Article written by SKILLSET contributor: Don Corvo
Painting, Programming, and Keeping It Real: The Story of FengBros
When the world shut down during the COVID pandemic, many people were simply trying to pass the time. Me? I was trying to build something.
That’s how FengBros started – straight out of lockdown, with a stack of Baofeng radios, some paint, and a head full of ideas.
A few years later, I’m still at it – selling thousands of custom radios and shipping them worldwide. Helping people get connected, stay ready, and look good doing it.
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How FengBros Was Born
I’ve always been into gear radios, tech, and anything you can count on when things go sideways. During COVID, it hit me: when everything else falls apart, communication is king. And Baofeng radios? They’re affordable, reliable, and durable enough to withstand a beating.
Only problem? They all looked the same: plain, black, and boring, like they were built for a warehouse worker who never left the building.
So I said, screw it – let’s make them badass. Let’s make them stand out.
I started painting them, experimenting with colors and creating custom designs. But it wasn’t just about looks – I also began programming them and loading them with real-world channels so people could actually use their gear. People noticed. Then they started buying. Before long, I was shipping radios left and right – not just in the
States, but around the world.
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Painting Radios: Turning Tools into Art
Painting a radio isn’t just slapping on some spray paint and calling it good.
These radios are designed for use in various situations, such as hiking, off-roading, and prepping. They can’t be soft.
So I built my own process:
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- Strip them down.
- Clean them up.
- Lay a base coat built to stick.
- Apply custom paint – anything from skulls to desert camo to neon loud enough to spot from across a parking lot.
- Seal it tough, so it holds up to rain, scratches, sun, and real-world use.
Each radio is one-of-a-kind.
Want something low-key and tactical? Cool.
Want something loud that screams across the room? Let’s go.
I’ve made radios for search-and-rescue teams, hardcore preppers, truckers, outdoor enthusiasts, and regular people who just want gear that feels like their own.
When you carry something you’re proud of, you take care of it. You use it. You trust it.
Programming Radios: Making Sure They Work When It Counts
Looks are one thing, but when you hit that button, you better hear someone on the other end.
That’s why I program every radio before it ships.
Baofengs are solid little radios, but out of the box? They’re blank. You’ve got to know what you’re doing – and most people don’t have time for that learning curve.
So I program them with:
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- Local repeaters
- Emergency channels
- Weather stations
- Off-grid comms
- Whatever else people need to stay connected when it matters
I use CHIRP and other software to dial them in fast and clean. Custom setups? No problem – I’ve done builds for bug-out teams, hunting crews, Jeep clubs, you name it.
I’ve had people hit me back saying, “Your radio saved our ass in that storm,” or “We stayed in touch when the phones were down.” That’s the kind of feedback that keeps me fired up.
The FengBros Family
FengBros isn’t just me and some radios. It’s a whole community now. Off-roaders, campers, preppers, survivalists, hunters, hikers, ranchers – even city folks who want to be ready when the grid goes dark – they’re all part of it.
The EDC (Everyday Carry) community, especially, has shown me a great deal of love. EDC is all about carrying gear you can rely on when life throws a curveball – knives, flashlights, multitools, firestarters… and yeah, radios.
The EDC crowd welcomed me like family. They repost my stuff, order customs, and throw me ideas. Without them, FengBros wouldn’t be where it is today. No question. I’m grateful for every person who carries one of my radios in their kit. That’s respect. That’s trust. And I don’t take it lightly.
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I’ve shipped radios across America, Canada, Australia, and Europe – even to a few remote spots I can’t spell. And it’s still growing.
I’ve got plans to branch into other radios, higher-end gear, new brands – maybe even some collabs down the line. No matter how big it gets, the mission remains the same: to build radios that look great, work hard, and keep people connected.
Why It Matters
When the lights go out, the towers fall, and the signal’s gone, radio waves still cut through. That’s why I do what I do. Because that little piece of gear in your truck, your pack, or your glovebox might be the only line you’ve got. It might be the thing that keeps you in touch with your people. It might even save a life. And if it looks badass while doing it? Even better.
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Fengbros is proof you don’t need a fancy degree or a million-dollar setup to make a difference. You need an idea, a little hustle, and a lot of heart.
