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Latest revision as of 22:28, 28 September 2026

44Net is a community of amateur radio operators using portable, public, static IP addresses to connect stations, run services, and experiment with networks.

About 44Net and its history →

Get started with 44Net

44Net Connect

The recommended way to get 44Net, using your existing Internet connection and a WireGuard tunnel.

Set up a Connect tunnel →

IPIP Mesh

Run a gateway in the community-operated mesh, connecting to other 44Net networks through IP-in-IP tunnels.

How the mesh works →

BGP-announced subnet

Have an ISP or hosting provider announce your subnet to the Internet, or announce it through your own network.

Arrange a BGP announcement →

What you need

1. Equipment

A computer, mobile device, Raspberry Pi, or a router from common manufacturers including Netgear, Ubiquiti, or MikroTik. Setup depends on the model and connection method. Browse the device and platform guides to find a starting point.

2. Internet connection

44Net does not provide Internet connections, it provides resources. Some use 44Net over RF links, but most participants use an existing broadband Internet connection, including cable, fiber, cellular, or satellite. For more on Internet connection requirements, see requirements for your connection.

3. A valid amateur radio operator's license

44Net is a community of licensed amateur radio operators, and you must be licensed to participate. For more about this, see license requirements.

What people build

You can run a single system, collaborate on shared projects, or build independent networks. As with amateur radio in general, 44Net is what we make of it, and there is no single “right” way to participate!

Individual projects

Remote station operation, self-hosted services, cloud services with BYOIP.

Examples:

Shared infrastructure

Club networks, linked repeaters, and services for the wider community.

Examples:

Autonomous networks

Multi-site links, resilient backbones, and globally-routed independent systems.

Examples:

Looking for ideas? Try one of these: Run a Minecraft server · Connect Home Assistant

See more projects →

Work on your network

Join us

You are welcome in the community discussions, whether you have a project underway or are just curious. Ask questions, share what you are trying, or listen for a while. As you learn, your notes and contributions can help the next person get started.

A shared project

44Net is a project of Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC). As part of the 44Net community, ARDC works alongside operators and volunteers to steward the address space and provide support on the community's behalf. Together, we all help keep 44Net useful by looking after our systems, sharing what we learn, and making room for others.

For details about participating, see eligibility and the terms of use. Earlier documentation is in the archive.

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 </div>
-{{Lead|44Net is a community of licensed amateur radio operators building and connecting real networks using shared public address space.}}
+{{Lead|44Net is a community of amateur radio operators using portable, public, static IP addresses to connect stations, run services, and experiment with networks.}}
-== 44Net in brief ==
+[[About 44Net|About 44Net and its history →]]
-{{Section|class=mw-section--brief|1=
-{{SectionAside|
+{{Section|variant=secondary|
-{{SectionFigure|file=Network_map_illustration.png|width=400px|caption=44Net IP addresses are globally routable, enabling direct accessibility from the public Internet.}}
+== Get started with 44Net ==
+{{SectionLayout|min=16rem|gap=0.75rem|
+{{SectionCard|
+=== 44Net Connect ===
+The recommended way to get 44Net, using your existing Internet connection and a WireGuard tunnel.
+[[44Net Connect/Quick Start|Set up a Connect tunnel →]]
+}}
+{{SectionCard|
+=== IPIP Mesh ===
+Run a gateway in the community-operated mesh, connecting to other 44Net networks through IP-in-IP tunnels.
+[[Gateway|How the mesh works →]]
 }}
-'''44Net''' makes publicly reachable networking available for experimentation and learning. Amateur radio operators and groups use it to run systems that are directly accessible from the Internet using stable public IP addresses.
-The resource that makes this possible is a block of over 12 million IP addresses tracing its origins to early packet radio. Today, [https://ardc.net/ Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC)] maintains the address space in service to the community. See [[About 44Net]] for background and history.
+{{SectionCard|
+=== BGP-announced subnet ===
+Have an ISP or hosting provider announce your subnet to the Internet, or announce it through your own network.
+[[BGP/Quick Start|Arrange a BGP announcement →]]
+}}
+}}
 }}
-<!-- {{Section|class=mw-section--quickpaths-strip|1=
-''Quick links:'' [[GetStarted|Get Started]] • [[Provisioning Methods|Provisioning Methods]] • Run a Project: [[DNS|DNS]], [[Routing|Routing]] • [[Community|Community]]
+{{Section|variant=primary|
-}} -->
+== What you need ==
+=== 1. Equipment ===
+A computer, mobile device, Raspberry Pi, or a router from common manufacturers including Netgear, Ubiquiti, or MikroTik. Setup depends on the model and connection method. Browse the [[:Category:Device and platform guides|device and platform guides]] to find a starting point.
+=== 2. Internet connection ===
+Net does not provide Internet connections, it provides resources. Some use 44Net over RF links, but most participants use an existing broadband Internet connection, including cable, fiber, cellular, or satellite. For more on Internet connection requirements, see [[Internet connection requirements|requirements for your connection]].
+=== 3. A valid amateur radio operator's license ===
+Net is a community of licensed amateur radio operators, and you must be licensed to participate. For more about this, see [[License requirements|license requirements]].
+}}
 {{Section|
 == What people build ==
-People use 44Net in many ways. Some run a single system; others collaborate on shared projects or build independent networks. There is no single “right” way to participate.
+You can run a single system, collaborate on shared projects, or build independent networks. As with amateur radio in general, 44Net is what we make of it, and there is no single “right” way to participate!
-Projects vary in scale and technical depth, from individual servers and stations to regional networks and volunteer-run independent systems.
 {{SectionLayout|min=16rem|class=mw-section__layout--build|
@@ Line 33: / Line 60: @@
 * [https://ni2o.ampr.org NI2O’s bit of Cyberspace]
 * [https://yo2loj.ampr.org YO2LOJ’s map of 44Net]
-{{SectionMoreLink|page=What People Build|label=See more projects →}}
 }}
@@ Line 44: / Line 69: @@
 * [https://www.irlp.net The Internet Radio Linking Project]
 * [https://hamgate.ampr.org HamGate Northeast US Networks]
-{{SectionMoreLink|page=What People Build|label=See more projects →}}
 }}
@@ Line 56: / Line 79: @@
 * [https://www.darc.de/der-club/distrikte/c/hamnet/ HamNET broadband RF network]
 * [https://www.arednmesh.org AREDN Emergency Data Network]
-{{SectionMoreLink|page=What People Build|label=See more projects →}}
 }}
 }}
-See [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]] for more examples.
+'''Looking for ideas? Try one of these:''' [[Minecraft|Run a Minecraft server]] · [[Home Assistant|Connect Home Assistant]]
-}}
-== How people participate ==
+[[What People Build|See more projects →]]
-People arrive at 44Net by joining an existing project, contributing to a shared effort, or creating something new of their own.
-Anyone interested can join one of the [https://ardc.groups.io/ mailing lists] to follow what people are actively doing with 44Net.
-{{Section|variant=secondary|
-=== Common paths into 44Net ===
-{{SectionLayout|min=16rem|gap=0.75rem|
-{{SectionCard|
-==== Join a network ====
-Many participants begin by joining an existing project. Regional RF networks, overlay networks, and other volunteer-run systems offer ways to learn and practice.
-===== Examples: =====
-Local packet and microwave networks, regional mesh projects, and shared access systems operated by volunteer groups.
 }}
-{{SectionCard|
-==== Contribute to a shared project ====
-Others participate by contributing to an active project. Technicians, designers, tower climbers, and system administrators — time and skills are always in demand.
-===== Examples: =====
-IRLP nodes, shared monitoring or DNS services, research collaborations, repeater linking systems, and community experimentation platforms.
-}}
-{{SectionCard|
-==== Create something new ====
-Some participants begin by building systems or tools of their own. Many parts of 44Net running today started as something one person built that others found useful.
-===== Examples: =====
-New club networks, independent routing experiments, novel services, or radio-linked systems exploring new technical ideas.
-}}
-}}
-}}
-== How people connect ==
-When an operator is ready to run their own system, they choose a provisioning approach that fits their project, request address space, and get building.
-These paths coexist but are not automatically integrated; see [[Decentralization|how Connect, IPIP Mesh, and BGP fit together]].
 {{Section|variant=secondary|
-=== Common ways projects connect ===
+== Work on your network ==
-{{SectionLayout|min=16rem|gap=0.75rem|
+* [[Portal/Introduction|Manage your Portal account and resources]]
-{{SectionCard|
+* [[DNS/Portal|Set up DNS names]]
-==== 44Net Connect ====
+* [[44Net Connect/Supported Platforms|Find Connect instructions for your device]]
-A WireGuard-based approach that uses secure tunnels over existing Internet links to bring 44Net to common, modern devices. Developed and maintained by volunteers with support from ARDC.
+* [[Routing|Understand routing and check traffic paths]]
+* [[Firewalling Basics|Configure a firewall]]
-[[44Net Connect|Learn more about 44Net Connect →]]
+* [[Get Help|Get help with a problem]]
-}}
-{{SectionCard|
-==== IPIP Mesh ====
-A community-operated overlay network built with IP-in-IP tunnels, allowing independently run systems to interconnect across the Internet. It’s a living descendant of the original AMPRNet packet networks.
-[[IPIP_Mesh/Quick_Start|Get Started with IPIP Mesh →]]
-}}
-{{SectionCard|
-==== BGP-announced subnet ====
-Projects integrate directly with the Internet’s global routing system by announcing 44Net subnets via BGP. Groups with ASNs, upstream peers, or datacenter facilities join the core of the Internet this way.
-[[BGP/Quick_Start|Get Started with BGP-Announced Subnets →]]
-}}
 }}
-}}
-== A culture of experimentation ==
-Net is meant to be explored. Many operators begin with a small experiment and discover new ideas along the way. Projects may grow, change direction, or conclude entirely. Returning address space when a project ends keeps the resource available for others to try something new.
-== Shared stewardship ==
-ARDC maintains the address space and supporting infrastructure, while participants steward the network by building systems, maintaining projects, and supporting one another. As with amateur radio, wide freedom to experiment comes with shared responsibility to care for the resource and keep it useful for future builders.
-ARDC maintains the address space and the core infrastructure that keeps 44Net available over time. Participants help care for the network by building things, keeping them running, and supporting one another’s work. In keeping with amateur radio tradition, operators have wide freedom to experiment, provided they help protect the resource and use it thoughtfully so others can build and explore as well.
-To learn more about how decisions are made or how to take part, see [[About 44Net]], [[Governance]], [[Policies]], and [[Contributing]].
-== Before starting ==
-Net is maintained as a community service for non-commercial projects and generally requires an amateur radio operating license. Community expectations follow amateur radio traditions. To learn more about eligibility, see [[Eligibility|Learn how eligibility works]].
-== Further reading ==
-* [[About 44Net|About 44Net]]: Understand history and stewardship
-* [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]]: Project examples
-* [[Provisioning Methods|Ways to Provision 44Net]]: Get 44Net on your device or network.
-== Joining the discussion ==
-You do not need a project or subnet to start. Many people begin just by listening.
-* [[Community|Community and Mailing Lists]]: Subscribe to community discussions
+== Join us ==
-* Introduce yourself or follow ongoing projects.
+You are welcome in the [[Community|community discussions]], whether you have a project underway or are just curious. Ask questions, share what you are trying, or listen for a while. As you learn, your [[Contributing|notes and contributions]] can help the next person get started.
-* See what others are building, and share ideas of your own.
-{{Info|Note|The 44Net Wiki is being updated and expanded. You may notice new sections and stub pages while this work is in progress. If you have suggestions or comments, please share them on the [https://ardc.groups.io/g/44net mailing list] or help make contributions yourself.}}
+== A shared project ==
+Net is a project of [[ARDC|Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC)]]. As part of the 44Net community, ARDC works alongside operators and volunteers to steward the address space and provide support on the community's behalf. Together, we all help keep 44Net useful by looking after our systems, sharing what we learn, and making room for others.
-== Older docs and notes ==
+For details about participating, see [[Eligibility|eligibility]] and the [[EULA|terms of use]]. Earlier documentation is in the [[Archive|archive]].
-Earlier pages that may still be useful:
-* [[Archive/Main Page]]
-* [[Archive/Home]]
-* [[Quickstart]]
-* [[Requesting a block]]
-* See [[Archive]] for more.
 [[Category:Explanation]]
 [[Category:Getting Started]]