Day: December 7, 2007


Letter Re: A Tactical Hack for R.C. Model Cars

James; A late acquaintance of mine was something of a hacker/genius. Prior to Y2K, he developed several cute but deadly machines based on radio-controlled toy cars that he’d picked up at garage sales. These were fitted with tiny wireless cameras and ingenious harnesses for the Glock [Model] 19. He showed me how they functioned in a field test which displayed a couple of them firing at targets at his command. It was a strange feeling to watch his laptop screen, line up a target with a joystick and then fire it quite precisely at the push of a button! The …


Two Letters Re: Storing Nails–Crucial for Preparedness

Jim: [You had mentioned in yesterday’s post: “…one of my unfulfilled quests in life has been to find a small hardware store that is going out of business and getting to ask the owner: “How much for all of your fasteners?” (Hopefully, at or below their scrap metal value.) That would be quite a coup.”] FYI, never be shy! Several years ago the local Scotty’s [hardware chain store] was going out of business; after many weeks of slowly reducing the prices.On the final weekend I approached the “soon to be unemployed” manager and offered to buy all the remaining large …


Weekly Survival Real Estate Market Update

Advantages to Mid-Winter Real Estate Buying One strategy in buying a survival retreat that I often mention to my consulting clients is making a scouting and/or buying trip in mid-winter. This has several advantages:. 1.) You see the effects of microclimates, first hand. Visiting a property in the summer and imagining what it looks like with snow on the ground is not realistic. You need to see for yourself, in mid-winter. (January is best, in the northern hemisphere.) If you ask the seller or the listing agent how much snow to expect, the answer will almost universally be “not much” …


Odds ‘n Sods:

“Boosters” mentioned that there is a Genesis Communications Network (GCN) shortwave/satellite/Internet radio program/podcast called “The Armchair Survivalist:” that airs on Saturdays from 5 to 6 pm Central time. It is also available as an “on demand” podcast. Boosters noted: “Listening to the archival loop today, the host [Kurt Wilson of Survival Enterprises] whom I am sure you know made mention of SurvivalBlog to a “Justin” who called into the program. SurvivalBlog readers might want to give it a listen. It is a nice addition to J.R. Moore’s Sunday RBN program. John also promotes you heavily with regard your books and …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Yesterday, December Seventh, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a …