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.
Showing 65 videos · runtime 30+ min
Top picks in Comms
Curated by topic, not commissionAll curated· primary topic only
The Basics of HF Antennas
37-minute primer on HF antenna design principles: what distinguishes antenna types, how they operate differently, and what to consider when selecting one.
5 Days in Yosemite with Starlink Mini - WaveTalkers LIVE 127
Field test of Starlink Mini satellite internet in Yosemite: coverage, performance, setup, and practical lessons for grid-down and remote-area communications.
Activity Log: Shared ICS-214 - WaveTalkers LIVE 126
Step-by-step guide to building a shared activity log using Google Forms and URL shorteners for emergency communications teams and exercises.
Mapping Winlink - WaveTalkers LIVE 125
Live training on Winlink packet radio system: setup, mapping, and field deployment for grid-down emergency communications.
Event Support: Ham Radio & Modern Wireless Tech - WaveTalkers LIVE 124
Hour-long walkthrough of amateur radio and wireless technologies for emergency event support, covering FM simplex/repeater, APRS, AREDN mesh, bonded networks, and real-world deployment at a Boston Marathon qualifier.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.