Prep Comms
by Caleb Nelson
Latest episode
Half a million people lost power. Does your family have a plan for…
Half a million people lost power. Does your family have a plan for…
About this podcast
Caleb Nelson (K4CDN), a well-known figure in the ham radio community, was a pioneer in promoting the amateur radio community via audio podcasting. His passion for empowering listeners in all things Ham Radio has led to the creation of the Ham Radio Network, a new platform dedicated to delivering valuable insights and discussions centered on and around communication education and strategies.
Introducing Prep Comms Podcast
The flagship show of Ham Radio Network, Prep Comms Podcast, will be a beacon for those seeking reliable and effective communication solutions to compliment or even replace everyday grid based connectivity. With Caleb Nelson at the helm, listeners can expect in-depth conversations, expert interviews, and practical tips on building resilient communication systems.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 43 episodes
- Half a million people lost power. Does your family have a plan for when the phones go quiet? · 23 minHalf a million people lost power. Does your family have a plan for when the phones go quiet? Free companion guide (no catch, just enter your email)…
- Ham Radio-Technician Privileges: What You Actually Get to Do · 33 min · Season 5 Episode 4A lot of people treat the Technician license like it's a learner's permit. It isn't. In this episode, I break down what a Technician class amateur radio license actually allows…
- Ham Radio: The Test.......... · 20 minHam 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…
- Ham Radio: Why I Started the Journey · 27 min · Season 5 Episode 2Ham 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…
- Ham Radio, the Last Act · 18 min · Season 5 Episode 1Ham 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…
- GMRS Series #7 — Family Communication Routines, Check-Ins, and What Silence Really Means · 23 minMost 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…
- GMRS Series #7 — How Families Actually Communicate on GMRS (and How to Keep It Calm) · 15 min · Season 4 Episode 7Most 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…
- How to Actually Use GMRS as a Family · 18 min · Season 4 Episode 7Most 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…
- GMRS #5: So Many Channels… · 21 min · Season 4 Episode 6Most 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…
- Prep Comms 2025 Christmas & Black Friday Special · 57 min · Season 4 Episode 5Prep 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…
- GMRS #4: Now That You've Got the Radios · 30 min · Season 4 Episode 4This 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: •…
- GMRS #3 — Field Reports & Real-World Lessons · 27 min · Season 4 Episode 3This 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…
- GMRS: What can it Really Do? · 29 min · Season 4 Episode 2In this episode, Caleb Nelson (K4CDN | WRBR237) breaks down what GMRS can really do—and what it can't. You'll learn how far GMRS actually reaches, why antenna height beats…
- GMRS — The Family Band That Actually Works · 25 min · Season 4 Episode 1What you'll learn (fast): • Why GMRS is the practical "bigger brother" to FRS: same 22 channels, different rules, more capability. • The license is simple: $35, 10 years, one…
- FRS Mini-Series Finale: Where FRS Fits in Your Family Communication Plan · 23 min · Season 3 Episode 8FRS radios are a great start, but they aren't the whole plan. They work for kids, neighbors, and short-range use — but when the storm hits or the grid goes down, you may need…
- FRS Mini-Series: The Gear That Works (and What to Avoid) · 16 min · Season 3 Episode 7FRS radios aren't all created equal. Some blister-pack sets are cheap toys that break in a weekend, while others are solid enough to trust on family trips or in an emergency. In…
- 20 Years After Katrina: Remembering Carl (KB5WMY-SK) and Amateur Radio's Role · 1 h 0 min · Season 3 Episode 24August 29, 2005. Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast, the levees failed, and the water swallowed entire neighborhoods. Phones went dead. Power grids collapsed. Families were…
- FRS: Real-World Family Use Cases · 12 min · Season 3 Episode 6FRS radios aren't long-range or flashy, but they're still one of the most useful family tools you can own. In this episode of the Prep Comms Podcast, Caleb Nelson (K4CDN) dives…
- What is FRS and Why It Matters · 12 min · Season 3 Episode 5In 1996, the FCC created the Family Radio Service (FRS) to give everyday families a simple, free, and legal way to stay connected. You've probably seen these radios before —…
- Is MURS Still Worth It? · 21 min · Season 3 Episode 4Episode 4 – Is MURS Still Worth It? Why This Forgotten Band Might Be the Most Reliable Tool in Your Family's Kit After four episodes, we're wrapping up the MURS Mini-Series with…
