A community project to build out a Meshcore network in Bexley, Ohio.
BexleyMesh is a community-driven initiative to deploy a resilient, off-grid mesh communication network using LoRa radio technology. This repository contains the website and documentation for the project.
Website: bexleymesh.org
Discord: Join our community
GitHub: Project Repository
MeshCore is an open-source firmware platform that transforms low-cost LoRa radios into mesh-networked communication devices. Unlike traditional communication infrastructure that depends on cellular networks or the internet, a mesh network allows devices to communicate directly with each other and relay messages across larger distances through multiple nodes.
- Off-Grid Communications: Works without cellular or internet infrastructure
- Long Range: Up to 20km line-of-sight between nodes
- Low Power: Battery-powered operation for days or weeks
- Privacy: Messages stay within the community network
- Resilient: Automatic path finding and rerouting
- Open Source: Free to use and modify
While both are excellent mesh networking projects, MeshCore offers:
- Hardware Flexibility: Support for professional-grade gateway hardware (RAK19007)
- MQTT Integration: Hybrid cloud connectivity for advanced use cases
- Gateway Performance: Higher capacity for larger networks
- Community Focus: Emphasis on community infrastructure deployment
- Professional Features: Designed for emergency response and critical infrastructure
- ✅ Website launched with blog and documentation
- ✅ Infrastructure planning completed
- 🚀 Phase 1: Foundation (in progress)
- 🔜 Phase 2: Dynamic features (planned)
- 🔜 Phase 3: Polish & Launch (planned)
Currently deploying initial network infrastructure:
- North Ridge Repeater - RAK19007 solar node (Active)
- Downtown Node - RAK4631 gateway (Active)
- Park Node - RAK3272S portable (Testing)
Check the live coverage map for real-time network status.
- Learn: Read the Getting Started Guide
- Get Hardware: Purchase a compatible LoRa device
- Flash Firmware: Use the MeshCore Firmware Flasher
- Configure: Set up your device and join the network
- Participate: Join the Discord community
Interested in helping with the project?
- Content: Add blog posts, documentation, and guides
- Code: Contribute to the website or scripts
- Hardware: Host a repeater node or test equipment
- Community: Help moderate Discord and support new users
├── index.html # Homepage
├── blog.html # Blog listing page
├── post.html # Individual post viewer
├── posts/ # Blog post markdown files
├── docs/ # Documentation pages
├── data/ # Data files (posts manifest, repeater status)
├── css/ # Stylesheets
├── js/ # JavaScript utilities
├── scripts/ # Utility scripts (Python, etc.)
├── .github/
│ ├── workflows/ # GitHub Actions workflows
│ └── chatmodes/ # AI development modes
└── plan.md # Project plan
The website is built with static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. To test locally:
# Python 3
python -m http.server 8000
# Or Node.js
npx http-server
# Then visit: http://localhost:8000Blog posts are written in Markdown with YAML front-matter:
---
title: Post Title
date: 2026-02-14
author: Your Name
tags: Tag1, Tag2
excerpt: Brief summary of the post
---
# Post Content
Your markdown content here...Save files in posts/ directory with format: YYYY-MM-DD-slug.md
Update data/posts-manifest.json to include new posts.
- Frontend: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (Vanilla)
- Styling: Tailwind CSS (CDN)
- Icons: Font Awesome (CDN)
- Markdown: Custom parser for blog posts
- Hosting: GitHub Pages
- Automation: GitHub Actions
- Backend Data: Python scripts for MQTT polling
The project follows a phased development approach:
- Phase 1: Foundation (repository structure, blog infrastructure, homepage)
- Phase 2: Dynamic features (repeater status, live updates)
- Phase 3: Polish & launch (testing, optimization, deployment)
- Phase 4: Future enhancements (analytics, mobile apps, advanced features)
See plan.md and tasks.md for detailed project plans.
- RAK3272S: Small, portable, affordable ($100-150)
- Perfect for learning and testing
- Pocket-sized with good range
- Battery powered (5+ hours)
- RAK4631: Modular, professional ($150-250)
- Field deployments
- Sensor integration capability
- Better range than portable units
- RAK19007: Gateway-class repeater ($250-400)
- Solar-powered operation
- Long-range coverage
- High message capacity
- Professional mounting
See Hardware Guide for detailed specifications.
Join our Discord community for:
- Real-time chat with other members
- Technical support and troubleshooting
- Hardware discussions
- Network deployments
- Project announcements
We welcome contributions! Ways to help:
- Documentation: Improve guides and add new content
- Testing: Help test firmware and hardware configurations
- Development: Contribute code or scripts
- Outreach: Help promote the project in your community
Our community values:
- Respect and inclusivity
- Technical honesty
- Collaborative problem-solving
- Respect for others' time and expertise
- Topology: Self-healing mesh network
- Frequency: 915 MHz (US) or 868 MHz (EU)
- Modulation: LoRa long-range spread spectrum
- Range: 5-20km depending on hardware and terrain
- Capacity: 1000+ nodes per network
- User devices send messages to nearest node
- Messages hop through network to destination
- MQTT broker optionally bridges to external systems
- Status data sent to central coordinator
- Dashboard updates display live network status
- MeshCore Project: https://meshcore.co.uk/
- Central Ohio Mesh: https://meshcolumb.us/
- LoRa Alliance: https://lora-alliance.org/
- RAK Wireless: https://rakwireless.com/
- GitHub: https://github.com/DavidJayMartin/BexleyMesh
This project is open source. The website content, documentation, and code are available under appropriate open source licenses. Please see individual files for specific license information.
- Discord: BexleyMesh Community
- GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features
- Email: Check GitHub profile for contact information
Last Updated: February 27, 2026
Project Status: Phase 1 - Foundation (In Progress)