Ham Radio: The Test..........
Prep Comms
Ham radio testing is where a lot of people stall. Not because it’s hard. Not because it’s unfair. And not because access is restricted. In this episode, I talk plainly about why testing exists, why it’s required, and why the arguments around it haven’t changed in years—even as access has become easier than ever. I’ve watched this cycle repeat long enough to recognize the pattern. People fear the test, pass the test, and then freeze because they don’t know what to do next. The test was never the real problem. This isn’t test prep. It isn’t a debate. And it isn’t a defense of...
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Ham Radio: Why I Started the Journey
Prep Comms
Ham Radio: Why I Started the Journey (and Where “Ham” Came From) Ham radio didn’t start as a hobby for me. In this episode, I talk through why I finally took amateur radio seriously, what problem I was trying to solve, and why ham radio kept showing up at the end of the communications conversation. I also touch lightly on the history of the amateur radio service and where the term “ham” came from—not as trivia, but to clear up common misconceptions. This isn’t a tutorial, test prep, or a gear review. It’s a conversation about motivation, capability, and why ham radio became...
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Ham Radio, the Last Act
Prep Comms
Ham radio usually comes up at the end of the conversation about communications. Not first, and not early—after people have already tried other options and figured out what feels easy and what doesn’t. In this episode, I talk through why that happens. I walk through patterns I’ve seen over time: how people approach communication planning, how radios get bought and set aside, and why plans often fall apart when they’re never used or practiced ahead of time. This isn’t a tutorial or a licensing guide. I’m not explaining how to get started or what equipment to buy. It’s simply a...
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GMRS Series #7 — Family Communication Routines, Check-Ins, and What Silence Really Means
Prep Comms
Most families don’t lose communication because radios fail. They lose it because there’s no routine, no shared rhythm, and no clear understanding of what silence actually means. In this episode, Caleb closes out the GMRS series by walking through how families should actually use radios day to day — how to structure simple check-ins, why calm routines matter more than gear, and how to respond when the radio goes quiet without panic. This episode focuses on habits and decision-making, not technology for technology’s sake. What We Cover Why communication routines matter more than...
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GMRS Series #7 — How Families Actually Communicate on GMRS (and How to Keep It Calm)
Prep Comms
Most families don’t lose communication because the radio fails. They lose it because stress changes how people talk. In this episode, Caleb breaks down how families actually communicate on GMRS — the common mistakes that create confusion, and the simple habits that keep radio traffic calm and clear when it matters. This isn’t about gear. It’s about behavior, clarity, and confidence. What We Cover Why stress breaks radio communication The three most common family communication mistakes How talking too fast and over-explaining kills clarity A simple, repeatable family radio...
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How to Actually Use GMRS as a Family
Prep Comms
Most families buy GMRS radios… then realize no one actually knows how to use them when the phones go quiet. This episode fixes that. Today we walk through the simple, practical skills every household needs to use GMRS with confidence: • The 3-button rule • How to choose the right channel group without a chart • How to know if you’re hitting a repeater • What to do when you hear nothing • The 10-second teaching script for non-technical adults • A weekly household radio routine that actually works No programming. No deep tech. Just clear steps any family can follow. Mentioned in...
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GMRS #5: So Many Channels…
Prep Comms
Most new GMRS users hit the same wall: thirty channels on the screen, all looking equal… but they’re not. Some are full-power. Some are handheld-only. Some can hit repeaters. Some won’t carry your voice past the yard. In this episode, we break down GMRS the way real families actually use it: • The three channel groups that matter • What power limits mean in the real world • Which channels give you real range • Why Channels 8–14 feel so weak • The only three channels your family needs to know • How repeaters actually work on GMRS If you’ve ever wondered why GMRS feels...
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Prep Comms 2025 Christmas & Black Friday Special
Prep Comms
Prep Comms 2025 Christmas & Black Friday Special Host: Caleb Nelson, K4CDN – Your no-nonsense guide to smart radio gear and real-world readiness. From AM/FM and weather radios to shortwave, scanners, CB, MURS, FRS, GMRS and power setups — what actually works and what’s worth buying. Full storefront and extra gear at BONUS: AM / FM & Weather Vondior NOAA – Sangean MMR-99 – Midland ER10VP – Midland WR-120 – RCA RCWR7V – Shortwave Tecsun PL880 – Tecsun PL368 – County Comm GP Series – Scanners HomePatrol-2 – BCD436HP – BC355N – CB...
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GMRS #4: Now That You’ve Got the Radios
Prep Comms
This week’s Prep Comms Podcast digs into the real part of GMRS—how to use it day-to-day. No hype, no theory. Just what works. Caleb Nelson (K4CDN / WRBR 237) walks through: Teaching your family how to power on, adjust volume, and find the right channel Labeling radios so anyone can grab one and talk What privacy tones really do (and what they don’t) How GMRS repeaters extend your range — and the simple steps to use them correctly Why practice matters more than equipment You’ll also hear about the new BTech GMRS-50 Pro, the PeliComms ¼-Wave Base Antenna now in stock at ,...
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GMRS #3 — Field Reports & Real-World Lessons
Prep Comms
This week, we’re hearing from you — real operators in real situations. From Hurricane Helene reports to mountain-range tests and home-built towers, listeners across the country are proving what GMRS can actually do. Caleb Nelson (K4CDN | WRBR 237) shares lessons from YouTube and podcast feedback, covering antenna height, coax loss, repeater etiquette, and why practice still beats theory. Mentioned in this episode: • Free GMRS License Express Guide → • @TerminalElement on YouTube → • UHF Yagi Directional Antenna (Prep Comms Store) → Stay Connected: Live Family Connect Webinar...
info_outlineMost people don’t even know what MURS is—and that’s exactly why it works so well. In this first episode of the Prep Comms MURS Mini-Series, Caleb breaks down the quiet power of the Multi-Use Radio Service: a license-free, analog-only VHF service with just five channels and a lot of practical potential.
You’ll learn about its roots in the old business band, what the “Color Dot” frequencies mean, why MURS is legal without a license, and how it fits into a low-key family comms plan.
Privacy, power limits, antenna rules, and gear you can actually use—it’s all covered here.
Listen in, and discover why MURS might be the perfect base layer in your emergency communications setup.
In this episode:
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The FCC origin of MURS and its roots in the Business Band (DOT and STAR channels)
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What MURS can and can’t do legally (no digital, no repeaters)
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Antenna height limits and the truth about privacy tones
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How MURS works around barns, homes, driveways, and family outings
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Why VHF still outperforms UHF in open terrain
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My own family’s use of MURS as part of the Cascade Protocol
Mentioned in this episode:
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Free MURS + Business Band Frequency Guide PDF:
MURS Frequency PDF -
Recommended MURS radios & antennas (Caleb’s gear list):
Caleb's Amazon Store: Search MURS
Want to go deeper?
Watch the free on-demand webinar (Coming August 2025):
How to Build a Family Communication Plan in Less Than 30 Minutes—Without Expensive Gear or Tech Confusion
www.familyradiowebinar.com