How Far Can A Ham Radio Transmit (Part I) 160M, 80M & 40M | SHTF Emergency Communication

We hope this helps you get a feel for the lowest three amateur radio frequencies. They can be a great way for local and regional communication, and long distance communication at night.

When I was a young kid and couldn’t get to sleep at night, I use to take my alarm clock radio and tune it to AM then start at the top or bottom of the frequency dial and very, very slowly turn the tuning knob to see what I could here. It always fascinated me.

For HAM content here you are top notch. Well spoken, no corny shticks, and you very clearly know exactly what you are talking about BUT still speak in a way that new folks can digest. I had a lot of questions before finding your channel and first video I must have gotten 10-15 answered clearly. Please keep up the great work!

Greetings from Germany! Much love, Matthias ( 73 DL1NDG )

I fixed up an old tube Kenwood Trio 9R-59DS receiver. Late night using wire antenna I counted 96 clear channel AM stations.

3:06 - SIXTY!? I'm very much enjoying your ham radio video's! I'm not at all interested in contesting or any of that other stuff but rather just learning how to properly use ham radio for possible long term, wide spread, grid down type scenarios where ham radio might be the only mode of communication available to us. I especially enjoy your content on antennas and how far we can communicate in different bands and such! 73!

Fascinating stuff. I know nothing about ham radio except that my dad engaged in it

I'll Always Love you Hayden Panettiere

I get good DX to Australia at night on 20 meters also. Sometimes Africa also. Great video.

You may be able to get us at 40M because we are just above Montana. Great video, can’t wait to hear how that works for international communication.

I'm studying to take my HAM exams and found this channel. You do a great job of explaining what exactly can be achieved with the whole hobby, and how to do it with what specific equipment - something nobody else seems to be doing. I have operated on VHF with the volunteer fire service for over 20 years, but never knew anything other than VHF and UHF - which we don't use UHF. I had no idea there was a whole 'nother spectrum of frequency bands. It's neat stuff.

Excellent info. Thank you Rich. Winter project to learn!

Loving the videos. This will be rewatched several times. A video getting into the electrical engineering & completely nerding out is something I would like. Most of the deep radio content is broken up in general/extra ham prep, but focusing on a practical reference of the science would be great. Thanks again!

Nice video, I remember when I was a teenager running a long wire out my window and would listen to AM stations all around the US at night. Still have to run a 160m wire similar to yours for more fun and will have all the HF bands covered then

Thank you for your excellent videos. I am a licensed general and still learn so much from you. Please keep up the good work!!

I remember when I first started QSOs (I got my license almost exactly a year ago), I stumbled across HHH net late one night and jumped on. Ended up getting Panama and Australia (which is actually my farthest voice QSO). All on either 40 or 80 meters, I don't recall which now. I've started a lot of FT8 and that reaches out there on all bands. What I didn't expect was how much fun spinning through the frequencies would be. There is a boatload of shortwave activity going on that is fun to pull in. Right now 10m is pretty lively with the solar maximum and all. Nice video.

Great channel! You inspired me to try Hamsticks and I'm amazed at the results I am getting. Thanks!

Great video. I would love to see your 80 meter antenna structure more closely. The crank up mast with no guy wires and buried radials is exactly the kind of thing I want to do at my cabin. I'd be curious to know how deep the footing is, how deep the radials are, mechanics, etc... My goal is to be able to talk between home and the cabin (200 miles).

Great explanation Rich!

Been a ham for a little over a year! Got my tech back in March 2023 and then my general in October 2023. Currently studying for my amateur extra class. And I haven’t even mess with HF yet since I’m still deciding on an HF radio. Looking for something for base/portable ops.