Node communication

Here is a depiction of a possible node arrangement.  Nodes can come and go.  As you can see the more nodes that are available, the more routes are available.

Node sites may not have optimal signal conditions and some will have more or less range than others.  Some nodes will be able to connect to multiple other nodes, and some may only be able to make one connection.  We have challenges because of the topography and foliage in the area.  What may seem like a short hop may not be so easy if you have a tree in the way.

Nodes that are in 'clusters' have less of a chance of the 'mesh' breaking.  For example, if node 5 were to go offline, node 11 would be cut off from the mesh.  This is because node 11 has no other nodes to connect with.  All other nodes would be unaffected in this scenario.  The same would be true for node 4 and node 7.  A solution would be to try to place a node in between node 7 and 11, node 3 and 7, or node 6 and 11.

Testing has shown that a simple router with stock antennas can connect at a few thousand feet if there are no obstructions at all.  Put a house in between and you may have no signal.  WC3H and I (KC3APN) have done some testing around his neighborhood and this seems to be the case.