A Low Power Communications Station in a Bucket – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

Introduction

This five-part article is about a low-power communications station that fits into a 6-gallon plastic bucket that can be operated in or out of a bucket, or perhaps two buckets. Included are tips to help maintain the station, and improve its effectiveness. Some can afford to buy better equipment, and some will also be interested in gathering Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). I believe that SIGINT will become essential in the future. This example was put together on a tight budget, so I can afford to make several communications stations, and still perform SIGINT and use digital modes. We should assemble several basic stations first, and then later, work on making these stations more capable.

I recommend that you obtain the basics first, and skip the items on the list labeled as “optional”. Ultimately the reader decides what goes in the bucket, and if there is a need for a second bucket that supports the first. A basic station will fit into one bucket that includes a small storage battery, and a small foldable PV panel array. Ready Made Resources offers a 21-watt foldable panel that is a good candidate. A copy of this article, and The Guerilla’s Guide to the Baofeng Radio, along with frequency lists, a brevity code, operators manuals, and notes can be added to the bucket. That way, in the event that I become MIA, my friends can pick it up and use it.Continue reading“A Low Power Communications Station in a Bucket – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on another Yellowstone bison goring incident — this one with a happy ending. (See the Wyoming section.)

Idaho

Idaho Fish and Game partnered with local landowners to control deer population and prevent disease spread.

o  o  o

Hayden fire continues to grow.

o  o  o

Evacuations in place for Newell Road Fire.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Got a gun that my granddad gave me

They say one day they’re gonna round up

That sh*t may fly in the city

Good luck trying that in a small town.” – Jason Aldean, from the lyrics to Try That in a Small Town

Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 24, 2023

The late Jerry Ahern passed away on this day, July 24th, in 2012. His survivalist novels created an entire genre.

—

Just a few days left! Get your article in for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $825,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

—

Today’s feature article was written by Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

Remington Vantage Pellet Gun, by Thomas Christianson

I recently picked up a Remington Vantage pellet gun at a garage sale for $50. The most surprising thing about that purchase was that my wife, “Kari”, called the gun to my attention. Kari cannot be described in any way as a gun enthusiast. She tolerates guns as a necessary evil, but steadfastly refuses to touch one herself under any circumstances. So I was shocked when she not only drew the pellet gun to my attention, but also supported the purchase and even carried the gun to the car for me while I carried the much heavier box containing her purchases.

I was hoping that the gun would provide a reasonably priced alternative for marksmanship practice and for pest control. At the time of this writing, the current model of this gun (the Crosman Vantage NP) was available for $188.71 from crosman.com. Unfortunately, the gun was not accurate enough to be a good choice for either marksmanship practice or pest control. I would recommend seeking other alternatives.

Description

The Remington Vantage is a single-shot, break-barrel air rifle available in .177 and .22 calibers. The model I have is .177 caliber. It has a wooden stock, and an 18.5 inch barrel. The barrel seems much longer than that, since the compression chamber and other mechanical parts associated with the action are 14 inches long. Overall, the rifle measures 44.5 inches from recoil pad to muzzle, making it longer than many centerfire rifles. It is heavier than many centerfire rifles as well, weighing in at 7.79 pounds. With a muzzle velocity of up to 1200 fps, it is significantly more powerful than the Crosman 760 of my childhood. As a result, the Owner’s Manual recommends that the airgun be used by adults only.Continue reading“Remington Vantage Pellet Gun, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Tuna-Potato Cakes

The following recipe for Tuna-Potato Cakes is from SurvivalBlog reader M.S.. She says that this recipe is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.

Ingredients
  • 12 oz of canned tuna, drained
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 12 oz russet potatoes (2 medium russet potatoes, or about 2 cups mashed potatoes)
  • ¼ cup milk (optional, to make the potatoes easier to mash)
  • 2 large eggs (beaten)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
DirectionS
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Wash and dry potatoes. Use a fork to piece each side of the potatoes 5 times. Place in microwave-safe bowl filled with approximately ½-¾ cup water. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Flip potatoes over. Microwave an additional 5 minutes. Remove from bowl, let cool 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel with your hands.
  3. Mash potatoes in a medium-sized bowl. If they’re lumpy, add up to ¼ cup milk to help smooth them out. It’s okay if some lumps still remain.
  4. Mash tuna in a separate bowl with a squeeze of lemon juice. Then, add tuna to the mashed potatoes along with the paprika, salt, pepper, parsley, oregano, and grated onion. Mix well to combine. Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Add the eggs and mix well to combine.
  6. Pour bread crumbs into a wide, shallow bowl or Tupperware container. Use a large spoon to scoop tennis-ball sized amounts of the tuna mixture into your hands, and shape them into balls. Roll each ball in the bread crumbs to coat.
  7. Place the balls in a greased casserole dish, then gently flatten into discs or ovals that are approximately ½″ high.
  8. Bake tuna cakes at 400°F for 45-50 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
SERVING

Serve with gravy or homemade aioli.

—

Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at some warnings from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Millennials are hoarding more gold than boomers and Gen X-ers.

o  o  o

Why a Texas Gold-Backed Currency Is a Stand Against the Fed.

Economy & Finance:

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon Lists a Number of Threats to the U.S. Economy.

o  o  o

Monthly mortgage payments reach record highs in US.

o  o  o

Your Paycheck Could Clear Faster With FedNow.

o  o  o

Illinois to Require Landlords Rent to Illegal Aliens as Housing Costs Surge. JWR’s Comments: We are now a nation that has had its legal system stood upon its head. What is next? A law requiring landlords to rent houses to child molesters?

o  o  o

CNN: What markets are saying about when to expect a recession.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“One cannot legislate the maniacs off the street… these maniacs can only be shut down by an armed citizenry. Indeed bad things can happen in nations where the citizenry is armed, but not as bad as those which seem to be threatening our disarmed citizenry in this country at this time.” – Col. Jeff Cooper

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — July 23, 2023

On July 23, 1777  Polish military leader Casimir Pulaski arrived in Marblehead, Massachusetts, to volunteer in the Continental Army cavalry.

On July 23, 1944 Battle of Kursk (Koersk) ended. This massive tank battle in the USSR was a defeat for the Nazis, with thousands of German tanks destroyed.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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 $795.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $825,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Preparing With a Parent in Decline, by C.H. in Kansas

It’s a hard thing to watch a parent who is in decline. This may include physical failings, cognitive decline, loss of memory, forgetfulness, disturbed sleep patterns, and bad decisions. The person who once took care of you is simply no longer able to take care of themselves. What responsibilities do you have toward family? 

In this article,  I’m going to relate some thoughts regarding the care of an elderly parent and some considerations for general preparedness planning, not necessarily TEOTWAWKI. This is not intended to be an exhaustive treatment of the subject of hospice, elder care, legal issues, or anything else. It is simply some of the experiences my wife and I have had taking in an elderly parent and some Lessons Learned. As with everything else, Your Mileage May Vary.

Background

Our family moved to the northern Ozarks a bit over forty years ago. My parents purchased a small plot of vacant land. A well was drilled, power brought in, septic dug, and the family homestead established. It was home for a long time as the children grew, graduated, and left. Eventually Dad passed and only Mom remained on the property. Fortunately, none of us had moved terribly far away.

My interest in preparedness began as a child through reading Boy’s Life magazine and Outdoor Life. There seemed to be a monthly article of how someone found themselves lost in the wilderness and in a life-or-death situation. I drifted away from this as I grew up and went off to college. Eventually I joined the reserve forces, had a couple deployments after 9/11. It was after one of these that a neighbor sent a link to SurvivalBlog to me, and this rekindled my interest in preparedness. I didn’t really start working toward goals until a few years ago (following the election of BHO) and retirement from the National Guard. Most of those have been financial and land acquisition. There is a long way to go.Continue reading“Preparing With a Parent in Decline, by C.H. in Kansas”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

Oppie Says: If Nuclear Bombs Were Tested By Dyslexics…
The Results Would Be Unclear

Note From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

 

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” – Hebrews 5 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — July 22, 2023

Led by U.S. General George S. Patton, Allied forces took Palermo, on the northwest corner of Sicily, on July 22, 1943.  This gave them a strategic foothold from which to invade mainland Italy during World War II.

—

On July 22, 1489, the Treaty of Frankfurt was signed between Maximilian of Austria and King Charles VIII of France.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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 $795.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $825,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

How to Make and Use Vinegar, by St. Funogas

If there’s one thing we take for granted in our kitchens it’s vinegar. For a couple of bucks you can buy a gallon and it’ll last most people a year or more.

After the SHTF when every survivor must learn home canning as well as make their own cleaning products and limited antiseptics, vinegar making is a skill every household will need to master. Today it’s a fun activity and a way to put our canning waste to good use but after the Crash, it will be one of the most important food-preservatives available to us. Thus, it’s one more necessary skill we should all have on our TEOTWAWKI resumes.

Fortunately, it’s easy to make.Continue reading“How to Make and Use Vinegar, by St. Funogas”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

This week was quite busy for us.  Summers are always hectic, on a small ranch-homestead like ours. There is always so much to do!

We got the last of the hay stacked in our barn for next winter — just over 22 tons, in all. There were only a few bales left over from last year, and we will probably use that for bedding. Locally, straw bales are now just as expensive as grass hay bales, so there is no longer any point in laying in a separate supply.

The three of us drained and scrubbed out our Redneck Pool, to get it ready for swimming. Freshly refilled and lightly chlorinated, it looked dandy. And that was just a day in advance of the arrival of our four grandsons for a six-day stay at our ranch.

I finally got back out in the woods with a freshly-sharpened chain on my main chainsaw. Hopefully, I’ll have all of the rest of this year’s firewood quota cut and hauled out of the woods within two weeks. Because I have a couple of other projects to tackle, the splitting and stacking phase may have to wait until late August or early September. For now, I’m only splitting the green rounds. There is no rush to split the rounds from the dead-standing trees, since they are already quite dry.

Our neighbor came over with his tractor to scrape manure from our cow corrals for a few hours. That gave us about 15 cubic yards of the lovely black stuff. It is now piled next to our annex garden. I never regret paying him for his tractor time, each year. If I had to do all of that with a shovel and wheelbarrow, it would have taken me more than a week.

I had one day of on-site consulting with a client, early in the week, in the vicinity of Sandpoint, Idaho. Those on-site days are always interesting.

I still have a couple of fence rails to replace, and some garden water system plumbing to complete.  Work on a ranch is never finished. If nothing else, the Law of Entropy is inescapable.

Now, on to Lily’s report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”