Category: Reader-Written Contributed Article

Prepping: Things That I Got Right – Part 2, by 3AD Scout

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Our first home had a gas forced air furnace and a wood fire place. I had a natural gas ventless heater installed in our basement. A few days after our daughter was born, we had another major storm and power outage. With a two year old and a new born we decided to bug out to her dad’s house until our power came back on. Before we left, I turned the ventless heater on low and left the basement door cracked open. When our power came back on just shy of 72 …


Prepping: Things That I Got Right – Part 1, by 3AD Scout

In a recent SurvBut ivalblog article, I shared with readers the things that I wish I could re-do in my preparedness journey. It only seemed logical that I also share some things that I got right in that journey as well. Starting the journey Number one has to be that I started the journey into preparedness. Many people write about preparedness being a lifestyle but I think it starts with a particular mindset. I can tell you the event that started me on my journey. It was one Spring in the early 80’s when I got home from middle school …


Communications Options for the Common Man – Part 6, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 5. This concludes the article.) Field Phone Line Circuits: The Platoon Hot Loop This method can to be used if the layout of LP/OPs is favorable. This method of connecting phones is referred to as the Platoon Hot Loop, yet the connection can be made to string the phones together, not in a circle but all along a singe line be it straight or in a circular shape that resembles a perimeter. The ‘loop’ is actually the electrical path created the connections made in a series in the same way Christmas tree lights were once supplied with …


Communications Options for the Common Man – Part 5, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 4.) The Swedish M37 field telephone is an example of a good middle-of-the-road approach that is relatively lightweight, affordable, adequately durable, and mostly found to be in good operational condition.  These are not as sophisticated and suitable for silent operation as either the TA-312 or the TA-1, yet they can be fitted with a 12 VDC grain of wheat sized red LED that pulses when an incoming call is made to the phone or a peizo buzzer that softly chirps and closely duplicates the TA-312 reduced volume ‘ringer’ merely by connect either to the terminals.  Disconnect the …


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 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1.) I’ve busted other Ham buddies who were not FCC compliant with an embarrassing phone call.  It is a fun and a useful exercise and practice of a poor man’s version of what is referred to by the military as Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). Intelligence of any kind, from Human Intelligence (HUMINT) to SIGINT is needed, because intelligence gathering in general is essential to our security operation. Intelligence from all sources should drive our security operations.  I (and others) will be listening for radio traffic as that is the easiest form of intelligence available to the survivalist.  As …


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 …


Post-SHTF Lighting: Portable Power Stations – Part 3, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 2.  This concludes the article.) HOW TO POWER LIGHTS USING A PPS Now let’s take a look at various ways to power lamps, lights, and flashlights. 1. Rechargeable Lights There are lots of options with rechargeable lighting so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find something that appeals to you. Here are some things to look for when buying rechargeable lights. These features will be listed on the box or in the product description if shopping online. Battery capacity – The higher the better. The larger the battery capacity, the longer it can provide light without needing …


Post-SHTF Lighting: Portable Power Stations – Part 2, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 1.) DETERMINING HOW LONG A PPS CAN SUPPLY POWER To determine how long a fully-charged PPS will last, three things must be considered: 1.) The wattage of the device being powered 2.) How long you need it to run for, and 3.) The wattage capacity of the PPS battery. As previously mentioned, to simplify the math some of the battery rules are ignored such as maximum drawdown percentage of a battery and the energy loss when inverting from 12 Volts DC to 120 Volts AC. Appliance Wattage – Nearly every 120 VAC electric device has the wattage …


Post-SHTF Lighting: Portable Power Stations – Part 1, by St. Funogas

This is the second of a four-article series on post-SHTF lighting options. It covers the basics of portable power stations (PPS) as well as what kinds of lights to consider using with a PPS or other 12-volt DC source of power. I hope those who read Part 1 of this series on off-grid lighting came to realize that for a post-SHTF world, a portable power station (PPS) is not only far less expensive than candles or oil lamps, but also healthier and safer. When managed properly, not only can a PPS provide all or most of the light we’ll need …


Temporary Emergency Roofing, by A.F.

As we drove home from church this morning, signs of damage from hurricanes Debby and Helene were still abundant though the storms are now more that six months behind us. Since Debby, I have been watching for signs of repairs at a home where one corner took a tree strike that busted the roof wide open. Within the past week it appears someone has at last replaced the lightweight basic blue tarp with a heavier option, although the new one is only secured with roofing nails every 4-5 feet around the perimeter. Many of the remaining tarps are reaching the …


The Least Invasive Real ID, by St. Funogas

With the Real ID requirements finally going into effect as of May 7th, a US passport card is the best option for those interested in maintaining as much privacy as possible. A passport card offers more flexibility and maintains your privacy to a higher degree than a driver’s license. For those who consider their home address at the top of their privacy list, nothing beats a passport card. I’m no expert in this field but I’m basing this article on my own personal experiences and testimonies of friends. The reader is strongly advised to do their own research before applying …


Age-Appropriate Prepping Logistics, by R.D.

Many of the articles in the SurvivalBlog discuss preparation for different survival situations. With that In mind, we all have to face the fact that we are aging and that at some point, we may decide to share or pass along some of the supplies that we have accumulated. It also occurred to me that, as we age, our desire to help others may impact our survival plans. From a personal perspective, I’ve reached the point in my life where I’ve lived longer than any of my male ancestors. And, I’m certainly not as physically capable as I was in …


A Simplified Disaster Network – Part 2 by J.M.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Synchronizing The second useful capability I wanted this solution to support is the ability for various applications I use to synchronize their data with a single ‘master’ copy. That allows multiple individuals to read, edit and update information and ensure everyone has easy access to the latest version. For example, in my article on setting up a laptop for use after a disaster I mentioned the use of tools like Obsidian and/or Joplin for managing things like intelligence information, basic note-taking, inventory management, etc. Both of these applications support the ability to …