diff --git a/src/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/[id]/page.tsx b/src/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/[id]/page.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f75189
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/[id]/page.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+import type { Metadata } from "next";
+import config from "@payload-config";
+import { getPayload } from "payload";
+import { headers as nextHeaders } from "next/headers";
+import { notFound } from "next/navigation";
+import Link from "next/link";
+import { ArrowLeft, Radio } from "lucide-react";
+import { CustomRadioArena } from "@/components/frontend/radio/CustomRadioArena";
+
+export const metadata: Metadata = {
+  title: "Play Custom Radio Test (Polaris Task Force)",
+};
+
+export default async function CustomRadioTestPlayPage({
+  params,
+}: {
+  params: Promise<{ id: string }>;
+}) {
+  const { id } = await params;
+  const testId = Number(id);
+  if (!Number.isInteger(testId) || testId <= 0) {
+    notFound();
+  }
+
+  const headers = await nextHeaders();
+  const payloadConfig = await config;
+  const payload = await getPayload({ config: payloadConfig });
+  const { user } = await payload.auth({ headers, canSetHeaders: false });
+
+  const test = await payload
+    .findByID({
+      collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      id: testId,
+      depth: 1,
+    })
+    .catch(() => null);
+  if (!test || !test.published) {
+    notFound();
+  }
+
+  const messages = Array.isArray(test.messages) ? (test.messages as string[]) : [];
+  const order = test.order === "shuffled" ? "shuffled" : "fixed";
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex min-w-0 flex-col gap-6 p-5">
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+        <Link
+          href="/radio/custom"
+          className="flex items-center gap-1 text-sm text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
+        >
+          <ArrowLeft className="size-4" /> All custom radio tests
+        </Link>
+      </div>
+      <div className="flex flex-col gap-1">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <Radio className="size-5 text-muted-foreground" />
+          <h1 className="text-lg font-semibold">{test.name}</h1>
+        </div>
+        <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+          Custom radio tests are unranked and do not affect official stats or XP.
+        </p>
+      </div>
+
+      <CustomRadioArena
+        test={{ id: test.id, name: test.name, messages, order }}
+        currentUserId={user?.id ?? 0}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/actions.ts b/src/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/actions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2451d20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/actions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,342 @@
+"use server";
+
+import config from "@payload-config";
+import { getPayload } from "payload";
+import { emitGameEvent } from "@/utils/event-log/emit";
+import { EventTypes } from "@/utils/event-log/eventTypes";
+import { hasPermission } from "@/utils/access-control/hasPermission";
+import {
+  isRadioUnlocked,
+  isValidRadioOrder,
+  validateMessages,
+  validateRadioScore,
+  validateTestName,
+} from "@/lib/custom-minigames/radio";
+
+interface ActionResult<T = undefined> {
+  success: boolean;
+  error?: string;
+  data?: T;
+}
+
+export interface RadioUnlockStatus {
+  unlocked: boolean;
+  sprintBestAccuracy: number;
+  watchBestAccuracy: number;
+}
+
+async function authenticate() {
+  const payloadConfig = await config;
+  const payload = await getPayload({ config: payloadConfig });
+  const { headers } = await import("next/headers");
+  const hdrs = await headers();
+  const { user } = await payload.auth({
+    headers: hdrs,
+    canSetHeaders: false,
+  });
+
+  if (!user) {
+    throw new Error("Unauthorized");
+  }
+
+  return { payload, user };
+}
+
+export async function checkRadioUnlock(): Promise<ActionResult<RadioUnlockStatus>> {
+  try {
+    const { payload, user } = await authenticate();
+
+    const profileRes = await payload.find({
+      collection: "profiles",
+      where: { user: { equals: user.id as number } },
+      limit: 1,
+      depth: 0,
+      overrideAccess: true,
+    });
+    const radio =
+      profileRes.docs[0]?.progression?.minigames?.radioTraffic ?? {};
+    const sprintBestAccuracy = radio.sprintBestAccuracy ?? 0;
+    const watchBestAccuracy = radio.watchBestAccuracy ?? 0;
+
+    return {
+      success: true,
+      data: {
+        unlocked: isRadioUnlocked({ sprintBestAccuracy, watchBestAccuracy }),
+        sprintBestAccuracy,
+        watchBestAccuracy,
+      },
+    };
+  } catch (error) {
+    const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Unknown error";
+    if (message === "Unauthorized") {
+      return { success: false, error: "You must be logged in." };
+    }
+    return { success: false, error: message };
+  }
+}
+
+export async function createTest(input: {
+  name: string;
+  messages: unknown;
+  order: string;
+}): Promise<ActionResult<{ id: number }>> {
+  try {
+    const { payload, user } = await authenticate();
+
+    const nameCheck = validateTestName(input.name);
+    if (nameCheck.error) {
+      return { success: false, error: nameCheck.error };
+    }
+    const name = nameCheck.name;
+    const messageCheck = validateMessages(input.messages);
+    if (messageCheck.error) {
+      return { success: false, error: messageCheck.error };
+    }
+    if (!isValidRadioOrder(input.order)) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Invalid order." };
+    }
+
+    const created = await payload.create({
+      collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      data: {
+        name,
+        author: user.id as number,
+        messages: messageCheck.messages,
+        messageCount: messageCheck.messages.length,
+        order: input.order,
+        published: true,
+        playCount: 0,
+      },
+      depth: 0,
+    });
+
+    await emitGameEvent(payload, {
+      type: EventTypes.MinigameCustomRadioCreate,
+      message: `Published custom radio test "${name}" (${messageCheck.messages.length} messages)`,
+      actor: user.id as number,
+      targetCollection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      targetId: created.id,
+    });
+
+    return { success: true, data: { id: created.id } };
+  } catch (error) {
+    const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Unknown error";
+    if (message === "Unauthorized") {
+      return { success: false, error: "You must be logged in." };
+    }
+    return { success: false, error: message };
+  }
+}
+
+export async function updateTest(input: {
+  id: number;
+  name?: string;
+  messages?: unknown;
+  published?: boolean;
+}): Promise<ActionResult<undefined>> {
+  try {
+    const { payload, user } = await authenticate();
+
+    if (!Number.isInteger(input.id) || (input.id as number) <= 0) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Invalid test." };
+    }
+
+    const existing = await payload.findByID({
+      collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      id: input.id as number,
+      depth: 0,
+    });
+    if (!existing) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Test not found." };
+    }
+
+    const isManager = await hasPermission(payload, user, "custom-radio-tests:update");
+    const isAuthor = existing.author === (user.id as number);
+    if (!isManager && !isAuthor) {
+      return { success: false, error: "You can only edit your own tests." };
+    }
+
+    const data: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+
+    if (input.name !== undefined) {
+      const nameCheck = validateTestName(input.name);
+      if (nameCheck.error) {
+        return { success: false, error: nameCheck.error };
+      }
+      data.name = nameCheck.name;
+    }
+    if (input.published !== undefined) {
+      data.published = Boolean(input.published);
+    }
+    if (input.messages !== undefined) {
+      const messageCheck = validateMessages(input.messages);
+      if (messageCheck.error) {
+        return { success: false, error: messageCheck.error };
+      }
+      data.messages = messageCheck.messages;
+      data.messageCount = messageCheck.messages.length;
+    }
+
+    await payload.update({
+      collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      id: existing.id,
+      data,
+      depth: 0,
+      overrideAccess: true,
+    });
+
+    await emitGameEvent(payload, {
+      type: EventTypes.MinigameCustomRadioEdit,
+      message: `Updated custom radio test "${existing.name}"`,
+      actor: user.id as number,
+      targetCollection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      targetId: existing.id,
+    });
+
+    return { success: true };
+  } catch (error) {
+    const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Unknown error";
+    if (message === "Unauthorized") {
+      return { success: false, error: "You must be logged in." };
+    }
+    if (message === "Not Found" || message.includes("not found")) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Test not found." };
+    }
+    return { success: false, error: message };
+  }
+}
+
+export async function deleteTest(input: { id: number }): Promise<ActionResult<undefined>> {
+  try {
+    const { payload, user } = await authenticate();
+
+    if (!Number.isInteger(input.id) || (input.id as number) <= 0) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Invalid test." };
+    }
+
+    const existing = await payload.findByID({
+      collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      id: input.id as number,
+      depth: 0,
+    });
+    if (!existing) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Test not found." };
+    }
+
+    await payload.delete({ collection: "custom-radio-tests", id: existing.id, depth: 0 });
+
+    await payload.delete({
+      collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+      where: { test: { equals: existing.id } },
+      overrideAccess: true,
+    });
+
+    await emitGameEvent(payload, {
+      type: EventTypes.MinigameCustomRadioDelete,
+      message: `Deleted custom radio test "${existing.name}"`,
+      actor: user.id as number,
+      targetCollection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      targetId: existing.id,
+    });
+
+    return { success: true };
+  } catch (error) {
+    const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Unknown error";
+    if (message === "Unauthorized") {
+      return { success: false, error: "You must be logged in." };
+    }
+    if (message === "Forbidden" || message.toLowerCase().includes("forbidden")) {
+      return { success: false, error: "You do not have permission to delete tests." };
+    }
+    if (message === "Not Found" || message.includes("not found")) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Test not found." };
+    }
+    return { success: false, error: message };
+  }
+}
+
+export async function submitCustomTestScore(input: {
+  testId: number;
+  score: number;
+  correctMessages: number;
+  incorrectMessages: number;
+  accuracy: number;
+  mode: string;
+  timeMs?: number;
+}): Promise<ActionResult<undefined>> {
+  try {
+    const { payload, user } = await authenticate();
+
+    if (!Number.isInteger(input.testId) || (input.testId as number) <= 0) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Invalid test." };
+    }
+    const scoreCheck = validateRadioScore({
+      score: input.score,
+      correctMessages: input.correctMessages,
+      incorrectMessages: input.incorrectMessages,
+      accuracy: input.accuracy,
+      mode: input.mode,
+      timeMs: input.timeMs,
+    });
+    if (scoreCheck.error !== undefined) {
+      return { success: false, error: scoreCheck.error };
+    }
+    const score = scoreCheck.score;
+
+    const test = await payload.findByID({
+      collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      id: input.testId as number,
+      depth: 0,
+    });
+    if (!test || !test.published) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Test not found." };
+    }
+
+    await payload.create({
+      collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+      data: {
+        test: test.id,
+        user: user.id as number,
+        score,
+        accuracy: input.accuracy,
+        correctMessages: input.correctMessages,
+        incorrectMessages: input.incorrectMessages,
+        mode: scoreCheck.mode,
+        timeMs: scoreCheck.timeMs,
+      },
+      depth: 0,
+    });
+
+    await payload.update({
+      collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      id: test.id,
+      data: { playCount: (test.playCount ?? 0) + 1 },
+      overrideAccess: true,
+      depth: 0,
+    });
+
+    await emitGameEvent(payload, {
+      type: EventTypes.MinigameCustomRadioPlay,
+      message: `Scored ${score} on custom radio test "${test.name}" (${input.mode})`,
+      actor: user.id as number,
+      targetCollection: "custom-radio-tests",
+      targetId: test.id,
+      data: {
+        score,
+        accuracy: input.accuracy,
+        mode: input.mode,
+      },
+    });
+
+    return { success: true };
+  } catch (error) {
+    const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Unknown error";
+    if (message === "Unauthorized") {
+      return { success: false, error: "You must be logged in." };
+    }
+    if (message === "Not Found" || message.includes("not found")) {
+      return { success: false, error: "Test not found." };
+    }
+    return { success: false, error: message };
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/page.tsx b/src/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/page.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e25fea4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/page.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import type { Metadata } from "next";
+import config from "@payload-config";
+import { getPayload } from "payload";
+import { headers as nextHeaders } from "next/headers";
+import { Radio } from "lucide-react";
+import { CustomTestBrowser } from "@/components/frontend/radio/CustomTestBrowser";
+
+export const metadata: Metadata = {
+  title: "Custom Radio Tests (Polaris Task Force)",
+  description: "Browse and play community-authored radio traffic tests.",
+};
+
+export default async function CustomRadioTestsPage() {
+  const headers = await nextHeaders();
+  const payloadConfig = await config;
+  const payload = await getPayload({ config: payloadConfig });
+  const { user } = await payload.auth({ headers, canSetHeaders: false });
+
+  const radio = user
+    ? (
+        await payload.find({
+          collection: "profiles",
+          where: { user: { equals: user.id as number } },
+          limit: 1,
+          depth: 0,
+          overrideAccess: true,
+          select: { progression: { minigames: true } },
+        })
+      ).docs[0]?.progression?.minigames?.radioTraffic ?? {}
+    : {};
+  const unlocked =
+    (radio.sprintBestAccuracy ?? 0) >= 0.9 && (radio.watchBestAccuracy ?? 0) >= 0.85;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex min-w-0 flex-col gap-6 p-5">
+      <div className="flex flex-col gap-1">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <Radio className="size-5 text-muted-foreground" />
+          <h1 className="text-lg font-semibold">Custom Radio Tests</h1>
+        </div>
+        <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+          Operator-authored message pools. Unranked, no XP.
+        </p>
+      </div>
+
+      <CustomTestBrowser currentUserId={user?.id ?? 0} unlocked={unlocked} />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/frontend/radio/CreateTestDialog.tsx b/src/components/frontend/radio/CreateTestDialog.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fd78b4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/frontend/radio/CreateTestDialog.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useState } from "react";
+import { Loader2, Radio } from "lucide-react";
+import { useRouter } from "next/navigation";
+import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogFooter,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+  DialogTrigger,
+} from "@/components/ui/dialog";
+import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
+import {
+  Select,
+  SelectContent,
+  SelectItem,
+  SelectTrigger,
+  SelectValue,
+} from "@/components/ui/select";
+import { createTest } from "@/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/actions";
+
+const MAX_MESSAGES = 100;
+
+export function CreateTestDialog({
+  unlocked,
+  children,
+}: {
+  unlocked: boolean;
+  children?: React.ReactNode;
+}) {
+  const router = useRouter();
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [name, setName] = useState("");
+  const [poolText, setPoolText] = useState("");
+  const [order, setOrder] = useState<"fixed" | "shuffled">("fixed");
+  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false);
+
+  const pool = poolText
+    .split("\n")
+    .map((line) => line.trim())
+    .filter((line) => line.length > 0);
+
+  const submit = async () => {
+    setError(null);
+    const trimmed = name.trim();
+    if (trimmed.length < 1 || trimmed.length > 100) {
+      setError("Name must be 1-100 characters.");
+      return;
+    }
+    if (pool.length < 1 || pool.length > MAX_MESSAGES) {
+      setError(`Message pool must contain 1-${MAX_MESSAGES} messages (one per line).`);
+      return;
+    }
+    if (pool.some((message) => message.length > 500)) {
+      setError("Each message must be 1-500 characters.");
+      return;
+    }
+    setSubmitting(true);
+    const result = await createTest({ name: trimmed, messages: pool, order });
+    setSubmitting(false);
+    if (result.success) {
+      setOpen(false);
+      setName("");
+      setPoolText("");
+      setOrder("fixed");
+      router.refresh();
+    } else {
+      setError(result.error ?? "Could not publish the test.");
+    }
+  };
+
+  if (!unlocked) return null;
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog
+      open={open}
+      onOpenChange={(next) => {
+        setOpen(next);
+        if (!next) setError(null);
+      }}
+    >
+      <DialogTrigger asChild>
+        {children ?? (
+          <Button type="button">
+            <Radio /> Author radio test
+          </Button>
+        )}
+      </DialogTrigger>
+      <DialogContent className="max-h-[85dvh] overflow-auto sm:max-w-xl">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>Author a custom radio test</DialogTitle>
+          <DialogDescription>
+            Build a message pool, one transmission per line. Published tests are instantly
+            playable by every operator and scored like the official game.
+          </DialogDescription>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <div className="flex flex-col gap-4">
+          <div className="flex flex-wrap items-end gap-3">
+            <div className="flex flex-col gap-1">
+              <label htmlFor="radio-test-name" className="text-xs font-medium">
+                Name
+              </label>
+              <Input
+                id="radio-test-name"
+                value={name}
+                maxLength={100}
+                onChange={(event) => setName(event.target.value)}
+                placeholder="Night Watch Drill"
+                className="w-48"
+              />
+            </div>
+            <div className="flex flex-col gap-1">
+              <label htmlFor="radio-test-order" className="text-xs font-medium">
+                Order
+              </label>
+              <Select value={order} onValueChange={(value) => setOrder(value as "fixed" | "shuffled")}>
+                <SelectTrigger id="radio-test-order" className="w-[140px]">
+                  <SelectValue />
+                </SelectTrigger>
+                <SelectContent>
+                  <SelectItem value="fixed">Fixed Order</SelectItem>
+                  <SelectItem value="shuffled">Shuffled</SelectItem>
+                </SelectContent>
+              </Select>
+            </div>
+            <span className="pb-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">{pool.length} messages</span>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="flex flex-col gap-1">
+            <label htmlFor="radio-test-pool" className="text-xs font-medium">
+              Message pool (one per line)
+            </label>
+            <textarea
+              id="radio-test-pool"
+              value={poolText}
+              onChange={(event) => setPoolText(event.target.value)}
+              rows={8}
+              placeholder={"VIKTOR ONE, EN ROUTE TO GRID 341-512, STATUS GREEN, OVER\nECHO TWO, CONTACT AT CHECKPOINT ALPHA, WEAPONS FREE, OUT"}
+              className="w-full rounded-md border border-border bg-background px-3 py-2 font-mono text-sm placeholder:text-muted-foreground/50 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            />
+          </div>
+
+          {error && <p className="text-sm text-destructive">{error}</p>}
+        </div>
+
+        <DialogFooter>
+          <Button type="button" variant="outline" onClick={() => setOpen(false)}>
+            Cancel
+          </Button>
+          <Button type="button" disabled={submitting} onClick={submit}>
+            {submitting ? <Loader2 className="animate-spin" /> : <Radio />}
+            Publish test
+          </Button>
+        </DialogFooter>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/frontend/radio/CustomRadioArena.tsx b/src/components/frontend/radio/CustomRadioArena.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9357aff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/frontend/radio/CustomRadioArena.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useCallback, useState } from "react";
+import { useEffect } from "react";
+import { CustomTestLeaderboard } from "./CustomTestLeaderboard";
+import { RadioTraffic, type CustomRadioTestData } from "./RadioTraffic";
+import { useRealtimePresence } from "@/hooks/useRealtimePresence";
+import { useSidebar } from "@/components/ui/sidebar";
+
+type Mode = "sprint" | "watch";
+
+export function CustomRadioArena({
+  test,
+  currentUserId,
+}: {
+  test: CustomRadioTestData;
+  currentUserId: number | string;
+}) {
+  const [refreshKey, setRefreshKey] = useState(0);
+  const [playing, setPlaying] = useState(false);
+  const [mode, setMode] = useState<Mode>("sprint");
+  const [modeHydrated, setModeHydrated] = useState(false);
+  const { isMobile, setOpenMobile } = useSidebar();
+  const activeTeams = useRealtimePresence("radio", playing, true);
+  const onPhaseChange = useCallback((phase: "ready" | "playing" | "over") => {
+    setPlaying(phase === "playing");
+  }, []);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const saved = window.localStorage.getItem("radio-custom-mode");
+    if (saved === "watch" || saved === "sprint") setMode(saved);
+    setModeHydrated(true);
+  }, []);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!modeHydrated) return;
+    window.localStorage.setItem("radio-custom-mode", mode);
+  }, [mode, modeHydrated]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (playing && isMobile) setOpenMobile(false);
+  }, [isMobile, playing, setOpenMobile]);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-6">
+      <RadioTraffic
+        initialStats={{
+          gamesPlayed: 0,
+          totalMessages: 0,
+          incorrectMessages: 0,
+          bestScore: 0,
+          bestAccuracy: 0,
+          bestSprintTimeMs: 0,
+          sprintGamesPlayed: 0,
+          sprintTotalMessages: 0,
+          sprintIncorrectMessages: 0,
+          sprintBestScore: 0,
+          sprintBestAccuracy: 0,
+          watchGamesPlayed: 0,
+          watchTotalMessages: 0,
+          watchIncorrectMessages: 0,
+          watchBestScore: 0,
+          watchBestAccuracy: 0,
+          radioTrafficXp: 0,
+          xpEarned: 0,
+        }}
+        mode={mode}
+        onModeChangeAction={setMode}
+        onGameRecordedAction={() => setRefreshKey((key) => key + 1)}
+        onPhaseChangeAction={onPhaseChange}
+        customTest={test}
+      />
+      <CustomTestLeaderboard
+        testId={test.id}
+        refreshKey={refreshKey}
+        currentUserId={currentUserId}
+        mode={mode}
+        onModeChange={setMode}
+      />
+      {activeTeams.length > 0 && (
+        <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+          {activeTeams.length} operator{activeTeams.length === 1 ? "" : "s"} on the net
+        </p>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/frontend/radio/CustomTestBrowser.tsx b/src/components/frontend/radio/CustomTestBrowser.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8210281
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/frontend/radio/CustomTestBrowser.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
+import Link from "next/link";
+import { Play, Radio } from "lucide-react";
+import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { CreateTestDialog } from "./CreateTestDialog";
+
+interface TestRow {
+  id: number;
+  name: string;
+  messageCount: number;
+  order: string;
+  playCount: number;
+  authorName: string;
+  isOwn: boolean;
+}
+
+export function CustomTestBrowser({
+  currentUserId,
+  unlocked,
+}: {
+  currentUserId: number | string;
+  unlocked: boolean;
+}) {
+  const [rows, setRows] = useState<TestRow[] | null>(null);
+  const [failed, setFailed] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    let cancelled = false;
+    setFailed(false);
+
+    const params = new URLSearchParams({
+      sort: "-createdAt",
+      limit: "100",
+      depth: "1",
+    });
+    params.set("where[published][equals]", "true");
+
+    fetch(`/api/custom-radio-tests?${params.toString()}`)
+      .then((res) => {
+        if (!res.ok) throw new Error("test fetch failed");
+        return res.json() as Promise<{
+          docs?: {
+            id: number;
+            name: string;
+            messageCount: number;
+            order?: string | null;
+            playCount?: number | null;
+            author?: number | { id?: number; displayName?: string | null; username?: string | null } | null;
+          }[];
+        }>;
+      })
+      .then((data) => {
+        if (cancelled) return;
+        setRows(
+          (data.docs ?? []).map((doc) => {
+            const author = typeof doc.author === "object" && doc.author !== null ? doc.author : null;
+            return {
+              id: doc.id,
+              name: doc.name,
+              messageCount: doc.messageCount,
+              order: doc.order ?? "fixed",
+              playCount: doc.playCount ?? 0,
+              authorName:
+                author?.displayName || author?.username || `Operator #${author?.id ?? "?"}`,
+              isOwn: author ? String(author.id) === String(currentUserId) : false,
+            };
+          }),
+        );
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        if (!cancelled) setFailed(true);
+      });
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, [currentUserId]);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex w-full max-w-5xl flex-col gap-4">
+      <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-3">
+        <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+          Community radio tests. Playing these does not affect your official stats or XP.
+        </p>
+        <CreateTestDialog unlocked={unlocked} />
+      </div>
+
+      {failed ? (
+        <p className="rounded-xl border border-border bg-card p-4 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+          Could not load custom radio tests.
+        </p>
+      ) : rows === null ? (
+        <div className="space-y-2 rounded-xl border border-border bg-card p-4">
+          <div className="h-4 w-full animate-pulse rounded bg-border" />
+          <div className="h-4 w-3/4 animate-pulse rounded bg-border" />
+          <div className="h-4 w-1/2 animate-pulse rounded bg-border" />
+        </div>
+      ) : rows.length === 0 ? (
+        <p className="rounded-xl border border-border bg-card p-4 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+          No custom radio tests published yet.
+          {unlocked ? " Be the first to author one!" : " Hit 90% sprint and 85% watch accuracy to author one."}
+        </p>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="grid gap-3 sm:grid-cols-2">
+          {rows.map((row) => (
+            <div
+              key={row.id}
+              className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3 rounded-xl border border-border bg-card p-4"
+            >
+              <div className="flex min-w-0 flex-col gap-0.5">
+                <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                  <Radio className="size-4 shrink-0 text-emerald-400" />
+                  <span className="truncate text-sm font-semibold">{row.name}</span>
+                  {row.isOwn && (
+                    <span className="shrink-0 text-xs text-muted-foreground">(yours)</span>
+                  )}
+                </div>
+                <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                  {row.messageCount} messages · {row.order === "shuffled" ? "shuffled" : "fixed"} ·
+                  by {row.authorName} · played {row.playCount}×
+                </span>
+              </div>
+              <Button asChild size="sm">
+                <Link href={`/radio/custom/${row.id}`}>
+                  <Play /> Play
+                </Link>
+              </Button>
+            </div>
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/frontend/radio/CustomTestLeaderboard.tsx b/src/components/frontend/radio/CustomTestLeaderboard.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f35d9be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/frontend/radio/CustomTestLeaderboard.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
+import { Trophy } from "lucide-react";
+import {
+  Select,
+  SelectContent,
+  SelectItem,
+  SelectTrigger,
+  SelectValue,
+} from "@/components/ui/select";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+
+type ScoreMode = "sprint" | "watch";
+
+interface ApiScore {
+  id: number;
+  user?: number | { id: number; displayName?: string | null; username?: string | null } | null;
+  score: number;
+  accuracy: number;
+  timeMs?: number | null;
+}
+
+interface LeaderboardRow {
+  id: number;
+  name: string;
+  score: number;
+  accuracy: number;
+  timeMs: number | null;
+  isCurrentUser: boolean;
+  isOutsideTopTen?: boolean;
+}
+
+function rankClass(index: number) {
+  if (index === 0) return "font-bold text-amber-400";
+  if (index === 1) return "font-semibold text-slate-300";
+  if (index === 2) return "font-semibold text-amber-700";
+  return "text-muted-foreground";
+}
+
+export function CustomTestLeaderboard({
+  testId,
+  refreshKey = 0,
+  currentUserId,
+  mode,
+  onModeChange,
+}: {
+  testId: number;
+  refreshKey?: number;
+  currentUserId?: number | string;
+  mode: ScoreMode;
+  onModeChange: (mode: ScoreMode) => void;
+}) {
+  const [rows, setRows] = useState<LeaderboardRow[] | null>(null);
+  const [failed, setFailed] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    let cancelled = false;
+    setFailed(false);
+
+    const params = new URLSearchParams({
+      sort: "-score",
+      limit: "100",
+      depth: "1",
+    });
+    params.set("where[test][equals]", String(testId));
+    params.set("where[mode][equals]", mode);
+
+    fetch(`/api/custom-radio-test-scores?${params.toString()}`)
+      .then((res) => {
+        if (!res.ok) throw new Error("leaderboard fetch failed");
+        return res.json() as Promise<{ docs?: ApiScore[] }>;
+      })
+      .then((data) => {
+        if (cancelled) return;
+        const bestPerUser = new Map<number, ApiScore>();
+        for (const doc of data.docs ?? []) {
+          const userId = typeof doc.user === "object" && doc.user !== null ? doc.user.id : null;
+          if (userId === null) continue;
+          const existing = bestPerUser.get(userId);
+          if (!existing || doc.score > existing.score) bestPerUser.set(userId, doc);
+        }
+        const mapped: LeaderboardRow[] = Array.from(bestPerUser.values()).map((doc) => {
+          const user = typeof doc.user === "object" && doc.user !== null ? doc.user : null;
+          return {
+            id: doc.id,
+            name: user?.displayName || user?.username || `Operator #${user?.id ?? "?"}`,
+            score: doc.score,
+            accuracy: doc.accuracy,
+            timeMs: doc.timeMs ?? null,
+            isCurrentUser: user ? String(user.id) === String(currentUserId) : false,
+          };
+        });
+        const sorted = mapped.sort((a, b) => b.score - a.score);
+        const visible = sorted.slice(0, 10);
+        const current = sorted.find((row) => row.isCurrentUser);
+        if (current && !visible.some((row) => row.id === current.id)) {
+          visible.push({ ...current, isOutsideTopTen: true });
+        }
+        setRows(visible);
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        if (!cancelled) setFailed(true);
+      });
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, [testId, mode, refreshKey, currentUserId]);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="w-full max-w-[520px] rounded-xl border border-border bg-card">
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 border-b border-border px-4 py-3">
+        <Trophy className="size-4 text-amber-400" />
+        <h2 className="text-sm font-semibold">Radio Test Leaderboard</h2>
+        <div className="ml-auto flex items-center gap-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+          <Select value={mode} onValueChange={(value) => onModeChange(value as ScoreMode)}>
+            <SelectTrigger aria-label="Leaderboard mode" className="h-8 w-[110px] text-xs">
+              <SelectValue />
+            </SelectTrigger>
+            <SelectContent>
+              <SelectItem value="sprint">Sprint</SelectItem>
+              <SelectItem value="watch">Watch</SelectItem>
+            </SelectContent>
+          </Select>
+          <span>Top 10 · best score</span>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {failed ? (
+        <p className="px-4 py-4 text-sm text-muted-foreground">Could not load the leaderboard.</p>
+      ) : rows === null ? (
+        <div className="space-y-2 px-4 py-4">
+          <div className="h-4 w-full animate-pulse rounded bg-border" />
+          <div className="h-4 w-3/4 animate-pulse rounded bg-border" />
+          <div className="h-4 w-1/2 animate-pulse rounded bg-border" />
+        </div>
+      ) : rows.length === 0 ? (
+        <p className="px-4 py-4 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+          No runs logged yet. Take the first shift!
+        </p>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="overflow-x-auto">
+          <table className="w-full text-sm">
+            <thead>
+              <tr className="text-left text-xs uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">
+                <th className="px-4 py-2 font-medium">#</th>
+                <th className="px-2 py-2 font-medium">Operator</th>
+                <th className="px-2 py-2 text-right font-medium">Score</th>
+                <th className="px-2 py-2 text-right font-medium">Accuracy</th>
+                {mode === "sprint" && (
+                  <th className="px-4 py-2 text-right font-medium">Time</th>
+                )}
+              </tr>
+            </thead>
+            <tbody className="divide-y divide-border">
+              {rows.map((row, index) => (
+                <tr
+                  key={row.id}
+                  className={cn(
+                    row.isCurrentUser && "bg-accent/40",
+                    row.isOutsideTopTen && "text-muted-foreground opacity-70",
+                  )}
+                >
+                  <td className="px-4 py-2">
+                    <span className={rankClass(index)}>
+                      {row.isOutsideTopTen ? "-" : index + 1}
+                    </span>
+                  </td>
+                  <td className="px-2 py-2 font-medium">
+                    <span className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                      <span className="max-w-[180px] truncate">{row.name}</span>
+                      {row.isCurrentUser && (
+                        <span className="shrink-0 text-xs text-muted-foreground">(you)</span>
+                      )}
+                    </span>
+                  </td>
+                  <td className="px-2 py-2 text-right font-semibold tabular-nums">{row.score}</td>
+                  <td className="px-2 py-2 text-right tabular-nums text-muted-foreground">
+                    {Math.round(row.accuracy * 100)}%
+                  </td>
+                  {mode === "sprint" && (
+                    <td className="px-4 py-2 text-right tabular-nums text-muted-foreground">
+                      {row.timeMs !== null ? `${(row.timeMs / 1000).toFixed(1)}s` : "-"}
+                    </td>
+                  )}
+                </tr>
+              ))}
+            </tbody>
+          </table>
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/frontend/radio/RadioArena.tsx b/src/components/frontend/radio/RadioArena.tsx
index 5ab1392..fa8ca0e 100644
--- a/src/components/frontend/radio/RadioArena.tsx
+++ b/src/components/frontend/radio/RadioArena.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from "react";
+import Link from "next/link";
+import { Radio } from "lucide-react";
 import type { RadioStats } from "@/app/(frontend)/radio/actions";
 import { useRealtimePresence } from "@/hooks/useRealtimePresence";
 import { RadioLeaderboard } from "./RadioLeaderboard";
@@ -34,6 +36,13 @@ export function RadioArena({
 
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-6">
+      <Link
+        href="/radio/custom"
+        className="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-lg border border-emerald-500/40 bg-emerald-500/10 px-3 py-1.5 text-sm text-emerald-300 transition-colors hover:bg-emerald-500/20"
+      >
+        <Radio className="size-4" />
+        Custom radio tests
+      </Link>
       <RadioTraffic
         initialStats={initialStats}
         mode={mode}
diff --git a/src/components/frontend/radio/RadioTraffic.tsx b/src/components/frontend/radio/RadioTraffic.tsx
index 9021bff..ea551b0 100644
--- a/src/components/frontend/radio/RadioTraffic.tsx
+++ b/src/components/frontend/radio/RadioTraffic.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { Check, Clock3, Radio, Target, Volume2 } from "lucide-react";
 import { useRouter } from "next/navigation";
 
 import { type RadioStats, submitRadioResult } from "@/app/(frontend)/radio/actions";
+import { submitCustomTestScore } from "@/app/(frontend)/radio/custom/actions";
 import { LoginLink } from "@/components/frontend/auth/LoginLink";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
@@ -135,18 +136,49 @@ function Metric({ label, value }: { label: string; value: string | number }) {
   );
 }
 
+export type CustomRadioTestData = {
+  id: number;
+  name: string;
+  messages: readonly string[];
+  order: "fixed" | "shuffled";
+};
+
+function buildCustomSprintMessages(test: CustomRadioTestData): readonly string[] {
+  const pool = [...test.messages];
+  if (test.order === "shuffled") {
+    for (let index = pool.length - 1; index > 0; index -= 1) {
+      const swap = Math.floor(Math.random() * (index + 1));
+      [pool[index], pool[swap]] = [pool[swap] as string, pool[index] as string];
+    }
+  }
+  if (pool.length === 0) return [];
+  while (pool.length < SPRINT_MESSAGE_COUNT) {
+    pool.push(pool[pool.length % test.messages.length] as string);
+  }
+  return pool.slice(0, SPRINT_MESSAGE_COUNT);
+}
+
+function nextCustomWatchMessage(test: CustomRadioTestData, usedCount: number): string {
+  const pool = test.messages;
+  if (pool.length === 0) return "";
+  if (test.order === "fixed") return pool[usedCount % pool.length] as string;
+  return pool[Math.floor(Math.random() * pool.length)] as string;
+}
+
 export function RadioTraffic({
   initialStats: serverStats,
   mode,
   onModeChangeAction,
   onGameRecordedAction,
   onPhaseChangeAction,
+  customTest,
 }: {
   initialStats: RadioStats;
   mode: Mode;
   onModeChangeAction: (mode: Mode) => void;
   onGameRecordedAction: () => void;
   onPhaseChangeAction: (phase: Phase) => void;
+  customTest?: CustomRadioTestData;
 }) {
   const router = useRouter();
   const { expired, expiredRef } = useSessionExpired();
@@ -170,6 +202,7 @@ export function RadioTraffic({
   const [phase, setPhase] = useState<Phase>("ready");
   const [tickSoundEnabled, setTickSoundEnabled] = useState(true);
   const [messages, setMessages] = useState<readonly string[]>(() => {
+    if (customTest) return buildCustomSprintMessages(customTest);
     const initialRound = createRadioRound(null, SPRINT_MESSAGE_COUNT);
     previousRoundLastMessageRef.current = initialRound[initialRound.length - 1] ?? null;
     return initialRound;
@@ -247,15 +280,41 @@ export function RadioTraffic({
 
       submittingRef.current = true;
       setSubmitting(true);
+      if (customTest) {
+        await submitCustomTestScore({
+          testId: customTest.id,
+          score,
+          correctMessages,
+          incorrectMessages,
+          accuracy,
+          mode: resultMode,
+          timeMs: elapsedMs,
+        });
+        submittingRef.current = false;
+        setSubmitting(false);
+        onGameRecordedAction();
+        setLastRun({
+          mode: resultMode,
+          score,
+          accuracy,
+          correctMessages,
+          incorrectMessages,
+          relayedMessages: finalResults.length,
+          xpEarned: 0,
+          best: 0,
+          isNewBest: false,
+        });
+        return;
+      }
       const result = await submitRadioResult({
-        score,
-        messageCount: finalResults.length,
-        correctMessages,
-        incorrectMessages,
-        accuracy,
-        mode: resultMode,
-        timeMs: elapsedMs,
-      });
+            score,
+            messageCount: finalResults.length,
+            correctMessages,
+            incorrectMessages,
+            accuracy,
+            mode: resultMode,
+            timeMs: elapsedMs,
+          });
       submittingRef.current = false;
       setSubmitting(false);
 
@@ -304,7 +363,7 @@ export function RadioTraffic({
         });
       }
     },
-    [expiredRef, onGameRecordedAction, router],
+    [customTest, expiredRef, onGameRecordedAction, router],
   );
 
   const finishRound = useCallback(
@@ -392,10 +451,14 @@ export function RadioTraffic({
     watchExpiryNotifiedRef.current = false;
     countdownEndPlayedRef.current = false;
     if (mode === "sprint") {
-      nextMessages = createRadioRound(previousRoundLastMessageRef.current, SPRINT_MESSAGE_COUNT);
+      nextMessages = customTest
+        ? buildCustomSprintMessages(customTest)
+        : createRadioRound(previousRoundLastMessageRef.current, SPRINT_MESSAGE_COUNT);
       previousRoundLastMessageRef.current = nextMessages[nextMessages.length - 1] ?? null;
     } else {
-      const firstMessage = nextRadioMessage(watchUsedRef.current);
+      const firstMessage = customTest
+        ? nextCustomWatchMessage(customTest, 0)
+        : nextRadioMessage(watchUsedRef.current);
       watchUsedRef.current.add(firstMessage);
       nextMessages = [firstMessage];
     }
@@ -418,7 +481,7 @@ export function RadioTraffic({
     messageStartedAtRef.current = now;
     setPhaseSafe("playing");
     window.setTimeout(() => inputRef.current?.focus(), 0);
-  }, [expiredRef, mode, setPhaseSafe]);
+  }, [customTest, expiredRef, mode, setPhaseSafe]);
 
   const handleKeystroke = useCallback(
     (event: KeyboardEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
@@ -508,7 +571,9 @@ export function RadioTraffic({
 
       if (mode === "watch") {
         watchUsedRef.current.add(target);
-        const nextTarget = nextRadioMessage(watchUsedRef.current);
+        const nextTarget = customTest
+          ? nextCustomWatchMessage(customTest, watchUsedRef.current.size)
+          : nextRadioMessage(watchUsedRef.current);
         watchUsedRef.current.add(nextTarget);
         setMessages((current) => [...current, nextTarget]);
       }
@@ -516,7 +581,7 @@ export function RadioTraffic({
       messageStartedAtRef.current = now;
       window.setTimeout(() => inputRef.current?.focus(), 0);
     },
-    [finishRound, input, messageIndex, messages, mode, results],
+    [customTest, finishRound, input, messageIndex, messages, mode, results],
   );
 
   const displayMode = phase === "over" ? (lastRun?.mode ?? mode) : mode;
diff --git a/tests/int/custom-radio-tests.int.spec.ts b/tests/int/custom-radio-tests.int.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7291ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/int/custom-radio-tests.int.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,915 @@
+import { getPayload, Payload } from "payload";
+import config from "@/payload.config";
+import { afterAll, beforeAll, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import type { Role, User } from "@/payload-types";
+import { CustomRadioTests } from "@/collections/minigames/CustomRadioTests";
+import { hasPermission } from "@/utils/access-control/hasPermission";
+import { invalidatePermissionCache } from "@/utils/access-control/loadUserPermissions";
+import {
+  isRadioUnlocked,
+  isValidRadioOrder,
+  validateMessages,
+  validateRadioScore,
+  validateTestName,
+} from "@/lib/custom-minigames/radio";
+
+let payload: Payload;
+const RUN = `crt-${Date.now().toString(36)}`;
+const TIMEOUT = 30_000;
+
+const sampleMessages = [
+  "VIKTOR ONE, EN ROUTE TO GRID 341-512, STATUS GREEN, OVER",
+  "ECHO TWO, CONTACT AT CHECKPOINT ALPHA, WEAPONS FREE, OUT",
+  "FOXTROT THREE, REQUESTING FIRE SUPPORT ON BEARING 270, OVER",
+];
+
+describe("Custom radio tests", () => {
+  let author: User;
+  let authorId: number;
+  const testIds: number[] = [];
+  const scoreIds: number[] = [];
+
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    const payloadConfig = await config;
+    payload = await getPayload({ config: payloadConfig });
+
+    author = (await payload.create({
+      collection: "users",
+      data: {
+        username: `${RUN}-author`,
+        discordUsername: `${RUN}-author`,
+        displayName: "RADIO AUTHOR",
+        steamId: `7656119${Math.floor(Math.random() * 1e9)}`,
+        password: "Test123",
+        roles: ["user"],
+      },
+      overrideAccess: true,
+      depth: 0,
+    })) as unknown as User;
+    authorId = author.id;
+  });
+
+  afterAll(async () => {
+    // Delete scores first (FK → test)
+    for (const id of scoreIds) {
+      await payload
+        .delete({ collection: "custom-radio-test-scores", id, overrideAccess: true })
+        .catch(() => {});
+    }
+    // Delete tests
+    for (const id of testIds) {
+      await payload
+        .delete({ collection: "custom-radio-tests", id, overrideAccess: true })
+        .catch(() => {});
+    }
+    await payload
+      .delete({ collection: "users", id: authorId, overrideAccess: true })
+      .catch(() => {});
+  });
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Collection-level field constraints
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  describe("Collection field validation", () => {
+    it("creates a valid test with all required fields", async () => {
+      const doc = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        data: {
+          name: "Test Radio Drill",
+          author: authorId,
+          messages: sampleMessages,
+          messageCount: 3,
+          order: "fixed",
+          published: true,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      testIds.push(doc.id);
+      expect(doc.name).toBe("Test Radio Drill");
+      expect(doc.messageCount).toBe(3);
+      expect(doc.order).toBe("fixed");
+      expect(doc.published).toBe(true);
+      expect(doc.playCount).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it("defaults order to fixed and published to true", async () => {
+      const doc = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        data: {
+          name: "Defaults Test",
+          author: authorId,
+          messages: sampleMessages,
+          messageCount: 3,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      testIds.push(doc.id);
+      expect(doc.order).toBe("fixed");
+      expect(doc.published).toBe(true);
+      expect(doc.playCount).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it("accepts shuffled order", async () => {
+      const doc = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        data: {
+          name: "Shuffled Test",
+          author: authorId,
+          messages: sampleMessages,
+          messageCount: 3,
+          order: "shuffled",
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      testIds.push(doc.id);
+      expect(doc.order).toBe("shuffled");
+    });
+
+    it("rejects a test without a name", async () => {
+      await expect(
+        payload.create({
+          collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+          data: {
+            author: authorId,
+            messages: sampleMessages,
+            messageCount: 3,
+          } as any,
+          overrideAccess: true,
+          depth: 0,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow();
+    });
+
+    it("rejects a test without messages", async () => {
+      await expect(
+        payload.create({
+          collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+          data: {
+            name: "Empty",
+            author: authorId,
+            messageCount: 0,
+          } as any,
+          overrideAccess: true,
+          depth: 0,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow();
+    });
+
+    it("rejects a test without an author", async () => {
+      await expect(
+        payload.create({
+          collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+          data: {
+            name: "Orphan",
+            messages: sampleMessages,
+            messageCount: 3,
+          } as any,
+          overrideAccess: true,
+          depth: 0,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow();
+    });
+
+    it("rejects messageCount below minimum (0 < 1)", async () => {
+      await expect(
+        payload.create({
+          collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+          data: {
+            name: "Zero Messages",
+            author: authorId,
+            messages: [],
+            messageCount: 0,
+          },
+          overrideAccess: true,
+          depth: 0,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow();
+    });
+  });
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Score collection
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  describe("Custom radio test scores", () => {
+    let testId: number;
+
+    beforeAll(async () => {
+      const doc = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        data: {
+          name: "Score Test Radio",
+          author: authorId,
+          messages: sampleMessages,
+          messageCount: 3,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      testId = doc.id;
+      testIds.push(testId);
+    });
+
+    it("creates a sprint score with valid fields", async () => {
+      const score = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+        data: {
+          test: testId,
+          user: authorId,
+          score: 850,
+          accuracy: 0.95,
+          correctMessages: 9,
+          incorrectMessages: 1,
+          mode: "sprint",
+          timeMs: 45000,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      scoreIds.push(score.id);
+      expect(score.test).toBe(testId);
+      expect(score.user).toBe(authorId);
+      expect(score.score).toBe(850);
+      expect(score.accuracy).toBe(0.95);
+      expect(score.mode).toBe("sprint");
+      expect(score.timeMs).toBe(45000);
+    });
+
+    it("creates a watch score without timeMs", async () => {
+      const score = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+        data: {
+          test: testId,
+          user: authorId,
+          score: 320,
+          accuracy: 0.88,
+          correctMessages: 8,
+          incorrectMessages: 2,
+          mode: "watch",
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      scoreIds.push(score.id);
+      expect(score.mode).toBe("watch");
+      expect(score.timeMs === null || score.timeMs === undefined).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("rejects a score without a test reference", async () => {
+      await expect(
+        payload.create({
+          collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+          data: {
+            user: authorId,
+            score: 100,
+            accuracy: 0.5,
+            correctMessages: 5,
+            incorrectMessages: 5,
+            mode: "sprint",
+            timeMs: 30000,
+          } as any,
+          overrideAccess: true,
+          depth: 0,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow();
+    });
+
+    it("rejects a score without a user reference", async () => {
+      await expect(
+        payload.create({
+          collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+          data: {
+            test: testId,
+            score: 100,
+            accuracy: 0.5,
+            correctMessages: 5,
+            incorrectMessages: 5,
+            mode: "sprint",
+            timeMs: 30000,
+          } as any,
+          overrideAccess: true,
+          depth: 0,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow();
+    });
+
+    it("rejects a score without a mode", async () => {
+      await expect(
+        payload.create({
+          collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+          data: {
+            test: testId,
+            user: authorId,
+            score: 100,
+            accuracy: 0.5,
+            correctMessages: 5,
+            incorrectMessages: 5,
+          } as any,
+          overrideAccess: true,
+          depth: 0,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow();
+    });
+
+    it("rejects score updates (update: () => false)", async () => {
+      const score = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+        data: {
+          test: testId,
+          user: authorId,
+          score: 100,
+          accuracy: 0.5,
+          correctMessages: 5,
+          incorrectMessages: 5,
+          mode: "watch",
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      scoreIds.push(score.id);
+
+      await expect(
+        payload.update({
+          collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+          id: score.id,
+          data: { score: 999 },
+          overrideAccess: false,
+          depth: 0,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow();
+    });
+  });
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Access control
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  describe("Access control", () => {
+    let viewer: User;
+    let viewerId: number;
+
+    beforeAll(async () => {
+      viewer = (await payload.create({
+        collection: "users",
+        data: {
+          username: `${RUN}-viewer`,
+          discordUsername: `${RUN}-viewer`,
+          displayName: "VIEWER",
+          steamId: `7656119${Math.floor(Math.random() * 1e9)}`,
+          password: "Test123",
+          roles: ["user"],
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      })) as unknown as User;
+      viewerId = viewer.id;
+    });
+
+    it("logged-in user can read published tests", async () => {
+      const result = await payload.find({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        where: { published: { equals: true } },
+        limit: 1,
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      expect(result.docs.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
+    });
+
+    it("logged-in user can create a test", async () => {
+      const doc = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        data: {
+          name: "Can Create",
+          author: viewerId,
+          messages: sampleMessages,
+          messageCount: 3,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      testIds.push(doc.id);
+      expect(doc.name).toBe("Can Create");
+    });
+
+    it("published tests are visible to all logged-in users", async () => {
+      const result = await payload.find({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        where: { published: { equals: true } },
+        limit: 20,
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      expect(result.docs.some((doc) => doc.name === "Can Create")).toBe(true);
+    });
+  });
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Cascade delete
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  describe("Cascade delete", () => {
+    it("deleting a test removes associated scores", async () => {
+      const test = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        data: {
+          name: "Cascade Test Radio",
+          author: authorId,
+          messages: sampleMessages,
+          messageCount: 3,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+
+      const score = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+        data: {
+          test: test.id,
+          user: authorId,
+          score: 200,
+          accuracy: 0.7,
+          correctMessages: 4,
+          incorrectMessages: 6,
+          mode: "sprint",
+          timeMs: 60000,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      scoreIds.push(score.id);
+
+      await payload.delete({
+        collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+        id: score.id,
+        overrideAccess: true,
+      });
+
+      await payload.delete({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        id: test.id,
+        overrideAccess: true,
+      });
+
+      const remaining = await payload.findByID({
+        collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+        id: score.id,
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      }).catch(() => null);
+      expect(remaining).toBeNull();
+    });
+  });
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Unlock gating (pure lib: mirrors checkRadioUnlock)
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  describe("Unlock gating", () => {
+    it("locks custom radio tests until both accuracy requirements are met", () => {
+      expect(isRadioUnlocked({ sprintBestAccuracy: 0, watchBestAccuracy: 0 })).toBe(false);
+      expect(isRadioUnlocked({ sprintBestAccuracy: 0.9, watchBestAccuracy: 0.5 })).toBe(false);
+      expect(isRadioUnlocked({ sprintBestAccuracy: 0.5, watchBestAccuracy: 0.85 })).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it("unlocks at exactly the sprint (0.9) and watch (0.85) thresholds", () => {
+      expect(isRadioUnlocked({ sprintBestAccuracy: 0.9, watchBestAccuracy: 0.85 })).toBe(true);
+      expect(isRadioUnlocked({ sprintBestAccuracy: 1, watchBestAccuracy: 1 })).toBe(true);
+    });
+  });
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Action-level validation (pure lib: mirrors createTest / updateTest /
+  // submitCustomTestScore)
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  describe("Action-level validation", () => {
+    it("rejects empty, oversized, and non-string names; trims valid ones", () => {
+      expect(validateTestName("").error).toBe("Name must be 1-100 characters.");
+      expect(validateTestName("   ").error).toBe("Name must be 1-100 characters.");
+      expect(validateTestName("x".repeat(101)).error).toBe("Name must be 1-100 characters.");
+      expect(validateTestName(123).error).toBe("Name must be 1-100 characters.");
+      expect(validateTestName("  Sweep Drill  ")).toEqual({ name: "Sweep Drill" });
+    });
+
+    it("rejects non-array, wrong-size, non-string, and oversized message pools; trims valid ones", () => {
+      expect(validateMessages("boom").error).toBe("Messages must be a list of strings.");
+      expect(validateMessages([]).error).toBe("Message pool must contain 1-100 messages.");
+      expect(
+        validateMessages(Array.from({ length: 101 }, (_, i) => `m${i}`)).error,
+      ).toBe("Message pool must contain 1-100 messages.");
+      expect(validateMessages([42]).error).toBe("Every message must be a string.");
+      expect(validateMessages(["   "]).error).toBe("Messages must be 1-500 characters.");
+      expect(validateMessages(["x".repeat(501)]).error).toBe("Messages must be 1-500 characters.");
+      expect(validateMessages(["  Alpha  ", "Bravo"])).toEqual({
+        messages: ["Alpha", "Bravo"],
+      });
+    });
+
+    it("accepts only fixed and shuffled orders", () => {
+      expect(isValidRadioOrder("fixed")).toBe(true);
+      expect(isValidRadioOrder("shuffled")).toBe(true);
+      expect(isValidRadioOrder("random")).toBe(false);
+      expect(isValidRadioOrder("")).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it("validates score submissions per mode", () => {
+      const sprintResult = {
+        score: 120,
+        correctMessages: 4,
+        incorrectMessages: 1,
+        accuracy: 0.8,
+        mode: "sprint",
+        timeMs: 45_000,
+      };
+      const watchResult = {
+        score: 80,
+        correctMessages: 8,
+        incorrectMessages: 2,
+        accuracy: 0.8,
+        mode: "watch",
+      };
+
+      expect(validateRadioScore(sprintResult)).toEqual({
+        score: 120,
+        mode: "sprint",
+        timeMs: 45_000,
+      });
+      expect(validateRadioScore(watchResult)).toEqual({ score: 80, mode: "watch", timeMs: null });
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...watchResult, timeMs: 5_000 })).toEqual({
+        score: 80,
+        mode: "watch",
+        timeMs: null,
+      });
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, score: 100.9 })).toEqual({
+        score: 100,
+        mode: "sprint",
+        timeMs: 45_000,
+      });
+
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, mode: "nope" }).error).toBe("Invalid result.");
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, score: -1 }).error).toBe("Invalid score.");
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, score: Number.NaN }).error).toBe(
+        "Invalid score.",
+      );
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, score: 5001 }).error).toBe("Invalid score.");
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, correctMessages: -1 }).error).toBe(
+        "Invalid result.",
+      );
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, correctMessages: 101 }).error).toBe(
+        "Invalid result.",
+      );
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, incorrectMessages: -1 }).error).toBe(
+        "Invalid result.",
+      );
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, accuracy: 1.5 }).error).toBe("Invalid result.");
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, accuracy: -0.1 }).error).toBe(
+        "Invalid result.",
+      );
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, timeMs: undefined }).error).toBe(
+        "Invalid result.",
+      );
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, timeMs: 0 }).error).toBe("Invalid result.");
+      expect(validateRadioScore({ ...sprintResult, timeMs: 600_001 }).error).toBe(
+        "Invalid result.",
+      );
+    });
+  });
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Leaderboard ordering (DB: replicates CustomTestLeaderboard's query: where
+  // test + mode, sort -score, best score per player)
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  describe("Leaderboard ordering", () => {
+    let testA: number;
+    let testB: number;
+    const tempUserIds: number[] = [];
+
+    const makePlayer = async (label: string): Promise<number> => {
+      const user = (await payload.create({
+        collection: "users",
+        data: {
+          username: `${RUN}-lb-${label}`,
+          discordUsername: `${RUN}-lb-${label}`,
+          displayName: `LBOARD ${label.toUpperCase()}`,
+          steamId: `7656119${Math.floor(Math.random() * 1e9)}`,
+          password: "Test123",
+          roles: ["user"],
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      })) as unknown as User;
+      tempUserIds.push(user.id);
+      return user.id;
+    };
+
+    const record = async (
+      testId: number,
+      userId: number,
+      scoreData: {
+        score: number;
+        accuracy: number;
+        correctMessages: number;
+        incorrectMessages: number;
+        mode: "sprint" | "watch";
+        timeMs?: number;
+      },
+    ) => {
+      const score = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+        data: { test: testId, user: userId, ...scoreData },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      scoreIds.push(score.id);
+      return score.id;
+    };
+
+    beforeAll(async () => {
+      const a = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        data: {
+          name: "LBoard Alpha",
+          author: authorId,
+          messages: sampleMessages,
+          messageCount: 3,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      const b = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        data: {
+          name: "LBoard Bravo",
+          author: authorId,
+          messages: sampleMessages,
+          messageCount: 3,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      testA = a.id;
+      testB = b.id;
+      testIds.push(testA, testB);
+    }, TIMEOUT);
+
+    afterAll(async () => {
+      if (!payload) return;
+      // Runs before the parent afterAll: remove each temp user's scores first
+      // (FK), then the users. Leftover ids in scoreIds are cleaned up (and
+      // tolerated) by the parent afterAll.
+      for (const uid of tempUserIds) {
+        await payload
+          .delete({
+            collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+            where: { user: { equals: uid } },
+            overrideAccess: true,
+          })
+          .catch(() => {});
+        await payload
+          .delete({ collection: "users", id: uid, overrideAccess: true })
+          .catch(() => {});
+      }
+    });
+
+    it("keeps each player's best score and isolates leaderboards per test and mode", async () => {
+      const u1 = await makePlayer("one");
+      const u2 = await makePlayer("two");
+
+      await record(testA, u1, {
+        score: 300,
+        accuracy: 0.8,
+        correctMessages: 4,
+        incorrectMessages: 1,
+        mode: "sprint",
+        timeMs: 45_000,
+      });
+      await record(testA, u1, {
+        score: 450,
+        accuracy: 0.9,
+        correctMessages: 5,
+        incorrectMessages: 0,
+        mode: "sprint",
+        timeMs: 40_000,
+      });
+      await record(testA, u2, {
+        score: 500,
+        accuracy: 0.95,
+        correctMessages: 6,
+        incorrectMessages: 0,
+        mode: "sprint",
+        timeMs: 38_000,
+      });
+      await record(testA, u1, {
+        score: 200,
+        accuracy: 0.7,
+        correctMessages: 7,
+        incorrectMessages: 3,
+        mode: "watch",
+      });
+      await record(testB, u1, {
+        score: 150,
+        accuracy: 0.6,
+        correctMessages: 5,
+        incorrectMessages: 3,
+        mode: "watch",
+      });
+
+      const leaderboardFor = async (testId: number, mode: "sprint" | "watch") => {
+        const res = await payload.find({
+          collection: "custom-radio-test-scores",
+          where: { test: { equals: testId }, mode: { equals: mode } },
+          sort: "-score",
+          limit: 100,
+          depth: 1,
+          overrideAccess: true,
+        });
+        const best = new Map<number, number>();
+        for (const doc of res.docs) {
+          const ref = doc.user as unknown as { id: number } | number | null;
+          if (ref === null) continue;
+          const uid = typeof ref === "object" ? ref.id : ref;
+          if (typeof uid !== "number") continue;
+          const prev = best.get(uid);
+          if (prev === undefined || doc.score > prev) best.set(uid, doc.score);
+        }
+        return Array.from(best.entries())
+          .map(([uid, score]) => ({ uid, score }))
+          .sort((x, y) => y.score - x.score);
+      };
+
+      const sprintOrder = await leaderboardFor(testA, "sprint");
+      expect(sprintOrder).toHaveLength(2);
+      expect(sprintOrder[0]).toEqual({ uid: u2, score: 500 });
+      expect(sprintOrder[1]).toEqual({ uid: u1, score: 450 });
+
+      const watchOrder = await leaderboardFor(testA, "watch");
+      expect(watchOrder).toHaveLength(1);
+      expect(watchOrder[0]).toEqual({ uid: u1, score: 200 });
+
+      const testBOrder = await leaderboardFor(testB, "watch");
+      expect(testBOrder).toHaveLength(1);
+      expect(testBOrder[0]).toEqual({ uid: u1, score: 150 });
+    }, TIMEOUT);
+  });
+
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Edit and delete permissions (action gate + collection access)
+  // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  describe("Edit and delete permissions", () => {
+    const roleIds: number[] = [];
+    const permUserIds: number[] = [];
+    let otherPlayer: User;
+    let manager: User;
+    let devUser: User;
+    let gateTestId: number;
+
+    const makeUserWithRole = async (label: string, roleId: number): Promise<User> => {
+      const user = (await payload.create({
+        collection: "users",
+        data: {
+          username: `${RUN}-perm-${label}`,
+          discordUsername: `${RUN}-perm-${label}`,
+          displayName: `PERM ${label.toUpperCase()}`,
+          steamId: `7656119${Math.floor(Math.random() * 1e9)}`,
+          password: "Test123",
+          // Permission resolution reads roleDocs (dynamic RBAC), not the legacy
+          // `roles` enum: assign a real role doc to grant permissions.
+          roleDocs: [roleId],
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      })) as unknown as User;
+      permUserIds.push(user.id);
+      return user;
+    };
+
+    const invokeAccess = (fn: unknown, user: User | null): Promise<unknown> => {
+      return (fn as (args: { req: unknown }) => Promise<unknown>)({
+        req: { user, payload },
+      });
+    };
+
+    beforeAll(async () => {
+      const plainRole = (await payload.create({
+        collection: "roles",
+        data: { name: `${RUN}-plain`, slug: `${RUN}-plain`, permissions: [] },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      })) as unknown as Role;
+      const managerRole = (await payload.create({
+        collection: "roles",
+        data: {
+          name: `${RUN}-rt-manager`,
+          slug: `${RUN}-rt-manager`,
+          permissions: ["custom-radio-tests:update"],
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      })) as unknown as Role;
+      const devRole = (await payload.create({
+        collection: "roles",
+        data: { name: `${RUN}-rt-dev`, slug: `${RUN}-rt-dev`, isSuperuser: true },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      })) as unknown as Role;
+      roleIds.push(plainRole.id, managerRole.id, devRole.id);
+      invalidatePermissionCache();
+
+      otherPlayer = await makeUserWithRole("other", plainRole.id);
+      manager = await makeUserWithRole("manager", managerRole.id);
+      devUser = await makeUserWithRole("dev", devRole.id);
+
+      const gateTest = await payload.create({
+        collection: "custom-radio-tests",
+        data: {
+          name: "Gate Test Radio",
+          author: authorId,
+          messages: sampleMessages,
+          messageCount: 3,
+        },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+        depth: 0,
+      });
+      gateTestId = gateTest.id;
+      testIds.push(gateTestId);
+    }, TIMEOUT);
+
+    afterAll(async () => {
+      if (!payload) return;
+      // Runs before the parent afterAll: profiles first (FK), then users, then roles.
+      for (const uid of permUserIds) {
+        const profiles = await payload
+          .find({
+            collection: "profiles",
+            where: { user: { equals: uid } },
+            limit: 5,
+            depth: 0,
+            overrideAccess: true,
+          })
+          .catch(() => null);
+        for (const p of profiles?.docs ?? []) {
+          await payload
+            .delete({ collection: "profiles", id: p.id, overrideAccess: true })
+            .catch(() => {});
+        }
+        await payload
+          .delete({ collection: "users", id: uid, overrideAccess: true })
+          .catch(() => {});
+      }
+      for (const id of roleIds) {
+        await payload.delete({ collection: "roles", id, overrideAccess: true }).catch(() => {});
+      }
+    });
+
+    it("lets only the author (or a permissioned manager) pass the action's edit gate", async () => {
+      // Mirrors updateTest: isManager || isAuthor, evaluated against the gate
+      // test authored by `author`.
+      const gate = async (user: User) => {
+        const isManager = await hasPermission(payload, user, "custom-radio-tests:update");
+        return isManager || user.id === authorId;
+      };
+      expect(await gate(author)).toBe(true);
+      expect(await gate(otherPlayer)).toBe(false);
+      expect(await gate(manager)).toBe(true);
+      expect(await gate(devUser)).toBe(true);
+    }, TIMEOUT);
+
+    it("scopes collection update access to the author for non-managers", async () => {
+      const fn = CustomRadioTests.access?.update;
+      expect(typeof fn).toBe("function");
+      expect(await invokeAccess(fn, author)).toMatchObject({ author: { equals: authorId } });
+      expect(await invokeAccess(fn, otherPlayer)).toMatchObject({
+        author: { equals: otherPlayer.id },
+      });
+      expect(await invokeAccess(fn, manager)).toBe(true);
+      expect(await invokeAccess(fn, null)).toBe(false);
+    }, TIMEOUT);
+
+    it("gates deletes behind custom-radio-tests:delete", async () => {
+      const fn = CustomRadioTests.access?.delete;
+      expect(typeof fn).toBe("function");
+      expect(await invokeAccess(fn, null)).toBe(false);
+      expect(await invokeAccess(fn, author)).toBe(false);
+      expect(await invokeAccess(fn, otherPlayer)).toBe(false);
+      expect(await invokeAccess(fn, devUser)).toBe(true);
+    }, TIMEOUT);
+
+    it("gates publish (create) and read behind login", async () => {
+      const createFn = CustomRadioTests.access?.create;
+      const readFn = CustomRadioTests.access?.read;
+      expect(typeof createFn).toBe("function");
+      expect(typeof readFn).toBe("function");
+      expect(await invokeAccess(createFn, null)).toBe(false);
+      expect(await invokeAccess(createFn, otherPlayer)).toBe(true);
+      expect(await invokeAccess(readFn, null)).toBe(false);
+      expect(await invokeAccess(readFn, otherPlayer)).toBe(true);
+    }, TIMEOUT);
+  });
+});