On this week's episode of The Prepping Academy, we welcome a special guest, John Jacob Schmidt, founder of AmRRON, for a discussion on the history of AmRRON and what the future holds. We also discuss his new project, AmRRON Reloaded, and efforts to grow the ranks of individuals capable of effectively communicating in any emergency situation. Remember, the annual AmRRON national grid down communications exercise takes place later in July. It is your opportunity to test your skills and see what information you can receive during the exercise. Remember, if you do not have communications when the balloon goes up, you are just another refugee staring at your dead cell phone, wondering what just happened. 

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previewsPodcast Summary: Prepper Camp 2025 Preview with James Walton & Forrest Garvin

In this energetic episode of ⁠The Prepper Broadcasting Network⁠, host ⁠James Walton⁠ sits down with preparedness leader Forrest Garvin to deliver an insider’s look at Prepper Camp 2025, happening September 26–28, 2025, in Saluda, North Carolina. Over roughly thirty minutes, the conversation highlights why Prepper Camp has become the premier “family reunion” for America’s self-reliance community and what new skills, speakers, and experiences await attendees this year.

Garvin—founder of ⁠PrepperNet⁠ and a former airman turned Bank of America webmaster—explains how his unique journey from Y2K concerns to modern cyber-threats fuels the two classes he’ll teach on-site:

1. “⁠Privacy & Security: How to Disappear on the Internet⁠” – step-by-step methods to shield your address, phone number, and financial data from data-breach fallout.
2. “⁠The Case for Cryptocurrency⁠” – a courtroom-style defense of Bitcoin and digital assets as part of every prepper’s PACE financial plan.

The pair also previews Prepper Camp’s 60+ daily workshops, from ham radio mesh networks to hands-on fire-starting, plus evening concerts, vendor lanes stocked with freeze-dried food and survival gear, and the famous Tent City campfires where lifelong friendships form. Garvin shares memorable moments—such as late-night chats with fellow instructor Dave Wolf—and reminds listeners that 150–200 ⁠PrepperNet members⁠ typically gather for Friday-night dinners, making the event the best networking opportunity in preparedness.

Walton closes with a timely call-to-action: tickets are currently discounted at ⁠PrepperCamp.com⁠, but prices rise fast. If you want expert survival training, actionable privacy tactics, and real-world crypto insights—all in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains—mark your calendar for ⁠Prepper Camp 2025 in Saluda, NC⁠ , and secure your spot today.

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In this episode of Grid Down Comms Up on the Prepping Academy, Patrick looks at tactical and team communications and strategic communications in a disaster. Team communications are a simple concept, but become surprisingly complex when users enter the equation. Frequency coordination and interference are a reality of a large-scale disaster scene. We discuss how that impacts operations and how we can avoid some of those issues. Strategic communication is frequently overlooked by the prepping and survival community, usually due to the lone wolf mentality. In a disaster, you aren't going to be the lone wolf; you may even be the voice of your community. Having the skills and tools to quickly and effectively relay the needs of those around you is critical to helping those who are trying to help you. In this episode, we look at some details and facts of communications to support the logistical log train to keep your community going in a disaster.  

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In this episode of Grid Down Comms Up on the Prepping Academy, Patrick looks at some of the technical communications failures during the hurricane, from radio programming disasters, broken equipment, and poor engineering practice. We look at them all. If you want to be the person who learns from others' mistakes, get out a pen and paper to take notes now, so you don't mess it up when others did

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Special Public Service Announcement – Free Crypto Webinar

In this brief Public Service Announcement, I’m sharing an exciting opportunity for you to join my upcoming free live webinar, “The Case for Cryptocurrency.” 

This isn’t a full podcast episode, but I wanted to let you know about this important event and why it’s a must-attend for anyone curious about cryptocurrency or looking to secure their financial future. During the webinar, I’ll explain why now is the time to embrace crypto and how it can empower you to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.

Registration is free—just head to preppingacademy.com/crypto to sign up today.

Thank you for being part of our community, and I look forward to seeing you at the webinar.

Stay safe, and we’ll catch up in the next full episode!

Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net
PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins.

Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net
PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins.

PrepperNet

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Patrick takes the Prepping Academy helm once again with a new episode of Grid Down Comms Up. In breaking world news massive power outages in in Spain impact communications infrastructure sending some residents looking for portable radios to receive information. This episode looks at commercially available information sources that have been hardened by FEMA to survive disasters, EMP's and national blackouts too. Do you know where to turn to if internet and cell service stops? What information should you have available before the grid goes down?

73
Patrick

Link the list of FEMA Public Alert Warning System stations. https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/broadcasters-wireless

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On this episode of The Prepping Academy, Patrick picks up with a Grid Down Comms Up episode. We begin with a look at the battle rhythm in the first seventy-two hours of the disaster and what that looked like for the people on the outside, who were providing communications support and processing information for those with limited access to reliable information. Next, we look at the fog of war, how that impacted operations from day zero, and how it impacted those in the disaster area, followed by a look at the communications picture inside eastern TN and western NC.   We wrap up with a what-if discussion about how the picture would have looked very different and been much more complex had the Mt Michell amateur radio repeater not been in the picture. This episode illustrates Patick's quote, "Without communication, you are just another person wondering what just happened."  Remember, when the grid goes down, you are on your own, and what you don't know can kill you. 

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Special Public Service Announcement – Free Crypto Webinar

In this brief Public Service Announcement, I’m sharing an exciting opportunity for you to join my upcoming free live webinar, “The Case for Cryptocurrency,” happening on Monday night, December 30th, at 8 PM Eastern Time.

This isn’t a full podcast episode, but I wanted to let you know about this important event and why it’s a must-attend for anyone curious about cryptocurrency or looking to secure their financial future. During the webinar, I’ll explain why now is the time to embrace crypto and how it can empower you to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.

Registration is free—just head to preppingacademy.com/crypto to sign up today.

Also, I want to take this moment to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for being part of our community, and I look forward to seeing you at the webinar.

Stay safe, and we’ll catch up in the next full episode!

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In today’s episode, Patrick discusses how communications systems failed during Hurricane Helene and why the communications situation in western North Carolina and the surrounding mountains deteriorated so quickly compared to a typical hurricane.  We also discuss how amateur and other radio services supported logistics and recovery in the aftermath of the incident. We look at some great successes and failures along with a few lessons learned, including some of the gear in high demand and what skills were needed to keep communications going.  Learn from others' mistakes and what can make a life and death-difference during a cataclysmic natural disaster to improve your communications game from real-world observations and experience, not armchair dystopian fiction.  

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This week on the Prepping Academy Podcast, Patrick Adams takes the reins to bring a holiday-themed episode packed with practical, thoughtful, and must-have items for the preparedness-minded. As a leading voice in both AmRRON and PrepperNet, Patrick combines his expertise in survival communications and prepping to share his Top 10 Christmas Gifts for preppers in 2024.

Patrick begins by emphasizing the importance of giving gifts that enhance self-reliance and preparedness skills. His list covers a wide range of options suitable for anyone looking to improve their emergency readiness, from beginners to seasoned preppers. Whether you’re shopping for a family member, friend, or yourself, his curated selection is designed to inspire and equip.

Listeners can expect recommendations for essential gear like portable power banks, versatile multi-tools, and high-quality water filtration systems. Patrick also highlights communication devices, such as HAM radios and signal amplifiers, emphasizing their critical role in staying connected during emergencies. Practical tools like durable survival knives and compact first aid kits also make the list, reflecting his philosophy of preparedness: “The best gifts are those that can save a life.”

Patrick adds a personal touch by sharing why each item made the cut, blending his years of expertise with anecdotes from his own prepping journey. He also offers tips on where to find these items, ensuring listeners get the best value for their investment.

The episode is not just about gift-giving—it’s a call to action to prepare smarter and include loved ones in the journey toward greater self-reliance. For those ready to take their preparedness efforts to the next level, Patrick’s recommendations are the perfect way to start.

Tune in this week to the Prepping Academy Podcast to hear Patrick Adams’ Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Preppers and get inspired to give gifts that truly matter this holiday season!

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