No Internet Required
Communicate directly across the mesh when traditional services are unavailable.
Community-built resilient communications
Connecting Rusk County, building community.
Rusk County Mesh is launching from Henderson, Texas first, with the goal of expanding node by node into the rest of the county over time.
- No Internet required
- Built by the community
- Low-cost hardware
A community-built network
Technical enough to be powerful. Simple enough to join.
Rusk County Mesh is a nonprofit community effort supporting the growth of a MeshCore-based communications network across the county. The network is starting in Henderson, then expanding outward as more nodes, hosts, and backbone sites come online. Strategically placed radios help people exchange messages without depending on cell service, Wi-Fi, or the Internet.
Learn more about joiningCommunity Built
Every new node improves resilience, reach, and local ownership of the network.
Low-Cost Hardware
Getting started can be surprisingly affordable, even for first-time users.
Explore the network
See how the backbone stretches across the county.
Henderson is the launch point. This section shows the network’s first footprint today, while leaving room for the rest of Rusk County to fill in as the mesh grows.
View launch nodes
Henderson launch area
Meet the network
Real places. Real repeaters. Real community coverage.
The list below is generated from the same network data powering the map, making it easy to keep the site current as the mesh grows.
Getting started
Joining the mesh is easier than most people expect.
You do not need an expensive tower or a complicated setup to take part. Most people can get on the air with a compatible device, a simple MeshCore install, and a nearby node.
01
Get a device
Start with a MeshCore-compatible radio. No amateur license is required for typical participation.
02
Install MeshCore
Connect the device to your phone or computer and configure your identity.
03
Connect to the mesh
Your device discovers nearby nodes and begins participating in the local network.
Frequently asked questions
Answers for first-time users and future node hosts.
What is MeshCore?
MeshCore is software for compatible LoRa devices that allows short text communication across a decentralized mesh network.
Do I need Internet or cell service?
No. The mesh is designed to pass messages locally between devices and backbone nodes without relying on cellular data or Wi-Fi.
Do I need an amateur radio license?
Not for the basic device types typically used for MeshCore participation, though specific hardware choices should always be verified before deployment.
How can I help expand the network?
You can participate with a personal node, host equipment at an elevated location, help install hardware, or support infrastructure planning.
How do I get a device or node?
You can purchase a node that is ready to go or build one from seperate components. Complete nodes are avialable from several online stores. An excellent choice for a first node is the SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E (Buy on Amazon). It comes with "Meshtastic" firmware, but is easily updated to run on "Meshcore."
Help us build the network
Every participant makes the mesh stronger.
- Run a personal node
- Host a repeater site
- Provide an elevated location
- Support local infrastructure