Survival & Preparedness

Storm Prep: Portable Ham Radio Caravan

July 4, 2025 Julian OH8STN 1

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.

New TX-500MP HF Man Pack from Lab599?

January 16, 2024 Julian OH8STN 4

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

December 21, 2023 Julian OH8STN 6

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.

Off-Grid Grid-Down Comms & Current consumption

November 20, 2023 Julian OH8STN 4

The post warns against the use of QRO radio systems for off-grid or grid-down situations due to their high energy consumption. Instead, it advocates QRP radios, suggesting they offer greater efficiency and ease of use with renewable energy sources such as solar. The post also dismisses the idea of lowering the transmission power of QRO radios as a solution, arguing that it does not address issues with energy inefficiency and that such advice is misguided.