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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USDX USDR v2 QRP HF Transceiver Review
Hands-on evaluation of a compact HF radio transceiver for amateur radio operators and emergency communications practice.
Simulated Disaster Emergency Radio Communications
Hour-long hands-on walkthrough of multiple methods to transmit and receive radio signals during a simulated disaster, with gear recommendations and real-world testing.
First Parks on the Air Activation: QRP SSB Contacts with Xiegu G90
Live walkthrough of a Parks on the Air radio activation using 20 watts on 20 meters, gear setup, and successful contact-making with low-power operators.
My First Parks on the Air Activation: QRP Station Field Demonstration
Field walkthrough of low-power ham radio operation using a portable Go Box setup, antenna deployment, and live contact-making on 20 meters.
My First Parks on the Air Activation (POTA), Part 2
First-hand account of a portable ham radio activation using a go box: equipment setup, antenna deployment, and making 15 contacts on 20 meters with 20 watts.
Most Hams Don't Know How Easy APRS Is on a Pi Zero 2W
Step-by-step tutorial to build a low-power APRS station using a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, sound card interface, and GPS receiver.
Pikes Peak SOTA Activation: Amateur Radio at 14,115 Feet
27-minute field demonstration of portable ham radio equipment and techniques during a high-altitude mountain activation, covering antenna setup, radio operation, and practical comms skills.
Portable Ham Radio Setup: QRP Station with Off-Center Fed Dipole
Forty-four-second walkthrough of a portable ham radio station: QRP radio, carbon-fiber mast, and multi-band dipole antenna deployable in five minutes.
Washington Governor Highlights Amateur Radio Volunteers Ahead of ARRL Field Day
Governor Ferguson endorses amateur radio's role in emergency communications, previewing ARRL Field Day 2026 and advocacy for residential antenna installation rights.
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.
![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.
My Off-Grid Comms Server
Building a Raspberry Pi-based offline communications platform for ham radio operators with mapping, logging, and ICS forms.
Col de Vence | PRC-351 | 6m FM
Field test of a PRC-351 portable radio on the 6-meter FM band for local emergency communications, with discussion of why 6m FM is underutilized for disaster scenarios.
POTA: A Snapshot of U.S. POTA Sites, Activations, and Activators
58-minute overview of Parks on the Air program participation, site distribution, activation patterns, and operator demographics across the U.S., presented by K4FMH to amateur radio emergency communications practitioners.
The Coolest Ham Radio Project You Haven't Heard About
Tour of Graywolf, an all-in-one APRS station with web UI that simplifies setup of beacons, digipeaters, and iGates.
The Comment Section Was Right
Step-by-step walkthrough of flashing a Seeed Solar node with MeshR firmware, configuring repeater settings, and troubleshooting initial deployment.
We will get the word out!
Doug and Stacy discuss glyphosate spraying in Lake Tahoe, data center expansion, eminent domain farm seizures, fasting protocols, reducing EMF exposure in the home, and organizing local resistance networks.
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.
Amateur Radio: CSI (Clean Signal Initiative) Goes Mainstream
52-minute technical presentation on the Clean Signal Initiative and radio signal integrity standards for amateur radio emergency communications, presented by Rob Sherwood NC0B to RATPAC.
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.
Why VARA HF Is Replacing 300 Baud Packet for APRS
A technical overview of VARA's weak-signal performance and forward error correction, plus a step-by-step build guide for a Windows stick-PC based mobile APRS tracker.
Starlink Mini Powered Tripod: Off-Grid Field Test
Real-world field test of the Orbynexa PM166S battery and tripod for powering Starlink Mini in portable off-grid and emergency communications scenarios.
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 ONE THING about DATA CENTERS no one is talking about
Analyzes the disparity between U.S. data center buildout and population compared to China and India, questions motives behind widespread construction despite local opposition, and discusses health strategies including EMF mitigation and natural remedies.
Survival AI When There's No Internet
Structured test of USB-based offline AI against ChatGPT using 100 survival questions; results show major accuracy gaps.
Dayton Hamvention Floor Walk 2026
Two operators walk the Dayton Hamvention vendor floor, stopping at booths for digital HF modems, mesh networking gear, mobile antennas, and QRP kits.
WSPR Watch & HamAlert: Two Free iPhone Apps for Ham Radio Operators
Eight-minute walkthrough of two free iPhone apps for amateur radio operators: WSPR Watch for real-time spot visualization and HamAlert for DX alerts via push notifications, with setup tips and real-world demos.
Testing FreeDV on HF (Real World Demo)
19-minute walkthrough of FreeDV digital voice mode for amateur radio: how it works, what gear you need, and how it fits into grid-down communications planning.
Meshtastic with Voice: Unboxing and Building the Muzi Works Base Uno and Duo
Unboxing and assembly of Meshtastic mesh radio hardware with emerging voice-over-mesh capability for off-grid emergency communications networks.
Grid Down? Build This Solar Meshtastic Node (Full DIY Guide)
Step-by-step build of a solar-powered Meshtastic mesh radio node for off-grid emergency communications, covering power system, radio, antenna, and weatherproofing.
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.
I Passed the Test! Now What? Getting Started with Amateur Radio
Seven-part guide for newly licensed ham radio operators: choosing your first radio, using repeaters, finding a local club, and connecting with experienced mentors.
How to Use AI Narrow Intelligence in Improving Your Ham Radio Knowledge & Skills
Using ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity to accelerate ham radio learning: when AI supplements (not replaces) traditional Elmer mentorship for operators building emergency comms skills.
CW Morse Code Activation on Modified Budget Handhelds
Three operators activate a remote summit using modified $20 Quansheng handhelds for CW Morse code transmission—hands-on demo of portable radio setup and field comms.
The Basics of HF Antennas
37-minute primer on HF antenna design principles: what distinguishes antenna types, how they operate differently, and what to consider when selecting one.
My Yaesu FT-891 Go Box
Building a portable ham radio station with a Yaesu FT-891 transceiver and FC-50 tuner for off-grid communications capability.
7 Fldigi Settings For Advanced Users
Twenty-five minute walkthrough of seven advanced Fldigi settings for ham radio digital mode operation, with links to foundational setup and troubleshooting guides.
5 Days in Yosemite with Starlink Mini - WaveTalkers LIVE 127
Field test of Starlink Mini satellite internet in Yosemite: coverage, performance, setup, and practical lessons for grid-down and remote-area communications.
Spooltenna EFHW Antenna Review and Performance Test
Twenty-five-minute hands-on review of an end-fed half-wave antenna: setup, tuning, performance testing, and practical assessment for emergency communications.
Activity Log: Shared ICS-214 - WaveTalkers LIVE 126
Step-by-step guide to building a shared activity log using Google Forms and URL shorteners for emergency communications teams and exercises.
Mapping Winlink - WaveTalkers LIVE 125
Live training on Winlink packet radio system: setup, mapping, and field deployment for grid-down emergency communications.
Event Support: Ham Radio & Modern Wireless Tech - WaveTalkers LIVE 124
Hour-long walkthrough of amateur radio and wireless technologies for emergency event support, covering FM simplex/repeater, APRS, AREDN mesh, bonded networks, and real-world deployment at a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Wouxun KG-S88G PLUS GMRS Radio - Review Of The New GMRS Radio From Wouxun With Bluetooth Audio
Comparison review of the upgraded KG-S88G PLUS GMRS handheld, focusing on its Bluetooth compatibility with wireless headsets.
Scanning GMRS Channels - What Can You Hear On GMRS? I Scan All GMRS Frequencies
Real-world scan of all 22 GMRS channels to assess actual radio traffic and compare activity levels against CB radio claims.