Letter Re: Advice on CB Radios

Jim, My husband and I have been studying and implementing many of your recommendations in your book “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It” and I have a question about the Cobra 148 GTL 40-channel CB radio. Does it work on DC power only, or can it be used in our safe room on AC power? The shortwave receiver you recommended also includes CB, so why do we need another CB radio? Although these are old technologies, they are new to us, so we would appreciate more info. Thanks. – Linda G. JWR Replies: Like …


Two Letters Re: Lessons From the Tennessee Floods

First things first, please accept my heartfelt thank you for your excellent web site and all of the information you have helped disseminate to folks such as myself. My heart goes out to the people of Nashville and the disaster they are facing from the flooding. However, the logical part of me is astounded by all of this as the media and government (http://www.nashville.gov/oem/preparedness/wcd.asp) in Nashville have been repeatedly warning people to prepare for a major flood since 2005 and have held numerous public meetings in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The warnings were not from …


Economics and Investing:

Reader P.D. flagged this: One false move in Europe could set off global chain reaction G.G. sent this: Nouriel Roubini: “We are still in the middle of this crisis and there is more trouble ahead of us” Dave D. was the first of several readers to mention this article: New rules might not stop next financial crisis; After Senate debate, passage, many loopholes exist in regulations. At issue are those uncontrolled derivatives–finally being recognized asa threat by the mainstream media. Brian B. forwarded this CNBC piece: Global Markets Now Infected with Europe Fear On the lighter side, comes this comedy …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Just three days left! Safecastle (one of our most loyal advertisers) is running a special sale from May 16-29 only, with 25% Off All Mountain House #10 Cans, and free Shipping to the Lower 48 States. There are additional freebies, depending on the quantity that you order. (See their web page for details.)    o o o Reader Ray B. mentioned this article in an Everett, Washington newspaper: Our volcano: Glacier Peak is the hidden threat in our back yard    o o o Beatriz mentioned this great web site on dehydrating foods at home: Dehydrate2Store.    o o o …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 28 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com. (A $275 value.), and D.) A 500 round case …


Living Like TEOTWAWKI Could Come at Any Time, by Mrs. C.J.

If you even so much as glance at the news or if you’re like me and check out The Drudge Report every morning, you can’t help but realize the world is becoming more and more uncertain. It seems that anything could happen at the drop of a hat and without little, if any, fore-warning. Volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods seem to be changing or taking the lives of unsuspecting people almost daily. The threat of nuclear warfare is always just beyond the horizon. If we ever experience an EMP, we could be without power and [utility-supplied] water for months. Most …


Two Letters Re: Precious Metals Buying Tips

JWR: When I first started investing in precious metals, I was very unsure of how to do it. My first problem was to find a place that sold them. That is no mean feat in Canada. Naturally my first response was to buy paper metals. As an investment, these were cheaper and more convenient to buy and sell than taking physical possession. When I decided that it was important to take physical possession, I was faced with the problem, how do I buy an ounce of gold without getting burned by fluctuating prices. For the last five years, I have …


Letter Re: Some Gardening Comments from a Northern Gardener

As a gardener of over 30 years, I garden for the most produce from my limited garden spaces. I can tomatoes, salsa, beans, relishes, corn, applesauce, pickles, etc. At this point in time I have no illusions that I could feed our family of four on our gardens. I’ve been growing what we like to eat versus what will give us the best nutrition and can sustain us year round. The SurvivalBlog site has been a wonderful wealth of information and the books they recommend have enhanced my gardening knowledge in ways that lead to being self-sustaining. I’ve used the …


Economics and Investing:

K.S. suggested this article by Chris Blasi: Is Your IRA or 401K a Target of Government Appropriation? British Expert: Great Depression II is Possible. (Thanks to Steve C. for the link.) Reader Brian B. sent us this: California pension fund asks state for additional $600 Million. Thanks to Sue C. for spotting this: Crisis in Europe raises ‘double-dip’ recession worries Items from The Economatrix: Chrysler Adds 1,100 Jobs At Detroit Jeep Plant Even A Trillion Can’t Save The Euro City Fears “Great Depression Mark II” German Finance Minister: Markets Out Of Control Loan Demand to Buy US Homes Sinks to …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Dan V. mentioned that a scanned copy of the scarce Operation and Maintenance Manual for the AN/PSR-1A Intrusion Detecting Set (TM-04074B-15) is now available online. You can find it linked near the bottom of this page.    o o o RBS spotted this: Why Snakebites Are About to Get a Lot More Deadly – Cost of Antivenom Production Creates Shortages    o o o Jack T. sent us a link to some good reporting from C.J. Chivers of The New York Times: A Firsthand Look at Firefights in Marja. It is refreshing to hear from a mainstream reporter that …



Notes from JWR:

We are rapidly approaching the milestone of 20,000,000 unique visits to SurvivalBlog. Our readership is still steadily growing. Many thanks for spreading the word. If you haven’t done so already, please mention SurvivalBlog to your friends, co-workers, and members of your congregation. — Today we present another entry for Round 28 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost …


Lessons from Nashville, Tennessee–That “Oh My Gosh” Moment, by Cheryl C.

I live in Nashville, Tennessee.  Most people have heard about the devastation of the recent flooding of  our city –what a  lot of folks don’t know is that there were over 1,400 boat rescues of stranded people who could not (or would not) evacuate their homes before the water overtook them.  The events of these past few weeks has heightened my disaster preparedness and has proven to me once again “that being prepared” is paramount “to surviving” any natural or man-made disaster. This brings me to share with you what I call the “oh my gosh” moment.  When the forecast …


Letter Re: Establishing a Veteran’s Bona Fides in TEOTWAWKI

Captain Rawles: I am a fairly skilled soldier in the U.S. military. Without going into details suffice it to say that I am extremely capable mentally because of my military experience as well as a healthy desire to educate and train myself in my free time. However, I travel most of the time. I have no stored food and don’t own any possessions that won’t fit in my car. Due to travel I don’t even own my own firearm, even though I am trained in the use of dozens of arms and explosives. Assume that I’m am the perfect soldier …