About Tri-Cities Mesh

A community-owned, off-grid network for Northeast Tennessee.

Tri-Cities Mesh is a grassroots project that brings together amateur radio operators, makers, and anyone curious about radio across Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol. We’re building a resilient messaging network that keeps working when the cell towers or the internet don’t.

Our mission

Communication should be simple, reliable, and open to everyone. Small, low-power LoRa radios running MeshCore form long-range mesh links for text messaging and location sharing, without monthly fees or traditional infrastructure.

How it started

A few local ham radio operators found the Meshtastic project and saw its potential, both as an exciting experiment in radio and as a practical tool for community preparedness. The first test nodes went up in Kingsport, including an early install on the Bays Mountain tower, and Tri-Cities Mesh grew from there.

In 2026 the community moved to MeshCore. Its repeater-based design suits a growing regional network across our ridges and valleys better. Read why we switched.

Who it’s for

  • Amateur radio operators trying new digital modes
  • Makers and tinkerers exploring off-grid technology
  • Community groups preparing for emergency communication
  • Hikers, campers, and anyone who spends time out of cell range
  • Anyone curious about networks run by the people who use them

Get involved

New people are always welcome. You can:

Whether you want to put a repeater on your roof, run experiments, or just learn, there’s a place for you.

Looking ahead

Our long-term goal is a reliable regional backbone of repeaters linking neighborhoods, schools, and public spaces across the Tri-Cities. We want it to be an open platform for learning, experimenting, and preparedness.