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
Pebble HF CW POTA Activation in Poor Band Conditions
55-minute field demonstration: morse code operation on a portable HF radio during a Parks on the Air activation, with real QSO examples and practical troubleshooting in challenging conditions.
Icom 5200 APRS with Linux Mint and YAAC
Configure APRS tracking on an Icom 5200 radio using Linux Mint and YAAC software for emergency communication.
$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.
CW for POTA: A Beginner's Guide to Getting on the Air
Fifty-one minutes on learning Morse code and operating CW (continuous wave) amateur radio in the field, with practical tricks to activate Parks on the Air sites without advanced proficiency.
When the Power Goes Out, What Else Stops?
Overview of cascading infrastructure failures during grid outages: water systems, fuel, communications, medical equipment, and payment systems.
Stop Reprogramming Your Kenwood D750 - PM (Programmable Memory)
Configure your Kenwood TM-D750 mobile radio once, then switch between complete operational profiles with a single button press.
First Aid Kit Setup for Portable Ham Radio Operations
Building and organizing first aid kits for portable ham radio gear and camping—what to include, 3D-printed storage solutions, and maintenance considerations.
Earmore M32+ Tactical Headset Review: Night Vision Helmet Integration
Side-by-side comparison of PTT systems for encrypted radio use with tactical helmets, including integration ease and customization options.
Copper Wire vs Electric Fence String—Resonant Length Comparison for 20m Dipole Antennas
Eight-minute experiment comparing resonant lengths and SWR performance of copper wire versus conductive electric fence string in half-wave dipole configurations for the 20-meter amateur radio band.
Building a GMRS Manpack for Off-Grid Communications
12-minute build and field-test of a portable GMRS radio setup with statewide Texas codeplug configuration and practical gear selection.
What Happens to Emergency Alerts When the Cell Network Dies?
Learn how the Mystic Alerts Act enables satellite-based emergency notifications when cellular infrastructure fails.
From Military Communications to a Technician License | Hayato KO6OLN
Ham Radio Prep student testimonial: transitioning from military radio experience to amateur radio licensing, and discovering civilian emergency communications.
AI in the Ham Shack: Testing Gemini and Claude on Radio Projects
Twenty-one minutes testing AI tools on practical ham radio tasks: antenna design, radio configuration, RFI troubleshooting, and QSL card creation, with guidance on when to verify results independently.
The Best Free Ham Radio Tools: HR4NT Apps
Overview of three free amateur radio software tools—Pocket Elmer, Antenna Forge, and Radio Rosetta—for learning, antenna design, and radio programming.
How to Build a Resilient Messaging Web Without the Internet
Set up a Meshtastic network to send messages across town when cell infrastructure fails.
They Fixed the One Thing I Hated
Test USB cables for data transfer, charging capability, and faults across multiple connector types to avoid failures in the field.
Yaesu FT-857D & ATAS Antenna: Mobile HF Setup Field Testing
Hands-on demonstration of a portable HF radio system in the field, showing mobile deployment, antenna tuning, and real-world operating conditions for remote communications.
Everything Hiding Inside
Review of the Klein 11-in-1 ratcheting multi-bit screwdriver and nut driver for radio, antenna, and shack projects.
SDR vs. Analog HF Receivers: Sound Quality, Shack Tour, and Antenna Switch Options
Comparison of software-defined radio and analog HF receiver sound quality, with a shack tour and discussion of antenna switching and NVIS antenna configurations for HF.
Is Your Kid's Toy Radio Breaking the Law? FCC Rules for GMRS and FRS
How GMRS and FRS radios share frequencies, what power limits separate them, and which FCC rules actually matter for household radio use.
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.
The Elecrow ThinkNode M5 Meshtastic & Meshcore Node
Eight-minute walkthrough of three LoRa mesh radio nodes: the M5 (ESP32-S3, E-ink display), M1 (nRF52840, MeshCore), and M3 Tracker, comparing power efficiency, form factor, and ecosystem fit.
Amazon Big Deal Prime Days
Survey of radios, test equipment, power banks, tools, and lights suitable for amateur radio and emergency preparedness.
What SWR Really Means for Your Antenna
42-second breakdown of Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) and why a low reading doesn't guarantee antenna efficiency or power transmission.
The Solar Adapter Every Go Bag Needs
Test and learn how a direct solar-to-USB-C adapter simplifies emergency power without batteries or charge controllers.
Ham Radio Deals for Prime Big Deals Day 2026
Roundup of amateur radio equipment, antennas, test gear, batteries, and solar panels available during Amazon Prime deals, with product links and specs.
Overcoming Mic Fright: Getting Started with Amateur Radio
How to push past hesitation and make your first ham radio contact as a new operator, with encouragement from the welcoming amateur radio community.
The 1964 Alaska Earthquake: Ham Radio's 70-Hour Emergency Response
Historical account of how a single ham radio operator maintained emergency communications for 70 hours after the 1964 Alaska earthquake when all other infrastructure failed.
ICOM ID-5200 Mobile Radio: Features and Setup Walkthrough
Thirteen-minute walkthrough of the ICOM ID-5200 dual-band transceiver—menu layout, specs, what's included, and practical use cases for off-grid communications.
Real-World POTA Antenna Test: Dipole vs Vertical vs End-Fed
Field comparison of three portable antenna systems for amateur radio, testing signal reach and radiation patterns across 30-minute on-air sessions.
Ask Dave: Difficult Grounding—Alternative Techniques for Dry and Rocky Areas
Ham radio grounding solutions for operators in dry, rocky, or desert terrain where standard methods won't work.
If the Grid Fails, Do You Have a Comm Plan?
Seven-minute walkthrough of building a family communication strategy for grid-down scenarios, covering GMRS radio equipment selection, the PACE framework, and range/repeater considerations.
Meshwars and the Idaho Meshtastic Network
Interview with Idaho mesh network operators and the Meshwars platform creator on building decentralized, tower-free communications for off-grid resilience.
Are You Breaking FCC Radio Rules Without Knowing It?
Why some GMRS repeaters may not be FCC type-accepted, what that means for users, and how real-world radio compliance works in practice.
What is the BKG (Brass Knuckle Gang)?
Introduction to the Brass Knuckle Gang ham radio community: membership, required gear, antenna building, and practicing morse code on local repeaters and satellites.
Portable Ham Radio Logging Apps: Ham2K PoLo Walkthrough
57-minute hands-on walkthrough of Ham2K Portable Logger app for field ham radio operations, covering portable gear upgrades, app selection, and step-by-step feature demonstration.
Receiving Emergency Alerts Over Your Mesh Network With MeshWX Pro
Step-by-step setup of MeshWX Pro to receive official weather and emergency alerts across Meshtastic or MeshCore networks when conventional comms fail.
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.
Icom's New ID-5200: Built-In TNC + APRS Walkthrough | Dayton Hamvention 2026
Four-minute walkthrough of Icom's new ID-5200 dual-band radio with built-in TNC, APRS, color display, and GPS—plus new antenna tuner and desktop microphone from Dayton Hamvention 2026.
Tour the ARRL Headquarters Antenna Farm
Tour of ARRL's Newington headquarters showing multiband HF beams, VHF/UHF Yagis for satellite tracking, repeater verticals, and emergency weather monitoring dishes.
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.
Incoming and Outgoing QSL Bureau Explained for New Ham Operators
18-minute walkthrough of ARRL QSL bureaus and call-district procedures for ham radio operators establishing contact logs and emergency communication readiness.
Meshtastic Node Success: 3 Months of Island Data
Three months of real-world performance data from a Meshtastic mesh radio node deployed on an island, demonstrating practical off-grid communications without towers or carriers.
Icom 5200 Struggle Stream
Walk through Icom 5200 unboxing, Bluetooth TNC setup, and initial configuration for digital radio modes.
Spec5 Raider 1-Watt Meshtastic Node: Unboxing and Setup
Unboxing and field-ready setup walkthrough for the Spec5 Raider, a 1-watt Meshtastic mesh radio node designed for off-grid decentralized communications without carriers or towers.
How Much of Your Emergency Plan Depends on Your Phone?
Ninety seconds on identifying which parts of your emergency plan rely on your phone and what backups you need.
The #1 Mistake New Ham Radio Operators Make
Advice on choosing your first handheld amateur radio and budgeting for reliable gear as a beginner operator.
What Happens If Cell Phones & Internet Go Down for a Week?
Walkthrough of cascading failures across banking, retail, emergency services, and supply chains during a week-long communications outage, plus household preparation steps.