Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.
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Reader F.J. mentioned this informative piece by Eric Peters that describes the change from car timing chains to timing belts to illustrate how government regulations spawn higher prices: The Hidden Cost of Things [1].
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I recently had a consulting client ask me about my current recommendation for an inexpensive dual-band handheld transceiver (“handie-talkie” or H/T.) I mentioned that I no longer recommend the 5-watt Baofeng UV5R handie-talkie. Those that have been produced since around 2022 have most of their frequencies blocked from transmission. (So-called “locked” radios.)
I now recommend the 8-watt Baofeng BF-F8HP Pro. For now, these are available for only about $75 each. But tariffs are now in effect, so I recommend that you buy a pile of them, soon, before they go up 145% in price. This new model has both a charging tray and a handy DC recharging socket directly on the battery pack exterior that accepts a mini-USB plug. These radios are advertised as “locked”, but not really, if you use a laptop and CHIRP programming software. You just select another model number in the CHIRP menu and then you can program a BF-F8HP Pro to transmit on any frequency in their receive bands. of course, I do not suggest transmitting on any frequency for which you are not licensed, or at a power level beyond legal limits unless there is an extreme emergency. (“All applicable FCC regulations apply, yada-yada…”) – JWR
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Raeder H.L. wrote to mention:
“I learned something new today. Have a friend who likes to walk their dog. She got a tick that was embedded, so her daughter took my friend to Urgent Care.
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Reader C.B. wrote in with this suggestion:
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The New York Times published this slanted report on my father’s hometown of Oakdale, California: It Was Just a Rumor on Facebook. Then a Militia Showed Up [4].
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From the left-wing CBS News: Could a $5,000 “baby bonus” convince Americans to have more kids? Here’s what the data shows [5].
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Reader D.S.V. sent us this, from The Western Journal: NYT Admits It: Female Blackhawk Pilot Rejected Male Co-Pilot’s Life-Saving Directive 15 Seconds Before Fireball Erupted [6].
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At Wolf Street: Office Vacancy Rate in the US Worsens to Record 22.6% in Q1 amid Federal Government Lease Terminations [7].
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Non-Residents Can Now Apply for California CCW Permits [8].
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And lastly, reader C.B. flagged this item: How long can you stand on one leg? This simple test is the single clearest indicator of physical agin [9]g.
Please Send Us Your Snippets!
Please send your snippet items for potential posting to JWR [10]. or AVL [10]. You can do so either via e-mail or via our Contact [11] form.