The everyday node. A battery-powered Raspberry Pi 4B that runs netTAK — Standalone out of the box, or full Mesh with the HaLow radio — plus offline maps, GPS timing, and an external-antenna option. Sized to move with a team and keep a self-contained TAK network in your pack.
The base build runs netTAK Standalone and mbtileserver on its own. Add the HaLow radio to run netTAK Mesh, plus the optional GPS and long-range Wi-Fi groups. Generic part on the left, where to buy on the right, and a note on what you can safely swap.
| Part | Where to get it | Notes & substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| Base build — runs netTAK Standalone + mbtileserver | ||
| ComputeRaspberry Pi 4B | You supply | Must be a Raspberry Pi 4B (4 GB or 8 GB). Other Pi models aren't supported. |
| UPS / power boardPiSugar 3 Plus | Amazon | PiSugar 3 or 3 Plus. Live battery readout in adminTAK depends on this board. |
| Battery10,000 mAh LiPo | Amazon | Any quality LiPo that fits your case and matches the PiSugar connector & polarity. |
| microSD cardA1/U3 · 64 GB–512 GB | Amazon | Any A1/U3 card runs netTAK. For offline maps (mbtileserver), size up: ~64 GB holds one map region, ~512 GB the full map set. |
| USB-C charge cableRight-angle, short | Amazon | Any short right-angle USB-C cable that fits your internal routing. |
| Wi-Fi antenna extensionRP-SMA bulkhead, 2-pack | Amazon | RP-SMA male-to-female bulkhead pigtails to bring antennas to the case wall. |
| USB-A U-shape adapter180°, 2-pack | Amazon | Frees clearance for the HaLow radio and adapters inside the case. |
| USB-C charge-port mountPanel mount, 23.4 mm | Amazon | Panel-mount USB-C that brings the charge port out to the case wall. The 23.4 mm barrel matches the 3D-printed case cutout; sold in a 2-pack (the build uses one). |
| Ethernet patch cableCat6, slim | Amazon | Chosen for its thin profile so it packs neatly inside the case. Any equally slim, short Cat6 works. |
| Ethernet panel connectorRJ45 bulkhead, 20 mm | Amazon | Weatherproof RJ45 bulkhead for out-of-band / bridge access at the case wall. The 20 mm barrel matches the 3D-printed case cutout. |
| Power button12 mm momentary | Amazon | 12 mm momentary push button. Wired to the PiSugar for power/shutdown. |
| Heat-set inserts — coversM3 kit | Amazon | M3 heat-set inserts for installing the covers. |
| Heat-set inserts — mounting½" interface | Amazon | Larger inserts for the external ½" mounting interface (tripod / mast / pole). |
| Pi mounting screws2.5 mm plastic | Amazon | 2.5 mm plastic screws to mount the Pi to the PiSugar and the case. |
| Case screws3 mm stainless | Amazon | 3 mm stainless machine screws that thread into the heat-set inserts to close up the case. |
| Add for netTAK Mesh (needs the HaLow radio) | ||
| Wi-Fi HaLow radioVantron VT-USB-AH-8108 | Buy from xTAK → | Required for netTAK Mesh — the mesh runs on it. Sold by xTAK; do not substitute. Skip it if you're only running netTAK Standalone. |
| Optional — GPS (position reports + clock sync) | ||
| GPS moduleBZGNSS BZ-251 | Amazon | Fits the printed case and is known for a fast fix. Any u-blox-based GPS works electrically, but this one is sized for the case. |
| Jumper wiresFemale-female | Amazon | Dupont jumpers to wire the GPS module to the Pi's GPIO UART. |
| Optional — enhanced Wi-Fi (external antenna, dual-band range) | ||
| USB Wi-Fi adapterALFA AWUS036ACS | Amazon | Adds dual-band client coverage beyond the Pi's built-in Wi-Fi. Any RTL8812-based USB Wi-Fi adapter works — the ALFA is just our known-good pick. |
| Antenna8 dBi RP-SMA | Amazon | High-gain RP-SMA antenna for the USB adapter — the adapter uses one; sold in a 2-pack. Match connector to your adapter. |
Some links above are Amazon affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate, xTAK earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We link the exact parts we build with; you're free to source equivalents anywhere.
Most of the Patrol build is plug-together. A few steps need care — heat-set inserts, a little soldering, and wiring the GPS. Step-by-step photos and instructions for each are on the way.
