I’ve Run a Secret Radio Station Since 1999. WFPF Radio.

Bench Overview:
After Hurricane Helene knocked out grid power, our local ISP silently switched the region to a CGNAT setup once services restored. This carrier-grade NAT setup stripped away our public IP and broke direct port forwarding, taking down WFPF Radio and its companion BBS after 24 years of continuous operation. With a little help from a dedicated station listener, we're troubleshooting the server network to bypass these ISP roadblocks and get our voice of the mountains streaming again.

Key Takeaways:
* **Failure Point:** ISP upgrades to CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) will silently ruin self-hosted web servers, radio streams, and homelabs by eliminating standard port forwarding capabilities.
* **Practical Workaround:** Relying on your community and adopting modern tunneling or external relay services can effectively bypass strict ISP network limitations without paying for expensive commercial lines.
* **Infrastructure Resilience:** Real storm recovery extends beyond just getting the generator running; local tech repairs often require reconfiguring network routing protocols after utility providers alter their hardware.