PocketMesh Bank - an everyday power bank + Meshtastic node

Most of us only think about emergency communication when something goes wrong — like when the phone network is down, or during a hike with no coverage. That’s exactly when devices like Meshtastic become really useful. But the problem is, people don’t carry a separate gadget every day “just in case.”

What we all do carry, almost without fail, is a power bank. That gave me the idea — what if the Meshtastic node lived inside a power bank enclosure? Then it’s always with you, without needing to remember another device.

So I designed PocketMesh Bank, which combines a Wio Tracker L1 Meshtastic board with a 10, 000 mAh wireless power bank. In normal daily use it just charges your phone, but in emergencies or off-grid situations it turns into a LoRa communicator with GPS location sharing.

The enclosure is made so it’s practical to carry, has space for the antenna and GPS patch, and is weather-resistant for outdoor use. I wanted it to feel like an everyday object you already carry, but one that can quietly act as a lifeline when you need it most.

Real Motivation: I'm a HAM radio licensee, part of an armature radio community, with a bunch of HAM hobbyist who are passionate to work when emergency situations occurs. So I noticed how difficult it is to carry the HAM radio equipment's all the time and keeping it workable so we can use when it crucial and needed. so as a solution to the similar problem in Meshtastic this thought led me to the design of PocketMesh Bank.

Design

With the provided 3D file of the Wio Tracker L1, I've designed an awesome enclosure around it in Fusion 360.

I've added the antenna which is removable and the menu button, Joystick knob for the Integrated L1. And the Meshtastic power switch is on the left side, the backside of the device is having the magsafe magnets and wireless charging, so the user can attach it to an iPhone easily

Design Integration

The Wio Tracker L1 is mounted to the main body with the 4 M2 screws as per the design Integration, and the wired antenna of the Wio Tracker L1 is place at the top right corner as per the aesthetic and user friendliness. I did not integrated the Qi Coil and the power bank module yet but I've seen some of them so added the space in the design which will be occupy later when the project completes. the 1.3" OLED screen is visible to through the added Smoke acrylic glass.

Renderings

Here are some key features of the Project

• 10, 000 mAh power bank – reliable capacity for daily charging needs
• USB-C PD fast charging – supports modern devices with high-speed power delivery
• MagSafe wireless charging – snap it onto the back of your phone for quick, cable-free charging
• Built-in Meshtastic node – long-range LoRa communication for off-grid messaging
• 1.3" OLED display – shows battery status, connectivity, and mesh info at a glance
• GPS tracking – share your live location with your group over the mesh network
• Everyday carry design – looks and works like a regular power bank, always ready in your pocket
• Outdoor ready – compact, durable, and weather-resistant enclosure for real adventures

Connectivity

For connectivity the user can communicate with the PocketMesh Bank with his/her phone via Bluetooth, which can send out messages through out the Meshtastic network