Month: July 2021

Preparedness Notes for Friday — July 9, 2021

On July 9th, 1755: Battle of the Wilderness — also known as the Battle of The Monongahela. July 9, 1956 was the birthday of actor/director/producer Tom Hanks. — Note: The second batch of the 2005-2020 SurvivalBlog Archive waterproof USB sticks are selling out rapidly.  We are now down to just 35 of the standard USB sticks, and 45 of the special 15th Anniversary Edition sticks that come with a key chain and a specially-labeled keepsake tin. SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 95 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First …


Considering Drones – Part 1, by Oregon Bill

Love them or hate them, remote controlled flying devices are everywhere and offer “game-changer” capabilities everyone should consider for their personal protection and toolset. Commonly referred to as “drones” I’d like to offer some personal experiences and learnings both in using and trying to deter them from use around me and my property. Specifically, I will discuss any remotely-controlled flying device including quadcopters, helicopters, or airplanes piloted by a remote operator and how they can aid in personal or property protection or pose a real threat. I’m not going to get into military tools but will focus on devices easily …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the strong demand for RVs. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Thai central bank leads pack, buying 90 tonnes of gold over April and May. o  o  o Gold & Basel III’s Trillion-Dollar Question. Economy & Finance: Reader H.L. sent us this: David Stockman on the Fed’s Socialist …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — July 8, 2021

Today marks the birth of actor Kevin Bacon (born 1958.) Preppers usually associate him with the campy movie Tremors. — The second batch of waterproof SurvivalBlog archive USB sticks is now available, and going fast. The first batch of 1,000 sold out quickly, so order soon. There are now less than 45 remaining from this batch of 250! — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 95 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending …


Precision Iron Sight Alignment and Accuracy, by Auli

I know there have been many fine articles here at SurvivalBlog on firearms and accuracy submitted in the past, yet I feel as though I can contribute something unique and useful with my combination of tools and methodology…see what you think. For myself, there are a few tools I utilize perhaps above and beyond what most folks I have observed employ, and then other basic tools. The two items I would like to especially emphasize in this article, among others, are the chin rest bag for pistol sighting and the optical occluder for enhanced focus for both pistol and long …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at Polaris Solutions camouflage suits, from Israel. Camouflage: The IDF’s New Elven Cloaks Karen B. sent this article: Rocking the camo! New tech that makes soldiers virtually ‘invisible’ both to the …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — July 7, 2021

July 7th, 1907 was the birthday of science fiction novelist Robert A. Heinlein. He passed away on May 8, 1988, at age 80. — The second batch of waterproof SurvivalBlog archive USB sticks is now available!  The first batch of 1,000 sold out quickly, so order soon. There are now less than 115 remaining from this batch of 250 sticks! — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 95 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off …


Books and Why You Need Them – Part 2, by Born Free

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) I’m sure all SurvivalBlog readers can come up with a list of things they value and believe, often handed down from their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. With the continual onslaught of controversial ideologies, it might behoove one to pick up a book and turn off the digital world. It might give your soul solace. It might remind you of the things you knew to be true as a child. It might be a reference for discussions with family members. Don’t be afraid to review your own version of your cultural heritage …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Reader S.B. sent this: Forget cicadas. Drought-stricken West is getting plagued by voracious grasshoppers. o  o  o St. Funogas had this reply to a query from another reader: “Monica sent this query: “I’d like to ask St. Funogas this question: I have more than 500 new in box canning lids that were bought about 20 to 30 years ago…….stored …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 6, 2021

July 6th is the anniversary of the 1994 Storm King Mountain wildfire that took the lives of 14 firefighters. Weather changes, resulting in 45 mph wind gusts, caused a modest wildfire to erupt into a blazing inferno, which threatened homes in and around the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Firefighters from around the country were called to assist in fighting this wildfire. We will never forget the young men and women who lost their lives battling this fire: Prineville (Oregon) Hotshots: Kathi Beck, Tamera Bickett, Scott Blecha, Levi Brinkley, Douglas Dunbar, Terri Hagen, Bonnie Holtby, Rob Johnson, Jon Kelso Missoula …


Books and Why You Need Them – Part 1, by Born Free

Every time I moved, I schlepped boxes upon boxes of heavy books, not to mention the bookcases. Only one time that I moved did I have “professional” movers, and all the rest of the times were with the help of family and friends. I’ve moved at least 10 times in the past 40 years. I won’t go into the details of moving the piano, twice, upstairs. At some point, since I could not carry the boxes myself anymore, I started letting go of my books. I had a vast library of technical books (networks and systems), but the technology had …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, a special edition, profiling trailer manufacturers in the American Redoubt. Idaho Double R Trailers of Nampa produces a wide range of custom-made utility enclosed trailers, toy haulers, and concession trailers. o  o  o Fox Trailers in Post Falls makes high-quality flatbed utility trailers. o  o  …