Month: July 2023

Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 31, 2023

July 31st is the birthday of free-market economist Milton Friedman. (Pictured, born 1912, died November 16, 2006.) On July 31st, 1958 the Anti-Chinese uprising began in Tibet. July 31st, 1921, was the birthday of Army Air Corps veteran David Thatcher, one of the Doolittle Raider. Thatcher was the tail gunner in the rear of the Mitchell B-25 medium bomber christened the Ruptured Duck, the seventh of 16 planes. Returning from the raid, the bomber crashed into the sea from low fuel and the crewmen survived, in no small part to Thatcher’s heroic efforts. The five airmen washed ashore and were …


Leatherman Sidekick Multi-Tool, by Thomas Christianson

The Leatherman Sidekick is a well-made multi-tool with a nice selection of features. I found it to be just slightly larger than I would prefer for pocket carry. I would highly recommend it for belt pouch, pack, tackle box, or similar carry. The Backstory Last Spring, the Youth Ministry Leaders at our church gave me a gift card to a sporting goods store. It was an expression of appreciation for the oversight that I was temporarily providing to the youth ministry. I was deeply touched. I had been greatly blessed by observing the ministry of the leaders to the young …


Recipe of the Week: Roasted Summer Squash & Zucchini

The following recipe for Roasted Summer Squash & Zucchini is from SurvivalBlog reader Tom V. Ingredients 1 pound yellow summer squash (2 medium-size) 1 pound zucchini (about 2 medium-size or 3 to 4 small-size) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese Directions Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F. Slice the zucchini and squash into 1/4-inch thick rounds. In a large bowl, mix them with the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the …


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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at base metals prices. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: Why is The US Treasury’s Silver Eagle Mandate Not Being Honored? : Analyst. o  o  o At Kitco.com: U.S. focus on green energy transition is working and silver continues to be the biggest beneficiary – Bank of America. Economy & Finance: Reported back …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — July 30, 2023

Today we remember the birthday of author Reginald Bretnor. He was born Alfred Reginald Kahn on July 30, 1911, in Vladivostok. He died on July 22, 1992 in Medford, Oregon. In addition to penning many witty science fiction novels and short stories in his characteristic style, he also wrote nonfiction articles for Mel Tappan’s P.S. Letter. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present the final entry for Round 107 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 …


Lessons From a Road Trip, by Richard T.

In April of this year we made a road trip from our home near the upper Mississippi River to the southern tip of Florida. In a previous article I covered navigation, communications (between driver and passenger), and maneuvering in traffic on that trip. This article is about other aspects of the same trip and what worked, and what didn’t. This trip had a two-fold purpose, to make a visit and to deliver cargo. Late the night before we were going to leave we decided to take the truck instead of the car as we needed the room for the cargo, …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week: Soylent Green New Deal

The latest meme created by JWR — with special thanks to SurvivalBlog reader John H. for the tagline idea: Meme Text: Kamala Harris says: “When we invest in clean energy and electric vehicles and reduce population, more of our children can breathe clean air and drink clean water…” To Me, That Sounds Like A Soylent Green New Deal News Links: VIRAL GAFFE: VP Kamala Harris Calls To ‘Reduce Population’—She Means ‘Pollution’ They corrected her Freudian slip in the transcript at the White House website: Remarks by Vice President Harris on Combatting Climate Change and Building a Clean Energy Economy. Notes From …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — July 29, 2023

July 29th, 1805 was the birthday of Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville. He died April 16th,1859. He is best known for his lengthy treatise titled Democracy In America. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 Low Power Communications Station in a Bucket – Part 5, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 4. This concludes the article.) RTL-SDR and SIGINT The photo at left shows a 2.GHz panel Yagi (a directional antenna) that was installed on a field expedient 30-foot wooden pole that is stabilized with guy wires. It is for use with a RTL-SDR dongle and a laptop to detect the signals controllng the movement of line of sight (LOS) drones that would emanate from the direction of the most likely avenue of approach. Its range of detection would be greatest when placed above the top of trees. In the world of radio, ‘Height is might’.) The link …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both 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 the Odds ‘n …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel. And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there. When they were …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — July 28, 2023

Today is the day of shame for Patton, Eisenhower, and MacArthur “just following orders”. On July 28, 1932, the US Army in cooperation with the DC Police, demolished the Bonus Army encampment on Anacostia Flats, Washington, DC. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 …


A Low Power Communications Station in a Bucket – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 3.) Crossband Repeaters The Anytone AT5888uv, or the TYT TH-UV8000, a 10-watt handheld ($79) are examples of what I prefer in a open-banded transceiver with a crossband repeater. These use only one dual-band antenna, and are true two-way cross-band repeaters. For low-power operations, the TYT TH-UV8000 is the most practical. The Anytone AT5888 moblie with 50 watts of power, can do the same job and be a base station transceiver, yet it would draw more power, and when in use as a repeater, it can not be a base station transceiver. So, get both!