44Net: Public IP Space for Radio Amateurs

44Net gives licensed amateur radio operators access to public, globally routable IP addresses, so they can build and operate real systems on the open Internet.

44Net IP addresses are globally routable, enabling direct connectivity on the public Internet.

44Net exists so individuals and small groups can learn, experiment, and run services using public addresses, without the constraints of NAT or consumer-grade Internet service.

On 44Net, participants work directly with addressing, routing, and naming — engaging with the connective tissue of the Internet as builders, not just users.

The network traces its roots to 1981, when Hank Magnuski asked Jon Postel for IP address space to support amateur packet radio networking, at a time when the Internet was still taking shape in text files on university minicomputers. As the Internet has evolved, 44Net has grown through decades of technical and community stewardship.

Today, 44Net carries that stewardship forward as a program of ARDC. ARDC provides governance and support, while the network itself is built and operated by its participants.

Start Here

If you are new, returning, or already building, start here:

• New to 44Net: Who can participate and Getting started

• Already signed up: DNS and naming, Routing and connectivity, and Portal sign-in

• Getting involved: Policies, Governance, and Contributing

What People Build on 44Net

44Net is a globally distributed community network.

Examples include:

• Authoritative DNS and hosted services
• BGP-connected network segments and tunnels
• Gateways between radio-linked and internet-linked systems
• Monitoring, telemetry, and operational tooling
• Experimental protocols and educational lab environments

Stewardship and Participation

44Net participants build, operate, and support the network together.

44Net is maintained through volunteers, staff support, and published policies. We prioritize technical clarity, practical operations, and open participation without gatekeeping.

• Policies and practices
• Governance and responsibilities
• Roadmap and priorities
• How to contribute

Documentation Status

This wiki is under active reconstruction. Some pages are incomplete, outdated, or still being organized.

We are building clear foundations, portal how-tos, and operational references in stages. Until that work is complete, this page is the primary orientation point and the shortest path to current resources.

Quick Links

Resource	Link
Portal	Portal sign-in
Getting started	Get Started
Wiki index	Wiki Index
ARDC	ARDC.net