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
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).
Why You Need An N6ARA TinyFilter
27-minute technical review of the N6ARA TinyFilter, an RF suppression device for two-meter ham radio bands that reduces desense and spurious emissions in signal-saturated environments.
What Should I Bring to Defcon 2026?
Discussion of portable ham radio gear recommendations and emergency communication equipment selection for field deployment and off-grid scenarios.
Elecraft K2 in 2026 - Outdated or Underrated?
Head-to-head comparison of a 1999 portable radio against the modern ICOM IC705 to evaluate whether legacy amateur radio equipment still holds practical value for field deployment.
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.
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.
Xiegu G7250: New 100-Watt Base Station Ham Radio from China
Overview of Xiegu's new G7250 base station radio and discussion of beginner-friendly ham radio equipment for emergency communications.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Better Way to Download Android JS8Call
Step-by-step setup for installing and updating the JS8Call Android port via GitHub, for off-grid text messaging.
Welcome KJ5QXM Brandon to Ham Radio: My Take on the 2018 ARRL Tech HF Proposal
Ham radio licensing, legal operating privileges, and how new operators build credibility on the air—with analysis of a proposed FCC expansion for Technician Class HF access.
Unlimited Weather Satellite Images for $220.00 (NOAA GOES)
How to build a weather satellite receiver using a software-defined radio kit, parabolic dish, and low-noise amplifier for around $220.
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.
Digital Modes, APRS & Field Ops with Craig KM6LYW
Two operators discuss portable ham radio data modes in the field: APRS for safety, Winlink for off-grid email, DigiPi builds, solar power setups, and radio selection for backpack deployments.
Think Hamfests Are Dead Think Again
Tour a regional ham radio hamfest to discover used equipment deals, vendor networks, and how these gatherings sustain amateur radio communities.
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.
DL2MAN Android ARDOP HF Winlink App: Setup and Operation
Twenty-minute walkthrough setting up and operating an Android HF Winlink client for off-grid email and messaging via ham radio.
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.
Welcome KJ5RCY Robert to Ham Radio—Repeater Etiquette and Best Practices
Fifteen minutes on amateur radio repeater etiquette: how to welcome new operators, best practices for checking in, and why community courtesy strengthens the hobby for emergency communication.
Ham Nation #627: The Repeater Has an AI Assistant?
Episode covering ham radio repeater technology, an AI-assisted repeater concept, ionospheric propagation, amateur radio news, and gear evaluations.
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.
Battery Hacks: Extend Your Phone's Runtime
36-second walkthrough of smartphone battery-saving tweaks—screen brightness, low-power mode—to extend device uptime in emergencies.
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.
Phone Battery Management During Power Outages
37-second walkthrough: enable low-power mode, dim your screen, and prepare your phone to receive critical weather alerts and emergency info when the grid goes down.
Send Email Over HF Radio When Cell and Internet Are Down
How to set up an HF radio email gateway at home to send and receive emails from the field during infrastructure outages using amateur radio.
Best Ham Radio Power Supplies & RG-8X Coax Explained
How to select the right power supply for HF radios, plus coax cable selection and installation tips from 30+ years of operating experience.
Mobility as a HAM Radio Emergency Communications Enabler
How vehicle mobility and positioning enhance ham radio effectiveness during emergencies and grid-down scenarios, with practical equipment context.
Activating a POTA Park With a Simple Kit and QRP Radios
24-minute walkthrough of a portable ham radio kit for Parks on the Air activation: transceiver, antenna, mast setup, and practical field deployment.
4 Rugged Handhelds Every Ham Should Own
Comparison of four weather-resistant ham radios for emergency communications, field operations, and portable backup use.
The Ultimate Field Radio Build for Under $100
23-minute walkthrough assembling a functional two-way radio setup using a Baofeng UV-5R and accessories, with startup guide and programming tips.
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.
In the Middle of Nowhere With Ham Radio, Fishing & K6ARK
Field demonstration of portable ham radio equipment and operation in remote backcountry, featuring gear recommendations and 44Net mesh networking introduction.
My New Portable Solar Panel Strategy
Overview of portable solar panel systems and off-grid communication gear (Meshtastic, SenseCAP nodes) for household energy independence and backup comms.
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.
DIY Mobile MeshCore or Meshtastic 3D Printed Node or Repeater
Build a budget mobile mesh repeater using 3D printing, a Heltec transceiver, solar panel, and off-the-shelf components for off-grid communication.
Which Ham Radio HT is Right For You?
Fifty-one-second overview of handheld transceiver options, from budget starter rigs to feature-rich digital models, for emergency communications.
The Shortcut Nobody Uses
Use APRS beacon position and APRSLink to automatically locate the nearest Winlink packet gateway for off-grid messaging.