emergency-communications
89 videos tagged emergency-communications across 7 categories.
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Which HT Actually Works For Shortwave Listening
Comparative testing of five handheld radios for shortwave reception quality to guide equipment selection.
Should You Buy the ICOM IC-7110? Detailed Review and Assessment
Four-hour deep dive into the ICOM IC-7110 HF transceiver: features, capabilities, use cases, and whether it's the right choice for your emergency comms setup.
When Communication Fails, Ham Radio Can Be a Lifeline
How amateur radio operators support emergency response during disasters: radio discipline, net coordination, message protocols, and reconnecting separated families when other systems fail.
When Mobile Networks Fail, Ham Radio Can Save Lives
How amateur radio operators establish communication during disasters when mobile networks and internet infrastructure are unavailable, using independent power and radio frequency propagation.
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.
Hams and Hurricane Season
ARRL Emergency Coordinator discusses ham radio's role in Atlantic hurricane season response and preparedness.
Ham Radio to the Rescue: Emergency Communications When Phones and Internet Fail
Real-world account of ham radio operators deployed during an emergency when conventional communication systems failed, plus the history of wireless technology from Maxwell through Marconi.
Why Ham Radio Still Matters in the Age of 5G & AI
Why amateur radio remains critical for emergency communications when modern infrastructure fails during disasters, explained by a 40-year veteran of disaster-response radio operations.
Inside a Real Ham Radio Trailer: Mobile Rover Setup
Tour of a fully-equipped ham radio mobile rover station used for emergency communications during special events and grid-down scenarios.
Ham Radio: From Hilltop Repeaters to the International Space Station
Overview of ham radio infrastructure, repeater systems for extended range, emergency communication during large events, and amateur radio contact with the ISS.
When Mobile Networks Fail, Ham Radio Works!
Why ham radio remains a reliable emergency communication tool when cellular and internet infrastructure fails during disasters, with real-world examples from earthquake and flood response.
Telugu Ham Radio Innovators: DIY Transceiver and SDR Design
Profile of ham radio enthusiasts from Telugu-speaking regions who designed and built affordable transceivers and software-defined radios using locally sourced components, reducing costs from ₹2 lakh to ₹10,000.
Red River Amateur Testing Team and WMZX Testing: Build Your Ham Shack on a Budget
Introduction to ham radio testing teams and practical tips for assembling a budget-conscious home radio station without overextending financially.
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.
Ham Radio: More Than a Hobby — Communication, Technology & Public Service
Overview of amateur radio for emergency communications: licensing, affordable equipment, real-world disaster response examples, and how to establish communication when conventional networks fail.
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.
Why Ham Radio Still Matters in the Age of 5G and AI
A seminar on amateur radio's role in emergency communication during disasters when mobile networks and infrastructure fail, featuring four decades of operational experience.
5 Things I'm Checking Before My Family Sleeps
Evening security and safety checklist: house sweep, family accounting, fire and carbon monoxide hazards, communications charging, and next-day planning.
What Happened to Ham Radio? It's Not What You Think
Analysis of FCC licensing data showing ham radio's shrinking traditional base and growing outdoor-activation community, with insights on licensing barriers and community trajectory.
Ham Radio Basics: RST Reports, Morse Code & Emergency Communication
27-minute introduction to ham radio fundamentals: RST signal reporting, Q-codes, Morse code basics, and ham radio's role in disaster and grid-down communication.
How To Do Mobile HF When You Don't Have Mobile HF
Six-minute walkthrough of an adapter-based solution for operating HF radio from a vehicle using standard components and a whip antenna.
₹1,000 Walkie-Talkie: Global Communication Through Repeater Networks
How Chinese manufacturing has made handheld transceivers affordable, and how repeater networks and internet-linked systems extend their effective range for emergency communications.
Portable Satellite Tracker Build: Radio Station Setup
24-minute walkthrough assembling a portable satellite tracking radio station: radio, rotor, controller, antenna, and coax selection and integration.
Activating Six Parks in One Afternoon: POTA Mobile Setup and Antenna Tools
Portable radio activation demo using mobile HF antenna, battery power, and the Yaesu FT-891 transceiver for field communication across six Wisconsin parks.
The Mission Defines the Ham Radio Tools We Use
How to design emergency communications gear and field stations around mission requirements, PACE redundancy planning, and off-grid deployment capabilities.
Ham Radio General Grade Exam Journey: Two Months of Training and Morse Code Mastery
45-minute documentation of a two-month ham radio General Grade licensing program, covering Morse Code training, exam preparation, and group study structure for emergency communications.
Setting Up Your Ham Radio Estate for When You Become a Silent Key
Fourteen minutes on planning and documenting your ham radio equipment, frequencies, and contacts so family or successors can maintain your communications capability if you become unavailable.
Ham Nation #628: Huntsville Hamfest, Young Ham Of The Year, and Repeater AI Assistant
Amateur radio news, community hamfest coverage, and discussion of emerging ham radio technologies including an AI-assisted repeater system.
Heil BM-17 Headset Review for Parks on the Air
15-minute hands-on review of the Heil BM-17 ham radio headset, including unboxing, field setup, and on-air audio quality testing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mesh Networking Live: Meshtastic and MeshCore Firmware Setup
Real-time walkthrough of setting up Meshtastic and MeshCore mesh networking firmware for off-grid emergency communications.
Ask Dave, August 2026: More About AM
Technical walkthrough of AM carrier signals using oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer, for radio operators building emergency comms skills.
Ham Exam Preparation
Overview of amateur radio licensing, station rules, and communication procedures for emergency messaging during natural disasters and grid-down scenarios.
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.
Emergency Communications Starter Kit
Six-minute walkthrough of a practical emergency comms setup for beginners: radio selection, power, antenna, planning, and training without expensive tactical gear.
Scanners and Walkie Talkies are NOT the Same Thing
Seven-minute breakdown of how scanner receivers differ from two-way radios, with real-world monitoring uses and a hands-on review of the GRE PSR-300.
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.
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.
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.
Prepare for Tuesday, Not Doomsday: Practical Prepping for Real Life Emergencies
Build family resilience for everyday emergencies with budget-friendly, practical steps that reduce fear and overwhelm.
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.
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.
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.
Survival Operations Group vs. Mutual Assistance Groups: What's the difference?
Learn how to structure a survival group around core competencies—medical, food, comms, defense—rather than ideology.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Grid Down Phones That Work
Testing which phones can still make calls, send texts, and access information when the grid goes down during natural disasters or outages.
Baofeng UV-9R Pro - Survival Prepper
Eight-minute review of the Baofeng UV-9R Pro handheld radio for survival and emergency communications.
Solar Flares, Carrington Events, and EMPs: How Solar Storms Affect Ham Radio
Twelve minutes on solar flare risks, Carrington Event history, EMP mechanics, and protective precautions for ham radio operators and household communications resilience.
Making Your First Ham Radio Call
Step-by-step walkthrough of making your first ham radio transmission: equipment setup, frequency selection, call protocol, and common beginner mistakes.
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications for Public Service
21-minute overview of amateur radio skills and equipment for grid-down emergency communications, drawn from 30 years of ARES volunteer disaster-response experience.
ARRL Field Day 2022
Five-minute overview of ARRL Field Day: amateur radio operators setting up temporary emergency communication stations to practice disaster response and community coordination skills.
Long Wire Antenna Raise
Seven-minute walkthrough of raising and installing a long wire antenna for emergency ham radio communications after storm damage.
VHF Propagation: Point-to-Point Analysis Tool for Ham Radio Communication
Eleven-minute walkthrough of the RF Line-of-Sight tool: how to use Google Maps and topography data to plan and troubleshoot long-distance radio paths for emergency communications.
Programming a Baofeng UV-5R with Chirp and a Programming Cable
Step-by-step walkthrough: using Chirp software and a USB cable to program frequencies and settings on a Baofeng UV-5R handheld radio.