Month: February 2014

Notes from HJL:

I’m publishing a couple of odd and ends letters today that I’ve received over the past couple of weeks that I need help from our readership on. Today we present two entries for Round 51 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), 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 …


Trading Posts of the New Frontier, by TCG

We have all heard the stories of the panicked rush on grocery stores by the unprepared masses at the onset of an emergency. Within a matter of a few hours even a so-called superstore can be picked clean of all worthwhile supplies. We all accept this as an inevitability when the SHTF, and this is why we prepare. Many may not know, however, that even after the shelves at the local store are bare there are still more resources that I believe will become available after TEOTWAWKI. As soon as I was old enough to work I started bagging groceries …


Learning Prepper and Barter Skills at Your Local Dump, by N.J.

Everyone these days is trying to budget and spend their hard earned money wisely. One place I found that I was able to spend a very limited amount or get items for free is at the local dump. It is a great place to accumulate items you could use in a SHTF situation. This may relate only to individuals living in suburban or city areas. There may be one in your county; it is important to find out if there is. If you have not been to your local recycle center or dump, you owe it to yourself to check …


Letter: Communications Radios

Hello Sir, In an effort to get our neighbors in the valley to keep in touch in case of emergency, what type of radios would you recommend? We are roughly under five miles apart with hilly, somewhat cliffy topography with a lot of brush at an elevation of just under 7,000′. I used to use Spilsbury “backcountry radios” between outfitters and air taxi services in the Idaho wilderness, but those are fairly spendy set-ups and hard to find. I doubt the neighborhood will opt for hams either. Any other options? You’re recommendations or those of experienced readers would be appreciated. …



Letter: Social Media Intel During an Emergency

HJL, I am a long time reader and understand JWR’s recommendation against the use of social media. The recent snow storm that has crippled the roads in major southern cities has proven a positive of social media that I hadn’t fully realized. With a “friends” list of over 1,000 (who are mostly just acquaintances) I was able gain valuable intelligence down to the neighborhood level. Friends reported on road closures, traffic jams, people in need of help and their location, people providing help, and businesses that were open and taking in those that were stranded. This sharing of information undoubtedly …



Odds ‘n Sods:

U.S. Scalia Says Internment Ruling Could Happen Again– K.R. o o o More from the Ukraine: Ukrainian protestor kidnapped, CRUCIFIED and has part of his ear cut off before being dumped in a forest after a week of torture – T. o o o AF Cheating Scandal Grows to 92 Missile Officers o o o S.F. sent in the link to this excellent explanation: No Country for Old Fishermen o o o R.I.P. – the results are starting to come in. Here is a pretty good independent test that attempts to replicate FBI tests. Part 1 Part 2 Videos of …



Notes from HJL:

Today we present another entry for Round 51 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), 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, Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value), A $300 gift certificate …


Maple Syrup is a Gift, by El Jeffe

Maple syrup is a gift of nature. Like all good gifts, it must be received. That happens in late winter and early spring in the New England and the Great Lakes regions. Since autumn, temperatures below 45 degrees have caused the trees to store sugar as starch. Around the end of February and into March, the sun begins to warm the maple trees even while the nights remain quite cold– below freezing. This fluctuation in temperature begins a pumping action in the sugar maple trees, which I interrupt by gathering sap. The Tree Sugar Maple (also known as Rock Maple …


Letter: Diesel Fuel Storage

Hugh, I thought that the readership of Survivalblog would like to know that I am currently burning diesel fuel that was bought in 2005. The fuel was stored in 55-gallon drums located in a cool, dark place and treated with FPPF super fuel stabilizer. I also intentionally bought my fuel in the winter months. The fuel is being burned in Cummins 12-valve engines. The fuel is low sulfur, not ultra low sulfur, so only time will tell if the same results can be expected from the new fuel that was introduced in 2007. – sj


Two Letters Re: The Joy of Canning

I read with interest DDR’s article “The Joy of Canning”. Most of her advice is spot-on and an excellent primer for new canners. I commend her for such a comprehensive article for novice canners. However, she includes some potentially dangerous advice that can invite the risk of botulism. For example, she correctly writes, “Vegetables and meats are considered low-acid and should always be processed in your pressure canner. This is also true of your soups, chilis, and most sauces. I find that it’s a good idea, when in doubt, to pressure can just to be safe.” Then, she contradicts this …


Economics and Investing:

Treasury Sells First Floating Rate Notes In Heavily Subscribed Auction – G.G. Jamie Dimon’s Raise Proves U.S. Regulatory Strategy is a Joke – B.R. JPMorgan Loses 44% of Gold Inventories in 4 Days! – RBS Items from The Economatrix: U.S. Mint Gold-Coin Sales Jump 63% in January; Silver Triples Celente – No Way Out As Global Ponzi Scheme Collapse Begins As Predicted, Tapering Prompts Market Dive The Dow Has Already Fallen More Than 1000 Points From The Peak Of The Market


Odds ‘n Sods:

There is an EMP awareness, and specifically the HEMP threat from a nuclear Iran, event that is being hosted today, Feb 6th in DC featuring Sen. Ted Cruz, Amb. James Woolsey, Frank Gaffney and others (to which you are invited): “American Security and the Iranian Bomb: Analyzing Threats at Home and Abroad.“ Event Details: TIME: 10:30 a.m. ET – 12:15 p.m. ET LOCATION: Reserve Officers Association, Minuteman Ballroom, One Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington D.C. 20002 You can also see a live webcast of the event at Homeland Threats. o o o You can store almost anything in a mason jar, …