My Top Three Prepper Radios for 2024 

Hi Gaston. I like this approach. I'm not in a position to get a new radio every time a "better" one comes out. I see too many hams with an amazing stable of radios and very limited skills outside their particular favorite part of the hobby, and almost no emcom skills. Digital comms skill building and creating an off-grid library of documentation are my focusses this year.

Awesome! Happy New Year.

Living in and on an island nation in the middle of the Pacific, short range communications is just not enough for emergency communications. Need for effective and effective long range communications is a must. Will not get rid of SSB in my go kit. It will always be an effective tool outside of 50 miles. Digital communications is fine only if you have a connection. The devastating Lahaina, Maui fire and 1946 and 1960 tsunami proved that for us.

Thank you for sharing your journey in this. It helps to meditate a lot of mistakes one might make with the plethora of equipment out there versus the actual knowledge transfer of skills and experience. Keep it up sir

Happy New Year, Gaston! I look forward to seeing what you're up to in the new year!

Happy New Year, Gaston! Here’s to a great year of practical prepping and prosperity. 73 from Southwest Oklahoma!

Happy New Year Gaston.. I’m looking forward to your 2024 content.

As always great information. Happy New Year Gaston

very much looking forward to seeing how you refine and optimize around your goals using these tools. I like your approach!

73 From Germany, Have a Good New Year 2024 and Stay Safe

Great video as always. Thanks for all the ideas to improve on my plans, which are in place. Lol@ sad ham part. They always have to meltdown over something. Have a good new year.

I’ve only watched the first 1 minute of this video and I already know that this is going to be a great video and direction your going is the right the right one. I’m excited to see the content this year please keep up the great work!!!

Excellent Gaston! Looking forward to your journey this year! Happy New Year to you too and 73 de K2CJB

I look forward to the changes and focus-shift. Happy New Year Gaston!

Great choices Gaston. Yes, I agree with you on JS8 call. Happy New Year and hope to see a bunch of videos this year. Take care my friend.👍🤠

Happy new year Gaston, your videos have made me purchase the VX-6R as my main radio for search and rescue. keep up the amazing content. Can't wait to see where this new approach goes. 73 de KE8YHX

I love and look forward to the dialed-in focus for 2024! The platform selection represents hardware that is easily attainable by many. Time to go deep(er) as opposed to wide(er). 73!

🎉 Happy New Year Gaston! Like the new focus! Talk with you soon!

Happy New year

To keep your various wires and patches from tangling up, pit them in zipper type lunch nags. You can see exactly what you are looking for.

Excellent video!

Happy New Year! Good to see you're not chasing the consumerism hypester bandwagon. It's nice being able to settle with high quality, reliable, and/or capable gear for the sense of peace of mind it brings. Even if you don't end up having to rely on it, you know you could. Cheers.

Happy New Year! Nice shirt, BTW. I have multiple of their holsters.

Thank You.. I appreciate this video... as someone that is also wanting to be prepared your comments on "UNLOCKING" the ability to broadcast outside of band with one of your radios is appreciated... I have GMRS radios installed in my 2 vehicles (Midlands), CB Radios installed on each as well, as well as HTs... just because you never know... Great video! thank you.

Happy New Year from Perth mate..!

What gets you found be people you don’t want finding you? You want to gather information but you don’t want to be tracked.

I am excited to see the progress with this focused philosophy of use this year. I am also excited to see you going with the Anytone vs the Motorola gear. I am in radio for similar mission objectives, though with some slightly different radios, and like you, I intend to run what I already have. I have the Anytone 868UV and 878UV Plus, which are older versions, but were also significantly less expensive but I believe will handle the same base things the other models will. I have also subbed in the Xeigu G90 for the 818. It has a similar form factor, but includes a built in tuner and 20 watts. We will see how it holds up to field use. My main analog is an FT60 which I have had since it was released, but I do plan to add the VX6 soon, as it adds significant capabilities that the 60 does not.

I have a Yaesu VX-7R, with over 20 years of radio life!.... and 3 or 4th new LCD screen!

For those on a budget, for short range communications, I use the Baofeng DR-1801 UV DMR HT or analog Quansheng UV K5 (8), that has FM scrambling. Meshtastic combined with RAK and/or Lilygo products. With any product, always check the SWR of antennas using a NanoVNA. Have a predetermined plan with known contacts.

Will be interesting to watch progress with the Anytone. Happy New Year sir!

Looks like a good approach. Looking forward to the content.

I have the anytone handheld. I have yet to use it in the desert. I now have 220 capabilities in the shack.

Happy New Year!, Yup VX-6 Rocks, I have that, IC-705 and FT-891. We have kicked off Texas wide comms group. Just started first test almost total failure, but getting er going. I cry everytime my work throws out those Panasonic tablets and we are not allowed to have any. But definitely need to follow your progress for help.

I would recommend an Icom IC-7100 and even a Yaesu FT-857, I have used the IC-7100 for over 5 years and the FT-857 for over 25 years in the truck both work excellent portable, started using the 7100 in 2016 when the solar cycle was not great and still managed to rack up contacts all over the world, and across the U.S. before the current solar cycle improvements to 15, 10 & 6 meters. I am usually on 20 & 40 meters and 75 & 80 meters for around the U.S. Thanks for the interesting videos, good luck and 73👍

It’s fullly unlocked

Very good points! I'm guilty of being on the "hypester bandwagon". Love that term! I'll try to do better in '24. Best from K1MLG

I have my Ic703plus as a bqckup. 10w. No U/VHF, but has tunner. And sippscpower.

Hey Gaston, I appreciate all the work you've been putting into this channel and the EmComm tools. How do you feel about the 578, particularly in a role as a mobile/manpack VHF radio? I've been debating picking one (from some of your previous videos, it seems like it fits what I'm looking for). I think my radio list right now is pretty much the same, though this week I think the VX-8DR has supplanted the VX-6 as my new favourite HT.

Thanks for the inspiration. I've decided (if I can find one at a reasonable price) to get a ICOM 7000 for my man pack. HF + UHF/VHF 100 watts. Been wanting an 878 and you sold me on it. The antenna I went with for manpack is the JNC-750 from DX Engineering. How to contribute to your BUY ME COFFEE? Can the 878 have a MARS MOD. It's hard doing off grid in NH because of the lack of preppers.

Man, the moustache-goatee combo (picture on the right) is absolutely deadly 👌🏻😎

Happy to hear you are still using JS8Call with your 818. I think its a great portable combo with that particular software. Regards vk5cz ..

I've been on HF for several years now and have never made an SSB voice contact. I went straight to digital and I like it there.

Gaston! Thanks as always for your work and your channel. One thing: on your advice given last year for best one radio to have I bought a used FT857d, but listening to you today it sounds like you have changed your “best” recommendation. I’m confident that you steered me well with my 857d purchase, but now you have me wondering what my second radio should be. Any additional clarification in light of my comment today would be appreciated, but whatever the case please keep up the great work!!

All of my relevant friends for a rainy day are within 10 miles, so im leaning towards Baofengs, directional antenna, and possibly supplemental Meahtastic devices. Always love seeing better setups though!

I love the idea of a portable 100W HF radio that doesn't draw too much current on receive. It must be a unicorn.

I just got the FT-857d because you said it was your favorite and it was one of the ones on your list of radios for EmComm tools. I know you said in the video you only listed 3 radio. But I would hope you keep the FT-857d on the list for EmComm

My wife has the 818, I've got the 857. We both have the Anytone 878. I'm still playing around with the DigiPi, not 100% yet. My wife retires in June, I'm already there (55 is a magical age!). We'll be able to do more testing after June, so will hopefully get the DigiPi ironed out. Have a great 2024. 2M0ILA and MM7TPP

The FT-818 is one of the most versatile radios out there. I certainly love mine.

Please review the top prepper dilators for transprepping

My VX-6R is my favorite handheld. I wish a larger battery pack were available. My FT-891 is my long range portable and standby rig.

I’m on the lookout for an FT-857D and then I’m done.

That is cool that you are focusing on your top three prepper radios for 2024! Love my Anytone 878 - I recently learned that the Anytone implementation of AES-256 uses THE SAME initialization vector to start encryption initially, which significantly weakens the encryption. But it may be good enough for your use case. I hope Anytone fixes it because that’s a game changer at the 878’s price point if they fix it.

Gaston, off topic a bit, but can you explain how you might want to field charge your VX-6 via LiFePo4 battery and/or solar? Thanks, and I really like your down to earth style vs. others RU-vidrs who think they need to make a video with so much drama, you’d think they are vying for an Emmy or Oscar.

I had a coworker that got a haircut and a shave once a year, New Years Day. By December he looked pretty shaggy.

I have nor seen your channel before but I am 2 of 3 in agreement with you except I have the VX-7 which is very nearly functionally the same as the VX-6 and the Anytone 868 which is the older model of the 878. When i bought the VX-7 i was looking at the 6/7 and a 7 came available used at a good price and it came open. I have not used that but it is great to have available. I remember the 878 was just put when I bought the 868 and did not see any features in the 878 that I considered worth 40 dollars. I can say your two choices make lots of sense. I do not have any use for a backpack multi mode, I have the 857 which is pretty much the same bands and modes, if i were to go to backpacking it would be the 818 and I do not see any new models I like, if replacing right now i would be looking at a 857 or 818 depending on projected use. One of my friends' backpacks and has the 818 and is thrilled with it. The 857 is heavier, has more power and higher battery drain even when set to low power and the the battery is not built in - so not really suitable for backpacking. One comment on the VX-6, i built a battery holder for the VX-7 in a small digital camera case - used 2 4-AA holders in series with a plug to fit in the charging port. Unless the 6 is different the 7 will transmit full power when plugged in to it. I did that because AA are more readily available than other sizes and pack a lot more power than AAA. I looked at the weight of C and it was more than what I would want to carry. K3HQI. PS, my mobiles are FT8900 FM only but my home rig is built on a case, unhook 3 PL259 and the AC, I close it, and walk out with a FT-857, ft8900. a signallink and a power supply. I have a 22 foot mast and 2m 70cm HF antennas in the car - a foot to drive on or the ability to stake it with 3 guys. Look up my mast setup. Until recently i was active in Search and rescue and this was designed to support that. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ti4F1wxkz9A.html

Don’t worry about the 6 watts. If you have to use the 818, after a day or two it will be a mega station with proper antenna.

What will you do when solar activity goes down? At that point you might need a little more transmit power, so maybe a small amp or 100W HF rig may come in handy.

Sounds like he got the "YOU SPENT HOW MUCH ON RADIOS????" speech from his wife! 🙂

Best off grid comms would be CW.

About that commercial radio license, some brief insight and direction would be welcome. What type of type of license am I looking for? Thanks.

I wouldn't mind seeing content with the ol 2980. I'm wondering if the bluetooth features on the Anytone could be used to interface with phone/tablet to do cableless digital shenanigans.

I’m new to Amateur radio I’ve always had a buy once cry once mindset though. Would the ICOM ID-52 be a good radio?

So adding a MARS Mod to the VX-6R will open up 6M on that HT, essentially making it a VX-7R? What is the power output on the 6R after the MARS Mod?

I love my a VX-6R. Can you advise which video showed how to program the emergency frequencies? Are you no longer using the TNC?

I personally go with the 878 on top of the Yaesu because in an SHTF situation I rather go with encrypted vs a “rugged” radio. That’s just me only thinking in SHFT where the rules are out the board

Thoughts on the TYT MD-UV390 since you get IP67?

Wow, you look so much more professional without all that hair on your face !

Curious, why the anytone vs the btech version? Btech fixes the firmware issues...

What caliber do these take?

Is there a video where you discussed why you went back to the Anytones over the Motorola? After watching your video on the TCPIP connection with the Motorola radios, I thought for sure you would never go back to a Chinese radio. If not would you mind doing a video explaining why you switched back to the Anytone?

wow you look better without the beard, younger

@TheTechPrepper, Hi Gaston, what would you recommend as a replacement for the discontinued Yaesu FT-818ND?

Would you replace the vx-6r with the new anytone 878 or keep both. Would you recommend the vx-7r over the vx-6r given both have mars mod? Thx great video too!

For your VX-6R do you prefer the mobilinkd or digirig mobile, if you had to choose one.

Great call on your three radios! Save your FT-857D for 4-5yrs when we head towards the bottom of the solar cycle. Or, send it to me as a late Christmas present! Cheers!

Hey Gaston I hope all is well. Have you ever done a video on Meshtastic? I did a search but didn't see any. Just wondering if you have, or have heard of it or tried it. Thanks bud

Ok so which one do i get if the rid goes down? Do i need a license to get them?

Don’t forget that the 878 can also receive 220 in mode 14.

If there was no FT 818ND, what would be an alternative? It's always a possibility so I'm sure you've thought about it.

I think its worth the extra weight to have the power of the 857d or icom 706.

Where do you get that spiral bound NIFOG manual? Can't find it anywhere.

Now that I have a bunch of baller radios... imma stop chasing radios too. ;)

I need advice on what to get. My goal is to be able to communicate with family and allies in a SHTF scenario. Everyone is within 15 miles. Suburban area… what would you recommend? Thank you!

I missed one question. what platform do you run the JS8Call on? WIn/PI,?

6m too? I came straight to the comments section at 1:34 once I heard that too! Please somebody confirm or correct this statement! 73

What antenna do you use for shortwave listening, just the stock antenna or something else?

Why did you circle back to the anytone over the motorola xpr series?

Got 1000 Chanel’s two

Question: Given that the APRS on the Anytone is mostly useless, especially when APRSDroid exists, and that it's only IP54 rated, why not go for the Ailunce HD1 instead? It's also DMR, has a built in GPS (if you buy the GPS model) so you get that aspect of DMR capability, and its IP67 rated. Also it's $100 cheaper.

I gota quan Sheng that will go from .100 up to 1000mhz and it’s a try band

Does JS8 Call work on VHF / UHF? Or just HF?

Where'd you get that copy of NIFOG? I haven't seen a small sprial bound copy before.

What is your opinion about ICOM 705?

Are you still using your Yaesu FTM-6000 and if so, what types of applications are you using it for?

Tech Prepper - Curious what sort of business are you in?

I have nonidea wherw to start

Hi are those radios good for when the grid goes down

Are GMRS bands available on the vx6r ?

Great video. I haven't been on JS8 in a while, probably about a month or so. Not a lot of activity when I'm on. However, there's plenty of Olivia and PSK31 going on, once in a while some RTTY happens every now and then. If you have gave Olivia or PSK31 a try, I encourage you to do so. Olivia is slow and rather robust data mode. It hears quite well, around 12 to 14 db below the noise floor, maybe more. Had many nice QSO'S into VK land on 20 and 40m. Haven't tried it on 80m yet.

You can also get 220on that radio