Year: 2022

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 11, 2022

September 11th is of course the anniversary of the 2001 Al Qaeda attacks on the U.S., but it is also the 10th anniversary of the Benghazi Embassy attacks, in 2012. (Those events were recounted in the recent Hollywood film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.) Please remember the sacrifice of J. Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, and CIA (former Navy SEAL) agents Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Between them, Woods and Doherty reportedly dropped at least 60 of the attackers, before their position was overwhelmed. Please also remember the spineless worms in Washington, D.C. who decided to not back up …


Using Grid-Tied PV Panels as a Starter System – Part 2, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) My Grid-tied System My grid-tied system consists of only two components: the solar panels and an inverter which converts the solar panel DC electricity to the AC electricity which homes use. The system hooks up similarly to an electric water heater. The three wires from the solar panels are connected to the inverter in clearly marked places, then four wires go from the inverter to the electrical panel, attaching to a double breaker the same way a water heater does. It’s that simple and can be hooked up without calling a consultant …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 10, 2022

On September 10, 1776, George Washington asked for a spy volunteer. Nathan Hale stepped up to the challenge of an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City. Unfortunately, the British captured and executed him. He is probably best known for his last words before being hanged: “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” He has long been considered an American hero, and in 1985, was officially designated the state hero of Connecticut. It is good for us to remember that every American patriot and hero from the times leading up to and during the …


Using Grid-Tied PV Panels as a Starter System – Part 1, by St. Funogas

I enjoyed JWR’s recent article titled A Retreat Locale Selection Criteria Update. The updated information for 2022 is especially relevant. Who could have guessed we’d be at the point we’ve arrived at so quickly in the past two and a half years? The covid scamdemic and the blowback from the Russian sanctions alone are enough to make anyone realize we’re rapidly approaching Niagara Falls in our little inflatable kayak. Hopefully, the article will inspire some of the fence sitters to hop over to the get-out-of-Dodge side and make their wish come true instead of holding on so dearly to the …


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 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified. Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost. Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee. Withdraw thine hand far from me: and …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 9, 2022

On September 9, 1492, the fleet of Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo / Cristóbal De Colón) set sail west. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried …


Some .357 Revolver Cartridge Alternatives, by F.B.

In the July 28th edition of SurvivalBlog, my article on reloading previously fired primers and projectiles was published. Wondering if the primers reloaded with Prime-All repriming compound purchased from Sharp Shooter 22 would still fire several weeks after being reloaded, I mixed up another small batch. Important Note: For safety, all batches should be small and eye protection should be worn. If you should decide to try this keep in mind that it could be potentially dangerous, after my experimenting I don’t recommend it. Then a half dozen large pistol primers were loaded with the compound as before. They were …


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 shocking increases in new car and truck prices. (See the Inflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: When it dipped to just $17.97 per Troy ounce on September 6th, I believe that silver reached — or was very near — a “capitulation” bottom. As of Friday morning (9/9/2022), spot silver …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 8, 2022

On September 8, 1565, the first permanent settlement in what would become the United States of America was formed — St. Augustine, Florida. — Also, in 1943, on this day, Italy surrendered to the Allies in World War II. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This …


War Drums Beating Louder: Are You Taking Action? – Part 2 by 3AD Scout

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) So where to start? Food is one of the main things preppers stockpile. In the case of trying to prepare for a war economy a stockpile of food isn’t a bad idea. However, some of the item that will be hard to get are those that require shipping from far away and/or will be needed to support the troops. Going back to World War Two for an example, it was some basic staples that were in short supply including sugar, gasoline, rubber items, and even shoes. I can grow vegetables and fruit, …


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 some pending Federal firearms legislation.  Please contact your congressman and senators, to voice your opposition! Federal Anti-Gun Bills Pending There are several gun bills before the U.S. Senate and House. …