The message packats received contains multiple messages deliniated by a header=0xFD and a footer=0xFE // sample message packet with three // different size messages List<byte> receiveBuffer = new List<byte>(); receiveBuffer.AddRange(new byte[] { 0xFD, 1, 2, 0xFE, 0xFD, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 0xFE, 0xFD, 33, 65, 25, 44, 0xFE}); // note: this sample code is without synchronization, // statements, error handling...etc. while (receiveBuffer.Count > 0) { var bytesInRange = receiveBuffer.TakeWhile(n => n != 0xFE); foreach (var n in bytesInRange) Console.WriteLine(n); // process message.. // 1) remove bytes read from receive buffer // 2) construct message object... // 3) etc... receiveBuffer.RemoveRange(0, bytesInRange.Count()); } As you can see, (including header/footer) the first message in this message packet contains 4 bytes, and the 2nd message contains 10 bytes,a and the 3rd message contains 6 bytes. In the while loop, I was expecting the TakeWhile to add the bytes that did not equal the footer part of the message. Note: Since I am removing the bytes after reading them, the header can always be expected to be at position '0'. I searched examples for splitting byte arrays, but non demonstrated splitting on arrays of unknown and fluctuating sizes. Any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks much!