An example method includes, in response to receiving a gateway heartbeat message from a lighting system non-connected gateway RF node, incrementing a gateway heartbeat counter. In response to receiving a repeater RF node heartbeat message from a network RF node of lighting system non-connected network RF nodes set to a repeater role, incrementing a repeater heartbeat counter. In response to a cycle time exceeding a cycle time timeout, the gateway heartbeat counter not exceeding a gateway heartbeat threshold, and the repeater heartbeat counter exceeding a repeater heartbeat threshold, selecting a selected network RF node of the RF nodes set to the repeater role. Transmitting, via an extended star wireless network, a registration message to the selected network RF node. In response to transmitting the registration message and having a network RF node role state set to an unconnected role, setting the network RF node role state to a connected role.