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
How to Unlock 1 Watt LoRa With the Morbo Kit
Step-by-step setup and configuration of a 1-watt LoRa repeater using the Morbo/ZeroFox3D kit, solar power, and antenna optimization for emergency mesh networks.
Listen to Satellites: Tracking, Equipment, and First Contacts
Eighteen-minute walkthrough on receiving satellite transmissions: tracking apps, antenna selection, radio hardware, and live morse code contacts from the field.
Cleaning Up a Crusty Old Yaesu FT-8800 to Like-New Condition
19-minute walkthrough restoring a used Yaesu FT-8800 mobile transceiver with cleaning and basic maintenance, demonstrating that older ham radio gear can be brought back into reliable service.
User Review of the Comet SBB7 VHF/UHF Mobile Antenna, and Repeater Vandals Strike Freedom Link
Hands-on review of the Comet SBB7 dual-band mobile antenna, plus discussion of local repeater infrastructure vandalism and community support.
Upgrade your tactical helmet with encrypted comms
Walkthrough of the Earmor M32 Plus headset and push-to-talk setup integrated with encrypted DMR radios on night vision helmets and chest rigs.
Off-Road Communication Made Easy: GMRS vs CB
Fourteen-minute comparison of GMRS and CB radios for trail communication: power output, signal quality, range, and repeater access for group coordination without carriers or permission.
How to Stop RF in the Shack: Common Mode Chokes Explained
36-second technical tip on diagnosing and fixing common mode current interference in ham radio stations using common mode chokes.
Stop Guessing Your Kenwood D750 APRS Settings
Configure your Kenwood D750 APRS radio for mobile tracking, emergency comms, and network efficiency with reasoned settings guidance.
What to Do After Getting Your Ham Radio License
Beginner roadmap for newly licensed amateur radio operators: choosing your first radio, making your first contact, and next steps after licensure.
Offline Ham Lookup Mobile App
One-minute demo of an offline amateur radio call-sign lookup app that works without internet connectivity.
The Prepper Mindset - Why You Should Get Your License
Why obtaining an amateur radio license before an emergency—rather than operating unlicensed when one occurs—represents better long-term preparedness strategy.
The Kenwood TM-D750 Microphone Cable Clicking Problem
Troubleshooting audible clicking on Kenwood TM-D750 transmissions when using extended CAT6/CAT8 microphone cables, and proper shielding techniques.
Can This AliExpress Bag Replace My Gigaparts Bag
Side-by-side comparison of a budget AliExpress radio gear bag against a premium Gigaparts Explorer model to assess durability, functionality, and value for portable ham radio setups.
FRS Radio Review: TG FR-1 Performance, Charging, and Real-World Testing
Eight-minute breakdown of the TG FR-1 two-way radio: charging, build quality, ease of use, and real-world communication range for emergency preparedness.
Building Out the Meshcore Network in North Texas
Hour-long roundtable discussion with North Texas Meshtastic operators on deploying a local mesh network: equipment, setup, and practical lessons from the field.
2026 Amateur Radio ShakeOut - Preparedness for Everyone
Hour-long nationwide training session on amateur radio emergency communications and household preparedness planning, presented by RATPAC with expert speakers and supporting documentation.
QO-100 Amateur Satellite Radio Transmission: First Contact Demo
First contact demonstration using the QO-100 geostationary satellite for amateur radio transmission, with equipment list and setup details for portable operations.
Building a Decentralized Truck Node
Walkthrough of setting up a mobile mesh radio node in a vehicle for off-grid, carrier-independent communications without towers or permission.
Emergency Communication Options for Preppers and New Ham Operators
Overview of ham radio communication equipment and options available to preppers and new operators, with local repeater resources for Melbourne, FL and Atlanta, TX areas.
Kenwood D750 Review
Balanced assessment of the Kenwood D750 mobile radio's strengths, limitations, and practical considerations for ham operators.
I Thought This Facebook Ham Radio Deal Was Going To Be A Scam
Real-world walkthrough of buying used ham radios on Facebook Marketplace: spotting scams, vetting sellers, testing gear, and what actually works in the field.
GMRS Radio Repeater Transmitting Explained
41-minute walkthrough on programming GMRS repeater channels on a Baofeng radio, covering frequency offsets and setup for channel 15 to reliably reach local repeaters.
First Solo CW Contact: Parks On The Air Activation at Galveston Island
19-minute field walkthrough of setting up and operating amateur radio morse (CW) in an outdoor park environment, covering equipment setup, signal work, and making your first contact solo.
ARRL Lab-Tested Devices Comparison Tool: How to Use It for Radio Purchases
Tour of ARRL's interactive online tool for comparing lab-tested transceiver, receiver, and amplifier performance specs to inform ham radio equipment buying decisions.
18 Survival Items to Get Before 2027
Essential gear checklist across water, food, power, and communications to build a practical emergency foundation.
Trunk Radio Mount & Simplex Test with K0WHW
Installing a mobile ham radio in a vehicle trunk, securing the mounting bracket, and running a live simplex transmission test on 146.52 MHz.
Building a Full-Wave HF Loop Antenna: 283 Feet of Wire, Performance Results
Seventeen-minute walkthrough of constructing and testing a large HF loop antenna, covering wire layout, balun selection, tuning, and measured performance.
Deploying a Solar MeshCore Node in My Heritage Live Oak — PeakMesh Altitude Install
Step-by-step installation of a solar-powered mesh radio repeater in a tree for off-grid communication coverage.
Atlanta TX Ham Expo 10/10/26, Meshcore Weather Alert Update, Coax Splicing Tips for New Hams
Introduction to coax splicing techniques for ham radio operators, plus local repeater information and announcement of the Freedom Link ham radio expo in Atlanta, Texas.
Find and Program Repeaters with RepeaterBook Connect
12-minute walkthrough: using RepeaterBook Connect software to wirelessly discover and program ICOM ham radio repeaters for emergency communications.
Mobile Ham Radio Install: Bulletpoint Dash Mount & Faceplate Setup
Step-by-step installation of a Bulletpoint dash mount for a mobile ham radio control head, covering drilling, hardware fastening, and reassembly.
Stop Wasting Repeaters! Use the REVERSE Button
How to use the reverse button on a handheld radio to check if you can communicate directly with another station, preserving repeater capacity for those who need it.
How a Blind Ham Radio Operator Saved Two Lives in Hurricane Katrina
True story of a ham radio operator who coordinated a Coast Guard rescue during Hurricane Katrina when conventional emergency systems failed, demonstrating ham radio's value in grid-down scenarios.
Mobile Ham Radio: Real-World Testing on the Road
Twenty-four minutes of practical ham radio operation during a road trip, demonstrating Allstar and HF radio setups for decentralized off-grid communications.
What to Do After You Get Your Ham Radio License
Choosing your first radio, overcoming anxiety on air, programming repeaters, and finding local clubs—practical next steps for newly licensed amateur radio operators.
Creating an Amateur Radio Club SOG (Standard Operating Guide)
How to develop and maintain standard operating procedures for an amateur radio emergency communications club, presented by N7XDL to RATPAC's nationwide operator network.
Antenna Super Cheap Easy DIY 2 Meter Antenna
Thirteen-minute walkthrough building a jungle antenna for 2-meter ham radio in under five minutes from basic materials.
A New Group and the Ham Radio Community | Community Discussions
Hour-long panel discussion with six ham radio operators on community, decentralized comms, mesh networks, and off-grid connectivity.
ICOM ID-5200 First Setup: Testing KISS TNC, D-STAR, APRS, WinLink
Fifty-nine-minute unboxing and initial configuration of the ICOM ID-5200 dual-band transceiver, covering D-STAR digital modes, APRS packet radio, and WinLink email over radio.
Power a 100-Watt Ham Radio Portable and Off-Grid
How to set up a portable 100-watt ham radio powered by solar panels, MPPT charge controller, and LiFePO4 battery for off-grid field operation.
How to Power a 100W Ham Radio with Portable Solar Panels
Step-by-step assembly of a 100W portable solar power system for field ham radio operations: solar panels, MPPT charge controllers, LiFePO4 battery, and Powerpole connectors, with full wiring demonstration.
CFT-1 5-Band CW Transceiver: Build Series Part 2
47-minute walkthrough completing the assembly of a CFT-1 ham radio transceiver, covering final construction steps and testing.
Building a GoHam Manpack Kit for the BTECH UV-50Pro
Step-by-step assembly of a portable amateur radio manpack using the BTECH UV-50Pro radio, battery, and support gear for off-grid field operations.
17-Foot Chopsticks: Budget 20-Meter Groundplane Antenna Array
Building and testing a DIY antenna array from coupled telescopic whips for portable 20-meter ham radio field deployment, with SWR measurements and practical performance results.
Tips for New Hams: Proper Microphone Use and Setup
Nineteen minutes on microphone technique for ham radio operators: distance, positioning, menu-based vs. knob radios, and common setup mistakes.
Elecrow Thinknode M9 Security Advisory: Malware Risk on TF Cards
Warning about a worm virus found on some Thinknode M9 SD cards that can infect Windows systems and spread to connected storage devices.
I Almost Set Myself Up To Fail
Real-world test of a 350Wh portable power station charging three devices simultaneously over 30 days using solar panels and variable weather.
Ham2K Power Logger: Cross-Platform Rig Control and Field Logging
Walkthrough of Ham2K Power Logger, a free portable ham radio logging app with rig control, now available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android—designed for field operations and emergency comms.