Year: 2022

The Prepper Potential of an Old Cell Phone, by Mr. Zipph

Over the years, I have read many articles on communications in a grid-down situation. Those articles typically focus on using ham radios or CB radios to communicate with other like-minded folks in a TEOTWAWKI scenario. I have also read articles focused on the importance of gathering and accessing important information that you would need if the Schumer hiints the fan (TSHTF). These articles typically discuss the importance of having hard-copy books and printed planning information, contact information, and other important information that would be valuable to have. I first suggested the importance of a cell phone in preparedness efforts in …


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, we present a special collection of videos on winter sports and travel. Idaho Coeur d’Alene: Remote Sledding in North Idaho. o  o  o 2021 Solo Backcountry Idaho Mule Deer Hunt Matt Tillotson. o  o  o ‘Crazy cowboys’ and ‘crazy skiers’ team up in skijoring, Idaho’s …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 28, 2022

On November 28th, 1520, Magellan finally reached the Pacific Ocean after navigating the dangerous straits on the southern tip of South America that now bear his name. He became the first European explorer to reach the Pacific from the Atlantic. — Today’s feature article was authored by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio. — This is Cyber Monday — known as a day for deep discounts. Be sure to look for special pricing from our advertisers.  Please patronize our paid banner advertisers first. But if they don’t have what you are looking for, then see our lengthy list of …


Pistol Magazine Loaders — A Must For Some Shooters, by Pat Cascio

Getting old is no fun! Back in the day, I was able to load any type of magazines, with thumb power only. Sadly, along with old age, comes certain disabilities. To wit: I have terrible osteoarthritis in various parts of my body – not the least is lower back pain, that at times is debilitating to say the least. Next are my hands, and especially my right hand and fingers – they are misshapen. My trigger finger is the worst. But thankfuily, I can still pull a trigger! Over the years, there have been efforts to produce manual magazine loaders, …


Recipe of the Week: Roasted Squash Seeds

The following recipe for Roasted Squash Seeds is from SurvivalBlog reader Mrs. Alaska. She writes: “Why throw out the seeds of winter squash like butternut, acorn, spaghetti, and pumpkin?  You can roast them for a tasty seasonal snack. Or you feed them to poultry or save them to sow, next year. For personal eating, I consider pumpkin seeds too woody a texture to be palatable (but I love pepitas, which are hulled pumpkin seeds). The smaller, thinner seeds of other squash have a better texture and good flavor.  Here is how to roast squash seeds. 1)      Scoop out the seeds. …


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 multi-trillion-dollar losses for tech stock and cryptocurrency investors. (See the Forex & Cryptos section and the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Gold Passes the First Bullish Test. o  o  o Silver Demand On Pace For Record Year. Economy & Finance: Tech’s reality check: How the industry lost $7.4 …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 27, 2022

Today is the birthday of SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio. (Pictured.) He is now home from the hospital. Please pray for full restoration of his health. November 27th is also the birthday of Ludwig Loewe (November 27, 1837 – September 11, 1886) was a merchant, manufacturer, philanthropist, and a member of the German Reichstag. Loewe’s companies became involved in the production of armaments, employing famous designers and creating many notable guns. Ludwig Loewe Company of Berlin produced large numbers of Mauser bolt action rifles, most famously used in the Second Boer War. Since Loewe was Jewish, many Loewe-made guns …


21st Century Life: Controlling and Redirecting Anger, by SaraSue

I’m sure quite a lot of us, tens of millions for sure, maybe a couple hundred million, were slapped across the face a little while ago by the highest officeholder in our land. Anyone who disagrees with the gub’mint is a domestic terrorist, apparently. Also, the “Red Wave” that wasn’t? Or, if you don’t fix the root of the problem, you will get the same result. Sometimes throwing mud against the wall, wishing some of it will stick, is an ineffective use of your time and energy. I’m not saying that voting is a useless exercise. I’m just saying that …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text:  Sam Bankman Fried Was Biden’s Second Largest Election Campaign Contributor This Explains Why This Ponzi Schemer Will be a Guest Of Honor at The New York Times DealBook Summit, Instead of Locked Up In Jail News Links: The New York Times to Host Annual DealBook Summit on Nov. 30. DealBook Summit (Event details, and $2,499 ticket sales) Howls Of Outrage After New York Times Confirms SBF To Speak Alongside Zelenskyy, Yellen Some Background Sam Bankman Fried’s financial recordkeeping, fund co-mingling, breach of fiduciary trust, and larcenous wrongdoings: FTX Disaster – 7 Unbelievable …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — November 26, 2022

November 26th is the birthday of both gun inventor Eugene Reising (born 1884, died February 21, 1967) and the late Barton Biggs (born 1932, died July 14, 2012). Biggs was a money manager known for his pro-preparedness stance. — Siege Stoves and Siege Belts are both featured in a Black Friday Sale, for just the next few days. Order yours, soon! — Midland Radio (one of our affiliates) is starting its annual Cyber Monday sale today (and running through Monday), with 30% off all of its LXT and GXT products. Use coupon code: CYBERSALE  SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present …


No Ammo, No Primers, No Problem! – Part 5, by M.B.

(Continued from Part 4. This concludes the article.) LOADING MUZZLELOADING MUSKETS & SHOTGUNS How Much Powder and Shot?sh Short Lane, the makers of black powder adapters for shotguns, recommend the following amounts. I have followed their recommendations in my 20 gauge single shot. 209 Adapter in .410 Pistol/Derringer 25-35 grains black powder or black powder substitute 40 grains lead shot 209 Adapter in .410 Shotgun 50-60 grains black powder or black powder substitute 50 grains lead shot 209 Adapter in 12 Ga., 16 Ga., & 20 Ga. Shotguns 75-85 grains black powder or black powder substitute 80 grains lead shot …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in this column, in …