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
Why Ham Radio Still Matters in the Age of 5G and AI
A seminar on amateur radio's role in emergency communication during disasters when mobile networks and infrastructure fail, featuring four decades of operational experience.
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.
2 Meter Flower Pot Antenna by K5ACP Review
Nine-minute hands-on review of a portable 2-meter ham radio antenna, testing design and performance for field use.
Portable Antenna Homebrew Magic with Rich N4VS
Interview on homebrewing portable HF antennas for field radio operations and outdoor communications deployments.
Ham Radio Activation at Monte Sano: Live Demo and Beginner Gear Tour
Forty minutes of live ham radio activation in the field, with gear walk-through and practical tips for newcomers learning emergency communication skills.
Why The Director Ignored The Radio
How ham radio operators used APRS mapping and messaging to give emergency planners real-time situational awareness during a county EOC drill.
What Happened to Ham Radio? It's Not What You Think
Analysis of FCC licensing data showing ham radio's shrinking traditional base and growing outdoor-activation community, with insights on licensing barriers and community trajectory.
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.
N9SAB 80M Linked EFHW Ham Radio Antenna | 40M NVIS Field Test
Field test of a lightweight multiband HF antenna for portable ham radio and emergency communications, with SWR measurements and one-watt Winlink performance data across 80–10 meters.
Ham Radio Basics: RST Reports, Morse Code & Emergency Communication
27-minute introduction to ham radio fundamentals: RST signal reporting, Q-codes, Morse code basics, and ham radio's role in disaster and grid-down communication.
Tips for New Hams: VHF/HF Communications and ARES/RACES Emergency Net Procedures
Twenty-minute walkthrough of amateur radio fundamentals for beginners, covering routine VHF/HF operations and emergency net protocols including ARRL radiogram and ICS 213 form procedures.
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.
How To Do Mobile HF When You Don't Have Mobile HF
Six-minute walkthrough of an adapter-based solution for operating HF radio from a vehicle using standard components and a whip antenna.
Build a Link Dipole Ham Radio Antenna
18-minute walkthrough building and tuning a DX Engineering link dipole antenna kit for amateur radio, with soldering and assembly details.
QST: Ask Dave, September 2026 — SWR vs Reflection Coefficient
Eighteen-minute technical explainer on standing-wave ratio and reflection coefficient in amateur radio transmission lines, with worked examples.
₹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.
Basic Antenna and Radio Troubleshooting Tips for New Ham Operators
Troubleshooting walkthrough for antennas and radios: diagnosis steps and fixes for new ham radio operators preparing for emergency communications.
Portable Satellite Tracker Build: Radio Station Setup
24-minute walkthrough assembling a portable satellite tracking radio station: radio, rotor, controller, antenna, and coax selection and integration.
LiNK500MP MK2 Wireless GPS for Ham Radio: When Is It Coming?
Technical breakdown of wireless GPS integration challenges in the Lab599 TX-500MP radio interface, and the proposed Bluetooth solution for off-grid field communications.
Shreveport Bossier Hamfest Walkthrough
31-minute walkthrough of a regional hamfest: portable ham radio gear, antennas, power systems, and hands-on operating demonstrations at a live event.
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.
Tips for New Hams: Take Small Steps, Build Dipoles, and Learn as You Go
Beginner-friendly guidance on starting ham radio: incremental skill-building, antenna construction, and the importance of asking questions as you learn.
3-Element Beam Antenna on an Electric Tricycle
Building and field-testing a directional three-element parasitic antenna array mounted on a mobile platform to explore practical portable radio.
Solar Node Solved My RV Meshcore Problem - Elecrow M6 Solar Repeater
Field test of a compact solar-powered Meshtastic node for reliable off-grid mesh coverage in RV and remote camping conditions.
No SIM Phone Number
14-minute walkthrough on setting up a phone number using XMPP/Jabber and jmp.chat ($5/month) without relying on cellular towers or SIM cards.
Activating Six Parks in One Afternoon: POTA Mobile Setup and Antenna Tools
Portable radio activation demo using mobile HF antenna, battery power, and the Yaesu FT-891 transceiver for field communication across six Wisconsin parks.
Turmoil Tuesday - Are You Training & Practicing?
Hour-long discussion on developing and maintaining practical preparedness skills, with featured gear for off-grid communications and solar power systems.
Choosing Your First Ham Radio HT (Handheld) | Best HT Radio Advice for New Ham Operators
15-minute guide to selecting your first handheld ham radio: comparing analog vs. digital, battery life, repeater compatibility, programming, and common beginner mistakes.
Alpha Antenna Delta Loop: Fast Portable Ham Radio Antenna
Thirteen-minute walkthrough of the Alpha Antenna Delta Loop portable HF antenna for emergency ham radio communication and field deployment.
Can Software Replace a Net Control Operator?
Learn how Net Central automates amateur radio emergency net management with real-time dashboards, position tracking, and automated reporting.
I Finally Ran 12V Into My Explorer the Right(ish) Way!
Step-by-step install of a 12V DC charger and proper battery wiring in a vehicle to power portable ham radio and external battery systems.
Episode 4: When Everything Fails
Medical protocols, PPE loadouts, and communication systems for compound disaster scenarios involving disease outbreaks and grid failure.
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.
The Mission Defines the Ham Radio Tools We Use
How to design emergency communications gear and field stations around mission requirements, PACE redundancy planning, and off-grid deployment capabilities.
Ham Radio General Grade Exam Journey: Two Months of Training and Morse Code Mastery
45-minute documentation of a two-month ham radio General Grade licensing program, covering Morse Code training, exam preparation, and group study structure for emergency communications.
Let's Hit The ISS With APRS!!
Live walkthrough of APRS beacon transmission through the International Space Station using handheld radio gear, frequencies, and portable setup.
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.
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.
The Window Is Closing
Comprehensive threat assessment and action items spanning fuel storage, medical response, communications, home security, and tactical readiness.
Portable Ham Radio Setup: On the Air in Under 60 Seconds
Sixteen minutes on a lightweight, bike-friendly ham radio rig designed for rapid deployment in the field, with practical tips for quick activation.
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.
RFI Problems Solved: Victron Inverter & Charge Controller Comparison
Side-by-side RFI testing of Victron inverter and MPPT charge controller against previous noisy equipment for off-grid ham radio camping setup.
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.
Ham Nation #628: Huntsville Hamfest, Young Ham Of The Year, and Repeater AI Assistant
Amateur radio news, community hamfest coverage, and discussion of emerging ham radio technologies including an AI-assisted repeater system.
Heil BM-17 Headset Review for Parks on the Air
15-minute hands-on review of the Heil BM-17 ham radio headset, including unboxing, field setup, and on-air audio quality testing.
VHF/UHF FM Antenna Polarization and Online VE Testing
Technical overview of VHF/UHF antenna polarization principles and how to prepare for and take amateur radio licensing exams online.