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The Tech Prepper • NomadNet Node
Last Updated • 2026-06-25 01309
:: HOW-TO FLASH A HELTEC V4 WITH THE RNODE FIRMWARE ::
This document assumes that you have Reticulum 1.3.5 or newer installed on a Linux system and that your goal is to install the Reticulum RNode firmware on a Heltec v4.
1. Connect your Heltec v4 via a USB cable to your computer and power the device on.
2. Run the firmware auto installer.
rnodeconf --autoinstall --baud-flash 115200
3. If you see this prompt and your USB cable is plugged in, press ENTER.
Hello!
This guide will help you install the RNode firmware on supported
and homebrew devices. Please connect the device you wish to set
up now. Hit enter when it is connected.
4. Enter the number for the serial port that matches the Heltec v4. In this case, it is number 2. It is typically the device with "JTAG" in the name. Press ENTER to continue.
Detected serial ports:
[1] /dev/ttyACM0 (u-blox GNSS receiver, None)
[2] /dev/ttyACM1 (USB JTAG/serial debug unit, F8:5B:1B:A2:74:0C)
[3] /dev/ttyUSB0 (DW5821e Snapdragon X20 LTE, 0123456789ABCDEF)
[4] /dev/ttyUSB1 (DW5821e Snapdragon X20 LTE, 0123456789ABCDEF)
[5] /dev/ttyUSB2 (DW5821e Snapdragon X20 LTE, 0123456789ABCDEF)
[6] /dev/ttyUSB3 (DW5821e Snapdragon X20 LTE, 0123456789ABCDEF)
[7] /dev/ttyS0 (None, None)
[8] /dev/ttyS4 (None, None)
Enter the number of the serial port your device is connected to:
NOTE
Make a note of the serial device. In this case, /dev/ttyACM1. You will need this later.
5. When prompted for the device selection, enter the number that matches "Heltec LoRa32 v4", then press ENTER to continue.
6. Press ENTER to acknowledge that you understand that the firmware is experimental.
7. Enter the number for the band that your board supports. In the U.S., enter the number that matches "915 MHz", then press ENTER to continue.
8. If the settings look correct, press y. You should see output similar to the following.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installer Ready
Ok, that should be all the information we need. Please confirm the following
summary before proceeding. In the next step, the device will be flashed and
provisioned, so make sure that you are satisfied with your choices.
Serial port : /dev/ttyACM1
Device type : Heltec LoRa32 v4 850 - 950 MHz
Platform : ESP32
Device MCU : Espressif Systems ESP32
Firmware file : rnode_firmware_heltec32v4pa.zip
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is the above correct? [y/N]
It will take a few minutes for the firmware to be updated on your device. Once it is complete, you should see "RNODE" displayed on your Heltec v4 display.