HamShackTV

https://www.gigaparts.com/ Scan your local repeaters. What do you hear? Probably nothing. Repeaters were supposed to be the backbone of local ham radio—but today, many of them sit silent… or worse, stuck in the same repetitive conversations with the same small group of operators. So what happened? In this video, I break down why repeaters feel dead, what’s replacing them, and the uncomfortable tru...

Ham radio has a branding problem—and nobody wants to talk about it. For decades, we’ve told people this hobby is all about emergency communications, public service, and being the “last line of communication” when everything fails. But is that actually what most operators are doing today? Or are we overselling something that doesn’t match reality? In this video, I break down the uncomfortable truth...

GET YOURS: https://amzn.to/4ttfQ7S Is this really a studio upgrade… or just another gadget? Today we’re putting the EMEET SmartCam S600 4K Webcam to the test—but not the way most people use it. Instead of a face cam, we’re flipping it into an overhead camera for the shack. And here’s the truth—most webcams weren’t built for this. But the S600 brings some serious specs to the table: True 4K video a...

https://amzn.to/4cTWjaJ Is the Retevis HA2 just another cheap handheld… or is it actually worth your money? In this video, I put the HA2 through real-world testing—audio quality, range, build, battery life, and whether it holds up against the radios most people are actually using. No fluff. No spec sheet reading. Just real results. If you're looking for a solid, no-nonsense radio that doesn’t brea...

🔥 Lido Radio Mounts (10% off automatically with this link): https://www.lidoradio.com/?sca_ref=10673105.CO7opX2nTeqclAj Everybody loves a good shack tour… but what if it’s sending the wrong message? Somewhere along the way, ham radio picked up a dangerous idea—that you need thousands of dollars in gear to be taken seriously. In this video, we break down the truth about getting on the air, why exp...

🚨 SPONSORED REVIEW: Elecrow ThinkNode M1 🚨 Get Yours Here: https://tidd.ly/4e4OSP0 In this video, I take a deep dive into the Elecrow ThinkNode M1, a fully self-contained Meshtastic LoRa device built for off-grid communication, emergency comms, and mesh networking. This isn’t your typical DIY board — this is a ready-to-go, field-ready unit with GPS, E-Ink display, and serious battery life. 👉 Wh...

Just days after approval, the Nexstar–Tegna merger has hit a major roadblock. A federal judge has temporarily blocked Nexstar from integrating Tegna’s operations—and this could change everything for local TV stations across the country. In this video, we break down what happened, why it matters, and how this could impact viewers, broadcasters, and the future of local media. Is this the beginning o...

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 The FCC and Department of Justice have officially approved Nexstar Media Group’s acquisition of Tegna—creating the largest local television broadcaster in U.S. history. But what does this actually mean for local news… your TV bill… and the future of media? In this video, we break it all down: What just happened Why it matters The controversy behind it And what could happen next...

) 🚨 GET YOUR HAM RADIO LICENSE THE EASY WAY Start here 👉 https://www. HamRadioPrep.com/?rfsn=8909481.efd9c78 💰 Use Coupon Code: HamShackTV for 10% off! What if the President of the United States had to rely on ham radio to communicate? No internet. No phones. No social media. In this video, we explore a real-world scenario where traditional communication systems fail—and what role amateur radio...

🚨 SAVE ON HAM RADIO GEAR WITH GIGAPARTS REWARDS PLUS Join Gigaparts Rewards Plus and start earning on every purchase 👉 https://www.gigaparts.com/rewards 💰 Use Coupon Code: HAMSHACKTV50 at checkout for additional savings! Most ham radio operators aren’t broke because they have to be… They’re broke because of how they approach the hobby. In this video, we break down the culture of constant upgrad...

🚨 SAVE ON HAM RADIO GEAR WITH GIGAPARTS REWARDS PLUS Join Gigaparts Rewards Plus and start earning on every purchase 👉 https://www.gigaparts.com/rewards 💰 Use Coupon Code: HAMSHACKTV50 at checkout for additional savings! Stop telling people to get their ham radio license… at least not right away. That might sound crazy—but hear me out. Every day, new people show interest in radio. Whether it’s...

👉 Get 10% OFF Lido Radio Mounts (CB, HAM, GMRS setups): https://www.lidoradio.com?sca_ref=10673523.GX7LhIXFRK0jdU Most people think CB radio is completely unregulated… but that’s not the full story. After a recent FCC enforcement case in Illinois where a CB operator was tracked down for allegedly broadcasting nonstop on Channel 19, it sparked a massive debate across the radio community. The truth...

Digital modes continue to evolve in amateur radio. We’ve all seen the explosion of FT8 and FT4, but now another mode is starting to show up on the radar: FT2. So what exactly is FT2? Is it just another experimental mode… or could it actually become the next big weak-signal digital mode? On this episode of HamShackTV Live, we’re taking a deep dive into FT2, how it works, and whether it’s something...

This video is sponsored by GigaParts Rewards+ Join Rewards+ and use code HamShackTV50 for 50% off your first month. https://www.gigaparts.com/rewards-plus.html Members get: • 4x reward points • Extended returns • Perpetual warranty benefits • Exclusive deals Something unusual is happening on the HF bands. More shortwave traffic. Strange digital bursts. Numbers stations. Increased military radio ac...

This week on HamShackTV Live — we’re diving into one of the biggest debates in the off-grid and radio tech world right now: Meshtastic vs MeshCore. Two platforms. Two philosophies. Two very different approaches to mesh networking. We’re breaking down: • Ease of setup • Stability and reliability • BLE performance • Mapping capabilities • Encryption & security • Relay roles and node behavior • i...

GET THE BEST IN MOBILE RADIO MOUNTS: https://www.lidoradio.com/?sca_ref=10673105.CO7opX2nTeqclAj Is it too late to start a ham radio YouTube channel? Absolutely not. In this video, I break down why 2026 is actually the perfect time to launch a ham radio YouTube channel. We’ll talk about the current landscape, where the growth opportunities are, what most new creators get wrong, and why the next wa...

I recently sold my Icom IC-7300 and upgraded to the Icom IC-7300MK2. But this wasn’t about USB-C. My station runs on a Mac Mini M4 using LAN control and SDR-Control for Icom by Marcus Roskosch. I operate remotely through a secure VPN from my phone, tablet, or any computer in the world. So why upgrade? In this video I break down: • Lifecycle timing • Resale strategy • Remote infrastructure thinking...

There’s a narrow window right now — and if you’re planning any major ham radio purchase, this could save you serious money. For a limited time, new members of Gigaparts Rewards+ can stack TWO offers: • 50% OFF a new Rewards+ membership using code HamShackTV50 • PLUS a 10% OFF coupon for your next purchase (must be used by 2/28/26) The smart play? Join first. Wait for the 10% code to hit your email...

For the very best in Mobile Radio Mounts See My Friends at Lido Radio Mounts: https://www.lidoradio.com?sca_ref=10673523.GX7LhIXFRK0jdU This week on HamShackTV Live, Jason KM4ACK joins the show for a deep dive into APRS, Winlink, and everything in between. We’ll cover: • Practical APRS setups in 2026 • Winlink for emergency communications • Hardware & software recommendations • Common mistakes...

This week on HamShackTV Live, we preview one of the Southeast’s premier amateur radio events — RARSfest hosted by the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society. If you’re planning to attend — or even thinking about it — this episode will get you ready. We’ll cover: • What makes RARSfest unique • Featured vendors and exhibitors • Forums and educational sessions • Flea market opportunities • Travel and planning...

This week on HamShackTV Live, we welcome one of the fastest rising voices in amateur radio — Elle, KJ5LXP from the YouTube channel She’s on Frequency. Elle has quickly made an impact in the ham radio community with fresh perspective, solid operating skills, and content that proves the next generation of amateur radio is alive and well. We’ll talk about: • How she got started in ham radio • Buildin...

We’re at Orlando Hamcation 2026 and proud to welcome back Lido Radio Mounts to HamShackTV. If you run mobile rigs, scanners, tablets, or go-kit setups, mounting matters. A clean install isn’t just cosmetic — it’s safety, function, and long-term durability. Lido Radio Mounts has built a reputation for solid, American-made mounting solutions that hold steady and perform under real-world conditions....

GigaParts just upgraded the game. They’ve launched Rewards+, and it’s more than just points. Members now get: • 4X reward points on every purchase • Perpetual warranty • Extended return period • Exclusive member benefits If you’re already buying radios, antennas, power supplies, test equipment, or tech gear — this program makes sense. 🔥 Get 50% OFF your first month of Rewards+ using code: HamShac...

Filmed live at Orlando Hamcation 2026. We stopped by the Rokland booth to take a closer look at their lineup of antennas, LoRa hardware, mesh networking gear, and RF accessories. If you're building: • Meshtastic nodes • LoRa-based systems • Off-grid communication setups • Portable field kits • Permanent RF infrastructure Rokland likely has something in your toolkit. In this walkthrough: • Antenna...

Filmed live at Orlando Hamcation 2026. In this video, we introduce LowMesh — a modern mesh networking platform designed for decentralized communication and resilient connectivity. Mesh networking continues to grow in amateur radio and off-grid communications, and LowMesh is positioning itself as a serious player in that space. In this walkthrough: • What LowMesh is • How the platform works • Hardw...