My Solar-Powered Ham Shack Setup, by BMB

There are many things we need to prepare for before the ball drops, (SHTF, TEOTWAWKI, or whatever term you want to use) like water, food, shelter, bullets, medical supplies, aetc. But another item I feel is very important is communication with my family group. This article is about how I got into amateur radio, how I setup my basic solar-powered ham radio shack, and how I stay in practice with my equipment in my shack.

I had been interested in Amateur Radio (a.k.a. “ham” radio) since I was a little boy, more than 50 years ago. I will soon be 68 years old. I often looked into getting my radio operator license but back in those days Morse code was required. I attempted many times to learn Morse code, but I finally decided that my hand-to-brain transfer was way too slow to learn such a fast moving process. I had someone tell me that I shouldn’t have any problem learning code since I was a musical person. (I have been playing the guitar over 50 years now.) He said code was all about the rhythm of the dots and dashes. But not for me, I just could not get it! Finally, everything changed… no code!! This requirement was removed on December 15, 2006. So six years later my twin brother and I decided to go for it! I don’t know why we waited so long.

So finally my adventure into ham radio began. I got my amateur license in April 2012 alongside my brother who got his license the same day. We sat beside each other taking the exam and received consecutive call sign numbers. We both studied for our General Class and passed first try. There are study sites on the internet that will get you ready for the test. This is what my brother and I used. The Amateur Radio Operator license is good for 10 years at which time you must go online and renew it. Renewal is required every 10 years. There is no additional test to take for renewal. Just go to the FCC web page and go through the renewal process.Continue reading“My Solar-Powered Ham Shack Setup, by BMB”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

—

Lily suggested this brief video with some serious truth bombs. (Warning: There is some foul language): A great message everyone needs to hear from a real man.

o  o  o

Reader R.W.  mentioned this company in Grand Junction, Colorado that specializes in American-made outdoor products: Hill People Gear.  From their site: “We believe in personal liberty. We believe in the armed individual as the fundamental unit of personal liberty and human dignity. We also believe that personal liberty is very dependent on who you are taking your paycheck from. That’s why our suppliers are family-owned American businesses that use American materials and employ other Americans.”

o  o  o

Millions of hacked toothbrushes used in Swiss cyber attack, report says.

o  o  o

Massive Sunspot Turns Toward Earth.  A quote:

“A sunspot so big it can be seen from Mars is turning toward Earth today. Visible through ordinary eclipse glasses, the behemoth has a mixed-polarity magnetic field that poses a threat for X-class solar flares. Any such eruptions in the days ahead will be squarely Earth-directed.”

o  o  o

More wisdom from our friend Commander Zero: Kerosene stove.
Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Let us humbly commit our righteous cause to the great Lord of the Universe … Let us joyfully leave our concerns in the hands of Him who raises up and puts down the empires and kingdoms of the earth as He pleases.” – John Hancock

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — February 13, 2024

On February 13, 2016, Antonin Scalia—who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, becoming well known for his strong legal conservatism—died under mysterious circumstances in Shafter, Texas.

On February 13, 1689, following the Glorious Revolution, William and Mary were proclaimed king and queen of England this day in 1689, after which they ruled jointly as King William III and Queen Mary II until her death in 1694.

February 13th is also the birthday of Robert Charles R.C. Sproul (born 1939, died December 14, 2017), a well-respected American Calvinist theologian

Today is also the birthday of General Chuck Yeager (born, 1923). He was the first man to break the sound barrier. He passed away on December 7, 2020.

—

Only a few hundred left! We are running low on our inventory of SurvivalBlog 2005-2023 Archive USB sticks. Get your order in soon. Many blog readers are ordering 2, 3, or 4 sticks. There won’t be another batch produced until January. 2025.

—

Today’s feature article is a short guest piece written by eldest son Jonathan, who operates SurvivalRealty.com. It is the online marketplace for rural, off-grid, and self-sufficient properties. There, you can search retreat property listings, sell your rural property, find an agent, or learn more about survival relocation.

—

We are seeking entries for Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 111 ends on March 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.

Making Your Home More Self-Sufficient, by Jonathan Rawles

As we have just passed the midpoint of winter, it’s time to be laying plans for the spring. Whether you are already residing at a rural retreat or it’s still a future goal, there opportunity to improve on your home’s self-sufficiency and food production.

Where can you start with self-sufficiency if you’re still on a suburban lot? You must be more considerate of neighbors, local ordinances, and homeowners’ Associations (HOAs). But even so, there’s great potential for supplemental food production even on a city lot. A few projects to consider:

Replace ornamental trees with productive fruit or nut trees. With minimal impact to the “curb appeal” of your property, fruit or nut trees can provide a valuable crop once established. Check with a local nursery to select appropriate varieties for your climate. Be sure to choose a location that will accommodate the tree’s future growth.

Plant perennial bushes and vines. While less subtle than trees, perennial bushes and vines are another excellent low-maintenance food production option. Stick with thornless varieties, unless you want them to serve double duty as an intimidating hedge. Note that raspberries and blackberries are notoriously aggressive and will need to be isolated from other garden areas or cut back regularly.

Raised beds allow for intensive growing of annual vegetables and herbs. Each year, we find that we don’t have quite enough garden space, and add a new bed or two. Raised beds can be built or purchased, preferably constructed from cedar or other rot-resistant material, though many other do-it-yourself options exist. To fill them cost-effectively, consider buying a soil and compost blend from a local landscape supply company rather than bagged potting mix from the big box store and make your own amendments.

Maintaining productive soil requires fertilizer. While it’s helpful to buy prepared fertilizers, worm castings, or other amendments as needed, home composting helps recapture nutrients from household refuse that would otherwise go to waste. Establish a backyard compost heap (avoiding meat scraps or other materials that will produce odors or attract pests), and you’ll have an ongoing fertilizer supply for your garden.

Backyard livestock options may depend on your local ordinances or HOA. The biggest limitations are space to keep them in sanitary conditions, and the ability to produce enough feed. Chickens are justifiably popular, while others have had success with backyard rabbits.

Backyard poultry are an excellent first line in your recycling efforts. As well as producing eggs and meat, they also create rich compost. While not as omnivorous as pigs, chickens can have their feed supplemented with leftovers and take a first pass on garden waste. (Take care to provide adequate poultry manure aging, rather than putting fresh manure directly into the garden). We find that backyard chicken keeping is much more pleasant with a fully covered coop and enclosure with a heavy layer of straw litter.

Ultimately, with any backyard food production, remember that it supplements a well-stocked pantry. Even on a larger acreage, producing a large volume of calories or providing a complete diet is challenging. If you’re in a situation of leaning on your backyard farm to keep you fed, it’s going to be difficult to obtain fertilizer or animal feed as well. Aim to minimize external inputs and make your efforts self-sustaining.

Total self-sufficiency is not for everyone, but making yourself more resilient and your property more productive is something that everyone can do.

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, a new look at wolf populations in the Redoubt. (See the Region-Wide section.)

Region-Wide

From the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS): Service Announces Gray Wolf Finding and National Recovery Plan. A quote:

“Gray wolves are listed under the ESA as endangered in 44 states, threatened in Minnesota, and under state jurisdiction in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and portions of eastern Oregon and Washington.”

JWR’s Comment:  This almost perfectly matches the footprint of The American Redoubt region.

Another quote from the FWS report:

“Based on the latest data as of the end of 2022, there were approximately 2,797 wolves distributed across at least 286 packs in seven states in the Western United States.”

JWR’s Comment: The truth is that the FWS has completely lost count and location tracking of the western wolf packs. Several years ago, a wildlife biologist confided there are now many packs that have NO bio-chipped wolves or radio-collared wolves!

Linked at the same web page: National Dialogue Initiated on Working Landscapes and Gray Wolves.

JWR’s Comment: The management of the FWS is now operating in some sort of enviro-woke fantasyland. I’ve heard first-hand accounts and have seen images of real wolf “landscapes”, and they aren’t pretty. Here, for example, is a photo of a flock of 176 sheep that were killed by wolves near Victor, Montana, in 2013:

 

 

o  o  o

Help Me Ben: Post Office Poaching.

Idaho

Idaho Lawmakers Propose Mandatory Prison Sentences for Fentanyl Traffickers.  An excerpt:

“The proposed law would also create homicide charges for those who provide fentanyl that someone fatally overdoses on.

The Statesman broke down the penalties for anyone convicted under the bill:

Anyone in possession of 4-14 grams of fentanyl or 100-249 fentanyl pills would be sentenced to at least three years in prison and a minimum fine of $10,000.

Anyone in possession of 14-28 grams or 250-499 pills would be sentenced to at least five years in prison and a minimum fine of $15,000.

Anyone in possession of 28-500 grams or at least 500 pills would be sentenced to at least 10 years in prison and a minimum fine of $25,000.

The maximum penalties are life in prison and a $100,000 fine.”

o  o  o

Judge denies Chad Daybell’s attorney to withdraw from case, may have to serve without pay.

o  o  o

Wanted Lewiston man arrested in Coeur d’Alene.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined.  Those which are to remain in State governments are numerous and indefinite.” –  James Madison, The Federalist No. 45

Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 12, 2024

On February 12, 1924 George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” premiered. The piece is among Gershwin’s best-known compositions and one of the most popular pieces of the symphonic jazz genre.

—

February 12, 1851, gold was discovered in east-central New South Wales, sparking Australia’s first gold rush.

—

On February 12, 1554, at age 16 Lady Jane Grey, titular queen of England, was executed in London by order of Mary I.

—

And on February 12,, 2001, the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft touchdown in the “saddle” region of 433 Eros becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid.

—

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

XStream Straw Water Filter and AquaBrick, by Thomas Christianson

We all need air, water, food, and protection from the environment (clothing and shelter). If we are deprived of any of these necessities for a long enough time, we will die.

Lack of access to clean drinking water can result in death through dehydration or disease. Emergency planning should include securing access to clean drinking water both at home and in the field.

I recently had the opportunity to test the Sagan Life XStream Straw Ultralight Water Filter Deluxe. It is light, easy to use, and effective. It is an excellent tool for preparing potable water under field conditions.

At the time of this writing, the Deluxe Kit with a pump and extra filter cost $79.99 from saganlife.com. The Basic Kit cost $39.99. Replacement filters cost $34.99.

Sagan Life also provided me with a sample of their AquaBrick Food and Water Storage Container. I found the AquaBrick to work well for transporting and storing water. It is durable, a convenient size and shape, is easy to fill, seals well, and pours well. At the time of this writing, a pack of two AquaBricks with a spigot cost $74.95 at saganlife.com.Continue reading“XStream Straw Water Filter and AquaBrick, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Uxbridge Sour Milk Cornbread

The following simple recipe for Uxbridge Sour Milk Cornbread is from Good HouseKeeping’s Book of Menus, Recipes, and Household Discoveries (253 pages, copyright 1925, now in public domain). That is one of the 11 new bonus books included in the new 2005-2023 edition of the SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick.

Ingredients
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cupfuls sour milk
  • 1 cupful cornmeal
  • 1 cupful bread flour
  • 1 teaspoonful soda
  • 1 teaspoonful baking-powder
  • 2 tablespoonfuls melted shortening
  • 1 teaspoonful salt
Directions
  1. To the egg weII beaten add the sour milk.
  2. Add the cornmeal, flour, soda, baking-powder, and salt sifted together.
  3. Beat in the melted shortening and bake in shallow well-greased pans for twenty minutes at 400 degrees F.

—

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!

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“[Lawrence] roused in me an abiding curiosity about this planet we live on, and I have spent a lifetime trying to see as much of it as I could.” – Lowell Thomas, recounting his meetings with T.E. Lawrence, before writing his best-selling book With Lawrence in Arabia

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 11, 2024

On February 11, 1945, the Yalta Conference between the Allied leaders of World War II came to a close.

—

February 11th is the birthday of the late Burt Blumert (born February 11, 1929 in New York City, died March 30, 2009). He once owned Camino Coin Company. Coincidentally, Dr. Ron Paul also once owned the same company.

—

I just heard that comedic singer and radio host Mojo Nixon passed away at age 66. I remember him best for his song “I Hate Banks”, which was a KFAT favorite.  His birth name was Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 111 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 $2,000.
  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. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. 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).
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  4. 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.
  5. 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. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 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.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 111 ends on March 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.

The Cactus Police, by Hubbyberry

We just got back from the grocery store where my wife bought a cactus. I’m not a “plant person” generally, but if it makes her happy, well, then I’m happy. Removing the new plant from its bag revealed it to be a dragon fruit cactus. FOOD!!! I am always up for food. A closer look at the label revealed more information that was odd. Turns out the company placed a registration number on the houseplant’s tag, which allows the consumer to register it online with the company.

Needless to say, (but I am going to) this led us to investigate the company’s website. The company is located in Ontario, Canada. The more we looked, the less we liked.

Lo and behold, the corporate speak sounded like talking points from a global political think tank…with one exception. They claimed that plants would help rid indoor air of pollution and help to purify what we breathe. An amazing admission!Continue reading“The Cactus Police, by Hubbyberry”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

 

Meme Text:

No Worries, America. If Elected, Michelle Obama…

…Will Have The Same Policies That Barack Had

Notes 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!

Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.