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 162 videos · runtime Under 5 min
Top picks in Comms
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Mobile Ham Radio Install: Power Cable and Powerpole Prep
Step-by-step walkthrough of preparing and installing a custom fused power cable harness for mobile radio deployment, including soldering, heat-shrink connectors, and Anderson Powerpole assembly.
HelioClock: Decentralized Weather and Space Data for Off-Grid Operations
Demo of HelioClock, a self-hosted weather and space-monitoring tool that pulls from public data sources with zero cloud dependency or subscriptions — designed for off-grid operations.
Why You Need a GMRS GoPack
Two-minute walkthrough of a GMRS portable radio pack for off-grid, decentralized communications without relying on towers or carriers.
Mobile Ham Radio Setup: Trunk Mount and Cable Routing Installation
Step-by-step installation of a mobile transceiver in a car trunk, covering mounting hardware, power distribution, cable routing, and antenna placement for field operations.
Tech Tip Tuesday: How to Access an FM Repeater
Three essential settings for connecting to an FM repeater: output frequency, input frequency, and PL tone (CTCSS) explained by an amateur radio operator.
Disaster Communications: All About SATERN
Overview of the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN): how amateur radio volunteers provide emergency communications when conventional systems fail during disasters.
Long-Range Mesh Networking with Meshtastic
Introduction to LoRa mesh networks and Meshtastic devices for long-range emergency communication without internet or cell service.
Easy Portable Antenna Setup: Using a Pneumatic Line Launcher
Forty-nine seconds on deploying wire antennas into tall trees using a pneumatic line launcher for portable ham radio operations and field deployments.
Jungle Antenna: 2-Meter Quick and Easy Emergency Antenna
Build a functional 2-meter ham radio antenna from simple materials for field or emergency use.
Seeed Pager X2 First Look: Meshtastic Voice Hardware & GPS
First look at the rugged Seeed Pager X2: a 10km line-of-sight Meshtastic device with IP66 durability, dual-band GPS, and text messaging, designed for off-grid communication.
Simple Clamp Solved a Big Problem
How a universal mast clamp design accommodates three common diameters for portable field equipment mounting.
BTECH UV-50X2 Go Box with Solar Charge Controller and Switch Panel
DIY walkthrough of a portable ham radio go box: 12V LiFePO4 battery, 60W solar panel, charge controller, and USB outlet panel for field communications and charging essentials.
Unboxing SLNT Privacy and Communications Gear
Quick unboxing of communications and privacy equipment from SLNT, with planned follow-up testing and review.
Seeed Wio Tracker Meshtastic Radio: Long-Range, Voice-Ready Hardware
Forty-seven-second review of the Seeed Wio Tracker Meshtastic device: 10 km line-of-sight range, GPS positioning, waterproof design, and readiness for voice messaging once firmware support arrives.
T1000 Update, Seeed Meshracker X1: Dualband GNSS & 5-Day Battery | Meshtastic
Walkthrough of the updated T1000E Meshtastic tracker: USB-C charging, dualband GPS, 8 km range, 5-day battery, IP66 weatherproofing, and voice/image messaging support.
Microtelecom Perseus22 Four-Channel SDR Receiver Product Review
ARRL Lab Senior Engineer Rick Ciervo reviews the Microtelecom Perseus22 four-channel software-defined radio receiver for emergency communications and spectrum monitoring.
Nepal Floods: A Powerful Lesson in Emergency Communication
How communication redundancy—combining ham radio with mobile, satellite, and internet systems—keeps disaster response resilient when any single system fails.
When Communication Fails, Ham Radio Can Be a Lifeline
How amateur radio operators support emergency response during disasters: radio discipline, net coordination, message protocols, and reconnecting separated families when other systems fail.
Ham Radio: A Lifeline During Disasters—Lessons from Nepal Floods
Why amateur radio and communication redundancy matter when normal systems fail; case study from Nepal flood response and practical steps for operators to prepare.
When Mobile Networks Fail, Ham Radio Can Save Lives
How amateur radio operators establish communication during disasters when mobile networks and internet infrastructure are unavailable, using independent power and radio frequency propagation.
How to Shop a Hamfest Flea Market: 5 Essential Tips
Five practical tips for finding quality ham radio gear and making smart purchasing decisions at hamfest flea markets.
Stop Paying a Subscription: HelioClock
Build a self-hosted situational awareness display for ham radio and emergency operations using free public data feeds.
Ham Radio to the Rescue: Emergency Communications When Phones and Internet Fail
Real-world account of ham radio operators deployed during an emergency when conventional communication systems failed, plus the history of wireless technology from Maxwell through Marconi.
Why Ham Radio Still Matters in the Age of 5G & AI
Why amateur radio remains critical for emergency communications when modern infrastructure fails during disasters, explained by a 40-year veteran of disaster-response radio operations.
Kenwood TM-D750 First Setup Recommendations: Get Up and Running Fast
Initial setup and configuration walkthrough for the Kenwood TM-D750 dual-band transceiver, covering FM simplex, repeater, D-Star, and APRS operation.
One Test Away From a Different Hobby
53-second encouragement to pursue ham radio licensing, with a link to a free exam-prep course.
Ham Radio: From Hilltop Repeaters to the International Space Station
Overview of ham radio infrastructure, repeater systems for extended range, emergency communication during large events, and amateur radio contact with the ISS.
When Mobile Networks Fail, Ham Radio Works!
Why ham radio remains a reliable emergency communication tool when cellular and internet infrastructure fails during disasters, with real-world examples from earthquake and flood response.
Telugu Ham Radio Innovators: DIY Transceiver and SDR Design
Profile of ham radio enthusiasts from Telugu-speaking regions who designed and built affordable transceivers and software-defined radios using locally sourced components, reducing costs from ₹2 lakh to ₹10,000.
JS8Call Message Storage and Retrieval Over Ham Radio
How to send and receive ham radio messages without direct radio contact or internet, using store-and-forward relay stations on HF bands.
They Called This Hobby Worthless: A True Story
Historical narrative demonstrating how amateur radio operators expanded global communication networks, making the case for ham radio as a resilience tool.
FT8, JS8Call & Winlink Without USB Cables
Wireless radio communication setup using Bluetooth with the Lab599 TX-500MP and LiNK500MP Mk2, eliminating USB cable dependencies for grid-down messaging.
Portable Antenna Homebrew Magic with Rich N4VS
Interview on homebrewing portable HF antennas for field radio operations and outdoor communications deployments.
Sofirn HS45 Headlamp and EDC Flashlight Review
Hands-on evaluation of the Sofirn HS45 headlamp, a 3200-lumen option for emergency lighting and everyday carry.
Portable Ham Radio NVIS Winlink Session | N9SAB Linked EFHW
Field demonstration of portable HF ham radio using NVIS antenna for regional communications via Winlink gateway without grid infrastructure.
3 Game-Changing Ham Radio Tools Under $100
Three budget-friendly test and measurement tools for ham radio experimenters: antenna tuning, signal analysis, and circuit work without expensive lab gear.
₹1,000 Walkie-Talkie: Global Communication Through Repeater Networks
How Chinese manufacturing has made handheld transceivers affordable, and how repeater networks and internet-linked systems extend their effective range for emergency communications.
N9SAB 80M Linked EFHW Ham Radio Antenna
Field test of an 80-meter linked end-fed half-wave antenna using FT8 signal comparison, with commentary on balancing hobby and emergency communications.
Off-Grid Radio Direction Finding: BTECH UV-Pro Base Station Detection 5 Miles Away
Field test of a handheld radio's ability to locate and communicate with a distant base station using direction finding and over-the-air messaging, without cellular coverage.
Don't Let Your Emergency Radio Overwhelm You—Use This Simple Trick
One-minute tip on simplifying emergency radio operation to avoid decision paralysis during crisis situations.
Testing the N9SAB Linked EFHW Ham Radio Antenna
Hands-on test of the N9SAB Linked EFHW antenna, evaluating performance and setup for off-grid ham radio communications.
Making His First Ham Radio Contact at W1AW
A new ham radio operator makes his first QSO from ARRL headquarters, demonstrating the entry point into amateur radio for emergency communications.
Unlocking More Capabilities From Your Ham Radio Handheld
Practical walkthrough of advanced ham radio features (Winlink, SSTV, APRS, Packet BBS) achievable with entry-level handhelds like the Baofeng for emergency and grid-down communication.
Can You Use a $20 Scanner for Ham Radio?
ARRL Lab explains software-defined radios (SDRs) as affordable ham radio receivers and walks through testing spurious emissions with a low-pass filter.
72 Hour Preparedness: Not Survival, But Continuity
Short-term household continuity planning focused on medical gear, communications, and practical readiness for the first three days of disruption.
Ham Radio Village at DEFCON 2026: Equipment and Field Day Gear
Tour of ham radio equipment and portable communication setups from participants at DEFCON 2026's Ham Radio Village, featuring field-tested gear for emergency scenarios.
ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 6th Edition (Now Available)
Overview of the ARRL Technician-class exam study guide: radio fundamentals, licensing regulations, equipment selection, and operating procedures for emergency communications.
Your Phone Will Fail First
Why smartphones are unreliable in emergencies and how to carry offline maps, paper contacts, and battery-free tools to stay mobile when networks go down.