Category: Temporarily Offline

There’s a common myth in the ham radio world: that your radio must be FCC certified. But here’s the real truth—there is no such thing as an FCC certification for a Part 97 ham radio.

In this video, I break down what the FCC actually requires, the difference between Part 15 and Part 97, and why your Baofeng isn’t automatically illegal—despite what the keyboard warriors say.

⚠️ I’ve even got the receipts—from Yaesu and Icom themselves.

📡 Licensed amateurs have the legal authority to build and operate their own radios. So why does the myth persist?

➤ Let’s settle this once and for all.

📚 Relevant FCC Rules:
• 47 CFR Part 97 – Amateur Radio Service: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97
• FCC Equipment Authorization: https://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea
• How to FCC-IDs are made up: https://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/granteecode

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments. Disagree? Let’s talk.

👉 Icom IC-705 "Certification": https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/AFJ407500/4845832.pdf

👉 Icom IC-705 FCC Documentation: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=JJvvwk20Q%2BVg0HNdmUXSeQ%3D%3D&fcc_id=AFJ407500
👉 Yaesu FTX-blah FCC Documentation: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=JJvvwk20Q%2BVg0HNdmUXSeQ%3D%3D&fcc_id=K6620845X30
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00:00 – Intro: The FCC Certification Controversy
01:05 – The Official Statement (Read-Aloud)
02:00 – What Part 97 Actually Says
03:40 – Why Ham Radios Are Exempt from Certification
05:15 – The Role of the Operator vs. The Manufacturer
07:00 – Chinese Radios: Misunderstood or Misused?
09:00 – When FCC Certification *Is* Required (Parts 15, 90, 95)
11:20 – What About Homebrew Equipment?
13:00 – The 3,000 Watt Hypothetical Explained
14:30 – Why the Confusion Exists
15:45 – Final Thoughts: The Truth vs. The Gatekeeping

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

Discover how we’re pushing tuner limits on a non-resonant antenna for our RV radio station. Learn about antenna selection and improve your RV setup now! #RVRadio #AntennaTuning #HamRadio #RVLife #MobileRadio #AntennaSetup #RadioExperiment #RVUpgrades #DIYRadio #AntennaAnalysis

Steve, KM9G, tests a simulated 102-inch whip antenna on his RV using a cheap Amazon clamp. We explore placement, waterproofing, and tear it down to check its TO worthiness. #RVRadio #AntennaInstall #HamRadio #KM9G #WhipAntenna #RVLife #DIYRadio #AmazonFinds #RadioExperiment #AntennaTesting

📦 Assembled tuner link: https://geni.us/EkazAV

In this video, we crack open the Yaesu FTM-6000R and unleash its full potential with a frequency expansion hack (aka MARS mod). With the help of some insanely precise USB-C powered hot tweezers, we remove a microscopic SMD component and unlock transmit capabilities from 137 MHz to 174 MHz and 420 MHz to 470 MHz.

🔧 What you’ll see:
• Step-by-step MARS mod with surgical-level precision
• Close-up view of the SMD resistor you’ll need to remove
• Real-time transmit power test across expanded bands
• Full sweep: VHF, UHF, FRS, GMRS —even the limits it can’t cross
• Hot tweezers in action — a total game changer for surface mount work

⚠️ Legal disclaimer: This is for educational purposes. Transmitting outside authorized bands without proper credentials is not legal in most jurisdictions. But learning how this all works? Totally fair game. 😉

🛠️ Gear Featured:
👉 Sequre Hot Tweezers: https://geni.us/vbPACrV
👉 Yaesu FTM-6000r (Amazon): https://geni.us/HSe781V
👉 Yaesu FTM-6000r (eBay): https://geni.us/ZKDXaH4
👉 Screwdriver Kit: https://geni.us/OilK
👉 Power Meter: https://geni.us/ZKuIme
👉 Dummy Load: https://geni.us/YlnRyc

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⚡ Meter I use in my videos: https://kaiweets.com/?sca_ref=2859744.05ZtMxNK23

👉 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.

We test the ATU-100 antenna tuner, perfect for RVs and small spaces! Can it tune all bands? Watch to find out if this affordable tuner is worth it for your ham radio setup. #ATU100 #AntennaTuner #HamRadio #RVLife #ShortwaveRadio #AmateurRadio #RadioTuning #Antenna #Electronics #Review

We conquer laziness with a 15-second ham radio setup in our RV! No more weather excuses, just quick signal, and on-air action. Success or RV hole! #HamRadio #RVLife #QuickSetup #Antenna #DIYRadio #SignalStrength #EmergencyComms #MobileRadio #AmateurRadio #RVMods

Forget codeplugs, confusion, and endless configs—M17 just made digital radio EASY. In this video, I walk you step-by-step through setting up the WPSD Pi-Star dashboard on a Raspberry Pi to create a fully functional M17 hotspot. It’s fast. It’s open-source. And it’s actually fun.

📡 What You’ll Learn:
• How to flash & configure the WPSD dashboard on a Raspberry Pi
• The easiest Wi-Fi config trick you’ll wish you knew sooner
• How to upgrade your MMDVM modem firmware for M17 compatibility
• How to link to M17 reflectors and make your first contact
• Bonus: live demo, dashboard tour, AND hardware tips

🚀 Why struggle with DMR, YSF, or D-STAR when M17 “just works”? Watch now and join the next evolution of digital ham radio.

💬 Weekly M17 Net: Saturdays @ 12pm Central on M17-OKL

🎯 Help support open-source digital voice and get us closer to 100K subs—click that subscribe button and let’s build this thing together.

Command Lines:
🖥️ Find Your Modem: "sudo wpsd-detectmodem"
🖥️ Update your Firmware: "sudo wpsd-modemupgrade [modem]"

🛠️ Software:
👉 WPSD Pi-Star Dashboard: https://w0chp.radio/wpsd/
👉 BalenaEtcher to burn SD Cards: https://etcher.balena.io/
👉 Did It Work?: https://dvref.com/mrefd/m17-m17

🛠️ Gear Featured:
👉 Raspberry Pi Zero 2w (Pi4 is overkill for this, Z2W will work great and save some coin): https://geni.us/eKI2Ne
👉 MMDVM Hat and Case: https://geni.us/uttt

🛠️ M17 Hardware:
👉 Pre-Made Module17 Board: https://geni.us/IQw8OOu
👉 Pre-Made Module17 Board w/Case: https://geni.us/AbRouo
👉 K-Connector Speaker Mic: https://geni.us/AaN8

🛠️ Radios:
👉 Yaesu FTM-6000: https://geni.us/HSe781V
👉 CT-167 Data Cable (Yaesu): https://geni.us/B0nOHFp
👉 D-Sub 9-Pin Cable Breakout: https://geni.us/3CXAEV

👉 CSI7000-M17 HT Radio: https://www.csi-radios.com/cs7000-m17/

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⚡ Meter I use in my videos: https://kaiweets.com/?sca_ref=2859744.05ZtMxNK23

👉 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.

Discover how we built a permanent antenna mount for hamsticks, telescoping whips, military masts, and more. Perfect for buddy poles and various antenna setups! #AntennaMount #HamRadio #DIYAntenna #AntennaSetup #HamstickAntenna #TelescopingWhip #MilitaryMast #BuddyPole #AntennaProjects #RadioCommunication

👉 TOADs Ham Licensing Session (4th Monday of the month): https://ham.study/sessions/W2HRC/all
👉 Become a VE: Recruit: https://glaarg.org/welcome/ve-accreditation-application/ (tell them KM9G (or KO4AFL) sent you)
👉 First Monday Questionairre: https://forms.gle/jz5qu4wZsnDkrwg76

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🖍️ How I make my Thumbnails: https://partner.canva.com/c/3622632/647168/10068
⚡ Meter I use in my videos: https://kaiweets.com/?sca_ref=2859744.05ZtMxNK23

👉 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.

Temporarily Offline Ham Radio holds giveaways during our live streams—no entry fee or special conditions required. To participate, you must be watching live. We use Streamyard’s giveaway tool to draw and announce winners in real-time. Winners must provide valid shipping information to receive their prizes. If you’re not comfortable sharing this information, your prize will be forfeited and re-drawn, possibly during the same show. Rest assured, your contact details are only used for shipping and will never be shared with third parties. Unless otherwise noted, giveaways are limited to US residents only. Not Sponsored By Youtube.

If you’ve been curious about M17 digital voice or the new Module 17 1.0 interface, this is the video you’ve been waiting for! I walk through the full process of assembling the latest M17 hardware, wiring it to the Yaesu FTM-6000R, and getting on the air for a real-world QSO—all using open-source tools and hardware you can actually build yourself.

🔧 In this video:
• Assembling the new Module 17.1
• Flashing firmware on a Raspberry Pi with ease
• Custom cable build using a CT-167 and DE9 adapter
• Yaesu FTM-6000 config for 9600 baud data mode
• M17 signal demo on live reflector + first contact
• Pro tips & gotchas to avoid (call sign bug, baud rate mix-up, mic routing)

📡 Whether you’re a digital radio experimenter or a ham looking to try something beyond DMR, Fusion, or D-STAR, M17 is where it’s at—and this video gets you there fast.

🛠️ Gear Featured:
👉 Pre-Made Module17 Board: https://geni.us/IQw8OOu
👉 Raspberry Pi Zero 2w (Pi4 is overkill for this, Z2W will work great and save some coin): https://geni.us/eKI2Ne
👉 MMDVM Hat and Case: https://geni.us/uttt
👉 Yaesu FTM-6000: https://geni.us/HSe781V
👉 CT-167 Data Cable (Yaesu): https://geni.us/B0nOHFp
👉 D-Sub 9-Pin Cable Breakout: https://geni.us/3CXAEV
👉 Shrink Wrap Kit: https://geni.us/BJog1Wp
👉 K-Connector Speaker Mic: https://geni.us/AaN8
👉 Awesome Screwdriver Set: https://geni.us/OilK

👉 Roll Your Own at your Favorite PCB House: https://github.com/M17-Project/Module_17

Reference:
👉 Radio Compatibility List: https://wiki.m17project.org/radio_compatibility
👉 M17 Project Page: https://m17project.org/
👉 Module17 Github Repository: https://github.com/M17-Project/Module_17
👉 CT-167 Wiring Diagram: https://github.com/M17-Project/Module_17/blob/main/docs/wiring/CT-167/CT-167.png
👉 Reflector List: https://dvref.com/mrefd/m17-m17

Commands:
1️⃣ Install dfu-util: sudo apt install dfu-util
2️⃣ Download Firmware: wget https://files.openrtx.org/nightly/openrtx_mod17_wrap
3️⃣ Verify That you are in firmware update mode: lsusb
4️⃣ Flash Firmware: dfu-util -d 0483:df11 -a 0 -D openrtx_mod17_wrap -s 0x08000000

💬 Join the M17 net every Saturday at noon Central—now on M17-OKL!

🚀 I’m pushing to 100K subs this year—if you like ham radio DIY projects, off-grid digital comms, and open-source hacks, click subscribe and help make it happen.

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
🧰 Gear I Use: https://kit.co/TemporarilyOffline
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📻 $15 off at Radioddity: http://radioddity.refr.cc/temporarilyoffline
🖍️ How I make my Thumbnails: https://partner.canva.com/c/3622632/647168/10068
⚡ Meter I use in my videos: https://kaiweets.com/?sca_ref=2859744.05ZtMxNK23

👉 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.