What is Central Valley Mesh?
Central Valley Mesh is a community website and network for Meshtastic enthusiasts in the Central Valley of California. We operate a free, encrypted LoRa radio mesh network — no internet connection, no cell towers, no fees.
Our network covers the full Central Valley — from Stockton, Manteca, Modesto, and Tracy in the north through Turlock, Merced, Fresno, Visalia, and into Bakersfield in the south. The flat terrain of the Central Valley makes it ideal for long-range LoRa radio propagation.
Whether you're into emergency preparedness, amateur radio, hiking and outdoor activities, or just curious about mesh networking — you're welcome here. We're a friendly community of all skill levels, from people who just bought their first node to experienced builders running solar-powered repeaters.
The network runs on the 915 MHz ISM band — no FCC license required. Just pick up a device, flash Meshtastic, and you're on the air.
Open-source off-grid messaging
Meshtastic turns inexpensive LoRa hardware into a self-healing mesh network. Nodes relay messages for each other, extending range automatically — encrypted, decentralized, and free.
meshtastic.orgPerfect terrain for LoRa
Hundreds of miles of flat farmland means a well-placed node can reach 20–30+ miles. We're mapping coverage together and building a network that spans the whole valley.
Everyone's welcome
You don't have to be in the valley to join our Discord. If you're looking for a local group, check out other California communities or groups worldwide.
Long-range radio for real life.
LoRa (Long Range) is a radio technology that trades data speed for incredible range and battery life. A single small node can transmit a text message 20–30 miles on a single charge. Combined with Meshtastic's mesh protocol, messages hop between devices to reach even further.
Emergency Communications
When cell towers fail in earthquakes, wildfires, or floods — mesh radio keeps working. No infrastructure, no single point of failure. CERT teams, ham operators, and prepared households use Meshtastic as a last-resort communication layer.
Off-Grid Messaging
Camping, backpacking, and remote work sites where cell coverage doesn't reach. Keep your group in touch across miles of trail without any monthly fees or cellular plan. Works in canyons, forests, and desert terrain.
Festivals & Events
Crowded venues kill cell reception. Meshtastic works independently of cellular — coordinate with your group at concerts, outdoor markets, car shows, or sporting events without relying on overloaded towers.
GPS Tracking & SAR
Track assets, vehicles, livestock, or group members in real-time with shared GPS positions. Search and rescue teams use mesh networks to coordinate in areas where radios don't reach and cell is unavailable.
Agricultural & Remote Ops
Farms, ranches, and rural worksites spread across miles of property. Meshtastic provides low-cost communication between workers, equipment operators, and the main office without expensive satellite or radio systems.
Privacy & Resilience
No accounts, no servers, no companies in the middle. Messages are AES256 encrypted and travel directly between radio devices. For those who want communication that can't be monitored, blocked, or shut down by a third party.
Hardware is $20–40, setup takes 30 minutes, and the network is free. Join Discord and we'll walk you through it.
What we're working with.
The unlicensed band Meshtastic uses in the US. No amateur radio license needed to participate.
Achievable in flat Valley terrain with a good antenna and elevated placement.
All messages are encrypted by default. Private channel keys lock down who can read what.
The network is free. Hardware costs $20–40 once. No subscriptions, no carriers, no middlemen.
We run MeshInfo for the Valley.
Our MeshInfo instance at meshinfo.cvme.sh tracks every node reporting to MQTT across the Central Valley network — real-time positions, telemetry, signal data, and message history.
