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 99 videos · runtime 15–30 min
Top picks in Comms
Curated by topic, not commissionAll curated· primary topic only
Radio Fire Watch & The Importance of a Simple Analog Repeater
How volunteer ham radio operators coordinated a fire watch during the La Habra, California fire to prevent spread, demonstrating practical emergency communication.
Is 500 Watts Enough for POTA? Putting the KPA 500 to the Test
Practical evaluation of the Elecraft KPA-500 amplifier for Parks on the Air operations: power requirements, performance tradeoffs, and whether 500W is sufficient for off-grid HF radio work.
How to Choose an EFHW Antenna: Tips and Setup
Fifteen minutes on End-Fed Half-Wave antenna selection, setup, and teardown from two ham operators with practical examples and vendor comparisons.
Portable HF Radio Operating: An Underpass Parking Garage Test
28-minute walkthrough of setting up and operating portable HF radio from an urban location, demonstrating field deployment techniques and antenna solutions.
Linked Repeater Etiquette and Operating Tips for New Ham Operators
Twenty-two minutes on repeater protocol, proper operating procedure, and technique for new amateur radio operators using both linked and standalone repeaters.
Baofeng DM-32UV Programming with CPS Software
27-minute step-by-step walkthrough programming a Baofeng DM-32UV dual-mode ham radio for analog and DMR channels using the CPS software.
VHF/UHF Band Openings, Calling Frequencies, and Ham Radio Basics
Introduction to VHF/UHF band openings, standard calling frequencies, and practical radio operation tips for new ham radio operators.
HF Antenna and Voice Operating Tips for New Hams
Twenty-one minutes on HF low-band antenna options and voice operating techniques for amateur radio operators building emergency communications capability.
Shadow Slot VHF/UHF Antenna Review
Sixteen-minute walkthrough of the Shadow Slot low-profile antenna for Amateur, GMRS, and MURS bands, with performance notes and installation details.
AI in the Ham Shack: Testing Gemini and Claude on Radio Projects
Twenty-one minutes testing AI tools on practical ham radio tasks: antenna design, radio configuration, RFI troubleshooting, and QSL card creation, with guidance on when to verify results independently.
How to Build a Resilient Messaging Web Without the Internet
Set up a Meshtastic network to send messages across town when cell infrastructure fails.
Yaesu FT-857D & ATAS Antenna: Mobile HF Setup Field Testing
Hands-on demonstration of a portable HF radio system in the field, showing mobile deployment, antenna tuning, and real-world operating conditions for remote communications.
SDR vs. Analog HF Receivers: Sound Quality, Shack Tour, and Antenna Switch Options
Comparison of software-defined radio and analog HF receiver sound quality, with a shack tour and discussion of antenna switching and NVIS antenna configurations for HF.
Ham Radio Deals for Prime Big Deals Day 2026
Roundup of amateur radio equipment, antennas, test gear, batteries, and solar panels available during Amazon Prime deals, with product links and specs.
Incoming and Outgoing QSL Bureau Explained for New Ham Operators
18-minute walkthrough of ARRL QSL bureaus and call-district procedures for ham radio operators establishing contact logs and emergency communication readiness.
Icom 5200 Struggle Stream
Walk through Icom 5200 unboxing, Bluetooth TNC setup, and initial configuration for digital radio modes.
How to Unlock 1 Watt LoRa With the Morbo Kit
Step-by-step setup and configuration of a 1-watt LoRa repeater using the Morbo/ZeroFox3D kit, solar power, and antenna optimization for emergency mesh networks.
Listen to Satellites: Tracking, Equipment, and First Contacts
Eighteen-minute walkthrough on receiving satellite transmissions: tracking apps, antenna selection, radio hardware, and live morse code contacts from the field.
Cleaning Up a Crusty Old Yaesu FT-8800 to Like-New Condition
19-minute walkthrough restoring a used Yaesu FT-8800 mobile transceiver with cleaning and basic maintenance, demonstrating that older ham radio gear can be brought back into reliable service.
Stop Guessing Your Kenwood D750 APRS Settings
Configure your Kenwood D750 APRS radio for mobile tracking, emergency comms, and network efficiency with reasoned settings guidance.
Emergency Communication Options for Preppers and New Ham Operators
Overview of ham radio communication equipment and options available to preppers and new operators, with local repeater resources for Melbourne, FL and Atlanta, TX areas.
Kenwood D750 Review
Balanced assessment of the Kenwood D750 mobile radio's strengths, limitations, and practical considerations for ham operators.
I Thought This Facebook Ham Radio Deal Was Going To Be A Scam
Real-world walkthrough of buying used ham radios on Facebook Marketplace: spotting scams, vetting sellers, testing gear, and what actually works in the field.
First Solo CW Contact: Parks On The Air Activation at Galveston Island
19-minute field walkthrough of setting up and operating amateur radio morse (CW) in an outdoor park environment, covering equipment setup, signal work, and making your first contact solo.
ARRL Lab-Tested Devices Comparison Tool: How to Use It for Radio Purchases
Tour of ARRL's interactive online tool for comparing lab-tested transceiver, receiver, and amplifier performance specs to inform ham radio equipment buying decisions.
Building a Full-Wave HF Loop Antenna: 283 Feet of Wire, Performance Results
Seventeen-minute walkthrough of constructing and testing a large HF loop antenna, covering wire layout, balun selection, tuning, and measured performance.
Mobile Ham Radio: Real-World Testing on the Road
Twenty-four minutes of practical ham radio operation during a road trip, demonstrating Allstar and HF radio setups for decentralized off-grid communications.
What to Do After You Get Your Ham Radio License
Choosing your first radio, overcoming anxiety on air, programming repeaters, and finding local clubs—practical next steps for newly licensed amateur radio operators.
17-Foot Chopsticks: Budget 20-Meter Groundplane Antenna Array
Building and testing a DIY antenna array from coupled telescopic whips for portable 20-meter ham radio field deployment, with SWR measurements and practical performance results.
Tips for New Hams: Proper Microphone Use and Setup
Nineteen minutes on microphone technique for ham radio operators: distance, positioning, menu-based vs. knob radios, and common setup mistakes.
Ham2K Power Logger: Cross-Platform Rig Control and Field Logging
Walkthrough of Ham2K Power Logger, a free portable ham radio logging app with rig control, now available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android—designed for field operations and emergency comms.
Installing the Kenwood TH-D750 in my Truck
Step-by-step walkthrough of mounting a dual-band mobile radio with APRS capability in a vehicle for emergency communication.
Ham Radio Doesn't Have to Be Expensive: Tips for New Hams and Preppers
Overview of ham radio as an emergency communications tool, with budget-friendly entry points and cost breakdowns for new operators interested in grid-down comms.
Heil BM-17 Ham Radio Headset Review
Hands-on evaluation of the Heil BM-17 headset for ham radio use, testing audio quality and practical features.
Day 2 of the Queen Wilhelmina Hamfest — History and Interview
Day-two coverage of a regional hamfest, including an interview with a ham radio operator on the event's history and community.
Offline Wilderness Maps
Sixteen-minute walkthrough of OsmAnd, a free open-source offline map app for wilderness navigation without cellular or GPS dependency.
Tips for New Ham Operators: Who Owns Repeaters, Who Maintains Them, and Who Pays
Sixteen-minute primer on ham repeater infrastructure: ownership structures, maintenance responsibilities, funding models, and how community repeaters sustain emergency communications networks.
Ham Radio and the Titanic: The Story That Changed Frequencies Forever
How a false accusation about amateur radio operators during the Titanic disaster led to the 1912 Radio Act and shaped the frequency bands ham operators use today.
Caesar Cipher Reimagined: Pathfinder Coded Messaging
Build a compass-based field cipher for secure off-grid communications using nothing but a compass, notebook, and a shared offset key.
Radioddity VB70 70-Watt Mobile VHF Radio Tested
Fifteen-minute hands-on review of the Radioddity VB70, a 70-watt 2-meter VHF transceiver for mobile, off-grid, and ham radio use.
Review of Radioddity UV29 Pro VHF/UHF Handheld Radio and Common Mode Chokes Explained
Hands-on review of the Radioddity UV29 Pro dual-band handheld radio with guest explanation of common mode chokes and antenna impedance matching.
Nepal Floods: When Communication Fails, Ham Radio Can Save Lives
Case study of how amateur radio operators provided critical communication during Nepal's 2026 floods when normal infrastructure failed, and why disaster preparedness includes radio readiness.
Antennas and Antenna Parts: Tips for New Ham Operators
Eighteen-minute walkthrough of ham radio antennas and components, aimed at operators new to the hobby.
Hams and Hurricane Season
ARRL Emergency Coordinator discusses ham radio's role in Atlantic hurricane season response and preparedness.
Huntsville Hamfest Walk Through 2026
Tour a major amateur radio equipment marketplace to survey available gear, vendors, and current pricing for communications infrastructure.
Ham Radio: From Homemade Equipment to Worldwide Communication
Amateur radio operator VU2RDM demonstrates how to build functional ham radio equipment from low-cost local components, covering licensing, emergency communication procedures, and ham radio's role during disasters when grids fail.
GMRS Repeater Owner Served Notice Of Violation By The FCC
How an unlicensed GMRS repeater network triggered FCC enforcement; legal requirements, linking rules, and what preppers should know before building repeater infrastructure.
Ham Radio: The Lifeline When All Communication Fails
15-minute primer on amateur radio history, physics, equipment basics, antenna construction, and deployment during natural disasters and communication blackouts.