Table of contents for October/November #69 2025 in RECOIL OFFGRID

I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say most of us have a love-hate relationship with modern communication. We’ve never had more tools to connect, but some-how, we’ve never felt more isolated. It’s ironic, right? Texts, DMs, group chats, public posts — it’s all supposed to bring us closer. But, somewhere along the way, a lot of us forgot how to actually talk to each other. That’s what this issue attempts to tackle. Not just radios, not just apps, not just emergency signals or digital workarounds — we’re digging into what it really means to communicate, both on the airwaves and face-to-face. Because being able to clearly say what you mean and understand what someone else is trying to tell you might be the most important…

Modern technology has created numerous ways to keep lines of communication open. Cell phones and tablets keep us connected while on the go, and computers and smart devices make communicating with anyone in the world fast and efficient. All this can happen because of a complex infrastructure of cell phone towers, miles of cables, and submarine fiber connecting the continents. Even with a vast infrastructure in place, those of us who spend time in the wilderness often encounter places where our mobile devices have no signal. Even many rural areas have spotty and limited coverage despite having an established population. The complex network that keeps our communications lines open is incredibly fragile. Natural disasters, human conflict, and sometimes the simple deterioration of equipment over time can all lead to mass…

Communicating during a disaster is incredibly challenging. Even in everyday situations, communication is a complex process for anyone involved in an exchange. Add the stress and urgency of a crisis, and things can go wrong quickly. In times of disaster, human beings often struggle to absorb life-saving information effectively. We process messages differently under pressure, retain little of it, and respond unpredictably. In fact, during such high-stress moments, people often revert to simpler levels of understanding, meaning the information shared must be clear and simple enough for a sixth-grader to grasp. Crisis communication should be approached from both the perspective of the listener and the spokesperson. According to the latest Gallup Poll, only 20 percent of U.S. citizens expressed a fair amount of trust in the federal government, while others…

In 2025, the simplicity of communication barely registers as a thought. Imagine your ancestors from a century ago learning about the information and communication potential of the phone in your pocket. The idea that global communication could be so effortless would leave them dumbfounded. These capabilities are easy to take for granted — right up until they’re gone. As long as the cellular infrastructure holds, communication isn’t much of a concern. It remains the easiest and most widely accessible link to the outside world. But anyone who has lived through even a brief outage knows how fast things can go sideways. So, what happens when the usual networks go dark? Few places are safe from natural disasters, and even fewer could avoid the effects of a cyberattack, EMP, or solar…

After I turned 50, I got it into my head that I wanted a brand-new vehicle, not used, just once in my life. Our minivan was about 22 years old and Midwestern winters had taken their toll on the body, so it was time for an upgrade. We ended up buying a dealer’s demo model that had fewer than 2,000 miles on it. It has so many gadgets and gizmos, I feel like I’m piloting a spacecraft. While we’re still learning how everything works, I wanted to get the van outfitted properly for the numerous road trips we have planned. I think one of the best parts about getting a new-to-you vehicle is customizing it for your needs. Enter the AP Premium Bag from KY Handcrafted. AP stands for All-Purpose,…

For those seeking more than a typical getaway, these handpicked wilderness escapes offer more than just scenic views. They challenge your grit, test your limits, and immerse you in landscapes where survival and adventure go hand in hand. Planning a backcountry trek or craving time off the grid? These destinations deliver the perfect blend of raw beauty and adventure. In our latest lineup, we channeled our inner cowboy and headed to Wyoming for a look at wild horses in their natural element. The second spot comes courtesy of RECOIL’s own Ryan Farner, who — like many of us — is a fan of tropical islands. Aloha! Adventure Appeal The 24-mile Pilot Butte Scenic Tour is perfect for self-guided explorers with a taste for wide-open spaces and wildlife close-ups. You’ll begin…

Tony Peel doesn’t look like your typical radio operator. No uniform, no government badge, just a guy who knows his stuff. He’s the founder of Wyoming Survival, a former survival instructor, a blacksmith, and a licensed General HAM operator. That last bit matters because, in the world of radio communications, a General HAM license is your gateway to operating on high-frequency (HF) bands — a skillset that stretches far beyond the limits of the popular Baofeng handheld radios many preppers stash in their bug-out bags. On day one of the HF Operations class, Peel wasted no time breaking down the fundamentals, starting with a question: What is HF? Short for “high frequency,” it refers to the spectrum of radio frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz. Unlike UHF and VHF radios,…