Most Operators don’t get this radio: Lab599 TX-500MP
Most operators don’t understand the point of the Lab599 TX-500MP. It wasn’t designed with all the bells and whistles found in most portable ham radio […]
Survival & Preparedness
Cross-training: Communications, Fieldcraft, and Marksmanship
Cross-training builds real resilience. This weekend combined HF communications, fieldcraft, and marksmanship in the swamps of Puolanka, Finland—proving that preparedness isn’t theory, it’s practice.
The DJI Drone Ban: What They’re Not Saying Out Loud
The U.S. calls DJI a security risk, yet no allies have banned their drones. Lawmakers funded by defense interests push the ban while U.S. and Israeli firms stand to profit. This isn’t about safety—it’s about politics, money, and who controls the drone market.
IC-7300MK2: Why a 0.7 A Receive Draw Actually Matters Off-Grid
I just pre-ordered the new Icom IC-7300MK2. Its reduced current draw finally makes this legendary HF rig off-grid friendly!
Emergency Winlink Gateway
A field-tested look at the Emergency Winlink Gateway—an off-grid, low-power HF email system built for rapid deployment during real-world disasters.
Storm Prep: Portable Ham Radio Caravan
A single Winlink message changed everything. I was prepping for wind—but what came was a full-spectrum storm. This post captures what happened, as it happened, from inside the Portable Ham Radio Caravan.
Portable Ham Radio on Solar Power Giveaway
OH8STN Portable Ham Radio on Solar Power GIVEAWAY 2024.
My Off-Grid & Grid Down Comms Energy strategy
The off-grid ham shack is fully energy self-sufficient, utilizing solar, wind, and other power sources, with a focus on low current devices for sustainable communication.
New TX-500MP HF Man Pack from Lab599?
Lab599 teases a new portable ham radio, the TX-500MP (Man Pack), responding to feedback for improved wire management and a more backpack-friendly design. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
Building a Solar Powered Ham Radio Station
The Off-Grid Ham Shack series discusses creating a self-sufficient ham radio station or ‘Ham Shack’ capable of operating on solar power during any grid down scenario, emphasizing the importance of an energy strategy for off-grid communications. This system includes solar panels, a charge controller, battery, and power distribution system. Key elements are the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels to harness solar energy, a solar charge controller to regulate energy flow and prevent battery overcharging or damage, and a battery to store energy for later. As well, power distribution ensures the allocation of power to multiple devices simultaneously. A grid-down energy strategy is crucial to any communication-related emergency, be it CB, FRS, GMRS, MURS or PMR radio, UHF CB, DMR, DStar, Meshtastic or LoRa communications.