Questions, answered plainly.

You can listen without a license. To transmit on amateur (ham) frequencies in the US you need an FCC amateur license. The entry-level Technician license covers the VHF/UHF bands used by our Trailhead and Ridgeline packs. Our beginner's guide at /start-here walks you through the process.

It is a 35-question multiple-choice test and you need 26 correct answers to pass. The question pool is public, so most people prepare in a few weeks using free practice sites. Exams are given by volunteer examiners, in person or online.

Use the pack finder on our home page or the comparison table at /compare. In short: Trailhead for light, local use; Ridgeline Pro for more power and runtime; Longwave HF for long-distance contacts with a General license.

Only if you hold the right license and use equipment certified for that service. Our packs are programmed for amateur frequencies. We do not program radios for services you are not authorized to use.

Every pack ships with a general channel plan that includes common national simplex calling frequencies. Local repeaters for your area can be added at checkout as programming regions, and the Ridgeline Pro includes two regions.

Range depends far more on terrain, antenna height and the repeaters near you than on the radio. Simplex (radio to radio) is often a few miles; through a well-placed repeater it can be 30–60 miles or more. A raised antenna such as our roll-up J-pole makes a big difference.

Yes. The Custom Programming File covers up to 2 or 4 regions and works with most radios supported by CHIRP. Reply to your invoice email with your radio model and areas.

Add items to your cart and submit your order. We email you an invoice right away with payment options (bank transfer, Zelle or check). Once payment arrives we confirm by email and start building or packing your order.

Invoices are due within the number of days shown on the invoice. Items are reserved for you during that time. If you need longer, message us on WhatsApp or by email.

Absolutely. Use the chat assistant, message us on WhatsApp, or send a note through the contact page.

Shipping is a flat rate per order to US addresses, and free over the threshold shown at checkout. Each product page shows its own dispatch time. Built-to-order HF packs take longer. You will receive tracking by email when your order ships.

Message us before ordering for Alaska, Hawaii or international delivery so we can quote shipping and check any import rules for radio equipment.

Tell us within 7 days of delivery with a photo of the issue and we will repair, replace or refund the affected item.

Our assembly and wiring are covered for 1 year. Radios and batteries also carry their manufacturers' warranties, and we will help you with any claim. See /policies/returns for full details.

Unpaid invoices can be cancelled any time. Paid orders can be cancelled for a full refund until we start building or programming them.

Keep it somewhere cool and dry. Avoid leaving it in a hot vehicle. For long-term storage, charge the LiFePO4 battery to about 50–70% and top it up every few months.

No radio can guarantee communication. Results depend on terrain, repeaters, conditions and practice. Use your pack regularly, join a local net, and keep a written plan with your key frequencies.