Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader R.F.G. recommended an Instructables piece on rain water collection barrels. R.F.G.’s comment: “Sometimes all you need is a few pictures to make something ‘brain dead’ simple.”

   o o o

G. &K. suggested this news article from Kentucky: Growing number people growing their own groceries.

   o o o

Nancy Tappan very kindly sent me a review copy of her fledgling magazine, The New Pioneer. It is subtitled “The Complete Guide to Self-Reliant Living.” I am very impressed with the magazine. The articles are well-written and fit the back-to-the-land/prepper audience very well. The premier issue was a hefty 128 pages, with lots of great articles and very little advertising. It’s published by Country Almanac, part of Harris Publications. Check it out at your local news stand or book store. Their editorial mailing address is: New Pioneer Magazine, P.O. Box 1050 Rogue River, Oregon 97537. Editorial e-mail: newpioneermag@hotmail.com. Subscriptions and single copy sales: (212) 462-9536. (Ask for the Single copy sales desk.)

   o o o

Johnny G. suggested this article on QRP radios: DIY: Cheap, ultra low-power radios that communicate over thousands of miles. Oh by the way, a QRP radio is featured in the storyline of my upcoming novel, “Veterans: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse.” (The first sequel to my novel “Patriots”.)In the new novel, I described the use of an Elecraft KX1 QRP shortwave transceiver.  This low power rig can be used to transmit Morse code in the 20, 30, 40 and 80 Meter ham radio bands. It is about the size of a paperback book. Powered by six AA batteries, the 10-ounce radio was capable of transmitting around the world when ionospheric conditions are right.  It puts out just 1-to-2 watts of power (or up to 4 watts if using an external 12 volt DC battery).