44Net: Public IP Space for Amateur Radio Operators
44Net provides publicly routable IP address space for amateur radio operators who want to learn, experiment, and operate their own networked systems.
What is 44Net?
44Net is a shared pool of Internet address space set aside for experimentation, learning, and community-built infrastructure. It lets individuals and groups run systems that are directly reachable on the Internet using a stable public IP address, just like traditional Internet hosts and services, without needing to use private address space behind NAT.
44Net predates the Internet as we know it today, and its history is worth exploring; see About 44Net for background and origins.
What is it for?
People come to 44Net with different goals. Some want to access a system remotely; others join community projects or build routed networks of their own. Rather than one prescribed setup, 44Net offers several practical paths into the network.
The right starting point depends on what you want to build and how deeply you engage with networking.
Most participants use one of three approaches: 44Net Connect, IPIP Mesh, or BGP-announced subnet.
A WireGuard-based system designed to provide the shortest path to your first packet.
A community-driven network built on IP-in-IP tunnels, used for learning and experimentation.
Need: routing knowledge and network equipment.
Get Started with BGP-Announced Subnets →
These three paths describe how connectivity is provided at the 44Net level. Many participants also connect through community‑run projects built on top of them — including regional networks, shared gateways, wireless links, VPN services, and local experimentation groups. You may begin through any of these community efforts, or create one of your own.
If you are looking for something to join rather than build from scratch, see What People Build on 44Net and Ways to Participate.
Experiment Freely
Many participants begin with a single system or small subnet and grow from there. You do not need a large network or deep routing experience to take part. Curiosity and a willingness to try things are enough to get started.
Address space on 44Net is meant to be used, explored, and learned from. You are not "using it up" by trying something. If a project ends or you decide not to continue, returning a subnet is simple, and requesting space again later is okay. Many participants adjust, exchange, or return allocations as their interests change.
What People Build on 44Net
Personal station and home services
Remote access to stations, self-hosted services, and always-reachable endpoints
In Practice:
YO2LOJ operates a page with resources for 44Net users and other amateur radio enthusiasts.Repeaters, gateways, and group-operated systems with stable public addressing
In Practice:
The Internet Radio Linking Project is a worldwide voice-over-IP network of amateur radio repeaters and stations that uses public IP addresses from 44Net.Routed and experimental networks
Overlay networks, inter-site links, and BGP-operated subnets for advanced operators
In Practice:
The Internet Radio Linking Project is a worldwide voice-over-IP network of amateur radio repeaters and stations that uses public IP addresses from 44Net.See What People Build on 44Net for more examples and build paths.
Stewardship and Participation
44Net is operated through a mix of community participation and organizational stewardship. ARDC provides long‑term care of the address space and supporting infrastructure, while participants build and operate their own systems and help one another.
If you are interested in how decisions are made or how to participate more deeply, see About 44Net, Governance, Policies, and Contributing.
Status of this Documentation
This documentation is actively evolving. Some areas are well established, while others are being reorganized or expanded as new tools and participation models develop.
Next Steps
If you are ready to continue, these are common next steps:
- Choose your first path and get connected: Getting started
- Compare path fit before you configure anything: Ways to Connect
- Sign in and manage requests: Portal sign-in
- Understand context and stewardship: About 44Net
- Explore use cases and examples: What People Build on 44Net
- Build and operate your network: DNS and naming and Routing and connectivity
- Contributing knowledge, tools, or support: How to get involved