(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)
Using military field telephones as our primary communication method solves a number of training issues. And they are the most sustainable communications technology for an austere environment. Most importantly, field phones defeat several significant threats. And take note that using the same inexpensive insulated wire, we can operate remote transmitters, a P.A. or intercoms at gates, hard-wired trip wire alarms, and low voltage DC lighting as a part of our security operation in a fixed location. Low-cost and durable WD1A wire can also be used as tanglefoot, anti-vehicle, to construct HF antennas, and even as laundry line. Field phones can also be used in the field with lightweight equipment designed for patrol work. And lower technology is the more sustainable technology. They are also EMP-resistant. Given the high-tech threats from above, this rugged, affordable, easy-to-use and low-tech means is sublimely appropriate. Here is an article from the SurvivalBlog archives that provides a better introduction to the topic than my own articles: U.S. Military Field Phones, by Ken in Michigan.
An excerpt:
“If you are looking for a secure communication system for your farm, ranch, or retreat, then look into a military phone system. You can create an ideal communication system, any size, from two positions overnight to multiple positions in a large permanent retreat.
Military Field Phones (“MFPs”) do not require external power. They are designed to operate in adverse conditions and most importantly, do not emit any electronic signal. MFPs cannot be overheard by radio scanners or radio direction finders. MFPs keep your location undetected by electronic surveillance, unlike today’s radio communications that can be overheard and DF-located using today’s technology. Radios are also subject to interference, intentional or unintentional, friendly enemy or atmospheric. The only disadvantage in using a MFP is the requirement of the use of hard wire. A two-wire cable is used to connect the phones. This is “old-school,” otherwise known as POTS (plain old telephone system).”
Early Warning and Detection
Here is a five-part article that I can also highly recommend: Elements of a Security System – Part 1 of 5, by J.M. An excerpt:
“When you talk to people about preparing, one of the most common themes you’ll encounter is that they want to ensure the safety and security of themselves, their families, and their friends in the event something disrupts the ‘rule of law’. The reality is that even with active law enforcement in normal times there are thousands of break-ins, assaults, attacks, thefts, and other crimes committed against people and property every day. Since most of us can’t afford to keep an eye on our entire property 24×7, we need some type of force multiplier that can let us know when an intruder is approaching or entering our property.
The goal of this article is to provide some ideas and suggestions regarding the design and implementation of a security system that can help you detect when an intruder is approaching your location and gather observational data so you can make a decision on what you should do about it, both in ‘normal’ times as well as after an event has rendered rule of law null and void. Note that I’ll only be focusing on detective-type controls to help you detect the presence of an intruder, as opposed to preventive controls to keep them out.”
Remote Sensors
Removing the element of surprise as a tool of our attackers is critical if we want to avoid or survive an attack. Study J.M.’s in-depth article and work hard to establish such a system. MURS Dakota Alert Sensors have been a primary force multiplier for many survivalists, yet there are less expensive and more reliable hardwire options that can be used in conjunction, and even locally fabricated. As I’m writing this, off the top of my head, here is another innovation that has come to mind. I might use a hard wire trip alarm that sounds a buzzer that is wired directly to a communication station, or if a remote sensor is necessary, one could bury the buzzer in a bucket underground and be used to transmit the buzzing noise or a ‘ding dong’ of a 12vdc home doorbell over a low cost Baofeng or FRS transceiver using the VOX (Voice Operated Transmit) function. Using a low-tech blinker relay from a vehicle, the buzzer sound can be pulsed. Using CTCSS or DTCSS tones we can use one frequency, or several frequencies and several receivers to hear, identify, and locate the position of the DIY remote sensor.
Cost Benefit Analysis, Wuloo Versus MURS Dakota Alert Sensor
Another low-cost system I’ve recently purchased and tested is the Wuloo brand of remote IR motion detectors. Unfortunately, these are made in mainland China (PRC). Here is the math that justifies these sensors given their limited range as compared to the MURS Dakota Alert Sensors that are clearly my favorite.
I purchased a set of 8 Wuloo sensors and 3 receivers for the Wuloo sensors on eBay that where for sale as ‘open box’. I saved $220 by purchasing ‘open box’ instead of buying them new in sealed boxes. In other words, if these were purchased “new”, it would have cost $400 instead of $173. They all work fine. In fact, I’ve purchased two sets of 8 Wuloo sensors with 3 receivers with no regrets. Why take the risk when MURS Dakota Sensors are my favorite? Because of a very favorable lower cost/adequate performance ratio. Consider this analysis.
Dakota Alert Sensors are about $120 each anywhere that they are found for sale. And 8 of the MURS sensors would cost about $960. And because rechargeable lithium batteries are included with the Wuloo sensor, there is additional savings because it is necessary to purchase AA batteries to run the Dakota Alert Sensors. A set of 6 nickel cadmium rechargeable AA batteries that have the similar capacity would cost about $21 for high quality Eneloops. 8 sets of 6 AA Eneloop brand x $21 per set of 6 each = $161. A penny saved is a penny earned. $960 for MURS Dakota Alerts + $161 in rechargeable Eneloops = $1,121 is the total cost of ownership minus the cost of 8 Wuloo sensors/receivers. That equates to $948 saved.
Considering the overall cost of operating the MURS Dakota Alert versus the Wuloo, the Wuloo is the winner. I found it most cost-effective to purchase two sensors with one receiver. It is best to have at least 2 if not more receivers in case one breaks and because several stations would be needed to monitor the sensors. The Wuloo sensors do however have a much shorter range of an advertised 600 yards, whereas the MURS Dakota Alert have a range of about a 1 mile as it transmits with 1 watt of power. The Wuloo transmits on 433.920 MHz with a digital tone squelch and with only 10 milliwatt. (One tenth of one watt).
However short the range, they can be used a the edge of a perimeter, or inside a perimeter. And because of they are very low power transmitters, they are a much more stealthy for COMSEC and less likely to be detected and then jammed. With an easily installed directional external antenna on the receiver, my receiver can hear a sensor at up to 2 miles away through a thick pine forest. I’ve been pleased by the build quality and performance of the Wuloo system and impressed by the low cost. I have reports of people using this system up to three years continuously, without any trouble. And their customer service is often reported to be outstanding.
Patrols
Even in relatively remote locations, patrols would be highly desirable, if not absolutely necessary. We do not want to be sitting ducks. At the very least have a simple short-range communications system for your neighborhood that are the eyes and ears necessary to maintain a high level of situational awareness. I’ve programmed and developed several local radio nets that provide this sort of situational awareness. If I could send out a patrol, then our level of security would be dramatically improved. Learn how in this exceptional five-part article: Perspectives on Patrolling, by J.M..
An Excerpt:
“Objectives
There are a number of reasons you may want or need to run a patrol. The most common ones are reconnaissance and gathering intelligence. There will most likely be a lot of things happening out beyond your immediate area that could have a major impact on you and your group’s survival. Knowing about them before they hit you over the head will allow you to plan and respond much more effectively. Some examples of the types of information you may want to collect by patrolling include human threats, environmental threats, and resources.”
No Food, No Fight
While we should strive to have balance in our effort to stockpile beans, bullets, and band-aids, it is almost impossible to have too much food. Without food, we cannot feed the number of defenders that will be needed to survive attacking hordes. It is very easy to pile up the bullets and not have enough food. We will need to feed others who did not prepare adequately. In my experience, most patriots do not have nearly enough food. I am a big advocate of inexpensive long storage-life dry staple goods because it costs 1/5th as much as canned foods, and requires only about 1/5th the storage space. This means we can purchase 5 times more food than wet-pack canned foods, and have enough place to store it all.
I do not plan on giving food away as I have none to spare. I’ve prepared myself on annual income of less than $4,000 per year as I have been very ill most of this time and unable to work a steady job. Those who do not already have a substantial supply of food do not have their priorities straight. Given my personal experience and struggle, those who are not prepared have little excuse for not doing so. Most are unwilling to make the necessary lifestyle changes. They will yet seek to steal what little I have and this will not be a pretty situation.
If they were unwilling to humble themselves and do the sensible thing by stocking up, then they certainly do not deserve what I have struggled for more than a decade to acquire. In addition, I have spent the last 18 years warning others so that they would prepare. Yet most preppers I know today are not adequately prepared. Without enough food, you will not be able to defend yourselves or be a part of the solution. Those who will not do what they know they should will become desperate and do desperate things. Those who plan to ‘live off the land’ will become a part of the problem and they will not be my friends.
One of the very best ways to improve your security operation is to have ample food on hand to feed your own army of defenders, yet few have enough food even for themselves. The best way to win a gunfight is to bring more guns to the fight. Most will have plenty of guns and ammo, but not nearly enough beans stockpiled to get the job done. How sad, since food is still relatively inexpensive. We cannot eat precious metals or other investments. In my humble opinion, precious metals are overrated as a survival strategy, since they will fall in value, relative to food. During the coming famine, what would be the price of food in terms of gold and silver when there is nothing for sale? Personally, I prefer life preservation over wealth preservation.