Month: January 2011

Letter Re: The Queensland Floods

Jim, I’m almost 58 years old –  have lived in North Queensland (“Qld”) most of my life.  This is the worst flooding in Qld that I can remember – it is so widespread.  I have a house in Townsville, but have spent most of the last two years at my retreat area, 4.5 hours by car from here, and Townsville does not usually experience a lot of rain.  However, found myself in Townsville before Christmas, and the road then flooded over at Ingham, and was not able to drive to my retreat area to be with my daughter for Christmas …


Economics and Investing:

Greg C. sent this: Coins vs. Bags: Comparing Two Options in Physical Silver. Pre-1965 90% silver coins are not only a better buy, but they’ll have wider acceptance for barter in the U.S.. SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent an indicator of incipient higher fuel prices: Crude Oil Inventory Watch: U.S. Inventories Plunge as Demand Soars Siggy mentioned this over at the Calculated Risk blog: Unofficial Problem Bank List Dec 31, 2010 Items from The Economatrix: Treasury Prices Rebound After $29 Billion Bond Auction   Metals Gain As Investors Seek Protection 2011:  Baby Boomers Come Of Age:  16 …


Inflation Watch:

All Evidence Points To A Dramatic Increase In Food Prices Worldwide, Possible Shortages Reader Tom C. wrote to mention: “I just bought some K-1 kerosene. It was priced at $3.49 gallon, up form $3.09 only six weeks ago.” “Hyperinflation Will Drive Gold To Unthinkable Heights” Oil’s Surge In 2010 Paves Way for $4 Gasoline   News from India: Soaring metal prices ring death knell for 25p coins. Does this sound familiar?


Odds ‘n Sods:

Steve H. found a good article about grow light bulbs.    o o o Reader Tim R. suggested this: Top 10 Survival Downloads You Should Have    o o o I heard about a web site that has lots of free woodworking plans including shed plans.    o o o Thousands of birds fall from the sky in Beebe, Arkansas


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The Year of the 1911: Gear up for it… Every gun magazine in the world is going to be running articles and photos about every kind of 1911 on the market past, present and future.  And that’s cool… but not everyone likes a 1911.  We call those people, ‘Wrong.’” – George D. Hill (Editor of the Mad Ogre Blog), writing about the 100th Anniversary of the John M. Browning’s Colt Model 1911’s adoption by the U.S. Army. (To be precise, it was adopted on March 29, 1911. We are planning a special family M1911 shooting event here at the ranch …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: 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 $795, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …


The Razor’s Edge, by Don V.

“The sharp edge of a razor is difficult to pass over; thus the wise say the path to Salvation is hard.” – W. Somerset Maugham The United States and a majority of the world stand at the proverbial razor’s edge and as most preppers realize, the road to salvation will definitely be difficult.  The coming changes may happen tomorrow or ten years from now but the grand clock is in countdown mode.  Many experts like to focus on specific issues but it is the culmination of these separate issues that will create the ultimate crisis.  Evaluating each issue allows the …


Letter Re: Ballistic Protection From Compressed Earth Blocks

Jim: Some folks tested .50 BMG bullets on unprotected 18″-thick earth bag (Compressed Earth Block (CEB)) walls. See; “Bullet Resistance of Compressed Earth” located at the Earth Bag Building Blog. There is a YouTube video attached though. I thought this was pretty important, as this is the type of housing structure my husband and I are using. – Sky Watcher.


Two Letters Re: Thoughts on SHTF Communications

Sir: I feel that any article that brings attention to the need for communications in the future is a very good article! However, Carl really needs to upgrade to a General or higher class license and experience just what some of the HF bands can do for him. How well something like 75 meter phone can cover a very wide area that will put his favored two meters to shame, no matter how “big” the two meter station is. Not to mention really long distance communications with no infrastructure whatsoever on whatever ham band happens to be working at the …


Economics and Investing:

John R. recommended a piece by Jim Willie: Ultimate Cost of 0% Money Also from John R.: U.S. foreclosures jumped in the third quarter; Newly initiated foreclosures up more than 30 percent Venezuela Devaluing Currency to Revive Economy/ (Thanks to Dan L. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Dude, Where’s My Job?   Gold Hits Three-Week High On Weak Dollar   Energy Stocks Rally to Fresh Two-Year Highs US Dollar Seen Rising in 2011 After Rough 2010   (JWR is dubious…) 10% Brits Will Be Jobless in 2011 


Odds ‘n Sods:

Dennis mentioned the Sustainable Local Food and Farm Conference in Grass Valley, California that will be held on January 22, 2011.    o o o Our changing sun. Solar max by the middle of the decade? Major flares?    o o o A World in Crisis: What the thirties tell us about today. (Thanks to John R. for the link,)    o o o Beau spotted a web site with a lot of military field manuals. Most of the manuals can be downloaded and saved or printed.      o o o The Polish Rosomak APC Debuts in Afghanistan



Notes from JWR:

The folks in Queensland, Australia that have been inundated are in our prayers. This catastrophe should serve as a reminder for everyone living in lowland areas to be prepared! — Today we present another two entries for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: 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 $795, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, …


Thoughts on SHTF Communications, by Carl L.

The scope of this article: I was involved in a discussion in the SHTF411 chat-room regarding SHTF radio communications.  Being a licensed Amateur Radio (ham) operator, I jumped in and put my two cents into the mix.  In the course of that discussion, I was asked to write something up on the subject.   Now, I am no expert on the subject and to be sure.  I sometimes feel that I am the least qualified among my peers.  With that in mind, please understand that much of what I’ve written in this essay is only my opinion and there will …


Physical Fitness For Survival, by Rob B.

With all the many choices and ways of how to prepare for a natural or man induced and instigated crisis, one detail that is critical and mostly overlooked is being relatively physically fit.  Yes it is time to face your fear of physical activity, but that is why I am writing this article, so you can have a better understanding of the amazing creation know as the human body.  Having spent most of my life in some form of sport or physical job situation, I want to share what I have learned about ways to regain and maintain a healthy …