Finding Nodes
Finding nodes to connect to can be challenging. There is no central directory due to the distributed nature of radio, and much of the knowledge is localized to specific regions.
Here are some resources to help you get started. Ask around, and enjoy the thrill of discovering new nodes and exploring the network.
Nationwide Amateur Radio Packet Directory
A nationwide, crowdsourced map and directory of AX.25 packet radio stations created by Prof. Chris Lance (WW2BSA) to support experimentation, learning, and connection in the amateur radio digital community.
West Coast
145.050 Network
The 145.050 Packet Network is a long-standing, multi-state AX.25 keyboard-to-keyboard amateur radio network focused on 1200bps packet communication, supported by a community-curated directory of active nodes across Northern California, Nevada, and Oregon.
The Northern California Packet Association
The Northern California Packet Association (NCPA) is a regional committee that promotes amateur digital communications by serving as a forum for packet radio groups, coordinating digital frequency use, and providing digital band planning across Northern California.
Tucson Amateur Packet Radio
TAPR is a nonprofit community of amateur radio operators focused on advancing radio technology through education, open-source innovation, and development in areas like software-defined radio, digital modulation, and precise time and frequency measurement.
East Coast
North Carolina Packet
NCPACKET is a grassroots group in North Carolina building a fun and educational amateur radio packet network (TARPN) for regional email, chat, and social interaction entirely over ham radio while promoting digital radio, collaboration, and emergency preparedness.
The Virginia Packet Network (VAPN)
The Virginia Packet Network (VAPN) is a hybrid AX.25 and 802.11 amateur radio network serving northern Virginia, offering RF-only messaging in remote areas like Shenandoah National Park, with active VHF and HF nodes supporting resilient, off-grid communication.
The Main Packet Radio
The Maine Packet Network is dedicated to building a packet radio backbone that connects local networks and emergency comms teams across Maine, while also serving as a central hub for learning and resources for packet operators of all experience levels.
East Net Packet
EastNet Packet is a community of amateur radio operators focused on operating and expanding a digital packet radio network, welcoming all hams interested in digital modes and systems.
Delware Packet Network
The Delaware Packet Network (DEPN) promotes and supports the growth of community-based AX.25 packet networks across Delaware and nearby regions, offering guidance on setting up nodes, gateways, and digipeaters as part of a broader effort to rebuild the RF packet backbone in the U.S.
Worldwide Amateur Radio AX.25 Packet Directory
Created by Prof. Chris Lance (WW2BSA), this global AX.25 packet radio map honors operators by documenting mailboxes, nodes, BBS, and gateways as a living reference for users—an ongoing project aimed at keeping packet radio visible, useful, and fun.
UK Packet Radio Network
The UK Packet Radio Network Wiki is a collaborative resource aimed at supporting the restoration and growth of a UK-wide amateur radio data network.
Terestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network
TARPN is a grassroots initiative helping amateur radio operators build over-the-air, Internet-free VHF/UHF packet networks using simple, hobbyist-friendly hardware.
The Packet Radio RF Forwarding Network (TPRFN)
The Packet Radio RF Forwarding Network (TPRFN) is a volunteer-driven, RF‑only amateur radio network that links VHF/UHF packet systems and HF digital modes across the U.S. to provide dependable, Internet‑free messaging and emergency communications support.