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 175 videos · runtime 5–15 min
Top picks in Comms
Curated by topic, not commissionAll curated
Setting Up Your Ham Radio Estate for When You Become a Silent Key
Fourteen minutes on planning and documenting your ham radio equipment, frequencies, and contacts so family or successors can maintain your communications capability if you become unavailable.
PeakDo LinkPower 2 vs LinkPower 1: Real-World Starlink Mini Battery Test
Hands-on comparison of two portable power systems for Starlink Mini in the field, with runtime testing, build-quality breakdown, and grid-down scenario use cases (hurricanes, ice storms, wildfire).
Power Line RFI and Shack RFI Issues
Eleven minutes on identifying and solving radio frequency interference from power lines and household equipment—critical for reliable ham radio operation in emergency scenarios.
Baby Steps: My CW Copy Improvement in Six Days with Vail CW School
Seven minutes on accelerating Morse code proficiency using structured online training, with tracking metrics from 10 to 26 words per minute.
Former CIA: Home Router Privacy Risks and Network-Level Protection
Why your home router is a privacy vulnerability, how VPNs alone fall short, and how network-level device protection can block trackers across your household.
The Dark Side No One Talks About
Learn where AI-generated ham radio code succeeds and fails, and what technical knowledge you need to catch critical mistakes before deployment.
What Happens When Communication Infrastructure Fails?
How communication systems degrade in layers, why it matters, and practical steps to build redundancy into your communication plan before emergencies strike.
Baofeng UV-5RH Pro Unboxing — The Two Features That Actually Matter for Emergency Use
Unboxing and first-look review of the Baofeng UV-5RH Pro, focusing on USB charging and NOAA weather alert capability for grid-down emergency communications.
The Redodo LiFePO4 320Ah Battery: Unboxing, Specs, and Solar Testing
Eight-minute review of a 320Ah LiFePO4 battery system: specifications, unboxing, real-world solar charging test, and practical applications for off-grid radio stations and home backup power.
My Complete RV Ham Radio Setup Explained
Walk through a fully mobile ham radio station: power generation, HF/VHF radios, APRS, and real-world mesh networking tests from an RV.
Ham Radio Protection and Organization: Gear Setup for Portable Operation
Eight-minute walkthrough of padded organizer bags and portable ham radio gear setup, including handhelds, cables, and accessories for field deployment.
Real NOAA Alerts Confirmed on Baofeng UV-5RH Pro | False Positives Still a Problem
Testing the Baofeng UV-5RH Pro's NOAA weather alert feature: configuration settings that work, real alert detection on camera, and remaining sensitivity issues.
Does the Peakdo Link Power 2 Actually Solve Starlink Mini's Biggest Problem?
Eight-minute hands-on review comparing Peakdo Link Power V1 and V2 portable batteries, field-tested with Starlink Mini on a road trip, covering specs, charging, and real-world performance.
A Passion for POTA: Parks on the Air Operating for Emergency Preparedness
Amateur radio operator Evan McPartland discusses Parks on the Air (POTA), a program for setting up temporary emergency radio stations in designated parks, and how to get started.
Your Emergency Communications Plan Needs A Backup
Six-minute walkthrough of low-tech analog communication backups (paper maps, written plans, signaling tools) to complement electronic systems when batteries fail or technology isn't available.
BTech GMRS-V2 Unboxing — Dual PTT Buttons and Feature Walkthrough
13-minute hands-on review of the BTech GMRS-V2 handheld radio: dual PTT buttons, USB-C charging, NOAA weather alerts, IP54 weatherproofing, and programming setup.
4 Rugged Handhelds Every Ham Should Own
Comparison of four weather-resistant ham radios for emergency communications, field operations, and portable backup use.
Off-Grid Mesh Network Review: Meshtastic Devices and Solar Node Installation
Hands-on review of three Meshtastic LoRa mesh devices: SenseCAP Card Tracker, Wio Tracker, and SenseCAP Solar Node, with real-world range testing, specs, and cost breakdown for off-grid communications.
60-Hour Battery Life on the RB48 — Field Test Results
Five-minute field test of the Retevis RB48 GMRS radio: measured 60-hour standby battery life and clarification of the difference between NOAA weather receive and true NOAA alert capability.
Young People Have a Huge Advantage in Ham Radio | Air Force MARS, FT8 & Modern Radios
Why younger operators may have an edge learning amateur radio today, plus practical setup tips for FT8 digital modes and modern menu-driven equipment.
How To Build An Emergency Communications Plan
Ten-minute walkthrough on creating a family communication plan for emergencies: identifying priorities, choosing primary and backup methods, scheduling check-ins, and handling failures.
Ham Radio Communication: Distress, Urgency & Safety Signals Explained
Seven-minute walkthrough of five critical radio signals—MAYDAY, SOS, PAN PAN, SECURITE, VVV—and when to use each in emergency and disaster communication.
Ask Dave, August 2026: More About AM
Technical walkthrough of AM carrier signals using oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer, for radio operators building emergency comms skills.
Antenna Adapters Every Radio Operator Should Own
Eight-minute walkthrough of RF connectors (SMA, BNC, PL-259, SO-239) with practical guidance on building a field-ready adapter kit to solve antenna-to-radio mismatches.
Ham Exam Preparation
Overview of amateur radio licensing, station rules, and communication procedures for emergency messaging during natural disasters and grid-down scenarios.
Four Decades of Service: One Mission: Keep Amateur Radio Alive
40-year ham radio operator recounts his journey from 1984 licensing through disaster response work and founding the Academy of Ham Radio to train emergency communicators.
The Radio Wouldn't Stop Transmitting — Here's Why
Diagnose and fix radio transmission lock-up caused by poorly shielded USB cables in digital mode operations.
Retevis RB48 Review: Great Radio, Disappointing Weather Alerts
Early field test of the Retevis RB48 GMRS radio, including a real-world weather alert reception failure and what impressed the reviewer about audio, siren, and battery life.
Build Your Own Off-Grid Network Right Now With MeshCore
Fourteen-minute walkthrough of setting up a local mesh network for emergency communications using MeshCore repeaters and field-tested gear.
Emergency Communications Starter Kit
Six-minute walkthrough of a practical emergency comms setup for beginners: radio selection, power, antenna, planning, and training without expensive tactical gear.
Scanners and Walkie Talkies are NOT the Same Thing
Seven-minute breakdown of how scanner receivers differ from two-way radios, with real-world monitoring uses and a hands-on review of the GRE PSR-300.
Field Day 2026: Hustler Vertical Antenna Performance in a Portable Setup
14-minute walkthrough of portable amateur radio station setup for Field Day, covering antenna placement, equipment choices, and power management for outdoor operation.
Most HTs Cannot Do This
Review of two Retevis handheld radios with emphasis on the amateur model's standout feature and practical portable radio capabilities.
I've been using this $30 for years: Honest review
Six-minute long-term durability review of the Baofeng UV-82X handheld dual-band radio, covering real-world performance, 220 MHz reception, battery life, and practical tips for budget-conscious preppers.
I Powered a 20W HF Radio With What!
Learn to measure actual power draw and battery runtime of portable ham radios using an inexpensive USB tester.
The Reason Your USB Device Won't Connect
Learn to identify which USB cables support data transfer versus charging only, a critical troubleshooting skill for radio programming and digital interfaces.
Serious Prime Day Deals
Curated Amazon deals on flashlights, radios, mesh networking nodes, power banks, and test equipment for preppers.
Introduction to Digital Modes
ARRL technical editor explains digital modes in amateur radio: what they are, why preppers should learn them, and how to get started.
Smart Device Privacy Risks: How Hackers Can Spy Inside Your Home
Nine minutes on three smart-device security vulnerabilities, how they expose your network and routines to hackers, and practical steps to lock down phones, Wi-Fi, and personal data.
The 5 Things You Need for Emergency Communications
Seven-minute breakdown of the five system components every emergency communication setup requires: operator skill, device selection, power, antenna, and planning.
Retevis RB48 Quick Start
Six-minute walkthrough: powering on, adjusting volume and channels, using PTT, menu navigation, and accessing NOAA weather on the Retevis RB48 FRS radio.
Retevis RB48 4-Pack Unboxing and First Impressions
Unboxing and hands-on first look at the Retevis RB48 heavy-duty waterproof walkie-talkies, covering build quality, features, battery life, and initial performance notes.
Follow-Up to My Tuner Video: Working HF in Rough Conditions
Practical demonstration of HF radio operation and tuning techniques in suboptimal field conditions, building on earlier tuner fundamentals.
I Built A Solar Powered Emergency Wi-Fi DMR Hotspot That Runs Indefinitely
Live demonstration of a grid-independent DMR radio hotspot powered by car battery and Starlink, showing how digital modes survive when infrastructure fails.
One Box, Every Digital Mode
Unbox and set up the HamSpot 5 multimode digital hotspot, a budget-friendly alternative to premium options that supports DMR, D-STAR, YSF, P25, and NXDN.
$2500 Bought Us Insane Coverage
Install a mountain-top LoRa mesh repeater for $2500 to extend off-grid communication range across a region.
I've Kept These GMRS Radios In My Car for a Year: Here's the Truth
Year-long field evaluation of GM15 GMRS radios: battery life, build quality, real-world performance, and actual use cases from a licensed ham and GMRS operator.
Two Essential Features for Handheld Emergency Radios
Ham operator breaks down USB charging and true NOAA EAS alert capability—the features that separate radios that actually warn you from ones that just receive.