Ham Radio 2.0

Galveston Meshtastic Solar Node Update – 4 Months Later! SpecFive relay battery failed. Swapped it for the compact Seeed Studio P1 solar node in Galveston, TX.
War driving showed strong Meshtastic activity but almost zero Meshcore nodes. Fixed rust issues and secured everything with painted brackets + zip ties. Monitoring through summer with antenna upgrades planned. How many Meshtastic nodes are you seeing locally? Drop it in the comments! 👇 #Meshtastic #SolarNode #SeeedStudioP1
SpecFive #HamRadio #Galveston #Meshcore Blog Post with links: https://www.livefromthehamshack.tv/blog/galveston-meshtastic-node-deployment-update/

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Get a first look at the DFW Ham Expo 2026. See what the crowd and venue look like right before the doors open on Saturday morning.

This video captures the scene at the DFW Ham Expo, held inside a repurposed department store at an old mall. If you are curious about the atmosphere of a major amateur radio convention, this gives you an early view of the setup on the weekend before Father's Day. We walk through the space just before the public is allowed inside, offering a glimpse at the scale and location.
#hamradio #hamfest #dfwhamexpo

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Finding the best GMRS radios for 2026 starts here. I have narrowed down the top seven handheld radios to help you choose the right gear for your needs.

This guide covers the most popular GMRS HT models currently available, making it perfect for anyone starting their journey into personal radio communication. Whether you are looking for reliable handheld radios for off-roading, hiking, or emergency preparedness, this list highlights the most capable hardware on the market. We evaluate these units based on performance, usability, and features to ensure you get the right GMRS equipment for your specific use case. 

Today's video is sponsored by M&P Coax - save 10% off of their products with code HR2CABLES at this link - https://geni.us/hr2cables 

Find links to all products in this video here - https://www.livefromthehamshack.tv/blog/170-2/

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Discover GrapheneOS, the privacy-first, security-hardened mobile operating system built for maximum protection. In this video, we break down exactly what GrapheneOS is, how it differs from stock Android and Google Pixel OS, its key features like verified boot, hardened memory allocator, and no Google services by default, plus who should switch to it.

Perfect for anyone wanting to de-Google their phone, enhance privacy, or run a truly secure device in 2026. Whether you're a Pixel 9 owner or just exploring custom ROMs, this guide covers installation basics, pros & cons, and real-world use.

If you're serious about digital privacy and security, GrapheneOS is one of the best options available today.

Today's video is sponsored by Ham Radio Prep - use code JASON20 to received 20% off of all of their courses here - https://geni.us/830iXi5

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My Deals Page: https://amzn.to/4fSOnZn

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Learn how Wi-Fi Halo works and find the best 12V batteries to power your RV or camping gear. We break down the latest connectivity and power tech.

This video explains the technical capabilities of the Wi-Fi Halo 802.11ah standard, specifically its application in ad hoc radio networks for long-range connectivity. If you are interested in how modern wireless protocols are evolving, this overview provides the essential details on how this standard differs from traditional Wi-Fi.

Today's video is sponsored by Redodo Batteries - Save 8% with code HAMRADIO8 at this link - https://www.redodopower.com/?ref=fXMdlD0D

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On tonight's livestream I am issuing a challenge to all operators - let's light up 146.520 and make it active again. I'll be inviting some others onto the channel who have been actively participating in this effort and I invite you all to do the same. Let's see what we can do to Make Simplex Active Again!

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Get 15% off of your first Battlbox here - https://www.battlbox.com/HAMRADIO

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Join me in the field at Galveston Island State Park for a live 146.520 national simplex test as part of the growing #52Challenge! Watch the portable Tech Prepper manpack setup with Yaesu FTM-6000, FarJ antenna, Ed Fong roll-up J-pole, DigiRig, and more while calling CQ on the national 2m FM simplex frequency. See real results, a successful contact with AB5GU, and practical tips on keeping 146.52 active in your vehicle, daily carry, and POTA activations. Perfect for hams looking to boost local simplex activity, field ops gear, and portable ham radio setups.

More details in my Blog Post: https://www.livefromthehamshack.tv/blog/did-i-make-any-contacts-146-520-simplex-test/

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Discover how to set up a portable APRS digipeater station for field operations and emergency preparedness! In this video, I take my go-kit APRS station to Galveston Island State Park to test a real-world digipeater configuration on 144.390 MHz. Watch as I deploy the FaraJay 2m antenna on a POTA 20 mast, configure the VGC N7500 with Bluetooth KISS TNC, run APRS-Droid as a digipeater (KC5HWB-15), and successfully extend range for mobile tracking and check-ins like APRS Thursday.

Perfect for ham radio operators interested in APRS digipeater setup, portable packet radio, field day / POTA / SOTA ops, mesh networking backups, and resilient off-grid comms. Learn practical tips on antenna deployment, coax choices (ABR Coax discount code), power systems (Bioenno battery + solar), Bluetooth configuration tricks, path settings (WIDE1-1/WIDE2-2), and real-time packet reception without relying on your truck's iGate. 

Today's video is sponsored by ABR Coax - save 10% off of their products with code ABR10KC5HWB here - https://abrind.com/?sld=kc5hwb 

Read More on the Blog Post - https://www.livefromthehamshack.tv/blog/aprs-field-ops-portable-digipeater-setup-at-galveston-island-state-park/

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