Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The ACK Off Grid Server is a self-contained emergency communications platform built specifically for amateur radio operators, ARES teams, RACES groups, field deployments, disaster response, and off-grid communications. Running entirely offline on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, this portable ham radio server requires no internet connection, cloud services, or subscription fees.
In this video, I provide a complete overview of the ACK Off Grid Server and demonstrate the tools available through its browser-based dashboard. Any phone, tablet, laptop, or computer connected to the local WiFi network can access critical communications resources during emergencies, field exercises, portable operations, or grid-down events.
Features include:
• FCC amateur radio callsign lookup using a local FCC database
• APRS station mapping and RF-based position tracking
• Graywolf APRS client for APRS messaging and beaconing
• Net check-in logger with automatic operator information lookup
• Interactive map showing net participant locations
• ICS-205 Communications Plan
• ICS-213 General Message Form
• ICS-214 Activity Log
• ICS-309 Communications Log
• Antenna cut-length calculator
• Power and battery budget calculator
• Grid square distance and bearing calculator
• Gray line propagation planning tool
• Solar conditions and HF band conditions dashboard via Winlink data
• Amateur radio quick reference guide including Q-codes, phonetics, procedure words, and RST reporting
• Offline Tennessee street maps with road-level detail
• Kiwix offline knowledge server with Wikipedia and other reference materials
This project demonstrates how a low-cost Raspberry Pi can become a powerful offline communications server for emergency preparedness, field communications, disaster response, public service events, portable operations, camping, overlanding, and remote deployments.
Whether you're involved in Ham Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), preparedness communications, Winlink operations, APRS networking, or simply want a reliable offline information system, the ACK Off Grid Server provides critical resources when traditional infrastructure is unavailable.
#HamRadio #AmateurRadio #RaspberryPi #EmergencyCommunications #OffGrid #APRS #Winlink #ARES #RACES #DisasterCommunications #FieldDay #Preparedness #GridDown #EmergencyPrep #PiZero2W #Kiwix #ICSForms #PortableOps #RadioCommunications #OffGridServer
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Links mentioned in the video
Pi Zero 2W - amzn.to/4o3ch6v
USB GPS - amzn.to/4fixya0
SSD Drive - amzn.to/4ecnvCe
Graywolf Video - youtu.be/OBhkzZK-qAQ
Kiwix Video - youtu.be/LVmafaxxuv4
10 second web server - youtu.be/1SgX3Cwqi9Q
Get the project files - patreon.com/posts/off-grid-server-159658345?source=storefront
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
The ACK Off Grid Server is a self-contained emergency communications platform built specifically for amateur radio operators, ARES teams, RACES groups, field deployments, disaster response, and off-grid communications. Running entirely offline on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, this portable ham radio server requires no internet connection, cloud services, or subscription fees.
In this video, I provide a complete overview of the ACK Off Grid Server and demonstrate the tools available through its browser-based dashboard. Any phone, tablet, laptop, or computer connected to the local WiFi network can access critical communications resources during emergencies, field exercises, portable operations, or grid-down events.
Features include:
• FCC amateur radio callsign lookup using a local FCC database
• APRS station mapping and RF-based position tracking
• Graywolf APRS client for APRS messaging and beaconing
• Net check-in logger with automatic operator information lookup
• Interactive map showing net participant locations
• ICS-205 Communications Plan
• ICS-213 General Message Form
• ICS-214 Activity Log
• ICS-309 Communications Log
• Antenna cut-length calculator
• Power and battery budget calculator
• Grid square distance and bearing calculator
• Gray line propagation planning tool
• Solar conditions and HF band conditions dashboard via Winlink data
• Amateur radio quick reference guide including Q-codes, phonetics, procedure words, and RST reporting
• Offline Tennessee street maps with road-level detail
• Kiwix offline knowledge server with Wikipedia and other reference materials
This project demonstrates how a low-cost Raspberry Pi can become a powerful offline communications server for emergency preparedness, field communications, disaster response, public service events, portable operations, camping, overlanding, and remote deployments.
Whether you're involved in Ham Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), preparedness communications, Winlink operations, APRS networking, or simply want a reliable offline information system, the ACK Off Grid Server provides critical resources when traditional infrastructure is unavailable.
#HamRadio #AmateurRadio #RaspberryPi #EmergencyCommunications #OffGrid #APRS #Winlink #ARES #RACES #DisasterCommunications #FieldDay #Preparedness #GridDown #EmergencyPrep #PiZero2W #Kiwix #ICSForms #PortableOps #RadioCommunications #OffGridServer
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Links mentioned in the video
Pi Zero 2W - amzn.to/4o3ch6v
USB GPS - amzn.to/4fixya0
SSD Drive - amzn.to/4ecnvCe
Graywolf Video - youtu.be/OBhkzZK-qAQ
Kiwix Video - youtu.be/LVmafaxxuv4
10 second web server - youtu.be/1SgX3Cwqi9Q
Get the project files - patreon.com/posts/off-grid-server-159658345?source=storefront
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
