I see comments that suggest a robust mesh network reaches critical mass somewhere around 40 or so nodes.  In those areas where that density has been achieved, I'd love to know what got you there?

My reading and shopping around indicates that a good mesh node installation is going to run between $200 and $300... not much more than a good HT.  However most of my ham buddies are serious skinflints as far as investing in new equipment, unless they get jazzed about a project.  Then things happen quickly.

So in those regions where you have been successful, What sells the MESH?  How have you gone about recruiting new node operator/owners?

What bombed; what worked?

Planning a campaign and looking for ideas.

Thanks!

Our terrain in the SF East Bay hills, between Oakland and the Central Valley, presents a similar problem with many deep inland valleys. 

Whether we like it or not, we will have to rely on five hilltop sites for nodes.  The good news is that there are multiple hops possible between these five sites, and one or another of them will reach into nearly every isolated pocket.

But we still will need a number of mesh nodes in each of those pockets to be truly useful.

I'm still very interested in any reflections from those hams who have lived with a growing local mesh over the last few years.  What did you observe that was crucial to getting people involved?

Glen