Host a Repeater

Have a good location? You can help Waunakee connect.

A useful host site can be a home, farm, business, school, or community building. Higher the better, but you do not have to be the tallest. Even simple small gutter mounted repeaters can really help with coverage.

Talk with the community Learn how the network works

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 repeater 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 to be placed where it can hear the network. Outdoor, elevated, and clear-view locations are most valuable.

Common host locations

  • Homes with a good view or multistory
  • 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 wifi or internet connection.

Does it use much electricity?

No. These are small, low-power radios. Can run from a USB power adapter or self solar powered.

Will it interfere with wifi, TV, or cell service?

No. The radios use low-power LoRa in the 902 to 928 MHz band, which is different from normal wifi, cellular, tv frequencies.

Is a FCC license required?

No license is required for the MeshCore LoRa mesh devices in this project.

Who maintains it?

The community member or team placing the repeater 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 repeater to be moved or removed at any time.

What data passes through it?

Mesh repeaters relay text messages from the local mesh network. A host repeater is not connected to your home internet.

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.

Join Discord

Reduced Cost Repeaters

Apply for a WaunaMesh built solar repeater.

Waunakee-area property owners can apply for an subsidized solar repeater from WaunaMesh, while supplies last.

Apply to host