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 67 videos · runtime Under 5 min
Top picks in Comms
Curated by topic, not commissionAll curated
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
QRP Portable JS8Call on Android
Testing JS8Call data communications on Android for portable, energy-efficient emergency radio deployment without laptops.
Ailunce/Retevis HA1G: Weather Alert Function
Two-minute walkthrough of the weather-alert feature on the Ailunce HA1G GMRS radio, demonstrating how to select local NOAA frequencies for emergency notifications.
Why Ham Radio Never Fails During Disasters
Overview of ham radio as an independent emergency communication system: how it functions when cell towers and internet fail, propagation mechanics during severe weather, and licensing/educational value.
What Is The Deal With All These AI Ham Radio Applications?
Overview of AI-generated ham radio applications: what they are, how they work, and their practical utility for emergency communicators.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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! Bug-In and Bug-Out Gear
Overview of gear for staying put or evacuating: Meshtastic off-grid communications, solar power nodes, tracking devices, backup power systems, ham radio training, and emergency medical supplies.
MAYHEMIC Thursday - Gear Up!
Overview of Meshtastic off-grid communication hardware and solar power systems for bugging in and bugging out scenarios.
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.
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.
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 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.
USDX USDR v2 QRP HF Transceiver Review
Hands-on evaluation of a compact HF radio transceiver for amateur radio operators and emergency communications practice.
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.
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.
![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.
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.
How to Charge Starlink Mini Battery Off-Grid with Solar Power
Four-minute walkthrough: powering Starlink Mini directly from portable solar using USB-C Power Delivery, without inverter or power station, for lightweight field deployments.
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.
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 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.
GMRS & HAM Radio CTCSS Tones Can Be Dangerous! Why You Should Not Use Tones Or Privacy Codes
Learn why enabling privacy tones on your radio can block critical emergency transmissions and potentially endanger lives.
Chameleon Antenna CHA LRT (Loop Remote Tuner)
3:45 gear walkthrough of the Chameleon CHA LRT remote-tunable loop antenna system for portable ham radio communications.
Listening to Voice of Korea on Two Radios
Side-by-side reception comparison using an SDR-Play RSP1a and Icom R-75 receiver on a 31-foot vertical antenna, with practical takeaways on equipment performance.
Chameleon Antenna F-Loop V3.0 and RV Operations
Four-minute review of the Chameleon Antenna F-Loop V3.0 portable antenna system and its use in RV-based ham radio operations.
West Chester UHF/VHF Radio Installation Walkthrough
Step-by-step installation of UHF/VHF ham radio equipment for emergency communications and disaster response scenarios.
Emergency Alerts
How to sign up for local emergency alerts via cellular, radio, satellite, and TV in your county, plus resources to build a family emergency plan.
EZBNB RD207 Emergency NOAA/AM/FM Alert Portable Radio
Three-minute review of a lightweight portable weather radio with NOAA/AM/FM bands and emergency alert capability for hiking and outdoor preparedness.