Day: October 13, 2009

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 25 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …


Food Storage–A Necessary Preparation, by Melanie G.

An important resource to have in times of need is a good food storage.  When I have talked to others about having an emergency supply of food in place, I have received laughter and ridicule.  I even had a neighbor to tell me when he needed emergency food, he would just come to my place.  I jokingly informed him not to bother as I had a supply of ammunition as well.  Too many people have come to rely on the grocery store.  But the threat of a snow storm here in Kentucky clears out the milk and bread in record …


Letter Re: Older Technology Radio Receivers

James, I was glad that a reader mentioned the Hallicrafters S-38 series of radios. I had forgotten to mention that the All American Five (AA5) type of radio was also sold in a multi-iband version by Hallicrafters. These are still often available for under $100 in working condition. I have a Hallicrafters model 5R10A, which is a lot like a [Hallicrafters] S-38D. It’s an AC/DC design like the AA5 radio that can be run on nine or ten car batteries wired in series with no inverter. (In a test, I found that nine fully-charged “12-volt” batteries wired in series provide …


Letter Re: Making Your Own Maps for the Field

Jim, I have several books, folded sheet, and other type maps. I wanted to purchase or acquire a good satellite image map with roads and terrain. After thinking, big mistake, I realized I already had the answer loaded on my computer. I have Google Earth. On Google Earth you can add lots of legend material, Miles/ Kilometer, parks, etc, I went to the area I was in and printed out several elevations. In some areas you can zoom down to 100 feet elevation. I then went to the nearby office place and had the sheets laminated, and spiral bound. Keep …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Brian S. sent this: Dutch DSB Bank Nationalized After Bank Run By Clients. “The Netherlands’ central bank said Monday it has taken control of DSB Bank NV after clients began a run amid fears the regional lender might collapse.” Brian notes: “People can [presently] only take 250 Euro per day from their accounts.” Icahn: Risk of Double Dip, Investor ‘Bloodbath’. (Thanks to Flavio for the linkio.) A piece by Charles Hugh Smith posted over at Housing Storm: Deflation or Inflation: Who Cares? Analysis from Greg Fielding (also at Housing Storm): Did the FHA make bad loans with taxpayer money …


Odds ‘n Sods:

GS in the State of Jefferson sent us this: Schwarzenegger signs ammunition sales bill. A thumbprint and detailed personal information before completing an ammo sale? BTW, this new law includes .22 Long Rifle ammo! What insanity. Once again, my advice to SurvivalBlog readers is to get out of California. It is a lost cause. Vote with your feet!    o o o Exercise can extend survival even in ‘oldest old’ (Thanks to Roxie for the link.)    o o o Ralph U. sent this one: Cold temperatures threaten Idaho seed potato crop


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Every man who goes into the Indian country should be armed with a rifle and revolver, and he should never, either in camp or out of it, lose sight of them. When not on the march, they should be placed in such a position that they can be seized at an instant’s warning; and when moving about outside the camp, the revolver should invariably be worn in the belt, as the person does not know at what moment he may have use for it. – Randolph B. Marcy, Captain, U.S. Army, The Prairie Traveler, 1859