Want to do more?
The portable picks on our hardware page are radios you carry. This page is different: it's for neighbors who want to put up a permanent node — on a roof, a balcony, or a high window — to extend coverage for everyone. It's one of the most valuable things you can do for the network.
Why bother?
PalmasMesh gets stronger every time someone adds a fixed node in a good spot. A radio mounted up high, with a clear view, reaches much farther than one in a pocket — so a handful of well-placed nodes end up doing most of the work of passing everyone's messages across Palmas and into the wider Puerto Rico mesh.
You don't need to be technical to help. Pick a device below, and get in touch — we'll help you choose the right spot, get it on the air, and make sure it actually improves coverage instead of just adding noise.
The nodes
From a self-contained solar unit you can forget about, to a fully networked gateway, all of these are meant to stay put and run around the clock — not to carry with you.
The simplest way to put up a real outdoor node. It's solar-powered and fully self-contained — panel, battery, radio, and weatherproof case all in one. Mount it up high where it gets sun, point it at the sky, and it keeps running on its own, even with the grid down. No wiring, no power outlet needed.
Best for: Most people. If you want one node that just works without cabling and is immune to power outages, start here.
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A tough, weatherproof outdoor node that draws its power over a single ethernet cable (Power over Ethernet), so there's no separate power supply at the node itself. It doesn't carry data over that cable — you manage it over Bluetooth or USB — but it's a rock-solid, always-on relay for a roof or pole. With a standard high-performance antenna and a slim, low-profile design, this unit should have a higher chance of storm survival.
Best for: A permanent, mains-powered spot where you can run a cable but want a clean, robust install.
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The nicest option, and the most involved. It also runs on Power over Ethernet, but unlike the others it connects to your local router or switch — so you can manage it right over your home network, and it can link to distant nodes over the Internet (MQTT), not just by radio. Plan on spending a little extra: you'll need mounting hardware, a PoE injector, and an ethernet run to where it lives.
Best for: Hands-on hosts who want network control and an Internet bridge for the mesh.
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A tiny, inexpensive node you can place near a window — ideally on an upper floor. It won't match a proper outdoor install with a good antenna, but it's a cheap, easy way to fill in a coverage gap. Great for a small business that wants to make sure customers stay on the mesh while they're inside. It can even connect to your Wi-Fi for easier management and connectivity to other nodes.
Best for: Filling a dead spot indoors, or businesses extending coverage on a budget.
View this device →Worth the upgrade
For an outdoor install, the single biggest improvement is a good external antenna mounted above the node, up in the clear with nothing blocking it. We like the 6 dBi and 8 dBi antennas here (about $35–38). They give a real, noticeable bump in range and reliability over the standard antennas most nodes ships with.
To connect one, you'll need a short jumper cable with the right connectors. Rokland's extension cables and pigtails (about $8–12) cover it — just make sure you get the correct connector size and polarity for your node, and keep the cable as short as you can. (Longer cable = lost signal.) Not sure which one? Ask us.
A note on links: some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning PalmasMesh could earn a small commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we'd tell a neighbor to buy, commission or not.
Before you buy anything, reach out. The right device and the right location make all the difference — and we're happy to help you get both right the first time.