Day: August 7, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 36 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 Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) …


An Unconventional Training Opportunity: Short-Term Missions, by Nate C.

When it comes to training, there are many good avenues. Some choose (or are drafted) to serve in the military and take advantage of the training there, ranging from basic to advanced. Others get involved in Scouts. Some piece together opportunities like firearms training, wilderness survival and emergency medical courses. Still others learn through travel. There are many types of travel, and each teaches in a different way, if we choose to learn. A cruise with touristy ports-of-call probably isn’t much of an education, except in the gustatory sense, but foreign military service clearly can be. Not all of us …


Guest Post: Five Back-to-Basics Guidelines for Gun Safety, by Madison Parker

Whether you’re using a gun for home security, hunting, or whether you just enjoy shooting, there are some basic guidelines for gun safety you need to follow. You’ll hear these guidelines in every gun safety course, and you’ll see them printed on the instructions of almost any new firearm you purchase. The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of negligent discharges happen because people fail to follow these basic guidelines. It’s always worth taking a few minutes and refreshing them in your mind, just to make sure you’re following them at all times. Here are five of …


Letter Re: Storing Calcium Hypochlorite

JWR: Recently, a SurvivalBlog reader suggested storing Calcium Hypochlorite in ground glass-stoppered bottles that are inside of padded 6 gallon buckets. But would using a 1/2 gallon Ball [“Mason style”] jar and Tattler plastic lid be a workable alternative?    Thanks, – Stephanie   JWR Replies: Yes, that should work, since the Tattler lids are non-reactive. But keep in mind that if there is even a slight vapor leak, the metal retaining rings (“bands”) will eventually rust out.


Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent this: Average Length Of Unemployment Surges To New All Time Record 40.4 Weeks Also from G.G.: Food stamp use rises to record 45.8 million Sam Kirtley: US Yield Curve Flattening to Prompt Fed Easing and $1,800 Gold Items from The Economatrix: Can’t Get No Relief:  Economic News Sours Investors Services Firms Expand At Slowest Pace in 17 Months Unemployment Rose In Nearly All US Cities Going Nowhere:  Economy Struggles To Find Footing Oil Below $92 On Concern About Economy, Demand Two Year Treasury Yield Drops To Record Low EU Urges Bailout Changes As Stocks, Euro Tumble Euro Faces …


Odds ‘n Sods:

F.J. spotted this over at the Makezine site: Drain Pipe Hotel.    o o o Kevin S. suggested a product that will be released later this year: DeLorme inReach—two-way satellite communication. (Pair this $250 device to your Android phone via Bluetooth and send/receive texts using the Iridium satellite network.)    o o o James K. flagged this: Harvesting Energy From Radio Signals: Two New Devices From Japan (Video)    o o o Check out this interesting bucket gardening site: Global Buckets. (Thanks to John S. for the link.)    o o o A newly-orbited Amateur Radio Satellite (AMSAT): ARISSat/KEDR. (Thanks …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown …