Prep Comms

Caleb Nelson
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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.

  1. DEC 16

    GMRS Series #7 — Family Communication Routines, Check-Ins, and What Silence Really Means

    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 emergencies What a proper family radio check-in should sound like How often families should check in under normal and elevated conditions What silence really means on the radio — and what it doesn't When to wait, when to retry, and when to escalate Why calm leadership matters more than signal strength Planning Help If listening to this made you realize your family doesn't actually have a communication plan — not gear, but a real plan — Caleb offers a paid 90-Minute Family Communication Planning Session to help you decide what to rely on when phones fail. Book here: https://plan.prepcomms.com GMRS Resources Mentioned The First 10 Things to Do with a GMRS Radio (Mini-Book) https://prepcomms-shop.fourthwall.com/products/the-first-10-things-to-do-with-a-gmrs-radio-family-connect-mini-book-2 Pelicomms GMRS ¼-Wave Base Antenna Found Here in the Prep Comms Store WilComs Roll-Up Antenna (portable GMRS/MURS use) Available via the Prep Comms store Looking Ahead GMRS provides solid local communication for families when phones don't cooperate. For those ready to expand beyond local coverage, Ham Radio conversations begin in 2026. If you want a head start, Caleb offers a simple 30-day path to earn your amateur radio license before the end of January: https://www.familyconnectsystem.com/3030welcome No pressure. No rush. Caleb Nelson, K4CDN, WRBR237 Prep Comms Podcast

    23 min

  2. DEC 12

    GMRS Series #7 — How Families Actually Communicate on GMRS (and How to Keep It Calm)

    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 pattern that works Why roles matter more than radios How to teach kids calm radio habits without fear Need a clear family communication plan? Caleb offers a paid 90-Minute Family Communication Planning Session to help you decide what to rely on when phones fail. Book here: https://plan.prepcomms.com

    15 min

  3. DEC 4

    How to Actually Use GMRS as a Family

    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 the show: Register for the Winter Backup Plan Webinar (Dec 9): https://live.prepcomms.com Prep Comms Network Founders Pricing: https://founders.prepcomms.com Family Advent Calendar: https://www.familyconnectsystem.com/advent-calendar GMRS + MURS Gear (my store): https://www.familyconnectsystem.com/storehome 73 y'all & God Bless.   ****Master Class (12/15/25) https://www.familyconnectsystem.com/masterclass-order-page

    18 min
  4. GMRS #5: So Many Channels…

    NOV 25

    GMRS #5: So Many Channels…

    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 "strong one minute, weak the next," this episode clears it up. BLACK FRIDAY LIVE: I'm hosting a Live Zoom call on November 29th at 1 PM Eastern to help you build a simple winter-ready communication plan. (your invited!) Register at: https://live.prepcomms.com DECEMBER 9 WINTER WORKSHOP: Same link gets you access to the Dec 9th session as well. News Mention: This week's nationwide CodeRED outage is a reminder of why you need a WX radio & alternate comms matter. Full WYFF report here: https://www.wyff4.com/article/emergency-notification-system-offline-after-vendor-cybersecurity-incident-officials-say/69533822 Show close: 73 y'all & God Bless. Yes, Night Cafe assisted with the photo for this episode (like always)

    21 min
  5. Prep Comms 2025 Christmas & Black Friday Special

    NOV 13

    Prep Comms 2025 Christmas & Black Friday Special

    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 https://amazon.prepcomms.com BONUS: Family Comms Advent Calendar PDF   AM / FM & Weather Vondior NOAA – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P7QDJZX Sangean MMR-99 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWPSGM18 Midland ER10VP – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SYK7LJT Midland WR-120 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00176T9OY RCA RCWR7V – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HSTL7JY Shortwave Tecsun PL880 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IDM4N5K Tecsun PL368 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZY9GTJV County Comm GP Series – https://countycomm.com/collections/radio Scanners HomePatrol-2 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJY6S72 BCD436HP – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I33XDAK BC355N – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00972M9VK CB Radios Uniden PRO520XL – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004VXNI Bearcat 980 SSB – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G610DEY Galaxy DX-959B – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V8C1N96 Radioddity CB-27 Pro – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B56KST6F President McKinley – https://amzn.to/4nRUcXe MURS BTECH MURS-V2 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS8KW399 Dakota M538 Base – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K370GA Retevis RT27V – https://amzn.to/3LJmOEF WilComms Roll-Up J-Pole – https://prepcomms.shop More info → https://MURS.prepcomms.com FRS Radios BTECH FRS-A1 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2X58BJ5 Motorola T605 H2O – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMWBVCB5 GMRS Radios BTECH GMRS-V2 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Z1NJ1M3 BTECH GMRS-50PRO – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT7KC686 ¼-Wave & Roll-Up Antennas – https://prepcomms.shop GMRS License Guide – https://GMRS.prepcomms.com Power & Preparedness EcoFlow DELTA 2 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHMD99Y4 Honda EU2200i – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YJVDGS1 Ham & Advanced Favorite Radio – BTECH UV-Pro Best Dealer – https://mtcradio.com Ham Radio Prep (Code HAMRADIO360) – 30×30 Challenge – https://www.familyconnectsystem.com/3030welcome Join the Prep Comms Network Private training for families and teams who want to communicate reliably — now, not later. Monthly training that builds confidence through practice. No theory. No jargon. Founders get half-price lifetime access, a seat on the Dec 2025 Founders Call, and entry to our private online group + Discord. Enrollment closes Nov 30 → https://founders.prepcomms.com Extra links: Amazon Storefront – https://amazon.prepcomms.com GMRS License – https://GMRS.prepcomms.com PrepComms Gear – https://prepcomms.shop 30×30 Challenge – https://www.familyconnectsystem.com/3030welcome Prep Comms Network – https://founders.prepcomms.com 73 y'all & God Bless. — Caleb Nelson K4CDN

    57 min
  6. GMRS #4: Now That You've Got the Radios

    NOV 9

    GMRS #4: Now That You've Got the Radios

    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 PrepComms.shop, and the launch of the Prep Comms Network — a private members-only group for real-world radio users who want to keep learning together, solve problems, and stay connected without the noise of social media. Gotta Have Info: www.myGMRS.com    Show Links & Resources Get your GMRS license the easy way: FamilyConnectSystem.com/GMRSLicenseExpress Find local GMRS repeaters: MyGMRS.com BTech GMRS-50 Pro Base Station: Amazon Listing Retevis RA86 GMRS Mobile Radio: Amazon Listing Retevis GMRS Base Antenna (7.2 dBi Gain): Amazon Listing Nagoya UT-72G Mag-Mount Antenna: Amazon Listing PeliComms GMRS ¼-Wave Base Antenna (Made in USA): Shop at Hub City Mercantile ZBM2 QP Whip Antenna (use code PREPCOMMS): Product Link WilComs Roll-Up J-Pole (MURS/GMRS): Shop Here

    30 min
  7. GMRS #3 — Field Reports & Real-World Lessons

    OCT 31

    GMRS #3 — Field Reports & Real-World Lessons

    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 → https://www.familyconnectsystem.com/gmrs-license-express-funnel • @TerminalElement on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@TerminalElement • UHF Yagi Directional Antenna (Prep Comms Store) → https://amzn.to/48Weco0 Stay Connected: Live Family Connect Webinar → Thurs 7 PM ET | Replay Fri–Mon → https://www.familyconnectsystem.com All episodes → https://www.prepcomms.com   73 y'all & God Bless — Caleb Nelson | K4CDN | WRBR 237

    27 min
  8. GMRS: What can it Really Do?

    OCT 24

    GMRS: What can it Really Do?

    In 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 transmitter power every time, and what equipment upgrades make the biggest difference for families building real communication plans. We'll also cover license coverage, the truth about 50 watts, repeater basics, and why investing in a better antenna might triple your range overnight. Links & Resources: Free GMRS License Express Guide →  Live Family Connect Webinar → Thursdays 7 PM ET | Replay Fri–Mon →  More episodes → @PrepComms Recommended Gear: BTECH GMRS-50PRO →  Retevis RA86 →  ZBM2 QP Whip (use code PREPCOMMS) →  Wil-Coms Roll-Up J-Pole →  Centerfire Ground-Plane →  Find Repeaters → https://mygmrs.com

    29 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Caleb Nelson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Prep Comms

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