Month: December 2014

Notes for Thursday – December 04, 2014

December 4th is the birthday of SurvivalBlog’s Back Country Editor, Mat Stein. It is also the birthday of Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, (born 1912) an AVG “Flying Tiger” volunteer pilot for the Chinese Nationalist government, WWII Marine Corps aviator, and Medal of Honor recipient. (He died January 11, 1988.) A proto-Redoubter, Pappy Boyington was born in Couer d’Alene, Idaho and was raised in Spokane, Washington. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 56 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good …


Cheap and Easy Ham for the Communications Novice by TSR

[Editors Note: FCC rules stipulate that Amateur Radio operators may convert and operate transceivers designed for other services on Amateur Radio frequencies, but the reverse is not true. Unless a radio has been type accepted by the FCC for use on other frequencies, those transceivers may not be used for such purposes. They may, however, be used to listen to other frequencies (except for cellular frequencies.)] Purpose You’ll find the line item “ham radio” on a variety of prepper, collapse, and bug out bag lists, and for good reason. However, for the communications novice, this item can be difficult to …


Two Letters Re: How To Obtain Protein From Alternative Sources Without A Firearm

Dear HJL, Here’s a low-cost alternative to metal traps-– build a trapping pit. Trapping pits have been used since the Stone Age to put meat on the table. A deer trail or other evidence of animal activity is located, then a deep pit is dug and lined with stone or wood planks to prevent escape. Spikes or sharp sticks are mounted on the bottom of the pit to kill or injure the prey, and the hole is covered with a tarp or branches to disguise it. My family has stored up a dozen or so 4’ re-bars and a couple …


Economics and Investing:

Chicago to boost minimum wage to $13 by 2019 . – RBS o o o New Signs Gold and Silver Are Returning As Monetary Assets o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Surprise End to India Gold Controls Boosts Wedding Demand The Retail Apocalypse Accelerates: Collapsing Holiday Sales Are A Signal That A Recession Is Coming PETER SCHIFF: Fed Yearns for Higher Inflation to Disguise Asset Bubbles


Odds ‘n Sods:

Video: Manny Edwards fights off dark without a flashlight. – H.L. o o o Lead ammunition ban passed after feds withheld key data, hunters group says . – P.M. o o o Feds turn to antiquated law to open locked iPhones. – RBS o o o How to Pull an All-Nighter: Tips from the Special Forces. – G.P. o o o SurvivalBlog reader MTH suggested a 550 paracord alternative that I have been experimenting with myself. The Hennessy Hammock, which was recently purchased by my son, has a strand of Spectra cord that is 1/3 the diameter of 550 paracord, …



Notes for Wednesday – December 03, 2014

Today, we present another entry for Round 55 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A 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, DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with …


Constructing a Multi-Use Hoop House on a Budget, by O.M.

Many people are hard pressed to pay full price for a prefabricated building. These often cost several thousand dollars. A small chicken coop can cost several hundred, just to provide very minimal housing for a few birds. A good green house is also quite expensive. Instead of shelling out a bunch of money or, worse, going into debt, my solution is to do it yourself! This set of instructions requires no particular wood working, plumbing, or construction experience. A little common sense, simple tools, and materials allows for all of these structures on a shoe string budget. It is even …


Economics and Investing:

India Submits To The Free Market, Fails To Suppress Gold o o o Could Falling Oil Prices Spark A Financial Crisis? o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Ponzi: Treasury Issues $1T in New Debt in 8 Weeks—To Pay Old Debt Moody’s Downgrades Japan as Concerns Grow – This is the kind of thing you might see as a headline in a JWR novel, like Liberators. “The news came just after the country’s main stock market, the Nikkei, closed at a seven-year high.” Total US Debt Rises Over $18 Trillion; Up 70% Under Barack Obama


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Books Emergency War Surgery (NATO Handbook:- Third United States Revision, 2004) by Dr. Martin Fackler, et al. Great Livin’ in Grubby Times by Don Paul Fiction Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle Movies Farewell to the King The Road Warrior, aka Mad Max movies (Mad Max 2 “The Road Warrior” is by far the best of the three, although Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome has its merits.) These movies are gruesome in sots, so they are definitely NOT for children!


Odds ‘n Sods:

We’re adding a migrant city the size of Birmingham every 30 months reveals MP who co-chairs migration group . – J.C. o o o Directed Deep Impact: The Next Arms Race?. – G.P. o o o Magpul finalizes departure from Colorado in response to gun-control bills. – B.B. o o o School has hissy fit over Creation invitation. – H.L. o o o Bird flu outbreak in India caused by strain humans can contract: OIE. – K


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Who wants to die? Everything struggles to live. Look at that tree growing up there out of that grating. It gets no sun, and water only when it rains. It’s growing out of sour earth. And it’s strong because its hard struggle to live is making it strong. My children will be strong that way.” ? Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn


Notes for Tuesday – December 02, 2014

Today, we present another entry for Round 56 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A 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, DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hardcase to go with your …


Round 55 Non-Fiction Writing Contest Winners Announced!

First prize goes to SheperdFarmerGeek for “Ebola Unafraid: A Preliminary Ebola Treatment Protocol, Part 1” & “Part 2” as well as “Making Your Own, Part 1” & “Part 2” which was posted on October 27, 28 and November 11, 12. He will receive the following prizes: A 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, DRD Tactical …


What Does Your Survival Portfolio Look Like?, by J.H.

Every single skill, tool, ability, or prep for survival that you acquire should be viewed as an asset. With that state of mind, you can look at your chances of survival in various situations, evaluating where your strong and weak spots are. Just as you would diversify your financial portfolio through multiple investments in different areas, you must do the same with your survival portfolio. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! If you don’t have a survival portfolio, it’s time to build one. Having an organized approach to survival helps keep your mind from screaming and the fear …