@Ham Radio Crash Course
— · 55 videos curated
Ham radio communication skills and equipment for emergency preparedness and grid-down scenarios.
All 55 videos
FCC Votes To Ban Chinese Radio Certification Testing
Eight-minute breakdown of the FCC's new requirement that radio certifications come from countries with US Mutual Recognition Agreements, effective in two years—what it means for ham radio gear sourcing and supply chains.
Radio Fire Watch & The Importance of a Simple Analog Repeater
How volunteer ham radio operators coordinated a fire watch during the La Habra, California fire to prevent spread, demonstrating practical emergency communication.
The City of Cerritos vs My Ham Radio Antenna – A Small Update
Follow-up on zoning and PRB-1 antenna regulations after community pushback; practical walkthrough of navigating municipal restrictions for ham radio emergency communications.
Full HaleHound Build – Fire Weasel and Cinder Ferret
54-minute walkthrough building and comparing two ham radio emergency communication kits, covering assembly differences and performance trade-offs.
Testing the Link500MP: Digital Modes Anywhere You Go
14-minute hands-on walkthrough of the Link500MP digital radio module: capabilities, setup, and real-world performance for portable amateur radio communication.
Shadow Slot VHF/UHF Antenna Review
Sixteen-minute walkthrough of the Shadow Slot low-profile antenna for Amateur, GMRS, and MURS bands, with performance notes and installation details.
$20 Mod Fixes Kenwood TM-D750 Clicking Issue and Panel Cable Problem
Step-by-step fix for audio clicking and panel connectivity issues on the Kenwood TM-D750 transceiver using standard CAT6 cables and adapters.
Setting Up an M17 Hotspot - Implementation Guide for 2026
Fourteen-minute walkthrough of configuring an M17 digital radio hotspot using the CS 7000 transceiver and open-source firmware for emergency communications.
Throwdown: ICOM ID-5200 vs. Kenwood TM-D750
Side-by-side comparison of two dual-band mobile radios for emergency communication, covering features, performance, quirks, and repair tips.
Kenwood TM-D750 Advanced Features
Setup walkthrough for digipeating, cross-band repeating, D-STAR reflector access, and APRS bulletin transmission on the Kenwood TM-D750 dual-band radio.
How to Unlock 1 Watt LoRa With the Morbo Kit
Step-by-step setup and configuration of a 1-watt LoRa repeater using the Morbo/ZeroFox3D kit, solar power, and antenna optimization for emergency mesh networks.
The Kenwood TM-D750 Microphone Cable Clicking Problem
Troubleshooting audible clicking on Kenwood TM-D750 transmissions when using extended CAT6/CAT8 microphone cables, and proper shielding techniques.
Find and Program Repeaters with RepeaterBook Connect
12-minute walkthrough: using RepeaterBook Connect software to wirelessly discover and program ICOM ham radio repeaters for emergency communications.
ICOM ID-5200 First Setup: Testing KISS TNC, D-STAR, APRS, WinLink
Fifty-nine-minute unboxing and initial configuration of the ICOM ID-5200 dual-band transceiver, covering D-STAR digital modes, APRS packet radio, and WinLink email over radio.
CFT-1 5-Band CW Transceiver: Build Series Part 2
47-minute walkthrough completing the assembly of a CFT-1 ham radio transceiver, covering final construction steps and testing.
Elecrow Thinknode M9 Security Advisory: Malware Risk on TF Cards
Warning about a worm virus found on some Thinknode M9 SD cards that can infect Windows systems and spread to connected storage devices.
Installing the Kenwood TH-D750 in my Truck
Step-by-step walkthrough of mounting a dual-band mobile radio with APRS capability in a vehicle for emergency communication.
The Only M17 Production Radio Available Today
Review of the CS7000 M17 Plus, the sole production M17 radio currently on the market, with context on M17 protocol adoption in amateur radio.
CFT1 Full Ham Radio Build: Part 1
82-minute step-by-step soldering and assembly of the CFT1 ham radio kit, with tool recommendations and troubleshooting for beginners.
Power Delivery Adapters for Ham Radio: VFLEX Review
Five-minute walkthrough of VFLEX power adapters and battery/cable pairing for portable ham radio setups in emergency scenarios.
Should You Buy the ICOM IC-7110? Detailed Review and Assessment
Four-hour deep dive into the ICOM IC-7110 HF transceiver: features, capabilities, use cases, and whether it's the right choice for your emergency comms setup.
Kenwood TM-D750 First Setup Recommendations: Get Up and Running Fast
Initial setup and configuration walkthrough for the Kenwood TM-D750 dual-band transceiver, covering FM simplex, repeater, D-Star, and APRS operation.
Inside a Real Ham Radio Trailer: Mobile Rover Setup
Tour of a fully-equipped ham radio mobile rover station used for emergency communications during special events and grid-down scenarios.
GMRS Repeater Owner Served Notice Of Violation By The FCC
How an unlicensed GMRS repeater network triggered FCC enforcement; legal requirements, linking rules, and what preppers should know before building repeater infrastructure.
Ham Radio Activation at Monte Sano: Live Demo and Beginner Gear Tour
Forty minutes of live ham radio activation in the field, with gear walk-through and practical tips for newcomers learning emergency communication skills.
Portable Satellite Tracker Build: Radio Station Setup
24-minute walkthrough assembling a portable satellite tracking radio station: radio, rotor, controller, antenna, and coax selection and integration.
Alpha Antenna Delta Loop: Fast Portable Ham Radio Antenna
Thirteen-minute walkthrough of the Alpha Antenna Delta Loop portable HF antenna for emergency ham radio communication and field deployment.
Let's Hit The ISS With APRS!!
Live walkthrough of APRS beacon transmission through the International Space Station using handheld radio gear, frequencies, and portable setup.
Unlocking More Capabilities From Your Ham Radio Handheld
Practical walkthrough of advanced ham radio features (Winlink, SSTV, APRS, Packet BBS) achievable with entry-level handhelds like the Baofeng for emergency and grid-down communication.
Ham Nation #628: Huntsville Hamfest, Young Ham Of The Year, and Repeater AI Assistant
Amateur radio news, community hamfest coverage, and discussion of emerging ham radio technologies including an AI-assisted repeater system.
Why You Need An N6ARA TinyFilter
27-minute technical review of the N6ARA TinyFilter, an RF suppression device for two-meter ham radio bands that reduces desense and spurious emissions in signal-saturated environments.
What Should I Bring to Defcon 2026?
Discussion of portable ham radio gear recommendations and emergency communication equipment selection for field deployment and off-grid scenarios.
Ham Radio Village at DEFCON 2026: Equipment and Field Day Gear
Tour of ham radio equipment and portable communication setups from participants at DEFCON 2026's Ham Radio Village, featuring field-tested gear for emergency scenarios.
Xiegu G7250: New 100-Watt Base Station Ham Radio from China
Overview of Xiegu's new G7250 base station radio and discussion of beginner-friendly ham radio equipment for emergency communications.
Unlimited Weather Satellite Images for $220.00 (NOAA GOES)
How to build a weather satellite receiver using a software-defined radio kit, parabolic dish, and low-noise amplifier for around $220.
Ham Radio Protection and Organization: Gear Setup for Portable Operation
Eight-minute walkthrough of padded organizer bags and portable ham radio gear setup, including handhelds, cables, and accessories for field deployment.
Ham Nation #627: The Repeater Has an AI Assistant?
Episode covering ham radio repeater technology, an AI-assisted repeater concept, ionospheric propagation, amateur radio news, and gear evaluations.
Activating a POTA Park With a Simple Kit and QRP Radios
24-minute walkthrough of a portable ham radio kit for Parks on the Air activation: transceiver, antenna, mast setup, and practical field deployment.
In the Middle of Nowhere With Ham Radio, Fishing & K6ARK
Field demonstration of portable ham radio equipment and operation in remote backcountry, featuring gear recommendations and 44Net mesh networking introduction.
DIY Mobile MeshCore or Meshtastic 3D Printed Node or Repeater
Build a budget mobile mesh repeater using 3D printing, a Heltec transceiver, solar panel, and off-the-shelf components for off-grid communication.
What Is The Deal With All These AI Ham Radio Applications?
Overview of AI-generated ham radio applications: what they are, how they work, and their practical utility for emergency communicators.
Ham Nation #626: All About The Big E!
One-hour discussion of Sporadic E propagation, amateur radio news, and listener Q&A with Gordon West and other ham radio instructors.
Build Your Own Off-Grid Network Right Now With MeshCore
Fourteen-minute walkthrough of setting up a local mesh network for emergency communications using MeshCore repeaters and field-tested gear.
Field Day Setup Party With W6TRW
Live coverage of amateur radio Field Day setup: portable station assembly, equipment demonstrations, antenna rigging, and emergency communication readiness in a remote location.
Live QRP Field Day at 8283 Feet With The W6TRW Radio Club
Live portable ham radio demonstration at high elevation: QRP techniques, field-deployable gear, antenna setup, and power management for emergency communications.
Ham Radio Everywhere: 3D Printed Base Loaded Vertical Antenna & QRP Labs QMX
17-minute walkthrough of a portable ham radio station setup using 3D-printed antenna and compact QRP transceiver, with honest assessment of performance trade-offs.
Top Tips For Portable Ham Radio Success
Portable ham radio setup tips, gear recommendations, and Field Day preparation for emergency communication readiness.
Ham Radio Antenna Citation: Regulations, Legal Resources, and Solutions
How one ham operator resolved a municipal citation on radio antennas, with guidance on ARRL legal resources and regulatory compliance for home station setup.
Ham Nation #625: Prepare For Field Day NOW!
Preparation tips for ARRL Field Day, the largest annual amateur radio emergency preparedness exercise, including gear setup and last-minute logistics.
ARRL Radio Review Database and Portable Radio Gear Guide
Walk through the new ARRL radio comparison database, review key metrics for emergency radios, and explore portable ham gear options for grid-down communication.
What is 44Net Connect? Why You Want To Access This Free System
Technical overview of 44Net, a free amateur radio network for emergency communication, hosted by John Burwell from the ARDC.
Build a Stealth MeshCore Repeater: Harbor Freight Hack
17-minute walkthrough combining a Seeed Studio Xiao LoRa node with a Harbor Freight solar light to build a portable mesh-network repeater for off-grid communication.
Morse Code Decoder Review: MorseNexus DitStorm Cypher
29-minute review of the MorseNexus Cypher, a Morse code decoder accessory for ham radio operators, including setup, software updates, and practical use cases.
Simulated Disaster Emergency Radio Communications
Hour-long hands-on walkthrough of multiple methods to transmit and receive radio signals during a simulated disaster, with gear recommendations and real-world testing.
Pikes Peak SOTA Activation: Amateur Radio at 14,115 Feet
27-minute field demonstration of portable ham radio equipment and techniques during a high-altitude mountain activation, covering antenna setup, radio operation, and practical comms skills.