Month: June 2011

Vacuum Tube Radios for Preppers

I often have SurvivalBlog readers write to ask me about vacuum tube technology and its robustness in EMP and CME events, and which antique multi-band vacuum tube radios to look for. I’m also asked how to determine which models can be run on both AC and DC power. To begin, vacuum tubes are inherently “hard” to EMP and CME but not invulnerable. They are also relatively safe from lightning strikes–but again not invulnerable. Modern integrated circuits are at the opposite end of the scale for vulnerability. In essence, the smaller gates in a microcircuit, the greater its vulnerability. In recent …


Letter Re: Recommendations on M1 Garand Rifles

Dear Mr. Rawles,   I enjoyed R.W.L.’s recent post, “Prioritizing My Prepping”, and noted the choice of the venerable M1 Garand as the MBR of choice. Though the M1 is a terrific choice for this role (“the finest battle implement ever devised” per Gen. Patton), those new to the rifle should keep a couple of critical things in mind when deciding to acquire their very useful piece of history.   Standardization of ammo throughout one’s battery can be a beneficial goal, but be aware that all .30-06 is not equal when it comes to the Garand. The M1’s gas system is …


Economics and Investing:

Loyal contributor C.D.V. sent this: US Housing Crisis Is Now Worse Than Great Depression Sovereign Man asks: What are the Social Implications of Economic Collapse? (Thanks to James C. for the link.) Nancy N. sent this: Roubini Says “Perfect Storm” May Clobber Global Economy. I love hearing mainstream market analysts go wild talking gloom and doom. C.D.V. sent this: Gold to Reach $5,000 Due to Supply Shortage: Report An exhaustive report by Standard Chartered predicts that gold will more than triple to $5,000 an ounce because of a lack of supply, not just because of a surge in demand that …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Craig in Montana sent me a reminder that there is a Flathead Preparedness Expo scheduled for Saturday, June 18, 2011, in Kalispell, Montana. Guest speakers will include Pastor Chuck Baldwin, Sheriff Richard Mack, and Stewart Rhodes.    o o o An anonymous reader sent a link to photos of construction of a 2,300 square foot bunker built under a garage. The fancy trim was overkill, but this is a very instructive series of photos.    o o o I’ve just updated the American Redoubt page with links to Jewish Chabad congregations in Bozeman, Montana (The Shul of Bozeman) and Jackson, …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 35 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round 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 Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and …


Prioritizing My Prepping, by R.W.L.

First of all, a note of praise to JWR: thanks for all you do.  You’ve got an amazing reference blog site going here and are providing an immeasurable amount of help to your readers.  I stumbled across SurvivalBlog via a link in the comments section of another blog called The Deliberate Agrarian, last October. The link included the warning: “Just see if you can escape from the archives in less than four hours.”  Two weeks later, I emerged from the archives with blood shot eyes and was both enlightened and scared at the same time.  I had a lot of …


Letter Re: Survival Electronics and the Lowly Vacuum Tube

James: This is in response to an earlier letter where a reader asserted that his knowledge as an electronics engineer will be of little use after TEOTWAWKI. He is wrong, we will not abandon all the technology invented over the past 100+ years. Say for example we are hit with the big solar event, several EMPs and most solid state electronics are destroyed. One component that will survive is the vacuum tube. There will still be means to generate electricity here and there that will not be affected, hydroelectric generators will still spin, steam turbines, some of these can be …


Three Letters Re: The Yellowstone Super-Volcano and the American Redoubt State

Mr. Rawles, I work for the US Geological Survey, and I have had discussions with the country’s foremost experts on this topic. For all intents and purposes, we have absolutely nothing to worry about. Your suggestion to locate upwind of the ash dispersal trend is good common sense, but not required. The missile sites in Montana are a far more relevant concern for anyone looking to relocate. Thank you, – H.D.   Mr. Rawles, Much of the hype regarding super volcanoes is based on the discredited “millions of years” historical time-line. The creation model of geologic history puts this sort of cataclysmic eruption …


Economics and Investing:

C.D.V. sent this alarming article: US Is in Even Worse Shape Financially Than Greece: Gross. JWR’s comment: Default may be delayed, but it looks inevitable! The latest from Tyler Durden at Zero Hedge: The Fed’s $600 Billion Stealth Bailout Of Foreign Banks Continues At The Expense Of The Domestic Economy, Or Explaining Where All The QE2 Money Went. (Thanks to C.R.W. for the link.) Sue C. suggested: Goodbye Recovery, Hello Recession. Sue’s humorous comment: “Wish I had noticed when we came out of the recession.” Also from Sue: “Meaningful probability” of a China hard landing: Roubini A.N.R. sent this bit …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Kamie sent a link to a great 8 minute long chicken slaughtering and butchering video.    o o o Hooray! The U.S. has done away with the black beret. I always thought it was absurd to give everyone (the entire “Big Army”) an “elite” beret. That struck me as Lake Wobegon grandstanding. (“…and where all the kids are above average.”)    o o o Norm G. spotted this Nanny State news: EPA Bans Many Household Rat and Mouse Poisons. Stock up on d-CON, pronto!    o o o Steven M. forwarded this one: ‘Doomsday Plane’ Would Save President and Joint …



Note from JWR:

A couple of SurvivalBlog readers have written me to mention that they’ve been getting error messages when they first try a search using SurvivalBlog’s “Search” box.This box is located at the top of the blog’s right-hand bar. I recommend re-trying the same search, using the same text in the same browser session. For some reason the second (and subsequent) attempts works fine. We are tracking down the problem, which seems to be with our Movable Type configuration. (Since the problem exists with several browsers and operating systems.) My apologies! In the meantime, please just repeat your searches, as a work-around. …


Pat’s Product Reviews: Ruger SR1911 .45 ACP Pistol

There had been quiet rumors for a while. I even asked my contacts at Ruger if they were going to make a M1911 pistol – I was met with silence, it said a lot. With 2011 being the 100th anniversary of the M1911 pistol, I was happy to see Ruger jump on the bandwagon with their own version of this grand old pistol. Many gun companies are producing limited edition 1911 pistols this year, some are only producing their standard line-up of 1911s. You can say what you want about the 1911, but it has endured – I can’t think …


Letter Re: The Yellowstone Super-Volcano and the American Redoubt States

Dear Mr. Rawles,   I am heeding your advice about looking at Idaho Montana, Eastern Washington, and Eastern Oregon for my retreat.  But I am very concerned about the potential super volcano beneath Yellowstone National Park. I have researched the past eruptions and their ash falls.  I see from those maps that these areas are very much in that zone.  I’m concerned not so much for my generation but for my children and my children’s children.  I want my retreat to be viable for generations to come.  What is your thoughts regarding this threat?   Thank you! – Guy JWR …