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The Truth About Cheap CB Radios for Off-Grid Travel

Post author By admin
Post date October 19, 2026

The Truth About Cheap CB Radios for Off-Grid Travel

Finding the best budget CB radios for your rig in 2026 doesn’t have to break the bank. Here is my top pick for reliable trail comms.

Whether you are prepping for a weekend trip or a long-distance trek, having dependable gear is essential. We examine several budget CB radios suitable for overlanding comms, weighing their performance against current standards. I also break down the critical differences in our GMRS comparison to help you decide which system fits your specific trail needs.

Radios:
https://amzn.to/4rDF0jT
https://amzn.to/4yp8jJR
https://amzn.to/4hS6f73
https://amzn.to/4hUAgTK

Practical, decentralized communications — no towers, no carriers, no permission needed. This channel covers ham radio, Meshtastic and mesh networks, GMRS, and off-grid gear for staying connected anywhere.

★ Support the channel & help spread the word about off-grid comms ★
📧 Email list: http://hamradio2.com/signup2
💬 Text updates: http://hamradio2.com/textme
✅ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/HamRadio
✅ Shop our products: http://shop.hamradio2.com
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Best Digital Interface for HF Radio: https://digirig.net/product/digirig-dr-891/p/1/

📻 Our Sponsors 📻
R&L Electronics: https://www.randl.com
Buy Two Way Radios: https://geni.us/Dr954X
Save 20% at https://hamradioprep.com with code JASON20
FlexRadio: https://flexradio.com
BaofengTech: https://baofengtech.com/ref/hamradio2/
Commissions may be earned on affiliate links.

Mail: 2150 W. Northwest Highway STE114-1163, Grapevine TX 76051

#OffGridComms #HamRadio #Meshtastic

Tank Radio Youtube

The Ultimate Local Comms Setup? NVIS Field Test

Post author By admin
Post date October 19, 2026

The Ultimate Local Comms Setup? NVIS Field Test

Today we’re putting Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) to the test using the Alpha Antenna Hex in a low-profile NVIS configuration!

What better way to see how well local and regional propagation works than hopping into the Texas QSO Party? We test out both 40 meters and 20 meters, check the SWR with the RigExpert, work some stations across North Texas and beyond, and break down the contact logs on the map.

Check out Alpha Antenna & gear at GigaParts:
Use code "TANK" at checkout to help support the channel!

Support Tank Radio:
Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsGPsE7FszSGOQPfwRcDjoA/join
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TankRadio

Links:
Alpha hex – https://www.alphaantenna.com/product-category/portable-vhf-uhf-hf-antennas/portable-vhf-uhf-hf-efhw-dipole-antennas/?aff=20
Rig Stick – https://www.gigaparts.com/rigexpert-stick-60khz-35mhz-analyzer.html

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction & What is NVIS?
01:00 – Alpha Hex NVIS Setup & Tripod
02:00 – Setting Up 40m Wire & SWR Check
04:00 – Operating in the Texas QSO Party (40 Meters)
06:06 – Switching Bands to 20 Meters
07:01 – Data Time: Contact Map & Results
08:42 – Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

New Tanker Radio Gear:
New Tank Radio Pillow – https://www.etsy.com/listing/4295008136/tank-radio-pillow-for-amateur-radio
New Tank Radio Black Out T Shirt – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/products/tank-radio-black-out-t-shirt-on-demand-order
Tank US Band Plan Pad – https://quirkyqrphamradios.etsy.com/listing/1657938891
Hoodies – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/products/tank-radio-hoodie-limited-time
Boonie Hats – https://www.gigaparts.com/tank-radio-logo-boonie-hat.html
Sticker Pack – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/collections/combo-packs/products/tank-radio-official-sticker-pack

Help support me by:
spooltenna – https://www.spooltenna.com/?sca_ref=11327622.GxC4hHpdaPs
RollerCam Website – https://classic.avantlink.com/click.php?tool_type=ml&merchant_link_id=6e7562a0-f7b0-4d9a-b15e-25ce3aedb94a&website_id=16611296-f891-4f8b-8010-5fa29c2cab5f
Gigaparts-Double Points https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=KG5AHJ%20INFLUENCER%20PAGE
5% off at Alpha Antenna – https://www.alphaantenna.com/?aff=20
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/TankRadio
Buy Me a Beer: https://buymeacoffee.com/TankRadio
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TankRadio
Amazon affiliate:https://amzn.to/3Zlhjzn
Tank Radios T-Shirt : https://grapevineamateurradio.com/collections/youtubers-bunch/products/tank-radio-short-sleeve-t-shirt-special-order

Follow me on:
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/5gGCq4wY8n Channel Tank Radio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KG5AHJ

#KG5AHJ #TankRadio

K8MRD Radio Stuff Youtube

3 Free & Useful Tools For Ham Radio & They’re Totally Awesome!

Post author By admin
Post date October 19, 2026

3 Free & Useful Tools For Ham Radio & They're Totally Awesome!

A DX/POTA/SOTA Cluster, Online .adif editor, & A Really Cool Logging Software. Available for all OS’s (I think)
⭐️DXSpider: https://dxc.dm3ks.de
⭐️Add DXSpider Cluster Address dm3ks.de port 7300
⭐️.adif Editor By @WD4DAN : https://wd4dan.net
⭐️Watch Dans Video Here: https://youtu.be/I-VCue8kpI0?si=dgdAEoqoZlwZtzxL
⭐️OpsLog https://github.com/GregTroar/OpsLog

⭐️Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjETc3psT6i7B5z6S1Y3ojQ/join

⭐️Consider becoming a Patron @ https://www.patreon.com/k8mrdradiostuff
Follow me on Twitter. https://twitter.com/k8mrd

⭐️Links to many of the things I use can be found here:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/k8mrdradiostuff
As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
⭐️⭐️LINKS TO OTHER COOL STUFF: affiliate where available
⭐️Save 10% off at https://www.bioennopower.com with Coupon Code HRT
⭐️Save up to 20% off your Coax order at ABR Industries. Code K8MRD10 at checkout.

Home Page

⭐️The SkyHook Portable Mast Antenna Mount
http://www.thehamstop.com/
Code K8MRDRADIO for 20% off
⭐️Fara-J Antennas: https://vfcomms.com/?sca_ref=10776057.9X2g5LehW7Er
⭐️Earn 2X Points At Gigaparts With Code K8MRD:
https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=K8MRD%20INFLUENCER%20PAGE
⭐️Save 10 % off Messi & Paoloni & ABR Industries Coax With Code MP10 https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=Mike%20Coax%2010%20Off#?lp=Mike+Coax+10+Off&search_return=all&res_per_page=60
⭐️10% off Messi & Paoloni Coax
Use code K8MRD for 10% off
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(USA & Canada get free shipping on orders $99 euros or more!)
⭐️Signal Stuff Signal Stick Antennas: https://signalstuff.com/?ref=4089

#hamradio #hamradiotube #parksontheair

Temporarily Offline Youtube

The First G7250 Firmware Is Here, So I Hacked It!

Post author By admin
Post date October 19, 2026

The First G7250 Firmware Is Here, So I Hacked It!

The Xiegu G7250 firmware is here—but what can we actually verify? I’m working with a prototype, and the firmware isn’t publicly available. The changelog doesn’t identify any changes, and the production radio may use a different installation process. So this isn’t a firmware review or an installation tutorial.

👉 Get your Xiegu G7250 with $15 off at Radioddidty: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/4s9z39
Use Code "TO15"

🚀 Buying Starlink? Get $100 CASH! Use my referral link and we BOTH get $100, paid directly to our bank accounts (or applied as service credit). Terms apply: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/5gbxnk

📻 G90 Firmware Hacking Repo: https://github.com/OpenHamradioFirmware/G90Tools
📻 991a Custom Firmware: https://wg5eek.com/lab/

Instead, I open up the G7250 firmware package and show how its encryption works. The process uses the same key as the Xiegu G90, and I walk through what that lets us see—and what it still doesn’t tell us about the update. If you’re searching for Xiegu G7250 firmware news, a G7250 firmware update, or how the G90 encryption key relates to the G7250, this video shows what I could confirm from the prototype files.

❤️ Get My Free Newsletter: https://temporarilyoffline.com/pages/newsletter-signup
🚐 If you like RV Videos, Check out my RV Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livingforalivingRV

Click the 👍 Like Button, 🤡 Leave a Comment, ❤️ Subscribe

👉 Support The Channel 👈
❤️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/temporarilyoffline
📺 Youtube Memberships: https://www.youtube.com/temporarilyoffline/join
💸 Tip Jar: https://paypal.me/temporarilyoffline
🛒 Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/shop/temporarilyoffline
📻 Use Code TO15 for $15 off at Radioddity: https://www.radioddity.com/?ref=bpajyqft
🖍️ How I make my Thumbnails: https://partner.canva.com/c/3622632/647168/10068

👉 Fun Stuff 👈
🫵 We want YOU on TOADs Discord: https://discord.gg/97tkMEc
🕊️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KiloMike9Golf
😸 Github: https://github.com/TemporarilyOffline

Where possible, all links are affiliate links, this youtube thing is an expensive endeavor and every little bit helps.

Ham Radio DX Youtube

I Bought Two Used Yaesu Radios… What Could Go Wrong?

Post author By admin
Post date October 19, 2026

I Bought Two Used Yaesu Radios... What Could Go Wrong?

I bought two used Yaesu FT-8900 quad-band ham radios for my mobile installation, but are they actually any good?

Shop with DX Engineering 👉 https://dxengineering.pxf.io/N9LVEb (affiliate)
📻 New to Ham Radio? Get On Air With Confidence! 👉 https://hamradiodx.net/30days
🎙️ Nervous About Your First Contact? Learn exactly what to say on the radio, without the awkwardness or uncertainty.👉 https://hamradiodx.net/firstqso

In this video, I put both radios through their paces using a service monitor, checking RF output power and receiver sensitivity across the bands. What I discovered wasn’t quite what I expected!

📨 Want More Ham Radio Tips, Projects & Videos?
Join my newsletter for updates, useful resources and new videos.
👉 https://hamradiodx.net/newsletter

Affiliate Disclaimer
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🕘CHAPTERS🕘
00:00 – Why I Bought Two Used Yaesu Radios
01:55 – Testing the FT-8900s
03:12 – RF Output Power Tests
04:34 – Receiver Sensitivity (SINAD) Testing
07:01 – Something Isn’t Right…
10:06 – Testing the Second FT-8900
11:49 – Opening Up the Radio
12:55 – The Results & Buying Used Radios

💰 Deals & Discounts
📗 Study with Ham Radio Prep – 20% OFF with coupon HAMDX → https://www.HamRadioPrep.com/?rfsn=8903546.442784
❗ Shop DX Engineering – https://dxengineering.pxf.io/N9LVEb
🔋 LiTime Batteries – 8% OFF with code DX8
USA: https://www.litime.com/discount/DX8?ref=DX5
AU: https://au.litime.com/?ref=hamradiodx
Radioddity – $15 OFF → https://www.radioddity.com/?ref=HAMDX
Messi & Paoloni Cables – 10% OFF with coupon VK7HH → https://messi.it/
🛒 Ham Radio on Amazon & eBay: https://geni.us/HamRadioDX
🛒 Ham Radio on AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_on7IQdM

📺 Watch More
https://www.youtube.com/@HamRadioDX/videos

🚀 Support the Channel
💸 Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/hamradiodx
📺 YouTube Memberships → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo_jX41l6nYfnrQuk0qsZFw/join
💲 PayPal Tip Jar → https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y8T86VP7G2KFS
👕 Merch → https://shop.hamradiodx.net

📧 Contact
Email – vk7hh@hamradiodx.net
*Please note due to a high volume of emails – the best way to contact is via the comments section of a video. I do struggle to respond to all emails*

💬 Community Chat
Join TOADs on Discord – https://discord.gg/97tkMEc

#HamRadio #AmateurRadio #Yaesu

🎵 YouTube Audio Library

Temporarily Offline Youtube

Inside a Radio: Unboxing Transistors & Circuit Board Secrets! #shorts

Post author By admin
Post date October 19, 2026

Inside a Radio: Unboxing Transistors & Circuit Board Secrets! #shorts

Exploring the internal circuit board of a RETIVIS radio. Discovering the RA55H4047M final transistor from Mitsubishi, crucial for 70cm GMRS operation.

👉 Full Video: https://youtu.be/5FWZ1L3b5wY

Today’s Patient:
👉 My list of refurbed rigs: https://temporarilyoffline.com/blogs/tos-blog/revolving-list-of-for-sale-items
👉 Or Get One New: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/im1jzs

My Toolkit:
👉 SW-102: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/7bbtki
👉 SW-102 Case: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/x99u8q
👉 100w Dummy Load: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/rsuls0
👉 Desoldering Station: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/eou4r1
👉 Pinecil Soldering Iron: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/1qw307
👉 ABR Coax: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/ua1ifn
👉 Screwdriver set: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/710ofs
#RETIVIS #RadioTech #GMRS #HamRadio

Ham Radio 2.0 Youtube

LIVE!

Post author By admin
Post date October 18, 2026

LIVE!

Mail: 2150 W. Northwest Highway STE114-1163, Grapevine TX 76051
#OffGridComms #HamRadio #Meshtastic

Ham Radio 2.0 Youtube

Does a SATCOM Antenna Work for GMRS? | RigExpert Test

Post author By admin
Post date October 18, 2026

Does a SATCOM Antenna Work for GMRS? | RigExpert Test

Mail: 2150 W. Northwest Highway STE114-1163, Grapevine TX 76051
#OffGridComms #HamRadio #Meshtastic

Red Summit RF Youtube

Build Your Own Radio Without Spending Big — Charlie ZL2CTM

Post author By admin
Post date October 18, 2026

Build Your Own Radio Without Spending Big — Charlie ZL2CTM

Charlie Morris ZL2CTM is a New Zealand homebrewer and retired Air Force avionics technician who builds radios and electronics projects one module at a time on stripboard over a copper ground plane, housed in plastic food containers from the supermarket. His message is clear: you don’t need expensive PCBs, exotic components, or fancy enclosures to build something that works and gets you on the air.

In this episode we talk through his modular construction approach, why understanding the circuit before you build it makes troubleshooting almost trivial, crystal filter design using cheap AliExpress crystals, what test equipment you actually need to get started, and his thoughts on using AI as a learning tool rather than a shortcut.

Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP, and more in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone (AP/DZ). Every aspect of portable operations is covered in this biweekly podcast, from news and gear to achievements, the workbench, contests, awards, and beyond.

Charlie’s Blog: https://zl2ctm.blogspot.com/
Charlie’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CharlieMorrisZL2CTM

**SolderSmoke DISCORD INVITE**: https://discord.gg/GYVRZSBVFC

Connect with us:
* Discord: https://discord.gg/WVE3vVveWU
* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/redsummitrf
* TikTok: @redsummitrf
* X (formerly Twitter): @NJ7V_

Support the channel:
* Buy us a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
* Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

#apdz #HamRadio #QRP #Workbench #Electronics #homebrewradio #DIYradio #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #stripboard #crystalfilter #EMRFD #ZL2CTM #HFhomebrew #beginnerelectronics #analogradio

Temporarily Offline Youtube

Fixing Chirp Driver Issues: From Problem to Solution! #shorts

Post author By admin
Post date October 18, 2026

Fixing Chirp Driver Issues: From Problem to Solution! #shorts

Troubleshooting GMRS radio programming with Chirp? Learn how to identify and resolve driver issues that cause red icons and communication errors. Watch as we successfully write code plugs and get your radio back online.

👉 Full Video: https://youtu.be/5FWZ1L3b5wY

Today’s Patient:
👉 My list of refurbed rigs: https://temporarilyoffline.com/blogs/tos-blog/revolving-list-of-for-sale-items
👉 Or Get One New: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/im1jzs

#GMRS #RadioProgramming #ChirpRadio #HamRadio #Troubleshooting