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.
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Top picks in Comms
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Xiegu G90: From Unboxing to First HF Contact
Seventeen-minute unboxing and setup of the Xiegu G90 HF radio, from power connection through first successful contact.
Field Day Setup Party With W6TRW
Live coverage of amateur radio Field Day setup: portable station assembly, equipment demonstrations, antenna rigging, and emergency communication readiness in a remote location.
Portable Ham Radio FT8 Adventure in KP34XT Finland
Three-minute field demonstration of portable QRP ham radio setup (Icom IC-705, Chameleon antenna) operating FT8 digital mode in remote Finnish backcountry.
Ham Radio Field Day on Solar Power
Solar-powered ham radio field deployment techniques and equipment for off-grid communications and emergency preparedness.
Live QRP Field Day at 8283 Feet With The W6TRW Radio Club
Live portable ham radio demonstration at high elevation: QRP techniques, field-deployable gear, antenna setup, and power management for emergency communications.
How to Communicate with Someone Many Miles Away After SHTF
Explanation of handheld radio capabilities and limitations for long-distance communication when the grid is down and standard networks are unavailable.
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.
Why Amateur Radio Matters When Cell Service Fails
Discussion of ham radio's role in emergency communications when cellular infrastructure goes down, with political backing for amateur radio operators.
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.
Portable Ham Radio Anytime Anywhere
Field test of a 5-watt portable ham radio setup (Icom IC-705, Chameleon antenna) demonstrating effective communication from a remote location without a tuner.
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.
Ham Radio Everywhere: 3D Printed Base Loaded Vertical Antenna & QRP Labs QMX
17-minute walkthrough of a portable ham radio station setup using 3D-printed antenna and compact QRP transceiver, with honest assessment of performance trade-offs.
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.
The USB C Trick That Powers My Radio
Build a self-sustaining field radio setup using a power station, solar panel, and USB C trigger cable for portable communications.
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.
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.
How to Make a Faraday Cage—and the Easy Way
Two-minute walkthrough: building a DIY Faraday cage to protect emergency radios and electronics, plus commercial Faraday bag options.
Top Tips For Portable Ham Radio Success
Portable ham radio setup tips, gear recommendations, and Field Day preparation for emergency communication readiness.
How & Why to Log Ham Radio Contacts | QRZ Logbook vs Logbook of The World Explained
Twenty-minute walkthrough of ham radio contact logging: why operators keep records, QRZ Logbook and ARRL LoTW systems compared, and practical workflow for tracking your QSOs.
Tidradio TD-H9 Ham Radio Review
Side-by-side comparison of the Tidradio TD-H9 and Baofeng UV-5R handheld ham radios, covering features and power output.
A 30 Foot Mast Solves Field Day Coverage
Plan portable mesh repeater deployments using height testing to ensure reliable emergency communications coverage across a site.
MAYHEMIC Thursday - Gear Up!
Overview of Meshtastic off-grid communication hardware and solar power systems for bugging in and bugging out scenarios.
Ham Radio Antenna Citation: Regulations, Legal Resources, and Solutions
How one ham operator resolved a municipal citation on radio antennas, with guidance on ARRL legal resources and regulatory compliance for home station setup.
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.
The Secret Ham Radio Travel Hack
Learn to use APRS.fi heat maps to verify radio coverage before traveling, ensuring reliable amateur radio connectivity on the road.
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.
Ham Nation #625: Prepare For Field Day NOW!
Preparation tips for ARRL Field Day, the largest annual amateur radio emergency preparedness exercise, including gear setup and last-minute logistics.
Satellite Operating for Amateur Radio – New Book from ARRL
Introduction to ARRL's satellite communications guide: basics of ham radio satellites, station building, making contacts, and digital modes for emergency connectivity.
The Hidden MPAD Feature Most Hams Never Use
Learn how to send complete position reports via email using APRS and MPAD, with no internet required—useful for emergency communications and remote operations.
Why This Radio Is Illegal: Signal Purity and FCC Compliance
Fifty-four seconds on unwanted radio signals (spurs), FCC enforcement risk, and how a diplexer cleans up transmission—essential for legal off-grid communications.
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.
ARRL Radio Review Database and Portable Radio Gear Guide
Walk through the new ARRL radio comparison database, review key metrics for emergency radios, and explore portable ham gear options for grid-down communication.
What is 44Net Connect? Why You Want To Access This Free System
Technical overview of 44Net, a free amateur radio network for emergency communication, hosted by John Burwell from the ARDC.
Equipping Families for Emergency Communication: Beyond the Radios
67-minute training session on family emergency communication planning, covering non-radio backup systems, protocols, and preparedness strategies from RATPAC instructor Joe Bassett.
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.
Build a Stealth MeshCore Repeater: Harbor Freight Hack
17-minute walkthrough combining a Seeed Studio Xiao LoRa node with a Harbor Freight solar light to build a portable mesh-network repeater for off-grid communication.
MAYHEMIC Thursday - Will They Come When You Need Them?
Hour-long discussion on community preparedness and whether neighbors will help in emergencies, with demonstrations of Meshtastic off-grid communication devices.
Second Parks on the Air (POTA) Activation: CW Hunting and Field Deployment
Field demonstration of portable CW radio operation using a Xiegu G90 go-box, antenna deployment, and park-to-park contact techniques for off-grid communications.
Digital Radio Off-Grid: DMR Running Without Power Grid
Live demonstration of DMR digital radio operating completely off-grid using car power, Raspberry Pi WiFi hotspot, and Starlink backhaul—showing how communications infrastructure persists when grid power fails.
Portable Antenna Forum: Live from Dayton Hamvention 2026
Live presentation on designing and deploying portable antennas for parks, summits, and remote locations; practical field radio techniques for POTA and SOTA operations.
$2500 Bought Us Insane Coverage
Install a mountain-top LoRa mesh repeater for $2500 to extend off-grid communication range across a region.
Morse Code Decoder Review: MorseNexus DitStorm Cypher
29-minute review of the MorseNexus Cypher, a Morse code decoder accessory for ham radio operators, including setup, software updates, and practical use cases.
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.
Portable Ham Radio Anywhere Anytime
Fourteen-minute field demonstration of portable amateur radio setup and QRP operation from a remote Finnish location, covering equipment positioning and off-grid communications.
QST: Ask Dave, July 2026, Band Plan Overview
22-minute walkthrough of amateur radio band allocations: what frequencies are available, which radio modes operate where, and how to navigate the official ARRL band chart.
Idaho NVIS Day: Wildfire Season Communications Exercise
Live amateur radio exercise across multiple Idaho counties testing NVIS antennas and near-vertical-incidence skywave propagation for emergency wildfire communications.