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.
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Top picks in Comms
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Best GMRS & Ham Radios - My Top 3 Ham Radio GMRS Radio List For 2024
Reviews three affordable handheld radios for emergency communications, comparing features and capabilities of GMRS and ham options.
GMRS & HAM Radio CTCSS Tones Can Be Dangerous! Why You Should Not Use Tones Or Privacy Codes
Learn why enabling privacy tones on your radio can block critical emergency transmissions and potentially endanger lives.
Ham Radio Crash Course Podcast - I Talk With Josh About Everything
Wide-ranging discussion with Josh from Ham Radio Crash Course covering FCC enforcement, licensing, and the current state of amateur radio.
Replacing IC-7300 Failing Encoder Knob
Step-by-step repair of a worn encoder knob on the Icom IC-7300 transceiver—practical maintenance for long-term radio reliability.
Grid Down Phones That Work
Testing which phones can still make calls, send texts, and access information when the grid goes down during natural disasters or outages.
The Best Radio Frequency for Local Communications
Twenty-one minutes on selecting amateur radio bands for disaster scenarios, with licensing guidance and practical frequency recommendations for preppers.
Meshtastic at Sophia Hack Lab
85-minute technical presentation on Meshtastic mesh radio platform: hardware options, configuration, field deployment, and community use cases for decentralized communications.
Marco F4TXR Articulated Mast Mount and Xiegu VG4 Antenna
Hands-on walkthrough of a DIY articulated mast support and VHF/UHF antenna setup for portable emergency radio communications.
GhostNet Livestream: Emergency Radio and Mesh Networking Discussion
Live interview with S2 Underground on GhostNet, an open-source emergency radio communication system for disaster and off-grid scenarios.
My Daughter's First 2 Meter Ham Radio Experience
Step-by-step walkthrough of a first ham radio contact using a Kenwood handheld and repeater, with antenna and equipment details.
K6ARK Adam's Ever-Smaller Inventions
Interview with a search-and-rescue veteran and electronics engineer on designing pocket-sized transceivers, portable antennas, and failing forward in radio equipment projects.
Dishing out Pi with KM4ACK Jason
53-minute interview with ham radio operator Jason KM4ACK on building Raspberry Pi-based field stations for portable digital modes, emergency communications, and Parks on the Air operations.
Baofeng UV-9R Pro - Survival Prepper
Eight-minute review of the Baofeng UV-9R Pro handheld radio for survival and emergency communications.
Solar Flares, Carrington Events, and EMPs: How Solar Storms Affect Ham Radio
Twelve minutes on solar flare risks, Carrington Event history, EMP mechanics, and protective precautions for ham radio operators and household communications resilience.
How to Connect Your Mobile Ham Radio to Power — Various Options
Eight-minute walkthrough of power-supply options for mobile ham radio installations, with practical setup examples for truck-mounted equipment.
Variable EFHW Antenna - X-Tenna's 3-in-1 EFHW Setup, Test & Review
Thirteen-minute review and field test of a switchable end-fed half-wave antenna for ham radio emergency communications, with live tuning demonstrations.
DX Commander Signature 9 Build
36-minute walkthrough building and installing the DX Commander Signature 9 vertical antenna, including ground radials and mounting techniques for off-grid ham radio operation.
Halifax Amateur Radio Club Field Day 2023
Short-form documentation of the Halifax Amateur Radio Club's annual Field Day emergency communications exercise at a fire station, highlighting operator coordination and radio network resilience under technical constraints.
Top Prepper HF Ham Radio Antenna
34-minute walkthrough of HF antenna options for amateur radio operators, comparing types and deployment for off-grid communication resilience.
Changing Your Ham Radio Call Sign Using the FCC Vanity Call Sign Process
Step-by-step walkthrough of the FCC vanity call sign application process for amateur radio operators seeking a personalized call sign.
Chameleon Antenna CHA LRT (Loop Remote Tuner)
3:45 gear walkthrough of the Chameleon CHA LRT remote-tunable loop antenna system for portable ham radio communications.
Is Short Wave Radio Relevant For Preppers Today?
29-minute examination of shortwave radio capabilities, limitations, and practical use cases for preppers in grid-down and communication-loss scenarios.
Common Myths of Ham Radio for Prepping
25-minute breakdown of misconceptions about ham radio equipment, licensing, and capability in grid-down and off-grid household communication scenarios.
Making Your First Ham Radio Call
Step-by-step walkthrough of making your first ham radio transmission: equipment setup, frequency selection, call protocol, and common beginner mistakes.
Listening to Voice of Korea on Two Radios
Side-by-side reception comparison using an SDR-Play RSP1a and Icom R-75 receiver on a 31-foot vertical antenna, with practical takeaways on equipment performance.
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications for Public Service
21-minute overview of amateur radio skills and equipment for grid-down emergency communications, drawn from 30 years of ARES volunteer disaster-response experience.
Flex 6300 and Maestro in Action
Five-minute hands-on walkthrough of a Flex 6300 software-defined radio and SmartSDR software after relocating the station and reinstalling the full setup.
Chameleon Antenna F-Loop V3.0 and RV Operations
Four-minute review of the Chameleon Antenna F-Loop V3.0 portable antenna system and its use in RV-based ham radio operations.
Chameleon Antenna CHA-PORTA-MAST and Starlink Dish
Six-minute walkthrough mounting Chameleon's portable antenna mast with a Starlink dish for off-grid internet during RV camping.
West Chester UHF/VHF Radio Installation Walkthrough
Step-by-step installation of UHF/VHF ham radio equipment for emergency communications and disaster response scenarios.
Ham Radio Field Day with NFARL
Tour of North Fulton Amateur Radio League's Field Day 2022 setup: antennas, operating modes, live contacts, and a connection to the International Space Station.
ARRL Field Day 2022
Five-minute overview of ARRL Field Day: amateur radio operators setting up temporary emergency communication stations to practice disaster response and community coordination skills.
Retevis R29
14-minute walkthrough and evaluation of the Retevis RT29 two-way radio: features, build quality, range, and practical use cases for household communications.
Starlink Internet
Five-minute personal review of Starlink satellite internet service as an off-grid connectivity option for household preparedness.
VHF/UHF J Pole Antennas by Ed Fong WB6IQN
Hour-long walkthrough of designing and building a low-cost dual-band J pole antenna for VHF/UHF emergency communications.
Long Wire Antenna Raise
Seven-minute walkthrough of raising and installing a long wire antenna for emergency ham radio communications after storm damage.
End Fed Wire Antennas: Design, Installation, and Field Stories
65-minute technical presentation and peer discussion on end-fed wire antenna design, performance, and residential/remote installations for ham radio emergency communications.
Emergency Alerts
How to sign up for local emergency alerts via cellular, radio, satellite, and TV in your county, plus resources to build a family emergency plan.
New Radio from Stone Mountain Hamfest
A 9-minute walkthrough of what's available at a hamfest and what equipment the creator selected for their station.
San Francisco Wireless Emergency Mesh — Overview and Participation
Hour-long primer on the SF Bay Area's emergency mesh radio system: architecture, hardware requirements, and how individuals and clubs can join the network.
Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS): Emergency Communications for Crisis Response
Overview of MARS, a Defense Department civilian auxiliary of amateur radio operators providing backup communications when traditional infrastructure fails during military operations and natural disasters.
A New Ham's Trial By Fire: First Emergency Activation During Major Flood in Tennessee
A retired Army veteran's first amateur radio emergency deployment during Tennessee flooding, drawing on military experience to support disaster response communications.
Ham Radio Challenges in Search and Rescue Operations
How amateur radio operators in remote British Columbia coordinated communications during a mountain search-and-rescue operation, overcoming terrain and distance obstacles.
EZBNB RD207 Emergency NOAA/AM/FM Alert Portable Radio
Three-minute review of a lightweight portable weather radio with NOAA/AM/FM bands and emergency alert capability for hiking and outdoor preparedness.
VHF Propagation: Point-to-Point Analysis Tool for Ham Radio Communication
Eleven-minute walkthrough of the RF Line-of-Sight tool: how to use Google Maps and topography data to plan and troubleshoot long-distance radio paths for emergency communications.
Radio for Preppers: A Crash Course
67-minute breakdown of radio options for preppers: AM/FM, weather, shortwave, scanners, CB, FRS/GMRS/MURS, amateur radio, and SDR, with emphasis on safety and practical recommendations.
Retivis RT47 FRS Review for Preppers and Ham Radio Ops
13-minute hands-on review of the Retivis RT47 FRS radio, covering features, performance, and suitability for preppers and amateur radio operators.
Programming a Baofeng UV-5R with Chirp and a Programming Cable
Step-by-step walkthrough: using Chirp software and a USB cable to program frequencies and settings on a Baofeng UV-5R handheld radio.