Conquering Nevada: A Meshtastic Coverage Analysis
What would it take to blanket the entire state of Nevada with a Meshtastic mesh network? Let's do the math.
The Nevada Advantage
Nevada is uniquely positioned for long-range radio communications. With its relatively flat terrain and minimal vegetation in many areas, line-of-sight conditions are exceptional. While mountainous regions exist, much of Nevada's 110,577 square miles consists of wide open desert—perfect for radio propagation.
Range Assumptions
In ideal Nevada conditions, Meshtastic nodes can achieve impressive ranges:
- Typical relay distance: 15-25 miles between nodes
- Conservative estimate: 20 miles average
- Coverage area per node: ~1,257 square miles (π × 20²)
The Redundancy Factor
A reliable mesh network needs redundancy. If one node fails, the network should route around it. For robust coverage, we want at least 3x redundancy—meaning any location should be reachable by at least 3 different nodes.
With 3x redundancy:
- Effective coverage per node: ~419 square miles
- Nodes required: 110,577 ÷ 419 ≈ 264 nodes
Edge Cases and Reality
The 264-node estimate assumes perfect hexagonal packing and uniform terrain. Reality requires more:
- Mountain ranges: The Sierra Nevada, Ruby Mountains, and other ranges create radio shadows requiring additional nodes
- Urban areas: Cities like Las Vegas and Reno need denser coverage for higher traffic
- Border connectivity: Nodes along state borders need extra coverage to maintain mesh integrity
- Maintenance access: Some locations are more practical than others
A realistic deployment would likely need 300-350 nodes for comprehensive, reliable coverage.
The Price Tag
At $100 per node (including solar setup, weatherproofing, and all hardware—ready to deploy):
- Conservative (264 nodes): $26,400
- Realistic (300 nodes): $30,000
- Robust (350 nodes): $35,000
These are complete, turnkey costs. Each node is ready to be placed and activated.
Is It Feasible?
Absolutely! For $30,000-$35,000, you could provide off-grid communications coverage to an entire state. Compare this to:
- Single cell tower: $150,000-$300,000 per tower (plus ongoing carrier costs)
- Satellite system: Tens of millions in development and deployment
- Nevada's annual road salt budget: ~$3 million
A 300-node Meshtastic network covering Nevada represents one of the most cost-effective large-scale communications infrastructure projects imaginable. This is less than the cost of a new car—for an entire state's mesh network.
The Community Approach
Rather than one entity funding the entire network, a community-driven approach makes even more sense:
- 300 volunteers each deploying 1 node: Network funded
- Cost per participant: $100 (turnkey, ready to place)
- Benefit: Statewide resilient communications
- Effort: Place one node in an optimal location
This is the true power of mesh networks—distributed ownership creating resilient infrastructure. Three hundred people, $100 each, and Nevada has off-grid communications.
Conclusion
Covering Nevada with Meshtastic is not just possible—it's remarkably affordable. With 300-350 nodes strategically placed across the state's 110,577 square miles, we could create a resilient, off-grid communications network for $30,000-$35,000 total.
The real challenge isn't the money—it's coordination and finding optimal placement locations. But for a state as vast and remote as Nevada, the value proposition is undeniable.
Who's ready to build the Silver State's mesh network?