both can add GPS (RAK12500), environmental sensors, displays (RAK1921 OLED), accelerometers, and more. The RAK4631 has a slight edge in available slots since its LoRa is integrated rather than using an IO slot.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose WisMesh 1W Booster Kit if:

• You are running Meshtastic (MeshCore support expected in the future)
• You are in the US/Canada/Australia (900 MHz regions)
• Maximum range is your priority
• You are building infrastructure nodes or remote sensors
• You have adequate power (USB, solar, large batteries)
• You are covering rural or sparse areas where every dB matters

Choose RAK4631 WisBlock if:

• You want to run MeshCore today (or flexibility for both firmwares)
• You need a portable, battery-efficient node
• You are in Europe or other regions with lower power limits
• Standard range (hundreds of meters to a few km) is sufficient
• You want a simpler power setup
• You are building multiple nodes on a budget

Pricing

Option	Approximate Price
WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit	$39
RAK4631 WisBlock Core	$25-30
RAK19007 Base Board	$15
RAK19003 Mini Base	$10

A basic RAK4631 + RAK19003 setup runs about $35-40, similar to the WisMesh 1W kit but with lower power output and consumption.

Conclusion

The WisMesh 1W Booster Kit and RAK4631 WisBlock share the same foundation (nRF52840 MCU, SX1262 transceiver, WisBlock ecosystem) but serve different use cases. The 1W kit trades power efficiency for raw RF output. The RAK4631 is the practical choice for most users with sufficient range, easy power management, and broad regional compatibility.

Both integrate with Meshtastic, MeshCore, and the WisBlock expansion ecosystem, so you’re not locked in with either choice.

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Ready to get started? Check out our Meshtastic Getting Started Guide, MeshCore Getting Started Guide, or browse compatible devices.