TL;DR

Your station earns rewards based on how many geographic hexes it covers and validates data in. One hex = one reward opportunity. If you’re alone in a hex, you get the full reward. If others overlap, the reward is split.

How Hex Rewards Work

Mastchain rewards data contributors according to coverage.

To do this, the world is divided into small geographic areas called H3 Resolution 5 hexes.

1. Collect Data in a Hex

When your station collects 500 validated messages inside a hex, that hex becomes eligible for rewards.

2. Earn From Multiple Hexes

A single station can earn rewards from many hexes at the same time, depending on its coverage.

3. Base Reward Amount

Each hex has a base reward of:

0.223 tMAST per hex

Hex Colors Explained

🟩 Green Hex

• Only one of two stations serving that hex
• You receive 100% of the hex reward

🟨 Yellow Hex

• Multiple stations overlap in this hex
• A number appears showing how many stations are competing

The hex reward is split evenly among those stations.

Example:

If a yellow hex shows 3, each station receives:

0.223 ÷ 3 = 0.074 tMAST

What This Means for You

• More coverage = more earning potential
• Less overlap = higher rewards per hex
• Strategic placement of stations matters

FAQ

Did Mastchain reduce rewards compared to the old system?

Mastchain did not reduce rewards; it changed what is rewarded. The previous model emphasized throughput. The current model emphasizes geographic distribution of coverage. Earnings now depend primarily on how many unique areas your station serves.

Why do I only receive rewards from one hex?

Hex rewards are determined by geographic coverage, not by total message volume. If the majority of your validated messages originate from the same geographic area, they are all attributed to a single hex, regardless of how many messages are processed.

Can a single station earn rewards from multiple hexes?

Yes.If a station receives validated traffic from multiple distinct geographic areas, each area that reaches 500 validated messages becomes an eligible hex.

How do I know when I have reached the 500-message threshold for a hex?

When your station receives 500 validated position reports from the same hex within a day, that hex becomes eligible for rewards. Once eligible, the hex will appear in your map view as either green or yellow and begin contributing to your rewards.

If a hex is not visible, it has not yet reached the threshold.

What is a realistic signal level to clear a hex?

As a reference:

• One ship broadcasting every 10 seconds produces ~8,600 position reports per day
• Capturing even a fraction of a single vessel’s traffic consistently is enough to exceed the 500-message requirement

If your station averages only a few hundred total position reports per day, it is unlikely to clear multiple hexes.

Why does Mastchain require sustained volume instead of occasional reception?

Because occasional reception does not represent reliable network service.Sustained traffic demonstrates that your station is actually providing usable coverage for that area.