Category: Field Gear

Communications Options for the Common Man – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 3.) Applying P.A.C.E. to a Commo Plan For every communication requirement, always have an alternative or substitute option to accomplish the same task. For example, hand and light signals and whistles are appropriate alternatives for a security operation. As a last resort, a signal fire, fog horn, or air raid siren could be for emergency communications.  However, I should let the user make the final decision.  Stay off the beaten path as much as possible and increasingly so as the threat conditions escalate.  As threats learn and evolve, so should we.  Continually improve your security operation and …


Communications Options for the Common Man – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 2.) Low-Power Radio, Communications Planning, and SOI Several radio types that are relatively easy to use can used to complete a commo plan. To start, choose a primary platform such as either FRS, GMRS, MURS, or CB, and then choose an alternative to standardize on. Then select a primary and alternative channel for both your primary and alternative radio services.  Expect to be jammed and be prepared with a set of Signals Operation Instructions (SOI) so that all understand when and how to quietly switch to the alternative channel or radio service. For longer ranges, GMRS and …


Communications Options for the Common Man – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

We live in uncertain times where tens of millions of foreign invaders comprised largely of military-aged males have recently and in organized fashion crossed our borders. They were assisted by U.S. government-funded NGOs south of the border. We certainly should wonder about their intent. And there are many other significant threats that we should be concerned with particularly as the world is rapidly becoming unstable, both economically and geopolitically. At some point in the near future, World War 3 will break out and the economy at home will suffer greatly, causing riots in the streets that would further destabilize this …


Demko Knives Shark-Cub AUS10A Clip Point, by Thomas Christianson

The Demko Knives Shark-Cub AUS10A Clip Point is a handy folding knife with an innovative locking mechanism. That mechanism makes it easy to deploy the shaving-sharp, 2.75 inch, stone-washed, clip-point, AUS10A blade with a flick of the wrist. The black, glass-reinforced-nylon, steel-lined handle is ergonomically shaped and nicely textured for a secure grip. The ambidextrous deep pocket clip carries the knife securely and discreetly while keeping it easily accessible. This Taiwanese-made knife cost $89.99 at the time of this writing at DemkoKnives.com.  It is a well-designed and well-made knife for everyday carry. If you are looking for a sturdy, practical …


Old School Commo: EE-8 Field Phones, by Tunnel Rabbit

Because I know how easy it is to use a USB SDR Dongle (a poor man’s spectrum analyzer) to find radio transmissions, and how drones might be used to DF signals, I’d rather use hard wire field phones whenever possible, and certainly on those occasions when, or if a drone might be in my remote area. Using low-powered transceivers and directional antennas can be effective in most situations.  But in extreme situations, I would use a field phone if at all possible, and to conduct daily communications with LP/OPs, and with neighbors. Field phones are part of my commo plan …


American Hat Company Range Hat, by Thomas Christianson

A range hat is designed to allow over-the-head, earmuff-style hearing-protection to be worn comfortably over the hat. It accomplishes this by forgoing two features that are common to most baseball caps. Those features are a fabric-covered button (squatchee) on the crown of the hat and the hatmaker’s buckram reinforcement of the front two panels of the hat. Without the squatchee and the buckram, a ranger hat is better able to conform to the shape of the wearer’s head under the muffs. The American Hat Company version of the range hat is made of lightweight, ripstop cotton with a comfortable sweatband …


Buck 0722 Spitfire Folding Knife, by Thomas Christianson

The Buck 0722 Spitfire Folding Knife is a rugged, well-conceived, American-made design that is hampered somewhat by stiff blade deployment. The Spitfire has a shaving-sharp, 3.25 inch blade made of 440HC stainless steel; a nicely-machined, anodized aluminum handle; a robust locking back; and a thumb-hole deployment notch. The knife weighs 3.2 ounces. At the time of this writing, the knife had a manufacturer suggested retail price of $49.99 at www.buckknives.com. That is an excellent price for a good, American-made knife. If they can figure out a way to smooth out blade deployment, this will be an outstanding knife. With the …


Post-SHTF Lighting – Part 3, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the article.) THIRD OPTION: RECHARGEABLE LED LIGHTS This section will be a very basic look at the broad topic of rechargeable lights. The bulk of the information and all of the many options will be presented in the next article of this series on post-SHTF lighting. In order to use rechargeables for illumination after the SHTF three things are needed: 1. rechargeable lights 2. a charging device 3. a “plug-and-play” solar panel 1. Rechargeable lights Rechargeable lights come in a wide variety of styles with options such as battery capacity, hi, medium, and low …


A Disaster Laptop Computer – Part 3, by J.M.

(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the article.) Reference Material Another useful function that computers do really well is store, manage, and interact with information. No one can remember everything, and there are a lot of sources of free or low-cost eBooks, articles, documents, manuals, etc. on the Internet that can be extremely useful for a post-disaster world. I created a folder on the 1TB microSD card on my disaster laptop named ‘Reference Material’, and here are some of the things I’ve collected and stored there: SurvivalBlog Archive – ($33) An obvious choice for SurvivalBlog readers. [JWR Adds: It also …


A Disaster Laptop Computer – Part 2, by J.M.

(Continued from Part 1.) I’ve created a list of the applications that I consider critical for supporting my post-disaster requirements. Where possible I prefer free or low-cost and open source software, but there are a couple of applications that you’re better off paying for. Note that many free or open source projects have the option to donate to their efforts – those folks invest a lot of their personal time writing and maintaining the applications, so if you find it useful please consider making a donation to help support their efforts. While I’m focusing on a Windows solution, most of …


A Disaster Laptop Computer – Part 1, by J.M.

Unless you’re already living completely self-sufficiently and off-grid, when a TEOTWAWKI scenario comes along you’re going to have to quickly adapt your lifestyle and mindset in order to survive long-term. That means bringing all of your preparations to bear, including skills, expertise, information and supplies. While you may have prepared for immediate survival, implementing a major long-term shift in your lifestyle will require an organized approach to keep track of the information, schedules and other activities you’ll need to keep going. In ‘normal’ times many of us use computers to perform these types of activities, and there’s no reason you …


Vala Alta Irish Linen Handkerchiefs, by Thomas Christianson

Other than using cotton balls for starting fires, it is generally best to avoid cotton for field use. Cotton fabric tends to attract and retain moisture, at which point it becomes uncomfortable and loses its insulating value. As a result, “cotton kills” has become a common saying regarding wearing cotton in the field. Although there are not too many situations in which one’s life might depend on the insulating value of their handkerchief, there are many times when one’s comfort is dependent upon that article being dry. Linen handkerchiefs provide a stronger and faster drying alternative to cotton handkerchiefs. As …


Lightning Strike Fire Starter, by Thomas Christianson

The ability to start fires is foundational to survival. Fire provides warmth, light, hot food, the ability to signal, and a host of other practical and psychological benefits in the field. As a result, I recommend that an individual carry at least three fire-starting tools in their bugout bag, survival kit, or on their person while out in the field. These fire-starting tools may consist of things like matches in a waterproof case, a lighter (butane, liquid fuel, or plasma), a permanent metal match, a magnifying glass, or a ferrocerium rod. Because of its durability, stability under storage, and reliability …


Granberg G-1012XT 12-Volt Chain Grinder, by Thomas Christianson

The ability to effectively sharpen a chain is one of the most basic foundations for productive chainsaw use. Cutting with a well-sharpened chain is a joy. Trying to cut with a dull chain is a frustrating and soul-rending ordeal. In Greek mythology, a man named Sisyphus was punished in the afterlife for his wickedness. He was eternally compelled to roll a large bolder up a steep hill. Every time he neared the top of the hill, the bolder would slip away and roll back down to the bottom of the hill. His punishment was the frustration of being forever engaged …


Otis FG-750 Tactical Cleaning System, by Thomas Christianson

The Otis FG-750 Tactical Cleaning System is lightweight, compact and versatile. It is suitable for cleaning something with a barrel as small as a .177 caliber pellet gun, a barrel as large as a 12 gauge shotgun, and pretty much anything in between. A clever system of proprietary patches greatly contributes to the system’s versatility and ease of use. But the slotted tips of the system could easily be pressed into service if necessary with standard gun cleaning patches or even with homemade patches made of cut-up rags. A small zippered nylon pouch carries the entire system, keeping it neat, …