Volunteer-powered, community-driven Meshtastic network
BuffaLoRa is focused on serving the city of Buffalo, NY and surrounding neighborhoods. Using low-power radio devices, BuffaLoRa offers a free, resilient, and decentralized way to send text messages and share location data – no cell service or Wi-Fi required.
Whether you’re hiking in the woods, prepping for emergencies, or just chatting across the block, BuffaLoRa connects neighbors through a mesh of LoRa radios that relay messages from one node to another. Each participant strengthens the network, extending its range and reliability.
What We Offer
Free Off-Grid Messaging: Send short text messages using LoRa radios with no cellular or internet connection.
Neighborhood Coverage: Stay connected across Western New York and beyond, even in low-signal or disaster-prone areas.
Community Support & Education: Learn how to set up a node, help expand the network, and explore open-source communications.
Emergency-Ready Infrastructure: Maintain communication and access to environmental sensor data during power outages, weather events, or other emergencies.
You make us better
Our Community Mesh
271 nodes connected via LoRa
101 nodes online
224 miles to the furthest connection (Detroit, MI)
100% community powered
Who can join?
Anyone! Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, outdoor explorer, prepper, or just someone who loves building resilient communities – there’s a place for you in BuffaLoRa. All you need is a compatible Meshtastic or MeshCore device and a willingness to connect.
Get Involved
Join our local mesh, become a node operator, or help spread the word. The more we grow, the stronger we become.
See what we have been up to or try your hand at making a node yourself
Our blog has our favorite builds
- Meshtastic Hits the Road: Apple CarPlay Support Arrives for Off-Grid MessagingIf you’ve ever wished you could stay connected to your Meshtastic network while driving, and without fumbling with your phone, the wait is over. As of April 2026, the officialContinue reading “Meshtastic Hits the Road: Apple CarPlay Support Arrives for Off-Grid Messaging”
- BuffaLoRa Meetup next week – Join us!BuffaLoRa Meetup next week – Join us! 📅 Tue, April 28 @ 7:00 – 9:00pm 📍Tea Leaf Cafe – 4224 Maple Rd Suite 124, Amherst, NY 14226 ✉️ RSVP to hello@buffalora.org
- 📡 Pushing the Limits: Using the Meshtastic Range Test Module with BuffaLoRaElevate your Mesh Testing Game! Discover the secrets of terrain, antenna height, and interference with the Range Test Module, and take your network performance to the next level.
- Lockport Amateur Radio Association PresentationWe 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 CambriaContinue reading “Lockport Amateur Radio Association Presentation”
- Amateur Radio Association of the Tonawandas PresentationI had the pleasure of presenting a high-level overview of Meshtastic and MeshCore at the ARATS March Meeting on Wednesday, March 18th, 2025, at Tonawanda City Hall. Connecting with the Local Mesh and Amateur Radio community was fantastic!
We are amazed with the range of the device and we value connecting with our community.
Steve
BuffaLoRa 
