Letter Re: Amateur Radio Licensees

Hello Hugh,

I’m a ham radio operator, and in my monthly ham radio magazine, QST, I saw a chart of ham radio licensees by year. See http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-showing-steady-growth-in-the-us. It is amazing. Take a look at the chart at the bottom of the page and observe the steep increase in licensees, after four years of decline. What’s the pivotal year? 2008! That coincides with the point in time many of us first took an interest in preparedness, coincident with the acceleration of the political decline in America.

It appears that SIXTY THOUSAND people have received ham radio licenses during the Obama administration, including several in classes I have taught. We don’t discuss preparedness so much in our classes, but it’s on their minds.

How encouraging that 60,000 new licensees are better prepared to communicate after SHTF and better prepared to rebuild our great nation! – CJ

Hugh Replies: While I’m sure that as the “preparedness attitude” increases with the general population, they tend to look at Ham radio as a primary form of practicing communications, but I don’t think it’s the primary motivation in the increase of numbers. Only about 17 percent of the U.S. population is concerned with prepardness beyond about three days. There is some ambiguity in those numbers, and they are hard to verify, so don’t take them too seriously. Personally, I tend to think that they are on the high side. Ham radio operators that I have spoken with feel that that is a good percentage number to use when speaking about Hams who utilize the bandwidth to prepare for communications when the SHTF. Most Hams that are involved in the emergency communications part of the hobby do so as part of an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) affiliated American Radio Emergency Service (ARES) club or possibly the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) or similar organizations. Their participation in emergency communications tends to be centered around government priorities– mostly local, county or state. For several years, FEMA has pumped dollars, not just into local emergency organizations like fire, ambulance, and police, but also support organizations like ARES clubs. The next time you are on a “field day” exercise, ask to see one of the local Ham’s “go bags”. What you will most likely find is an assortment of communication gear, connectors, coax, power wiring, et cetera. Very seldom will you see a “go bag” that is actually oriented towards survival. They are mostly concerned about having the right connector to hook any antenna up to any radio in the field. It is an appropriate bag for the goals that they have.

A bit of history here might help. Citizens Band (CB) radio was initially required to operate only with a license. As deregulation began, the requirement for licenses for CB radios was relaxed and the flood began. In the late 70’s Amateur Radio was booming as CB became congested and “unruly” in its operation. As pagers and cellular communications became common though, Ham radio licenses began to decline. Around the same time, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) came up with the idea of auctioning off spectrum licenses to generate income. The Ham bands, originally occupying what was considered unusable bandwidth, now was in possession of prime radio frequency (RF) real estate. The ARRL needed more Hams to justify to the FCC why that spectrum needed to remain untouched. Thus began the process of the removal of licensing requirements from Ham radio. The ARRL, as the primary voice of Ham radio in the U.S., worked with the FCC to restructure the system. Many changes were enacted, from the FCC handing the testing for licenses over to clubs, to the removal of the code requirements and simplification of the testing questions. I should also mention that the ARRL is also a private company that sells publications. They have a vested financial interest in having a large base of Hams to sell their publications to.

When you speak with an old-timer Ham, you will often see torn loyalties. They readily recognize that if those changes were not made, the user base would have declined to the point where there might not be such a thing as Ham licenses, with the FCC grabbing of spectrum. On the other hand, the license does not represent what it once did. In the 1950s and 60s, most Hams built their own equipment from scratch and had a full understanding of how it worked. Often, Ham radio was the pioneer on proving new communications techniques, like spread spectrum, digital, and slow scan. Today, most Hams buy their equipment and have a rudimentary understanding of RF (if any at all).

In any event, the result is that it is easier than ever to obtain a Ham license today. You can practice communications on a personal level and in real or simulated events, if you are part of an ARES organization. Some times local governments don’t even deal with ARES (due to legal questions in activating them), and they just want individual Hams to participate in their organization. Regardless of the reason for the increase in the number of Hams, we should take advantage of the opportunity and license now, so we can be practicing prepardness communications.

News From The American Redoubt:

A controversial bill allowing Guns on campus bill passes House committee in Boise Idaho. At the same time, A Boise State University professor makes a public statement: When May I Shoot a Student?. It’s absurdity at its best. – RBS

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M.J. sent in this article about local folks having access to public roads: Judge rules against Forest Service travel plan

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Adding to the already contentious issue – THE WOLF EFFECT: Why Anti-Hunters are Dead Wrong about Wolves – K.F.

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This isn’t a small crack either. It is apparently large enough to have caused visual movement in the roadbed above the dam. Washington Dam Has 65-Foot Crack – L.M.

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9th Circuit blasts Montana Buckaroo rifle plan – H.L.

Odds ‘n Sods:

Those sneaky thieves! Apparently the coat hanger trick has moved from the car to the garage door. But you can stop it cold with a simple zip tie: $1 fix could secure your garage from thieves – G.S.

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Once a country no longer values human life, how long till they descend into this? –Red Reign: China’s horrific nonconsensual organ harvesting and religious oppression unveiled

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For Valley citrus growers, this season has 2 natural disasters. News of the severe drought continues to rock the system.

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And the executive orders issued by Obama in January 2013 start taking effect: Bypassing Congress, DOJ to Announce Expansion to Gun Background Checks

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D.C. sent in the link to an animated video on taxation. It is certainly enlightening, especially when you consider that the Boston tea party occurred with taxation in the range of 3% and without representation. Today the highest rates hover around the 50% mark and are still absent representation. You Can Always Leave

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration, somehow you’re not patriotic. And we should stand up and say we are Americans and we have a right to debate and disagree with any administration.” – Hillary Clinton, 2003 YouTube video

Notes from HJL:

In analyzing the Ukraine, I’m finding interesting facts about an area that I have known little of. To me, it appears that the Ukraine is in a similar position to the U.S. in 1776. Much of the country is pro-Russia and much of it is pro-Independant. While the U.S. government makes much ado (at least with their lips) regarding Putin putting forces on the ground in Ukraine, it appears that there are long-standing agreements in place that allow Russia access to facilities in the Black Sea. P.M. sent in this link showing maps of Ukraine from the New York Times and it’s readily apparent why Russia is so interested in the Crimea Area.

It is also interesting to note that Ukraine’s defense forces are ill-prepared to deal with the amount and types of hardware that is being massed in the area. It is still difficult to tell if the protesters are pro- or anti-Russia in regards to the developments or if they just have issues with their own government’s stance. We will still need to keep a close eye on things as they develop as this event has the ability to magnify to such an extent so as to destabilize the world, both politically and economically. Anybody remember Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

Guest Article: Precious Metals Month In Review, by Steven Cochran

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in review. Every month, we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals, covering everything from price action to the information that’s driving the numbers.

February In Precious Metals

Three major factors for precious metals in February were Chinese physical demand; poor economic news in the U.S. (which was blamed on sequential blizzards); and emerging market crises, especially Ukraine.

China

Chinese gold sales last month hit 246 metric tons – a record for January – but the pace didn’t slow down after the Lunar New Year as expected. Chinese gold buyers weren’t just lured by low prices in February, they were protecting themselves against a possible financial collapse similar to what happened with Lehman Brothers and AIG in the U.S. in 2008. A substantial portion of China’s economy is depending on unregulated “under the table” loans to companies who can’t qualify for a bank loan. The Chinese central bank started reducing the money supply to squeeze out this practice, and the citizens, fearing bank defaults, started pulling their savings from banks and flooding jewelry stores to buy gold chains and bars. Chinese weekly gold demand has exceeded weekly global mine production for all but two weeks so far this year.

When the official Chinese gold import numbers for 2013 were released by Beijing, Western news sources jumped on the fact that domestic Chinese gold mining and scrap gold recycling totaling 500 metric tons was not accounted for. Many people speculate that this missing gold ended up in a shell company belonging to the Chinese central bank, to keep its gold purchases hidden while it sells off U.S. Treasuries.

Economic Slowdown

Many analysts were looking for a correction in the stock market bubble this month, and disappointing economic data gave many the cover to jump ship. On February 3rd, both U.S. and European stock markets saw their biggest one-day drop in six months. An estimated $24 billion in investments was pulled out of U.S. equity markets that week. At the same time, gold skeptic Ed Bowsher wrote a column in MoneyWeek titled “I’ve Never Bought Gold Before – But I’m Buying It Now.“

There was no fight over raising the debt ceiling in mid-February, which would have given gold a boost, but the yellow metal really didn’t need it. Both gold and silver continued to show gains, even when the stock markets pushed higher. Gold rose above the 50-day moving average on January 23rd, and never looked back. On February 7th, it rose above the important 100-day moving average, and on Valentine’s Day, it broke the $1,320 mark, above the 200-day moving average. At the same time, silver posted it’s longest rally in 45 years, dating back to 1968. Both metals are handily beating the stock market in 2014 so far.

SHTF in Emerging Nations

Gold (and silver’s) excellent month wasn’t just about an oversold market and good fundamentals. There was literally blood in the streets on three continents, as popular uprisings against corrupt governments escalated to gunfire from both sides.

Anti-government protestors in Thailand got hold of M-79 grenade launchers seized from riot police, and turned them on their former owners. Snipers from both sides have also inflicted numerous casualties.

Venezuela was on the brink of a full-scale civil war all month, as a divided populace held mass demonstrations for and against the government. Protests were sparked by food shortages, an inflation rate over 50%, and rampant crime. Dozens have been killed in the fighting.

The big news this month was of course Ukraine. With a government on the brink of default and a currency hitting new lows, President Viktor Yanukovych agreed to a deal from his Russian allies to scrap an agreement for closer ties with the EU in exchange for a $15 billion loan to Ukraine. This set off protests by thousands of citizens, already disgusted with what they saw as cronyism and a looting of the national treasury by Yanukovych and his inner circle. Leading protestors were “disappeared” by the government, and demonstrations devolved into street fighting in the capital of Kiev, with hundreds dead and wounded.

After Yanukovych was deposed by parliament, he fled to the Crimea in southern Ukraine. This area is full of the descendents of ethnic Russians settled here by Stalin after purging the local population, and is a Yanukovych stronghold. This is also the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and Putin has no intention of losing this strategic port. 150,000 Russian troops and tanks are massed on the Ukrainian border, holding “war games”. On February 26th, 120 uniformed gunmen with no insignia stormed the Crimean parliament building, and raised the Russian flag after days of protest between pro- and anti- Russian crowds in Sevestapol.

All these events have been a major factor in gold’s rally of nearly $100 in February.

Market Buzz

Gold and silver had a very strong February, despite a pullback at the end of the month. Both have solid uptrends in place, and bulls have the short-term advantage. One market sector that has seen conflicting rumors is India. It seems that almost daily, there are reports that the Finance Ministry is going to ease the draconian gold import restrictions, or are going to leave them in place. Over 200 metric tons of gold was estimated to have been smuggled into India in 2013, costing the government $1 billion in lost taxes.

More proof that physical gold is moving West to East, never to be seen on the London or COMEX ever again, is the report that 80% of gold exported by Switzerland in January went to Asia. Most of this gold came from the London Gold Exchange. The 400 oz Good Delivery bars are melted down and purified from .999 to .9999 fineness, then re-cast into 1 kilo bars for the Asian market.

GATA.org alerts its readers that the Financial Times scrubbed a report from their website that said an auditing firm examined the London Gold Fix from January 2010 to December 2013, and found evidence that suggested collusion or manipulation of gold prices approximately 50% of the time. Eric Sprott notes that the coming end of gold manipulation is a “golden opportunity” for investors.

Peter Schiff says that Yellen is better for gold than Bernanke was, and explains why in this video from February 19. Another of our favorite links from this month is Matthew Lynn’s “Three Warning Signs From Higher Gold Prices” on MarketWatch.

Speaking of the London Gold Fix, it seems like the largest bank in the world by assets, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, is positioning itself to take over Deutsche Bank’s role at the exclusive table. ICBC has purchased the London commodities and forex division of Standard Bank, which gives it the presence in the international gold market to qualify to be one of the five banks in the world that sets the benchmark gold price.

On The Retail Front

The U.S. Mint reported that demand for the Silver Eagle bullion coin has quadrupled since 2007. Year to date sales for the Silver Eagle through February was nearly 8.5 million coins. The Perth Mint has a new collectible hit on its hands with the “Gods of Olympus” series of 2 oz silver high relief coins. The first coin, featuring Zeus, sold out within hours of its introduction.

There was some “buried treasure” news this month, as we learn that the hard work and research of two Scottish treasure hunters paid off when they unearthed 322 medieval silver coins during a dig in gale-force winds. Unlike the United States, treasure hunting laws in Scotland and the U.K. encourage metal detectorists to turn significant finds in to the government, because even if a museum decides it wants the treasure, it has to pay the market price, which is then split between the finder and land-owner. Not at all like the confiscatory practices in the U.S.

The big story was of course the California couple who stumbled upon the largest buried cache of gold coins ever found in the United States, while walking their dog on their property. The 1,427 gold U.S. coins date from 1847 to 1894, and many are in mint condition. The find is estimated to be worth $10 million, with some of the coins worth over a million dollars by themselves.

Looking Ahead

We still haven’t seen the stock market correction we seem to be overdue for, and gold and silver have good market fundamentals heading into March. Ukraine is going to be a big hotspot, and if the Erdogan government in Turkey collapses or goes bankrupt, it could drag Greece and Cyprus down with it. There are many nations right now experiencing the type of conditions that we hope we don’t see in the U.S. but should prepare for. Economic numbers for the U.S. will carry a lot of weight, as there won’t be blizzards to blame for them any more. Eric Sprott notes that the government has changed the way the CPI is measured for the 20th time in 30 years, to hide the true inflation rate. Will prices at the cash register force Yellen to raise the benchmark rates she charges the big banks? Keep in mind, the guy they hired for the #2 spot at the Fed is an expert on hyperinflation.

Steven Cochran is the Senior Content Writer for Gainsville Coins

Guest Article: Jailbreak Your IRA Before It Becomes MyRA, by William Lehr

I am not suggesting the IRA LLC is the bulletproof solution to government confiscation of retirement accounts. However, the LLC investment company does offer another layer of protection. If the government requires a percentage of accounts be invested in treasuries, for example, they may very well come after self-directed IRAs and require them to sell real estate, metals, or any other asset to fulfill the new bond investment obligation. If they come after these specific self-directed IRA LLCs, the individual has the choice to comply or to not comply. Non-compliance certainly has its ramifications, and I am not endorsing it, but choice is a powerful variable.

President Obama’s recent introduction of the new and improved retirement savings vehicle has many people up in arms. Some see this as a trial balloon– a test message by the administration to gauge public opinion. Perhaps it is. After all, full force retirement account bail in without catastrophe is not only improbable, rather impossible, without large-scale resistance. After caving to 2008 Hank Paulson threats of tanks in the streets, the populace, and dare I say, Congress, is not as apt to hand away those civil liberties.

The question is not if an ever-increasing bankrupt government will bail in retirement accounts; it is rather when. Some argue the lowest hanging fruit in the private pension industry are the government employee pensions. That is likely true. If so, the highest hanging fruit in the private pension industry would be self-directed IRAs, and furthermore IRA LLCs.

I liken this to an analogy of government confiscation of precious metals. Consider this: In the event of widespread PM confiscation, what will be the lowest hanging fruit versus the path of most resistance? I would argue the easy targets are vaults and depositories with registered and often certified holdings of PMs. Did you know the majority of IRA metal that is held by trustee is held in COMEX registered vaults? So here we have folks investing in traditional self-directed “Precious metals IRAs” to protect themselves and their savings, when in fact they are telling the regulatory bodies exactly what PMs they own and exactly where they are held.

Let’s not forget the Patriot Act changed the game as it pertains to the legalities of claim on holdings within banks, trustees, and depositories. You may think you, or your IRA, own that metal, but legally you do not, at least not in times of “national emergency.” Isn’t that when we are going to need our metals the most? That, my friends, is low-hanging fruit.

Now consider the path of most resistance– door-to-door PM confiscation. I believe that is about as likely as door-to-door gun confiscation. How many PM owners in our community are armed to the teeth? I imagine those door knocks would be met with stories of theft, loss, boating accidents, gambling, and drug addictions. The boys in government always prefer the path of least resistance.

The IRA LLC offers segregation and protection in numerous regards. It provides the ability to physically store gold and silver that is owned by your IRA, or like account. It also adds a layer of separation from banks, brokers, and thieves. You literally remove your assets from the commercial banking system. Take your retirement off grid. Protect yourself.

Pat’s Product Review: Magnum Research Desert Eagle 1911C

I’m asked, all the time by readers, and students who take some of my handgun training, what is my “favorite gun.” Well, I think most of the time, they mean “handgun” and not just “gun.” Well, I honestly can’t give a pat answer to that question…usually, whatever I have strapped on my hip is my “favorite” gun – at the moment. And, what’s right for me, may not be right for you. I can’t pick a gun for you, it’s a pretty subjective issue as far as I’m concerned.

Folks also ask me what kind of handgun they should get for “survival” – and once again, I can’t give a simple answer to that question. When you say “survival” what do you mean? Are you planning on surviving on the Plains of Africa, where there are lots of dangerous game? What about surviving in the big city? Or surviving out in the country? Or surviving an end of the world event? Once again, I’m not trying to dodge the question, there simply isn’t just one handgun for all purposes.

Now, given a choice, I always fall back on the good ol’ 1911 .45ACP – made by any number of gun companies, and in any number of configurations. Now, my favorite 1911 is a “Commander” sized 1911 – with a 4.25-inch barrel – this model just seems to balance better for me, and I can shoot it faster than I can a full-sized Government model or one of the Officers-sized compact models. I carried a Colt Combat Commander in 1976, when I was in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and never once felt undergunned – it was my constant companion in a Safariland vertical shoulder holster. And, I’ve owned a lot of “Commander” sized 1911s over the years.

Enter the Magnum Research, Desert Eagle 1911C and their entry into the “Commander” sized 1911 field. A few notes on the Desert Eagle 1911C – it is made in Israel, by BUL, and they have been making 1911s for some time now, for different companies…and they manufacture some really great 1911s in my humble opinion. The Desert Eagle 1911C has a 4.33-inch long barrel – so it’s a tad longer than the Colt 4.25-inch barrel – and other makers have Commanders with barrels a little shorter and some longer…so, Desert Eagle is right in the ball park when it comes to barrel length. The 1911C has a bull barrel on it – it flares out so it is thicker on the receiving end of the gun…and it has no barrel bushing, either – nor does it need it. It has a one-piece recoil spring guide rod – and I can take or leave them, but without a barrel bushing, you have to have this type of recoil spring guide rod.

Weight of the 1911C is 33.9-ounces, a slight bit heavier than similar sized guns, but that comes from the bull barrel. On the slide we have hi-profile sights, and this is one of my minor complaints. Us old guys need three dot sights on our combat or self-defense handguns. Still, the sights are very useable, and I like the rear sight – very non-drag in nature. I applied some white paint to the front sight, and placed a dot of orange paint in the center of the white paint on the front sight. On the rear sight, I applied two drops of orange paint to the rear of the sight – on either side of the rear sight notch – and it works just great for me. The rear sight is adjustable for windage only, but I didn’t have to make any adjustments. However, when I get a few bucks ahead, I’m going to have either 3-dot white sights installed on this gun, or night sights. The slide also has slanted and deeply grooved grasping grooves on the rear of the slide. The ejection port is also flared and lowered, for sure ejection of empty brass, as well as loaded rounds. Make sure you carry gun will cleanly eject a loaded round – don’t wait to test it when you “need” to remove a round that didn’t fire and find out, the round won’t eject cleanly – it happens.

On the frame, you’ll find a skeletonized combat type trigger, and my sample broke cleanly at 3.5-pounds. In the past, you’d pay a gunsmith $100+ to put a trigger job on your 1911 as nice as this trigger pull was. We also have a skeletonized speed hammer, and beavertail grip safety, that is stainless steel – the balance of the gun is matte blue in color. The main spring housing is metal and checked. The magazine release is slightly extended compared to standarned buttons, but I’m going to replace it with one a little bit longer. The 1911C also came with a beautifully checkered pair of wood grips. And, once again, one minor complaint here, while I loved the beautiful wood grips, there were just a little bit too thick for my liking. I replaced them with a pair of my designed “Code Zero” 1911 grips from www.mil-tac.com – which I prefer to all other 1911 grips.

The thumb safety is an extended combat style and it clicked on and off with authority – fitted perfectly. The slide release is standard, and I like it that way. Folks who put on extended slide releases are only asking for their slide to lock open during a gun fight – avoid them!

The slide to frame fit was exacting on my sample, no up and down play between the slide and frame, and no side-to-side play. However, after more than 500-rds testing, there is ever so slightly a little movement between the slide and frame. Yes, I shot this gun a lot…it was addicting, to say the least. Right out of the box, the gun functioned without a hitch, and no matter what ammo I fed it, or if I mixed the ammo in different brands of magazines, the gun just ran without any problems at all. The 1911C also comes with two magazines, too – made in Israel. The magazine well is ever so slightly beveled to aid in reloading those empty magazines faster, too.

During the on-going ammo shortages, and higher prices, I’ve been trying to limit my firearms testing to about 200-rds. However, this Desert Eagle just keeps calling out to me, wanting me to shoot it. So, I fired more than 500-rds of ammo through it in my testing. From Black Hills Ammunition www.black-hills.com I only had their 230-grain FMJ and their 200-gr SWC loads – which were outstanding in the accuracy department. From Buffalo Bore Ammuniton www.buffalobore.com I had a good assortment of ammo to test. I had their fairly new 160-gr standard velocity Barnes All-Copper hollow point load, as well as their 160-grain load in +P – same Barnes All-Copper hollow point bullet. I had their 200-grain JHP +P load, their 185-grain JHP +P load, and their 230-grain FMJ FN +P load. I’m growing very fond of the Buffalo Bore 160-grain standard velocity Barnes loading…it gets you back on-target fast, and it will penetrate deeply and it stays together and will expand at velocities as low as 750-FPS. Of course, Tim Sundles, at Buffalo Bore, had to come out with the same bullet, at +P velocities, so I’m still playing around with this load, but I’m starting to lean towards it – heavily – as my carry load. From Winchester Ammunition www.winchester.com I had their USA brand 230-gr FMJ load, and I’ve found this load to be a great range, or target load, and use a lot of it for my function testing or when breaking-in a new 1911 in .45ACP.

My accuracy testing was done from 25-yards, with a sleeping bag rolled-up, and resting on the hood of my SUV… With most loads, I was getting 3-4 inches – about average. However, the Black Hills 200-grain SWC load was giving me 2-inch groups, and I believe the gun is capable of even better accuracy than that – with that load. During a good number of range sessions, we had rain and fog, and the weather was not the best for getting the most accuracy out of the 1911C. The Buffalo Bore 230-gr FMJ FN +P load broke the 3-inch group mark a few times for me, if I did my part.

I carried the Desert Eagle 1911C for more than a month, during my testing. And, “yes” I really do carry the handguns that I test-fire, to see how they ride and conceal. I was using a Blackhawk Products http://www.blackhawk.com/product/SERPA-CQC-wMatte-Finish,1145,1410.htm SERPA concealment holster. I like this product, because it not only allows the gun to ride high and close to your body, it also has the SERPA locking mechanism. This allows the gun to automatically lock in the holster, every time you holster the gun. And, to release the gun, during a natural draw, your index finger automatically slides right on the release button, and a simple push, on the button, releases the gun as your draw it. I place a small tab of skate board tape on the release button, so I know my finger is right on the button. I also carried the 1911C with a spare mag, in a Blackhawk Products spare mag carrier on my left side – if you carry for self-defense, PLEASE carry a spare magazine!

Magnum Research teamed with BUL in Israel, to come up with a full-featured 1911, with many of the features you’d want on a carry gun, and nothing you don’t want. Some of these features would easily cost you $500+ if you had a gunsmith fit and install them on a basic plain Jane 1911. The Desert Eagle 1911C has a full-retail of $874 and it can often be found for quite a bit less than that. As always, I try to get the most for my hard-earn bucks…and if you’re in the market for a new 1911, or you’re a first-time buyer looking for a 1911, take a close look at the Desert Eagle 1911C and if you want a full-sized model, check out their 1911G model. Now, as usual, I have to justify keeping this sample…which means coming up with the money to buy it – but buy it I will – it’s not going back to the company…it’s a great buy, in a full-featured 1911 “Commander” sized gun in my book. – SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio

Pat’s Product Review: 750 & 550 Parachute Cord From 5 Col Survival Supply

I get contacted by SurvivalBlog readers daily, and I take the time to answer each e-mail, and I have to keep my replies short, because my time is limited. I’m often asked, “what should I carry in my BOB?” and I can’t really give a definitive answer to that. It depends on where you live, you age, your own personal requirements, when do you plan to bug out to, and other factors. Many readers send me a list of all the things they have packed in their BOB, and most are pretty well equipped for many different emergencies. One item that is often missing, is Paracord – and I’m using this in a generic term.

There are many different types of Paracord, some better than others, and some really cheaply made – so to be clear, not all Paracord is the same in quality. And, if you don’t have a good 25 or 50 foot hank of Paracord in your BOB, shame on you! This is one of the handiest items you can pack in your BOB, and it doesn’t take up much room, either.

I received some different types of Paracord from 5Col Survival Supply for testing, and to put it bluntly, they aren’t making junk – like you might find at the big box stores. As I said, not all Paracord is the same. First of all, 5Col Survival Supply sells only military grade Paracord, conforming to Mil-C5040H and the newer pia-c-5040 specifications. Now, while this might not mean anything to you, but if your about to make a jump from a plane, you want to know that, your parachute has the best Paracord you can get attached to the canopy. Additionally, all their Paracord is manufactured in the USA!

The folks at 5Col Survival Supply, are a family run business, and I like to send business the way of small companies like this, for some reason. They keep extremely busy, and I understand they are growing, too. They sent me Type IV 750 and Type III 550 Paracord samples for testing, along with hanks of different colored Paracord – and they have a nice selection, so you don’t have to settle for OD green or black when you place an order. Needless to say, the Type IV 750 Paracord is thicker and capable of holding more weight than the Type III 550 Paracord – so you have to decide which one you want to carry – personally, I’d just go with the Type IV 750 for my needs. The Type IV has 11 core strands, and all core strands are 3-ply – heavy duty! And, as the name suggests, it has a minimum breaking strength of 750 pounds. The outside diameter is 3/16th of an inch, and a pound of it is about 165 feet in length, so it doesn’t weigh much at all.

So, what are the uses for Paracord? Well, there are many, and this is just a partial list of suggestions. You can use it to help build a shelter, traps for small game, snares, rigging, trot lines, gill nets, wraps, braids and many other survival purposes. I’ve tried Paracord in the past as fishing line – you have to take it apart, and use the thin inner strands, but it works quite well – very strong. It’s great for lashing gear to your body or your pack, too. I have a friend, who is a former US Army Ranger, and he said whenever he went on a jump, he took inner strands of the Paracord and used them to lash down his gear, so it wouldn’t go flying off his body – and hit him in the face, good idea if you ask me. You can also use it to fasten a knife to a pole, for an improvised weapon or for spearing fish. The uses are almost unlimited when it comes to Paracord. I’ve used Paracord on more than one occasion when a shoe lace broke – and there is no better substitute for a shoe or boot lace, than Paracord.

I used some of the Paracord samples sent to me, and tied the ends together, and let my big ol’ German Shepherds play tug-o-war with it, and it never broke – and my dogs are very strong, to say the least. I even let my dogs chew on the Paracord, until the outer cover was chewed through, and then let them play tug-o-war some more and the cord still didn’t break. I keep some in my e-box in my car, and on more than one occasion I’ve used it for some sort of emergency. Recently, I went to the dog groomer, and forgot a leash, well, I used a piece of Paracord for an improvised leash – my main male German Shepherd hates having his nails done and won’t get out of the car – so a leash is needed to “motivate” him at times.

5Col Survival Supply 750 and 550 Paracord is certified, and that’s why it is rated for military use – and if you’ve ever done any business with any government agency, you know what a hassle it is, meeting specifications, especially military specs! I know I wouldn’t want our troops using anything but the best of the best. And, if I were jumping out of a plane, I’d want to be assured that the Paracord holding my chute on, wasn’t going to break because it was some cheap commercial grade stuff – that hasn’t been tested and certified.

If you’re serious about Prepping, or you’re in the military, you honestly have to have some Paracord in your kit or BOB. And, it doesn’t take-up much room at all – heck you can even lash it to the outside of your pack, if you don’t have room inside the pack. And, as an aside, make sure you have matches or some way of burning the ends of your Paracord when you cut it to the length you need it – you don’t want it coming apart – so burning the ends is a must do.

So, go through your kit or BOB, and if you don’t have some Paracord in there, give the nice folks at 5Col Survival Supply a call and order-up some genuine mil-spec certified Paracord, and it’s not that expensive, so there’s no excuse for not having some in your emergency supplies. – SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio

Recipe Of The Week: Arizona Cowgirl’s Potato Sausage Skillet

Arizona Cowgirl’s Potato Sausage Skillet Recipe. We really enjoy this dish, and it’s a delicious ‘comfort’ food on a cold wintry day!

Ingredients are:

  • 4 large baking potatoes, peeled & sliced thin.
  • 1/2 diced sweet onion
  • 1/4 Red or green Bell Pepper, diced

Combine the above veggies in a large 12″ skillet with cooking oil. Cook covered on low heat, stirring occasionally.

While these cook, add the following ingredients as you prep them:

  • 1 whole smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced thin.
  • 1 small can of diced green chilies.
  • Fresh cut Broccoli, as much as you like.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.

Continue cooking covered over low heat until all the veggies are done. Then cover with 1/2 lb. shredded cheddar until melted.

Total prep/cooking time about 30 minutes.

Serves 4 hungry folk. Enjoy! – M.W.

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Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? Please send it via e-mail. Thanks!

Letter Re: American Made Tools And Tool Boxes?

Greetings,

As always, thank you for the survival blog. It is a wonderful resource.

I remember seeing a link or list of American made products, but I can’t find it on the site. I’m starting tool boxes for my young children for either DIY home projects or for survival on the homestead after the SHTF. Do you have any suggestions for quality American made tool boxes and hand tools? Thanks – JR

HJL Replies: JWR posted a list of companies that sell American made gear and tools last year. If our readers are aware of any others, we would be happy to add them to the list.

Economics And Investing:

E.B. – Looks like the fed leadership is introducing the idea of inflation as a “solution”. I don’t think this is a mistake nor a spur of the moment idea. This was probably a planned comment. Fed may need to let inflation run hot to meet goals: Evans

Items from The Economatrix:

Yellen Repeats Fed Likely To Keep Trimming Asset Purchases

Viedeo: RED ALERT VIDEO! RUN, DON’T WALK FROM THE U.S. STOCK MARKET. By Gregory Mannarino

Is This Time Bomb Going To Implode The Economy?

The Coming Global Monetary Reset

Odds ‘n Sods:

K.G. sent this link in on wood choping: Less effort, more wood and safer too. Something that could be built by just about any reader here.

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H.L. sent in this link on 11 sure signs you’ve been hacked. In today’s threatscape, antivirus software provides little piece of mind. In fact, anti-malware scanners on the whole are horrifically inaccurate, especially with exploits less than 24 hours old. After all, malicious hackers and malware can change their tactics at will. Swap a few bytes around, and a previously recognized malware program becomes unrecognizable.

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In light of the current events in Ukraine, JFJ sent this article in: Forward with the statement “Don’t doubt for one iota that this or a variance wouldn’t be used here if feasible.”

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R.K.F. sent in a link with some neat information on Homes Made from Old Cargo Containers.

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War’s New Frontier: DOD presses for EMF spectrum used by cell phones for next generation weapons