Part of our Mesh Networking guide.
I have covered AREDN as a concept, building a ham radio internet out of mesh nodes. What I have not covered is the unglamorous but essential question: which actual hardware do you buy to build a node.
Why You Cannot Just Grab Any Router
AREDN firmware only supports a specific, published list of devices, mostly based on Ubiquiti and MikroTik radio hardware built for outdoor, point-to-point WiFi links, not consumer home routers. Buying an unsupported device means no firmware, full stop, so check the official AREDN supported hardware list before ordering anything.
The Common Entry-Level Choices
Ubiquiti NanoStation and Rocket M series devices are the most commonly recommended starting points, they are outdoor-rated, weatherproof, and built with an integrated or separately mountable directional antenna designed for exactly this kind of point-to-point link. MikroTik hardware is a common second option, generally cheaper but with a steeper setup curve for AREDN specifically.
What Else the Node Actually Needs
A PoE injector to power the outdoor unit over the same cable that carries data, weatherproof mounting hardware, and a clear line of sight to whichever node you are trying to link with, since AREDN performance degrades fast without one. Budget for the mounting and weatherproofing as seriously as the radio itself, a node that is not solidly and weatherproofed installed will not stay online through a real storm season.