Mena, Arkansas • Ouachita Mountains
A free, community-built radio mesh network for the Ouachita Mountain region. No cell towers. No internet. No monthly fees. Just neighbors keeping each other connected.
Network updates
Our first solar-powered repeater is online and running around the clock without grid power. A second solar node is in the works — just waiting on a panel and enclosure.
A MeshCore room server is active on the network. Room servers store message history and push it to users when they connect, so you can catch up on what you missed even after being offline.
Hardware is mostly in hand — just waiting on a solar panel and enclosure before the next node goes up.
The technology
MeshCore is open-source firmware that turns affordable LoRa radios into a self-healing mesh network. Messages hop node-to-node over radio — entirely without internet or cell infrastructure.
When cell towers fail in storms, floods, or disasters, Ouachita Link keeps working. Messages travel peer-to-peer through fixed repeaters — no servers, no internet.
Every direct message and private channel is end-to-end encrypted. Each device holds its own key pair and messages are cryptographically signed to prevent spoofing.
LoRa radio reaches many miles from a hilltop. Solar-powered repeaters run indefinitely. A single node on a ridge can bridge two valleys with no cell service.
No company. No subscription. No central server. Every node you run makes the whole network stronger. Ouachita Link belongs to the people of the Ouachita region.
Who it's for
Whether you're deep in the National Forest or just outside Mena, Ouachita Link has a reason to matter to you.
Stay connected with neighbors when storms knock out power and cell service for days at a time.
Coordinate with your group across ridges and hollows in the Ouachita National Forest with no cell coverage needed.
A real backup channel when every other system is down. Tornadoes, ice storms, and floods don't stop LoRa radio.
Carry a node on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail as a safety device. No satellite subscription, no monthly fee.
Explore LoRa mesh technology, experiment with repeater placement, and help build real community infrastructure.
Fire departments, volunteer organizations, and neighborhood groups can coordinate during events and emergencies.
Why it matters here
Much of western Arkansas sits in a communication dead zone. Ouachita Link is designed from the ground up for this terrain and these challenges.
Tornadoes, ice storms, and floods routinely knock out power and cell service across Polk County. A mesh network gives communities a backup channel that doesn't rely on towers or grid electricity.
Vast stretches of the Ouachita National Forest have little or no cell coverage. Hilltop repeaters costing under $100 — powered by a small solar panel — can bridge those gaps and serve entire valleys year-round.
MeshCore runs on the 915 MHz ISM band — open to anyone, no ham radio license needed. Getting started is as simple as a $35 radio and five minutes with a web browser.
MeshCore is designed for fixed repeaters on elevated sites — exactly right for the Ouachitas. A node on Rich Mountain or Black Fork Mountain can serve an enormous coverage area.
Ouachita Link isn't a replacement for 911 — but it can help neighbors check on each other, coordinate during emergencies, and relay information when every other channel is down.
Every person who joins makes the network more useful for everyone else. A handful of well-placed repeaters and a few dozen users can cover the entire Mena area.
Help wanted
A single solar repeater on a high point can cover an entire valley. If you own or have access to any of these locations — or somewhere similar — you could be the reason the network works for hundreds of people.
Highest point in Arkansas at 2,681 ft. A repeater here would have line-of-sight coverage across most of Polk County.
A tall building or water tower in Mena would serve as a central hub connecting outlying nodes into the core network.
Elevated ridge in the National Forest — strong potential for northward coverage toward Scott County.
Linear coverage along major routes would give travelers and commuters a reliable node while in transit.
Hardware cost is approximately $80–$120 for a complete solar repeater build. We'll help you with setup and can assist with sourcing parts. Contact us to get started →
Get connected
Getting on the network takes about 30 minutes and costs as little as $35. Here's how it works:
A Heltec V3, RAK WisBlock, or Lilygo T-Beam all work great. Prices range from $35–$80. Any device supported by MeshCore will do. See the supported device list →
Visit flasher.meshcore.co.uk in Chrome or Edge, plug in your device via USB, and flash the Companion Radio firmware. Takes about 5 minutes.
In the MeshCore app, use the settings in the quick-connect table to the right. Don't adjust frequency or spreading factor — this keeps you synced with the network.
Download the MeshCore app for iOS or Android, pair via Bluetooth, set your name, and send a message on the Public channel. See "Heard X repeat(s)"? You're on the network.
A rooftop, ridge, or hilltop with power or sun could host a repeater covering 10–30 miles. A solar build costs ~$80–$120. Reach out — we'll help you set it up.
Use the USA/Canada Recommended preset, or enter these manually:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 910.525 MHz |
| Bandwidth | 62.5 kHz |
| Spreading factor | 7 |
| Coding rate | 5 |
The easiest approach is to select the USA/Canada Recommended preset in the flasher or app — it sets all of the above automatically, including the appropriate TX power for your specific device.
If you have a high point — rooftop, tower, barn, or ridgeline — you could host a solar repeater serving a massive coverage area. No technical experience needed; we'll help with setup and hardware.
Network coverage
Ouachita Link is centered in Mena with the goal of connecting the entire Ouachita Mountain region. Every new node and repeater expands our reach.
Map shows Polk County hub and surrounding county coverage goals. Markers are placed at county seats for reference.
Get in touch
Have a question, want to host a repeater, or just want to follow along as the network grows? Come join the conversation on Facebook.
The Facebook group is where we coordinate, answer questions about hardware and setup, share node locations, and plan network growth. All experience levels welcome.
Ouachita Link is a local community project rooted in the Ouachita Mountains. We're just getting started and always looking for people who want to help build something that matters for this region.
Whether you're a seasoned radio operator or you've never heard of LoRa before today — there's a place for you. The hardware is cheap, the setup is simple, and the impact is real.
Ouachita Link is a community communication tool. In any emergency, always contact official emergency services first. This network is a supplement, not a substitute.
Ouachita Link is built by neighbors, for neighbors. Whether you want to join as a user or host a repeater, you're welcome here.
Get started today