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 166 videos · runtime Under 5 min
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![My First Parks on the Air Activation (POTA), First Contact Canada [Part 1]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xtM1kvKjqCA/mqdefault.jpg)
My First Parks on the Air Activation (POTA), First Contact Canada [Part 1]
First Parks on the Air field activation: 15 contacts in 55 minutes using a portable Xiegu G90 radio, battery, and wire antenna on 20 meters in a national historic trail location.
Simple Gear, Real Results
Field test of Winlink packet radio from roadside using a handheld transceiver and smartphone over Bluetooth.
Inside the New ARRL QST Product Review Comparison Database
Walkthrough of the ARRL's new searchable database of lab-tested ham radio transceivers, receivers, and amplifiers—how to filter by performance metrics and find gear for your station.
Senator Ted Cruz Praises Amateur Radio Volunteers for Emergency Preparedness
Senator Cruz highlights ham radio operators' essential role in disaster communications when cellular networks fail, citing Hurricane Harvey and recent flood responses.
How to Charge Starlink Mini Battery Off-Grid with Solar Power
Four-minute walkthrough: powering Starlink Mini directly from portable solar using USB-C Power Delivery, without inverter or power station, for lightweight field deployments.
The End of CHU: Canada's Official Shortwave Time Signal Goes Silent in 2026
Documentation of Canada's CHU shortwave time signal shutdown (June 2026) and loss of official weather radio broadcasts, with links to alternative sources.
Still Using Stock HT Batteries? Watch This First
Kevin W0AEZ demonstrates his extended-capacity HT battery packs with USB-C fast charging, user-serviceable design, and ASA construction for thermal durability.
The Best Antenna You Can Buy - N9TAX
N9TAX describes his handmade dual-band J-pole antennas, explaining construction details, connector options, cable lengths, and why he uses different twin-lead sizes for UHF versus dual-band models.
The Magic and Importance of HAM Radio
Two-minute overview of HAM radio capabilities and why communications infrastructure matters for household emergency preparedness.
Ham Radio Tech: New Presentation & Cool Technology
46-second overview of emerging ham radio technology and amateur radio gear shared with local clubs.
GMRS & HAM Radio CTCSS Tones Can Be Dangerous! Why You Should Not Use Tones Or Privacy Codes
Learn why enabling privacy tones on your radio can block critical emergency transmissions and potentially endanger lives.
Halifax Amateur Radio Club Field Day 2023
Short-form documentation of the Halifax Amateur Radio Club's annual Field Day emergency communications exercise at a fire station, highlighting operator coordination and radio network resilience under technical constraints.
Chameleon Antenna CHA LRT (Loop Remote Tuner)
3:45 gear walkthrough of the Chameleon CHA LRT remote-tunable loop antenna system for portable ham radio communications.
Listening to Voice of Korea on Two Radios
Side-by-side reception comparison using an SDR-Play RSP1a and Icom R-75 receiver on a 31-foot vertical antenna, with practical takeaways on equipment performance.
Chameleon Antenna F-Loop V3.0 and RV Operations
Four-minute review of the Chameleon Antenna F-Loop V3.0 portable antenna system and its use in RV-based ham radio operations.
West Chester UHF/VHF Radio Installation Walkthrough
Step-by-step installation of UHF/VHF ham radio equipment for emergency communications and disaster response scenarios.
Emergency Alerts
How to sign up for local emergency alerts via cellular, radio, satellite, and TV in your county, plus resources to build a family emergency plan.
EZBNB RD207 Emergency NOAA/AM/FM Alert Portable Radio
Three-minute review of a lightweight portable weather radio with NOAA/AM/FM bands and emergency alert capability for hiking and outdoor preparedness.
How to Setup Yaesu FT 2980R and Diamond x30
Four-minute walkthrough setting up a Yaesu FT 2980R radio and Diamond x30 antenna, with signal-quality comparison to previous equipment.
RADAR On the Air Meetup October 2015: Portable QRP Setup
Field demonstration of a Yaesu FT-817 QRP transceiver, modular portable antenna system, and F-Loop Plus antenna operating at 2.5–5 watts in amateur radio exchange.
Logging with 817 Companion: FT-817 CAT Control on Android
Walkthrough of 817 Companion, an Android app for Yaesu FT-817 radio control via Bluetooth or USB, focusing on portable field logging features.
QRP Portable QSO: FT-817 and F-Loop Field Test
Live portable radio contact on 17m using 5 watts, an FT-817ND transceiver, loop antenna, and DIY NiMH battery pack—demonstrating practical off-grid communications.