Comms
Radios, mesh networks, EMP-hardened electronics, secure phones, and how to stay reachable when the grid stalls. The category most preppers underestimate until they need it.
Top picks in Comms
Curated by topic, not commissionAll curated
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.
I Can Hand This to Anyone
Review of the ThinkNode M9, a standalone mesh communicator with physical keyboard that requires no smartphone app or Bluetooth pairing.
Is 500 Watts Enough for POTA? Putting the KPA 500 to the Test
Practical evaluation of the Elecraft KPA-500 amplifier for Parks on the Air operations: power requirements, performance tradeoffs, and whether 500W is sufficient for off-grid HF radio work.
SKAN Comms Club Video 1: How Radio Waves Work and Frequency Selection
Technical introduction to radio wave propagation and frequency selection for short, medium, and long-range off-grid communications.
GMRS vs. Ham Radio Explained: Frequencies, Licensing, and Emergency Communications
Two-minute breakdown of GMRS, ham radio, and license-free MURS systems—which frequencies you can transmit on, licensing requirements, and how to choose the right radio for emergency communications.
User Review of the Baofeng 25th Anniversary Edition UV-5R Dual Band Handheld Transceiver
Ten-minute hands-on review of the Baofeng UV-5R 25th anniversary edition dual-band handheld radio, with links to purchase.
44Net Connect: Portable, Public, Static IP Addresses for Amateur Radio Stations
70-minute technical presentation on using 44Net IP addressing to make amateur radio stations reachable during grid-down scenarios and emergency communications.
Diamond CR320A Tri Band Ham Radio Antenna
Overview of the Diamond CR320A tri-band antenna for ham radio communication and emergency preparedness.
How to Choose an EFHW Antenna: Tips and Setup
Fifteen minutes on End-Fed Half-Wave antenna selection, setup, and teardown from two ham operators with practical examples and vendor comparisons.
Portable HF Radio Operating: An Underpass Parking Garage Test
28-minute walkthrough of setting up and operating portable HF radio from an urban location, demonstrating field deployment techniques and antenna solutions.
No Holes Drilled Here's How: Icom ID5200
Install a dual-band D-STAR mobile radio in your truck without drilling dash holes, using a vehicle-specific mount.
Get More Privacy on Your Radio with This Feature
One-minute walkthrough: how to activate scramble mode (SCR) on a Baofeng radio and test its effectiveness for secure emergency communications.
Ham Radio Preparedness: The Mission Defines the Gear
How to choose ham radio equipment for emergency communications: start with your mission (who, where, range), then select radios, bands, and antennas that match the task.
Internet Blackout, Police Down, Fax Services Activated
Overview of communication system failures and contingency infrastructure activation during widespread outages.
Your New ID-5200 Is Already Out of Date
Step-by-step walkthrough of updating Icom ID-5200 D-STAR radio firmware via micro SD card.
How Hackers Can Access Your Phone Without a Single Click
Eight-minute explanation of zero-click spyware attacks on smartphones, how Pegasus-style exploits work, and why iPhones remain vulnerable even without user interaction.
Portable HF Antenna Test for Off-Grid Communications
Hands-on testing and setup of a portable HF antenna for decentralized, tower-independent radio communications.
POTA Antenna Shootout Results: The Data Breakdown
Comparative performance data from three portable HF antennas tested in the field: contact counts, radiation patterns, and practical tradeoffs for different operating styles.
K5ACP Molle Antenna Clip with Quick-Connect Counterpoise: Updated Review
Eight-minute review of an upgraded modular antenna mount for portable ham radio, now with quick-connect counterpoise for field operation.
Linked Repeater Etiquette and Operating Tips for New Ham Operators
Twenty-two minutes on repeater protocol, proper operating procedure, and technique for new amateur radio operators using both linked and standalone repeaters.
How to Send Secure Texts on Your Radio
Configure DMR radio TX contact groups, color codes, and slot operations to send encrypted text messages without cellular dependency in grid-down scenarios.
Midland Emergency Radio from BattlBox
Hands-on look at the Midland emergency radio and what BattlBox included in this emergency communications bundle.
Your Whole Shack, In Your Pocket
Configure ham radio remotely from phone or laptop using POTACAT software and ECHOCAT companion app, with strategies for reaching your station without port forwarding.
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.
The Truth About Cheap CB Radios for Off-Grid Travel
Comparison of budget CB radios for overlanding and trail communications, with performance assessments and guidance on choosing between CB and GMRS systems.
The Ultimate Local Comms Setup? NVIS Field Test
Hands-on field test of Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) antenna configuration for local and regional radio communication using the Alpha Antenna Hex and real-world contact data from the Texas QSO Party.
3 Free Tools for Ham Radio: DX Cluster, ADIF Editor & Logging Software
Walkthrough of three free, cross-platform tools for ham radio operators: DXSpider cluster access, ADIF log editing, and OpsLog logging software for field operations.
Hamstick as a Counterpoise: Does It Actually Work?
Field test of using a mobile hamstick antenna as a ground system for a vertical antenna, measured with SWR analysis to evaluate portable station optimization.
Why a GMRS Radio Belongs on You When Cell Towers Fail | Backup Communications Made Simple
Thirty-seven-minute walkthrough of GMRS radios as backup comms when cellular fails: range, repeaters, gear selection, and how to plan and practice with family.
European Governments Recommend Emergency Radios for Grid Failures and Cyberattacks
What European governments are advising citizens to stock for emergency communication during grid failures, cyberattacks, or war scenarios.
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.
Baofeng DM-32UV Programming with CPS Software
27-minute step-by-step walkthrough programming a Baofeng DM-32UV dual-mode ham radio for analog and DMR channels using the CPS software.
Tidradio TD-H9 Ham Radio Review
10-minute walkthrough of the Tidradio TD-H9 dual-mode (GMRS/ham) handheld radio, covering out-of-box readiness, range, and use cases for outdoor coordination and emergency backup comms.
Essential Tips for Successful Field Operations
ARRL Lab expert shares practical tips for optimizing portable radio power, antenna performance, and field station reliability during outdoor amateur radio operations.
VHF/UHF Band Openings, Calling Frequencies, and Ham Radio Basics
Introduction to VHF/UHF band openings, standard calling frequencies, and practical radio operation tips for new ham radio operators.
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.
HamClock App for Amazon Fire TV: Setup and Overview
Five-minute walkthrough of installing and configuring the HamClock app on Fire TV for amateur radio timekeeping and coordination without a dedicated computer.
Kenwood TM-D750 vs ICOM ID-5200: Mobile Radio Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of two dual-band mobile transceivers: hardware, build quality, interfaces, and practical usability for ham radio stations.
On-Air Antenna Shootout: Dipole vs Vertical vs Wire
Live field test comparing three portable HF antennas (dipole, vertical, end-fed wire) with real signal reports from across the country.
From Beginners to Licensed Hams: 3 Real Student Stories
Three students share their paths to earning their ham radio Technician license through structured study and practice, covering motivation, learning methods, and returning to the hobby after decades away.
HF Antenna and Voice Operating Tips for New Hams
Twenty-one minutes on HF low-band antenna options and voice operating techniques for amateur radio operators building emergency communications capability.
Faraday Sling Bag That Blocks All Signals: SLNT Compact Review
Two-minute gear walkthrough of the SLNT Compact Faraday sling bag for signal blocking, privacy, and device protection.
POTA Antenna Shootout: 3 Portable Systems Tested Head-to-Head
Field comparison of three portable amateur radio antenna systems (Alpha Dipole, Chameleon vertical, SpoolTenna wire) tested live at Cedar Hill State Park with real-world radiation patterns and practical use cases.
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.
Why Your Antenna Tuner Doesn't Actually Tune Anything
Technical breakdown of how antenna tuners (transmatches) work: impedance matching between radio and feedline, SWR, and why the name is misleading.
This Free App Replaces Half My Ham Software
Tour of HTCommander, a free open-source app that integrates APRS messaging, Winlink email, packet radio, and satellite tracking for amateur radio operators.
Critical Winlink Updates Every EmComm Operator Needs to Know
Eighty-four minutes on Winlink system enhancements and their application to emergency management operations, presented by a core Winlink Development Team member.
Low Power Hour: QRP Operating with K0KLB & KO4GSM
Live discussion on QRP (low-power) ham radio operations, field deployments, and practical techniques for reaching distant stations with minimal power.