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
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.
EMP Survival: What You Need to Survive an EMP Attack
Five-minute overview of EMP risks and gear to protect electronics and communications in a grid-down scenario.
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.
How to Setup Yaesu FT 2980R and Diamond x30
Four-minute walkthrough setting up a Yaesu FT 2980R radio and Diamond x30 antenna, with signal-quality comparison to previous equipment.
RADAR On the Air Meetup October 2015: Portable QRP Setup
Field demonstration of a Yaesu FT-817 QRP transceiver, modular portable antenna system, and F-Loop Plus antenna operating at 2.5–5 watts in amateur radio exchange.
Logging with 817 Companion: FT-817 CAT Control on Android
Walkthrough of 817 Companion, an Android app for Yaesu FT-817 radio control via Bluetooth or USB, focusing on portable field logging features.
QRP Portable QSO: FT-817 and F-Loop Field Test
Live portable radio contact on 17m using 5 watts, an FT-817ND transceiver, loop antenna, and DIY NiMH battery pack—demonstrating practical off-grid communications.