Better coverage
Your location may bridge a gap and help messages travel across Waunakee.
Emergency resilience
The mesh can keep local messages moving when internet or cell service is unavailable.
Low effort
Once installed, a fixed node can run quietly with little or no action from the host.
What hosting means
A small radio in a useful place.
Hosting usually means allowing a small weatherproof radio box and antenna to be placed where it can hear other nodes. Outdoor, elevated, and clear-view locations are most valuable.
Common host locations
- Homes with a good view or upper floor window
- Barns, farms, and outbuildings
- Churches, schools, and community buildings
- Local businesses with roof or window access
- High spots near the edge of current coverage
What to Expect
- Small box mounted to your building or old Sat dish pole
- USB power or solar power where appropriate
Host questions and answers
What makes a location valuable?
Height, a clear view, or a position that fills a coverage gap all help.
Does it need my internet?
No. A MeshCore radio can pass local radio messages without using your Wi-Fi or internet connection.
Does it use much electricity?
No. These are small, low-power radios. Many fixed nodes can run from a USB power adapter, and some locations can use solar power.
Will it interfere with Wi-Fi, TV, or cell service?
No. The radios use low-power LoRa in the 902 to 928 MHz ISM band in the United States, which is different from normal Wi-Fi and cellular frequencies.
Is a license required?
No license is required for typical MeshCore LoRa mesh devices in this project.
Who maintains it?
The community member or team placing the node should handle setup, updates, and removal. Hosts do not need to manage the software.
Can I ask for it to be removed?
Yes. A host may ask for the node to be moved or removed at any time.
What data passes through it?
Mesh nodes relay short radio messages from the local mesh network. A host node is not a connection to your home network.
Ready to host?
Start with a conversation.
Join the Madison Mesh Discord, introduce yourself, and say that you may have a Waunakee host location. A volunteer can help.