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BuffaLoRa Meetup January – Join us!

📅 Sunday, January 11th @ 1:00pm – 3:00pm
📍Panera Bread – 1747 Sheridan Dr, Tonawanda, NY 14223
✉️ RSVP to hello@buffalora.org

Hope to see you there!

In the meantime connect with the community on LongFast or on Discord:

Featured

BuffaLoRa Meetup next week – Join us!

📅 Sunday, December 7 @ 1:00pm – 3:00pm
📍TBD – Please propose a location
✉️ RSVP to hello@snydermesh.com

Community feedback on date/time/location welcome. Join us on Discord to discuss:

Featured

Inexpensive Homemade Outdoor Solar Node

You can build your own Solar powered Meshtastic Node for less than $23. This project was inspired by the exceptional post on the official Meshtastic Blog: RAK WisBlock Harbor Breeze Solar Light Enclosure Hack.

Bill of Materials

Build materials
Disassembled Solar Light and build materials

Build instructions:

  1. Flash the Node with the latest version of the Meshtastic Firmware at Meshtastic Web Flasher
  2. Confirm that each component is working as expected before further assembly
  3. Disassemble the Solar Light by removing 4 screws
  4. Temporarily remove the 18650 Battery
  5. Separate the two boards of the Seed Xaio Kit
  6. Solder the wires to the corresponding battery contacts on the Seeed Xaio
  7. Optional: Swap out the LoRa antenna IPEX pigtail connector for the Optional SMA pigtail connector if using an external antenna
  8. Reassemble the Seed Xaio Kit
  9. Solder the other ends of the wires to the battery contacts being sure to respect the positive (+) and negative (-) terminal polarity.
  10. Optional: drill a hole in the Solar Light enclosure to allow for the installation of an SMA antenna connector pigtail and also install the LoRa antenna
  11. Secure the Seeed Xaio Kit and wires inside of the Solar enclosure. Be sure to route wires so they do not get pinched or damaged during re-assembly
  12. Reinstall the 18650 Battery being sure to respect the + and – terminal polarity.
  13. Test that the Solar light functionality works. The switch can be used to test the led lights. Make sure to cover the solar panel to simulate dark conditions
  14. Test that the Seeed Xaio Kit is functional in your chosen Meshtastic app over Bluetooth
  15. Optional: Add a dab of Waterproof Silicone Caulk to seal the hole made for the antenna connector and anywhere else water could intrude
  16. Reassemble the solar enclosure using the 4 screws and the two gutter/fence brackets and thumb screws
  17. Deploy somewhere with a good view of the sky and as high as possible for optimal LoRa range and Solar power, and enjoy!

You can toggle the Solar Light function on or off depending on your requirements.

UPDATE: Because of concerns about potentially no solar charging occurring with the light switch in the off position, I leave my node enclosure in the on position and snip the wire leading to the LED board to prevent lighting while still allowing for optimal Meshtastic battery performance. The battery will provide about a week of power for the node even without very sunny days. A few hours of full sun per week will keep the node running indefinitely. I have confirmed that I get daytime solar charging with limited overnight power draw since no lights are running.

📡 Pushing the Limits: Using the Meshtastic Range Test Module with BuffaLoRa

If you’re part of the growing BuffaLoRa community, you’ve probably wondered: how far can my node really reach? The answer depends on terrain, antenna height, interference, and configuration—but with the Range Test Module from Meshtastic, you can move beyond guesswork and collect real, actionable data.

Let’s walk through how to properly run a range test—and why it’s one of the most valuable things you can do to strengthen the mesh.

🚀 Why Run a Range Test?

  • Validate coverage: Know exactly where your node reaches (and where it doesn’t)
  • Optimize placement: Confirm that “height is might” really works
  • Compare antennas: Evaluate real-world performance differences
  • Improve the mesh: Identify dead zones and expansion opportunities
  • Understand RF behavior: Learn how terrain and obstacles impact signal

Range testing transforms your node from a passive participant into a powerful diagnostic tool.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Range Test Setup

🔐 Step 1: Create a Private Primary Channel

Start by configuring both nodes with a private primary channel, a shared encryption key, and position sharing enabled.

This prevents flooding public channels like LongFast with test traffic.

  • Sender node: stationary
  • Receiver node: mobile

📲 Step 2: Enable Range Test on the Receiver

On your mobile node, enable the Range Test Module. An ESP32-based device is recommended so you can store logs and capture GPS data for later analysis.

📡 Step 3: Configure the Sender (Range Test Server)

On the stationary node, enable the Range Test Module and turn on server mode. This node will broadcast sequential test packets.

Tip: Use a reasonable interval between messages to avoid unnecessary airtime usage.

🚶 Step 4: Start Moving

Once packets are being received, begin moving with the receiver node—walking, biking, or driving safely.

  • Test open areas and dense environments
  • Try elevated positions when possible
  • Don’t assume one missed packet means you’ve reached the limit

Height and line of sight can dramatically improve range.

🛑 Step 5: Disable the Range Test Module

When finished, disable the module on both nodes to avoid unnecessary airtime usage and reduce network congestion.

🔄 Step 6: Return to Public Channel

Switch back to your public primary channel and resume normal telemetry and position sharing.

📊 Step 7: Analyze the Data

Review your logs to examine RSSI, SNR, and packet success rates across distances and terrain.

  • Identify coverage limits
  • Spot signal drop zones
  • Find unexpected strong signal areas

🤖 A Practical Alternative: Mesh Bots

If you don’t have time for a full range test, there’s a simpler method.

Using tools like Meshmonitor and Meshing-around BBS, a home node can automatically respond to messages like “ping” or “test”.

  • Send a message to the bot
  • Receive a confirmation reply
  • Get real-time RSSI and SNR data

This provides quick insight into your connectivity back to a known location.

📣 Try It Yourself

If you’re on the BuffaLoRa mesh, send a “ping” or “test” message via Direct Message to one of the Bots and watch for a response. It’s an easy way to check your signal performance in real time.

🌐 Final Thoughts

Range testing helps build a stronger, more reliable mesh network. Every test improves coverage awareness and node placement decisions.

Because in LoRa… height is might.

Lockport Amateur Radio Association Presentation

We are looking forward to present a high level overview of Meshtastic and MeshCore at the upcoming LARA March Meeting at 7:00pm on Wednesday, March 25th, 2025 at the Cambria Fire Hall in Cambria, NY.

Mesh communication is growing quickly across Western New York and the Lockport area this area is in a prime location for connecting with nearby neighbors.

Please find the planned presentation materials at: Meshtastic High Level.

A list of devices with affiliate links and available discount codes can be found at Devices.

We look forward to the opportunity to make further partnerships in the Western New York region, connecting new nodes but most importantly connecting people.

Amateur Radio Association of the Tonawandas Presentation

It was my pleasure to present a high level overview of Meshtastic and MeshCore at the the ARATS March Meeting on Wednesday, March 18th, 2025 at Tonawanda City Hall.

It was excellent to connect with some old and new friends in the Local Mesh and Amateur Radio community.

Please find the presentation materials at: Meshtastic High Level.

A list of devices with affiliate links and available discount codes can be found at Devices.

We look forward to the opportunity to make further partnerships in the Western New York region, connecting new nodes but most importantly connecting people.

Building the Backbone: Setting Up Your First MeshCore Repeater

Hey BuffaLoRa community!

Unlike the often-discouraged repeater devices in Meshtastic, repeaters are the lifeblood of a MeshCore network. Because MeshCore companion devices don’t rebroadcast, repeaters are essential for bridging your traffic across the network. While this requires more nodes overall to build out the map, MeshCore compensates by allowing up to 64 hops between nodes, among other benefits.

Plus, these repeater nodes don’t need to be the powerhouses we typically think of in a Meshtastic network. MeshCore repeaters can use the exact same hardware you may have previously used as simple clients. If you’re interested in helping build out our WNY MeshCore network, I’ve put together this guide to get you started.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

What you will need:

  • A LoRa radio: (RAK, Heltec, Seeed, LILYGO, etc.). Almost all devices supported by Meshtastic will work with MeshCore.
  • A semi-permanent location: MeshCore repeaters should be stationary.
  • A reliable power source: USB, 5V, batteries, or solar.

Flashing:

MeshCores web flasher in my experience is the easiest method of flashing the MeshCore firmware on your device.

1) Plug your device into a computer running Chrome or a Chromium-based browser (like Edge) and visit https://flasher.meshcore.co.uk/.

2) Select your device type. I usually start by typing the manufacturer’s name and then picking the specific board.

3) Choose “Repeater”

4) Flash your device. (Depending on your hardware, you may need to enter DFU mode first). Occasionally, you might get an error and need to repeat the process. The one time a flash failed for me, I just re-enabled DFU and tried again, and it worked perfectly the second time.

5) Note: MeshCore repeaters are not configured via Bluetooth! Select “Configure via USB.”

6) Configure your initial settings:

  • Change the preset to “USA/Canada.”
  • Give it a Name.
  • Set an Admin password. This is how you will manage the device going forward.
  • Send Advert (this helps your companion device find the new repeater).

7) Congratulations you now have a functional Meshcore Repeater!!

Next we will will cover some settings I recommend.

Recommended Settings

In order to configure a MeshCore Repeater, you must use a Meshcore core compaion device, or you can configure the node via USB using https://app.meshcore.nz/.

Start by selecting Settings and using the the Refresh icon to pull your device info. Check to ensure your Frequency is set to 910.525 MHz, and that you have your name set as your choosing.

Owner Info

Owner Info is visible if a repeater is configured with a blank “Guest Password.” I choose to include my Call Sign and email address so that if there’s ever an issue with my repeater, other MeshCore users can notify me. This is completely up to you

Advert Intervals

MeshCore is very light on flooding the network with announcements. Since we still have relatively few MeshCore Repeaters online in the spring of 2026, my recommendation is to set Zero Hop to 120 minutes, and Flood to 6 Hours.

Position

Whether you list your repeater’s position is your call. If you opt to set a position to help other Core users find your node, I have a few tips:

  • Use the map rather than a GPS module. GPS modules constantly drain energy, so I opt to leave them off my repeaters and set my position to a general vicinity rather than a precise location. Just select the Map, zoom into your area, pick a spot, and click the checkmark to save.

Sync Clock

Sometimes you need to reboot your device several times and re-sync to get the clock correct. (Don’t worry, this is a known issue).

Repeat Settings

To actually help build the network, I highly recommend you ensure “Repeat Mode” is enabled.

Those are my standard recommendations, though your final config may vary depending on your specific hardware and deployment location. If at any time you run into issues with MeshCore, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Discord at @Sid-NY.

Meshtastic vs. MeshCore

Meshtastic vs. MeshCore:

By Ehren Reynolds aka @Sid-NY on discord

Working in technology support and IT direction for over 16 years, I’ve seen countless network topologies succeed and fail. When it comes to building a resilient, off-grid communication backbone for Western New York, the challenge is unique. We need a system that can handle our notorious lake-effect weather, cover expansive terrain, and remain reliable when traditional grids go down.

Within the BuffaLora community, we frequently get asked: Which is better, Meshtastic or MeshCore? The truth is, neither is inherently superior—it completely depends on how you plan to use it. That is exactly why BuffaLora fully supports both platforms.

As we gear up this spring to deploy new solar-powered nodes across public properties and county parks, understanding the differences between these two protocols is crucial. Here is the breakdown.

Meshtastic: The Ad-Hoc Explorer

Meshtastic is the undisputed king of accessibility and ad-hoc networking. It is built on a dynamic, peer-to-peer architecture where every single node on the network (even the one in your pocket) can act as a relay to bounce messages.

  • Best For: Mobile groups, hiking, biking, or events where the network topology is constantly shifting.
  • Routing: It utilizes a managed flood routing protocol, meaning messages are broadcasted out and repeated by participating nodes to ensure delivery.
  • Hop Limits: By default, it uses 3 hops, with a maximum configuration of 7 hops.
  • The Vibe: It is incredibly fun for beginners. You flash a radio, open the app, and instantly become part of a living, breathing mesh, collecting node contacts as you move around.

MeshCore: The Infrastructure Backbone

While Meshtastic is fantastic for mobile groups, a dense network of moving nodes can eventually lead to congested airwaves. This is where MeshCore steps in. MeshCore adopts a structured, hierarchical network design. Instead of every device rebroadcasting, MeshCore uses fixed, dedicated “Repeater” nodes to handle the heavy lifting. The radios we carry—called “Companion” nodes—do not relay traffic, keeping the airwaves clear.

  • Best For: Fixed, static deployments like the solar repeaters we are mounting on rooftops and park structures across the 716.
  • Routing: MeshCore utilizes static path optimization; it floods the network to discover a route, embeds that specific path, and only falls back to flooding if the direct route fails.
  • Hop Limits: MeshCore can support an incredible 64 hops. This makes it vastly superior for covering the entire Buffalo metro area and beyond.
  • Airtime Efficiency: MeshCore is intentionally less “chatty.” It rarely pushes telemetry data (like battery or temperature) unless manually requested, dedicating more airtime to actual text messages.

Why BuffaLora Supports Both

We recognize that the 716 needs both types of connectivity. If you are heading out to the gorge with a group of friends and need an instant, portable network, Meshtastic is your best bet.

However, if you want to connect to a highly reliable, city-wide backbone that functions more like standard SMS—powered by the stationary, solar repeaters we are actively deploying—MeshCore is the future of our regional infrastructure.

No matter which firmware you choose to run on your LoRa hardware, there is a place for you in our grid.

Learn More

If you are curious about the technical reasons behind this shift for infrastructure, check out this excellent breakdown from EmComm Solutions:

This video discusses the differences between the two platforms and what you should consider before picking the right one for your environment and use case.

Infosec 716 January Virtual Meetup

For InfoSec 716’s first meetup of the new year, they are thrilled to announce featured speaker SnyderMesh, presenting “Meshtastic – Decentralized Community-Wide Off-Grid Messaging”. Come learn about some cool mesh radio stuff, along with security news, the Dumpster Fire Of The Month, and all the other usual shenanigans!

PLEASE NOTE: This will be a HYBRID EVENT. If InfoSec 716 members would like to join us in person, we’ll be meeting at the Bit Haven hacker space, suite 351 in the Tri Main Building. We will also be streaming the meetup via Discord and Twitch. Whatever works for you, I hope you can join us!

📅 Wednesday, Jan 21 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

📍 Online registration: https://www.meetup.com/infosec-716/events/312130046/

📼 Recording: https://youtu.be/_DsATlXy814?si=xp2z07R0YDAao90v

📉 Materials: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VVVoQMXMgPYCw-R4lRBwmBVR-49oiXRfKXbuCuBd8Vw/edit?usp=drivesdk

We look forward to the opportunity to make further partnerships in the Western New York region, connecting new nodes but most importantly connecting people.