Recruiting Repeater Hosts

The fastest way to grow coverage is to recruit hosts for additional repeaters —- people who will let you mount a node on their property. A good host needs to provide: height, power, and patience.

The ideal host profile

Owns or has access to a high point (tower, tall building, hilltop property, water tower access)
Has mains power available at or near the mount point (or accepts solar)
Is comfortable with a small device mounted on their property for years
Lives in an area that extends your coverage map

Where to find hosts

Amateur radio operators

Ham operators already have antenna infrastructure, understand RF concepts, and are culturally aligned with community communication projects. Local radio clubs are the first call for any mesh network builder. Many hams already have hilltop or tower access and are open to co-locating additional equipment.

Farmers and rural landowners

Rural property owners often want better communication options themselves. A repeater on a grain elevator, water tank, or farm outbuilding benefits the farmer (they get a node) while extending your coverage into underserved rural areas. Frame it as mutual benefit.

Local businesses on tall buildings

Rooftop access to commercial buildings dramatically improves urban coverage. Property managers are more receptive if the installation is visually minimal (a small white antenna on an existing mast) and the equipment is professionally installed.

Fire stations and public works facilities

Many local government facilities are interested in off-grid communication resilience. Fire stations in particular often have tall buildings, 24/7 power, and emergency-preparedness motivation.

Making the ask

The pitch that works best:

Explain what mesh radio is in one sentence: "It's like a community text messaging network that works without cell towers or internet."
Show them the current coverage map and where their location fits in
Offer to handle the installation completely —- they don't have to do anything
Describe the equipment: a small weatherproof box, one antenna, a power draw of <5 watts
Offer to give them their own device so they can actually use the network

Host agreement basics

Keep it informal but clear. A simple one-page document covering:

What equipment is being installed and who owns it
Who is responsible for maintenance and removal
Power consumption (approximately $1–1 - 3/year for a solar node; essentially zero marginal cost for mains-powered)
How to contact you if there's a problem
That you'll remove it on reasonable notice if they ask

Don't over-engineer this. Most hosts will never look at the agreement again —- but having it shows professionalism and prevents misunderstandings years later when personnel change.