WNY MeshCore is Expanding: Our 2026 Repeater Deployment Plan

Big news: the WNY MeshCore network is growing fast, and we're excited to share our 2026 expansion plan with you.

Our goal is to build a reliable communication backbone from the Pennsylvania border to Lake Ontario, east to the edge of Rochester — a network accessible to everyday people using inexpensive devices. We're deploying solar-powered repeaters on strategic high points — rooftops, water towers, and hilltops — to maximize range and connect communities across Western NY.

What Are Repeaters?

For those new to mesh networking, repeaters are nodes placed at high elevations that extend the network's range. When your device sends a message, repeaters relay it further than you could reach on your own. Think of them as the backbone of the network. They don't originate messages, but they make sure yours get where they need to go.

Where We Are Now

We currently have 5–7 solar-powered repeaters deployed across Western NY, with new nodes coming online regularly. Each installation is self-contained — solar panel, weatherproof housing, and a RAK or Heltec LoRa module — no grid power or internet connection required.

Installations like this one show what a real WNY deployment looks like: a compact solar panel paired with a LoRa module, mounted securely on commercial rooftop equipment. No cables to run, no landlord fees, no ongoing costs for the host.

The Hardware

We're deploying purpose-built outdoor nodes:

• RAK Wireless or Heltec V3 module with omnidirectional antenna
• Solar powered with cold-weather rated batteries (rated to -40°F)
• Weather-resistant housing with magnetic and zip-tie mounting options
• Running MeshCore firmware as dedicated repeaters

The solar panel you see in our photos is small — roughly the size of a laptop — but generates more than enough power to keep these low-draw LoRa radios running 24/7 even through Buffalo winters.

Phase 1: Buffalo Metro Core

Our first priority is establishing strong coverage across the Buffalo metro area. We're targeting:

• Downtown Buffalo rooftops and tall buildings for urban coverage
• South Buffalo and Lackawanna to extend the southern corridor
• Cheektowaga and Depew to cover the airport area and eastern suburbs
• North Buffalo and Tonawanda to connect northern neighborhoods

Phase 2: Rochester Corridor

With the Buffalo core established, we push east along the I-90 corridor toward Rochester:

• Batavia as a key mid-point relay between Buffalo and Rochester
• Rochester metro rooftops and high points to establish WNY's second anchor city
• Victor and Canandaigua to reach into the Finger Lakes region

Phase 3: Fill Coverage Gaps

Once the corridor is established, we focus on filling rural gaps:

• Southern Tier — Jamestown, Olean, and the hill country where off-grid communication matters most
• Niagara Falls and Lockport to extend the northern coverage zone
• Ellicottville and ski country for outdoor recreation and backcountry communication

Get Involved

We're building this network together. Here's how you can participate:

Get Your Own Node

Ready to join the network? Check out our Getting Started guide for hardware recommendations and setup instructions.

Help Deploy

We're always looking for volunteers to help with installations. If you're comfortable working on rooftops and want to help expand coverage, reach out on Discord.

Host a Repeater

Do you own or manage a building, a rooftop, a water tower, or any elevated structure in WNY? We'd love to talk about hosting a community repeater. The installation is non-invasive, self-powered, and completely free to you as a host. Learn more about hosting →

Join the Community

Connect with us on the WNY MeshCore Discord to stay updated on deployments, ask questions, and meet other WNY mesh enthusiasts.

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The mesh is growing. See you on the network.

— Sid-NY, WNY MeshCore