2 layers98.5 × 34 mm
Pulse LoRa
risejohan/2Bit
In this repo we can see some designs with free use for the community, 2 Bit electronic
86 parts17
4 layers25 × 59 mm
Nibble v1 dual micro
RetiaLLC/Nibble44Open Source Nibble Release
- Size
- 25 × 59 mm
- Copper layers
- 4
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 20
- Nets
- 36
- Pads
- 80
- Tracks, vias
- 139, 28
- Pours
- 2
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 8.0 (file 20240108)
- Created
- 13 Aug 2025
- Updated
- 7 Aug 2026
Overview
Nibble v1 dual micro is an open-source printed circuit board by RetiaLLC, from the RetiaLLC/Nibble repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 4-layer board of 25 × 59 mm with 20 parts on 36 nets, routed with 139 tracks and 28 vias.
It is built around the RFM95W-915S2 and RP2040-ZERO. Its parts include 3 resistors, 3 ICs, 1 diode and 1 connector. It belongs with the ESP32 and RP2040 boards of this library.
Main components
2README
README.mdNibble
Open Source Nibble Release
Follow the assembly guide here:
My talk on Meshtastic:
Meshtastic Config (compile your own firmware)
The Nibble variants are merged upstream in Meshtastic; our pinned, both-LEDs build lane is RetiaLLC/ScriptkittyMeshtastic:
RP2040: env nibble-rp2040 — workflow compile_rp2040_nibble.yaml
ESP32-S3: env nibble-esp32 — workflow compile_opensource_nibble_esp32s3.yaml
LoRa Nibble
The Nibble is a small, open source LoRa radio node designed to be your first piece of off-grid infrastructure. It was created by Kody Kinzie and the Retia team (Zac Beran, Felix Orozco) for the 2024 Chaos Communication Congress in Germany and released as open hardware at the 2025 Hackers On Planet Earth conference.
Over 500 Nibbles have been made worldwide, and the design is shared here so you can build your own. The board is sized to fit inside a 1 inch PVC pipe, making it easy to weatherproof and deploy as a permanent or portable infrastructure node.
Features
- Fits inside standard 1 inch PVC pipe for protection and mounting
- Works with Meshtastic for off-grid communication
- Supports either ESP32-S3 (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) or RP2040 (low power) microcontrollers
- Uses RFM95 LoRa modules (868 MHz EU or 915 MHz US)
- Expandable with I²C sensors for telemetry
- Supports private channels, GPS sharing, and sensor reporting
- Open source hardware and firmware
Bill of Materials
- 1x Nibble PCB (order from JLCPCB, PCBWay, OSH Park, etc.)
- 1x Microcontroller (ESP32-S3 or RP2040)
- 1x RFM95 LoRa radio module (868 MHz or 915 MHz)
- 1x Spring antenna or U.FL connector and external antenna
- 1x 330 Ω resistor (1206 size)
- 2x 10k Ω resistors (1206 size)
- 1x LED indicator
Tools required: soldering iron, solder, tweezers or pliers, and a laptop with USB-C cable.
Assembly Instructions
- Solder the resistors (330 Ω and two 10k Ω).
- Install the microcontroller into the designated footprint. Only one microcontroller can be used at a time.
- Use ESP32-S3 if you want Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Use RP2040 if you want a lower power build for solar or battery use.
- Solder the LoRa radio module. Align it carefully with the silkscreen outline.
- Solder the antenna connector. Use either the spring antenna or the U.FL connector, not both.
- Solder the LED indicator. The negative leg goes to the square pad.
⚠️ Important: Always connect an antenna before powering or transmitting. Running the board without one can permanently damage the radio.
Firmware Installation
ESP32-S3
- Visit the browser flasher at scriptkitty.sh.
- Hold the BOOT (B) button while plugging in the board.
- Select your Nibble from the device list.
- Select the Nibble Meshtastic firmware and flash.
- Once uploaded, unplug and reconnect the board.
RP2040
Easiest: use the browser flasher at scriptkitty.sh — pick the Meshtastic — Open Source Nibble (RP2040) card and it walks you through the drag-and-drop.
Manual:
- Get the
.uf2from scriptkitty.sh (Download.uf2), or from the canonical build release: ScriptkittyMeshtastic releases (nibble-rp2040.zip→ extract the.uf2). - Hold the BOOTSEL button while plugging in the board.
- The board mounts as a USB drive named
RPI-RP2. - Drag and drop the
.uf2onto the drive. The board reboots automatically — both the ear LED and the onboard NeoPixel blink a heartbeat.
Alternative firmware — MeshCore: the RP2040 Nibble also runs MeshCore, a lightweight off-grid mesh. Flash it from scriptkitty.sh (the MeshCore — Open Source Nibble (RP2040) card), or grab the .uf2 from the MeshCore release (hardware-verified — radio init + TX confirmed on a real Nibble). Same BOOTSEL drag-and-drop.
Meshtastic Setup
- Connect to the Nibble using the Meshtastic app or via USB serial.
- Bluetooth default PIN (ESP32 only):
123456.
- Bluetooth default PIN (ESP32 only):
- Set your region (US915 or EU868).
- Give the device a short name and long name.
- Join or create a private channel. You can share access with friends using QR codes.
Example Uses
- Off-grid communication at festivals or protests
- Emergency infrastructure during natural disasters
- Remote telemetry for weather stations
- GPS tracking in outdoor environments
- Long range remote control or IoT projects
Community and Resources
- Flashing firmware (browser flasher): scriptkitty.sh
- Firmware source & release builds: RetiaLLC/ScriptkittyMeshtastic
- Meshtastic documentation: meshtastic.org
- Community projects and support: Retia Discord
Project Images
Front & Back
Kit & Sensor
Schematic
Parts
20| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | TestPoint | TestPoint:TestPoint_Pad_1.5x1.5mm | TP1, TP2, TP3, TP4, TP5, TP6, TP7, TP8, TP9, TP10, TP11 |
| 2 | 10K | Resistor_SMD:R_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.30x1.75mm_HandSolder | R2, R3 |
| 1 | 300R | Resistor_SMD:R_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.30x1.75mm_HandSolder | R4 |
| 1 | ESP32-S3-ZERO | retia_component_library:waveshare_esp32_s3_smt&tht | U1 |
| 1 | GREEN | LED_THT:LED_D3.0mm | D1 |
| 1 | RFM95W-915S2 | retia_component_library:XCVR_RFM95W-915S2 | U2 |
| 1 | RP2040-Zero | retia_component_library:waveshare_rp2040_zero | U3 |
| 1 | TestPoint | TestPoint:TestPoint_THTPad_D2.0mm_Drill1.0mm | ANT1 |
| 1 | U.FL IPEX Conn | retia_component_library:LCSC_U.FL_Hirose_U.FL-R-SMT-1_Vertical | J1 |
Questions
How big is the Nibble v1 dual micro PCB?
It measures 25 × 59 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Nibble v1 dual micro use?
20 parts, built around the RFM95W-915S2 and RP2040-ZERO. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Nibble v1 dual micro KiCad files?
From the RetiaLLC/Nibble repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is open_sourced_nibble_v1_dual_micro/nibble_v1_dual_micro.kicad_pcb and its schematic open_sourced_nibble_v1_dual_micro/nibble_v1_dual_micro.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Nibble v1 dual micro design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the MIT licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).
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