Economics and Investing:

Greg L. suggested this Housing Storm piece: Is it too early to declare mortgage modifications a complete failure?

Reader HPD mentioned this commentary by Mish Shedlock: Collectively, Economists Are A Perpetually Optimistic Lot

Ukraine’s Naftogaz indicates default on bonds (Thanks to Danny S. for the link.)

The latest installment of the now predictable FDIC Friday Evening Follies: Three more banks go down. (Hat tip to Bill R. for the link.)

Items from The Economatrix:

Wall Street Money Rains on Senate, Especially Schumer

Governments Dip Deeper Into Alcohol-Tax Well

Shoppers Cash in on E-Coupons

Job Seekers Exceed Openings by Record

“Great Recession” Transforms the Workplace. Most enduring change expected to be permanent loss of millions of jobs

Job Losses, Early Retirement Hurt Social Security System to pay out more in benefits than collected in taxes over next two years

The Case For Inflation and Gold

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

For this is what the LORD says –
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine. – Isaiah 43:1

Notes from JWR:

The demand for my new nonfiction book has been so strong that Penguin Books has increased their printing orders twice in the past 48 hours. They now expect to have a total of 50,000 copies in print by the middle of October. Amazon.com has ordered so many copies that they’ve been able to drop their retail price to just $9.35 each.

—

Today we present the first entry for Round 25 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be 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 between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.)

Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $350.

Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing.

Round 25 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Applying For a Non-Resident Concealed Carry Weapons Permit/License, by Sgt. Survival

For millions of law-abiding gun owners, the ability to legally carry a concealed firearm is available to them in the form of a Concealed Carry Weapon Permit/License issued by their home state. However, for millions of other gun owners, that right is either severely restricted by “May Issue” states (like California, New York, New Jersey and several others) or flat-out impossible in the two remaining “Non-Issue” states, Illinois and Wisconsin. It is in the latter that I find myself. Due to work and family commitments, I have spent most of my life entrenched in that bastion of liberalism, just outside the borders of Daleygrad (Chicago) in the People’s Republic of Illinois. However, I do manage to escape every now and then, spending most of my weekends “over the border” in Indiana. Several years ago, I applied for and received a non-resident Concealed Weapon or Firearm License from the state of Florida, which allows me to legally carry a concealed firearm while I am in Indiana and more than two dozen other states.

There are a handful of states that issue permits/licenses to non-residents. The purpose of this article is not to recommend any specific one, but to give the basic information one needs to go about in applying for one. As you can assume, each state listed has their own requirements and procedures that need to be followed in obtaining the permit/license. Some states require that the application submission take place “in person”, while a few allow for submissions by mail. Also, the reciprocity of each state’s permit/license varies, so one must take into account exactly where the permit/license will be accepted as valid.

Note: Some states, such as Colorado, Florida, Michigan and New Hampshire will recognize “resident” permits/licenses from various other states, but do not accept “non-resident” permits/licenses as valid. This was a major deciding factor in my decision in selecting the Concealed Weapon or Firearm License from the state of Florida. As I have family in Florida and visit there often, a non-resident permit from the state of Utah would be useless to me during my time in Florida.

Following is a list of states that currently issue permits/licenses to non-residents, the requirements set forth by each, the cost of the permit/license and the point of contact for the application process. Some of the information was obtained from the very informative PDF provided by the NRA: http://www.NRAILA.org/recmap/usrecmap.aspx. But most of the following was collected from each state’s web sites after hours and hours of research.

Note: According to the NRA’s PDF the following states: Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island “technically” issue permits/licenses to non-residents, but they are rarely granted. For this reason I have not included them.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, so please do not take the information as gospel. Do the research and make your own decision if applying for a non-resident permit/license is right for you. [JWR Adds: State and local laws vary widely. Be sure to fully research the applicable laws before traveling armed to or through another state. And of course many states require their own resident permits if you actually reside in that state!]

Almost all of the states listed require that at least one “passport-type” photo be submitted with their application (some require 2). They all require fingerprinting. Usually the fingerprint cards are included in the application package. How and where the fingerprinting is accomplished varies. Some require that it be done on-site as part of the application process, while others require that the applicant arrange for this, usually through their local police department.

Arizona
The Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit is issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety: http://www.azdps.gov/services/concealed_weapons/
The cost of the permit is $60 for 4 years. There is a requirement that the applicant attend an approved CCW training course. The course is a minimum of 8 hours in length and is taught by a CWPU authorized instructor. You must qualify with a handgun firing live ammunition. Upon completion of the course, the instructor will provide you with an application, two fingerprint cards and a return envelope. All training for the Arizona CCW permit MUST be conducted within the borders of the state of Arizona. Links to approved instructors can be found on their web site. Payment must be submitted in the form of a money order, cashiers or certified check.

The Arizona CWP is valid in the following states:
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO*, DE, FL*, GA, ID, IN, KS*, KY, LA, MI*, MS, MO, MT, NH*, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC*, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WY
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

Florida
The Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License is issued by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing: http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/index.html.

The cost of the license is $117 for 7 years. There is also a provision for submitting your fingerprints electronically by utilizing a LIVE SCAN device (this is the modern method that most police departments use rather than the old, ink and roller method). The application package can be requested from one of the regional offices or you can download the forms online. Acceptable for the training requirement is completion of a hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or a similar agency of another state, a NRA firearms safety or training course, law enforcement firearms safety or training course or honorable military service (active duty personnel may send a copy of their military ID card, veterans can submit a copy of their DD Form 214).

The Florida CWFL is valid in the following states:
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO*, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KS*, KY, LA, MI*, MS, MO, MT, NH*, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC*, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WY
*= only resident licenses are accepted as valid in these states

Idaho
The Idaho Concealed Weapons Permit is issued by the Idaho State Police: http://www2.state.id.us/ag/faq/concealedweaponspermit.htm
The cost of the permit is $20 for 5 years. Applications must be submitted in person at any County Sheriff’s Department. Idaho code provides that the sheriff may collect additional fees necessary to cover the cost of processing fingerprints lawfully required by any state or federal agency or department (fee varies). Idaho also accepts completion of a hunter education or hunter safety course certified by a state agency or a NRA firearms safety/training class as fulfillment of the training requirement.

The Idaho CWP is valid in the following states:
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO*, FL*, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI*, MO, MT, NH*, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WY
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

Iowa
Non-residents must apply to the Commissioner of Public Safety for the Iowa Non-Professional Permit to Carry Weapons: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/asd/weapons/wp5.pdf
The cost of the permit is $10 for 1 year. Iowa is a “May Issue” state. Non-professional permits to carry will only be issued to non-residents with a demonstrable viable threat to themselves or their family as verified by a law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the threat occurred. Application packages may be obtained by providing a name and mailing address to wpinfo@dps.state.ia.us or by mail at: Iowa DPS, Program Services Bureau, Department of Public Safety Building, 215 East 7th Street, 4th Floor, Des Moines, IA 50319-0045

The Iowa PCW is valid in the following states:
AK, AZ, AR, ID, IN, IA, KY, MI*, MO, MT, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

Maine
The Maine Permit to Carry Concealed Firearms is issued by the Chief of the State Police:
http://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/licenses/weapons_permits.html
The cost of the permit is $60 for 4 years. In addition to the application package, you must submit 2 Authority to Release Information Forms (included in the package), copies of all concealed firearms permits issued by other states or jurisdictions, a copy of your DD Form 214 (if you were a member of the Armed Forces), a copy of your birth certificate (or INS document) and proof of knowledge of handgun safety.

The Maine PCCF is valid in the following states:
AK, AZ, DE, ID, IN, KY, ME, MI*, MO, OK, SD, TN, UT, VT
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

Maryland
The Maryland Permit to Carry a Handgun is issued by the Superintendent of the Maryland State Police: http://www.mdsp.org/downloads/licensing_application.pdf
The cost of the permit is $112.25 for 2 years. Maryland is a “May Issue” state and more often than not, permits are denied. Non-residents may download the application online and may submit their application by mail to: Maryland State Police, Licensing Division, Handgun Permit Unit 1111,   Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208.
However, in addition to the application, the applicant must submit 2 separate fingerprint cards, the standard FBI card (bearing ORI-MDMSP6000) and a CJIS card. Both can be obtained at any Maryland State Police barracks. They also require the submission of 2 “passport-type” photographs.

The Maryland PCH is valid in the following states:
AK, AZ, ID, IN, KY, MD, MI*, MO, MT, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

Minnesota
Non-residents must apply for the Minnesota Personal Protection Act (Permit to Carry a Pistol) in person with a Minnesota County Sheriff.
http://www.bca.state.mn.us/forms/documents/carryapplication100106.pdf
The cost of the permit is $100 for 5 years. A listing of Approved Business Organizations that provide firearms training classes can also be found on their web site. The training requirement is also needed to renew the license and must be completed within one year of the date of the renewal application.

The Minnesota PCP is valid in the following states:
AK, AZ, ID, IN, KS*, KY, MI*, MN, MO, MT, NM, OK, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

Nevada
Non-residents must apply for the Nevada Concealed Firearms Permit in person with any Nevada County Sheriff: http://www.lvmpd.com/permits/firearms_concealed.html
The cost of the permit is $100.25 for 3 years. The training must also take place within the county where you will be applying for the permit. You are also required to qualify with the weapon(s) that you want listed on your permit.

The Nevada CFP is valid in the following states:
AK, AZ, FL*, ID, IN, KS*, KY, LA, MI*, MN, MO, MT, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Non-Resident Pistol/Revolver License is issued by the Director of the State Police: http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/nhsp/ssb/permitslicensing/documents/dssp260.pdf
The cost of the license is $100 for four years–recently increased from $20. The New Hampshire non-resident license application requires that you submit a copy of a current CCW license (front and back) issued by your state (or another state). Vermont residents can submit a letter from your local police department verifying that the state or county in which you reside does not require a license to carry concealed.

The New Hampshire NRPRL is valid in the following states:
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO*, FL*, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI*, MS, MO, NH, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, UT, VT, WY
*= only resident licenses are accepted as valid in these states

North Dakota
The North Dakota Concealed Weapon Permit is issued by the Chief of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation:
http://www.ag.state.nd.us/bci/cw/obtainpermit.htm
The cost of the permit is $45 for 3 years. Non-residents can apply for the permit by contacting the BCI at (701) 328-5500 for an application and information regarding certified instructors. An “open book” written test is required and all testing (written and proficiency) and classroom instruction must take place within the state of North Dakota. The maximum fee a test administrator may charge is $50. There are two different permits. The Class 2 permit is for individuals at least 18 years of age. The Class 1 permit is for those 21 years of age or older.

The North Dakota CWP is valid in the following states:
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO*, DE, FL*, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI*, MO, MT, NH*, NM, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

Oregon
The Oregon Concealed Handgun License is issued by the Oregon State Police: http://www.egov.oregon.gov/osp/id/chl.shtml
The cost of the license is $65 for 4 years. Applications are available at any County Sheriff’s office. The fingerprinting will also be conducted at the Sheriff’s office. Oregon does not recognize any other state’s permits/licenses. In order to legally carry a concealed firearm in Oregon, you must possess an Oregon CHL. This includes retired law enforcement officers.

The Oregon CHL is valid in the following states:
AK, AZ, ID, IN, KY, MI*, MO, MT, OK, OR, SD, TN, UT, VT
*= only resident licenses are accepted as valid in these states

Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms is issued by the Pennsylvania State Police: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=4451&&PageID=462424&level=2&css=L2&mode=2
The cost of the License is $19 for 5 years. Non-residents must possess a current permit/license from their home state if a permit/license is provided for by the laws of that state. The “if” in that sentence may be the key for applicants from Wisconsin or Illinois (where no permit/license is available) or Vermont (where no permit/license is needed).

The Pennsylvania LCF is valid in the following states:
AK, AZ, AR, CO*, DE, FL*, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI*, MO, MT, NH*, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WY
*= only resident licenses are accepted as valid in these states

Texas
The Texas Concealed Handgun License is issued by the Department of Public Safety:
ftp://ftp.txdps.state.tx.us/forms/cr-80.pdf
The cost of the license is $100 for 5 years. There is a discounted price of $70 for senior citizens, indigent Texans and honorably discharged veterans. The cost of the license is $25 for active or retired peace or judicial officers and $0 for active duty military personnel (and those who have been honorably discharged within 365 days). You are required to attend a DPS authorized training course. The license will also list either semi-automatic (SA) or non-semi-automatic (NSA), depending upon which type of firearm one received the training with in the authorized course.

The Texas CHL is valid in the following states:
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO*, DE, FL*, GA, ID, IN, KS*, KY, LA, MI*, MN, MS, MO, MT, NM, NC, ND, OK, PA, SC*, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WY
*= only resident licenses are accepted as valid in these states

Utah
The Utah Concealed Firearm Permit is issued by the Department of Public Safety: http://www.publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/documents/ccwapp_004.pdf
The cost of the permit is $65.25 for 5 years. Applications may be submitted by mail. A listing of firearm instructors certified by the Bureau of Criminal Investigations can be found at: http://www.publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/documents/insoutstate_057.pdf

The Utah CFP is valid in the following states:
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO*, DE, FL*, GA, ID, IN,  KY, LA, MI*, MN, MS, MO, MT, NH*, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

Virginia
The Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit is issued by the Virginia State Police. Non-residents may request an application in writing from:
Firearms Transaction Center, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Department of State Police, P.O. Box 85141, Richmond, VA 23284-5141 or via e-mail at nonrespermit@vsp.virginia.gov (be sure to include your complete name, mailing address and phone number)
The cost of the permit is $100 for 5 years. As with other states, documentation of competence with a handgun is required, but like Florida they will accept the successful completion of a hunter education or hunter safety course approved by a state agency. NRA firearms safety or training courses also satisfy this requirement.
Note: Persons with a valid Virginia CHP may apply individually to the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department for temporary reciprocal recognition of a CCDW license while in the Virgin Islands. Temporary recognition is normally for 90 days from the date of issue. Temporary privileges may be requested from: Office of the Commissioner, Criminal Justice Complex, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802

The Virginia CHP is valid in the following states:
AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL*, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI*, MS, MO, MT, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC*, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WV
*= only resident permits are accepted as valid in these states

Washington
The Washington License to Carry-Concealed Pistol is issued by the Washington State Patrol: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.070
The cost of the license is $55.25-$68 for 5 years. Non-resident applicants can apply at any law enforcement agency in Washington state. If you are in the military, your military ID and a copy of your orders listing your station location are required for the application process.

The Washington LCCP is valid in the following states:
AK, AZ, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI*, MS, MO, MT, NC, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA
*= only resident licenses are accepted as valid in these states

A few more web sites I’d like to recommend dealing with concealed carry:

www.USACarry.com
www.CarryConcealed.net

For residents of Illinois:

www.ISRA.org
www.IllinoisCarry.org

For residents of Wisconsin:

www.WRPA.com

Letter Re: Putting the Fats Back Into Non-Fat Powdered Milk

In regards to the letter on powdered milk, the method described in the web site works, but does not produce milk that tastes very good (depending on the oil used).

Growing up all over the world we often were in places where tuberculosis (TB) was endemic in the cattle populations. As a result you could not drink milk but could drink/eat yogurt based products (the process of conversion to yogurt will kill off the TB). Of course to this day I always test positive for TB because I ate the yogurt — even though I don’t have it — as a result of the dead TB bacillus in the yogurt I developed antibodies to it.

As a result my mother researched how to make “real” tasting milk from powdered milk. What we found (and the method that was used by the military to reconstitute milk in many places even today) was that if you added one can of evaporated milk per gallon of powdered milk you got “real” tasting milk with a decent fat percentage. She also found that mixing the powdered milk using hot water (and then cooled overnight) actually made a major difference in taste.

The only time we tried the method described (using oils) was when the supply plane we and the rest of the mixed military/state department expat community relied on, was very late. To this day I remember the taste of powdered milk mixed with olive oil (the only oil available locally in Ankara at the time) — even with copious amounts of chocolate milk mix (Ovaltine) it was still nasty. – Hugh D.

Two Letters Re: Older Technology Radio Receivers (Original Thread Title Was: Crystal Radios)

Mr. Rawles;
I have been monitoring the latest posts on vintage radios–pro and con–and decided to offer more information and a possible solution for SurvivalBlog readers considering vintage electronics.

M.E. is spot on in his post about the relatively anemic performance of crystal radios versus superheterodyne (as all “American Fiver” sets are known) tube radios. The biggest issue with crystal sets is their absolute lack of range. During a severe crisis, local radio stations will most likely be forced to regurgitate propaganda resulting in little, if any, useful information. As is generally known, news from afar (Canada, Australia, Europe, etc) offers the best advanced information of what will most likely be occurring regionally in our country during an extreme crisis; either government sanctioned-such as the swine flu or unexpected-such as another massive terrorist attack on our soil. This being the case, crystal sets will be useless for all intent and purpose. Regenerative sets will generally fall in this category. An added caveat of regenerative sets is the constant adjustment of the power supply (referred to as a “tickler coil”) by the user. In short, Regen Tube sets require the operator to adjust a variable resistance control to achieve high gain. Unfortunately, the gain qualities would be somewhat unstable requiring the operator to constantly keep the control (tickler coil) just short of oscillation.
Although fine-tuning a regen radio would be possible with time and experience, most of us in a high stress situation have more pressing matters and would prefer a plug-and-play device that can be dialed-in and easily monitored in an attempt to extract pertinent information.

As is often the case, the more information one has, the more complicated the matter of choice often becomes. My advice is simple: if a reader is looking for a radio with unmatched abilities it would be the Zenith line of Trans-Oceanic Radios. These are more than just simple Standard Broadcast ready radios. Zenith Trans-Oceanics are capable of picking up shortwave broadcasts from all over the world.
These radios offer standard broadcast (550-1600 AM), 4-9 and 2-4 MC shortwave (some models have a slightly different bandwidth for these ranges but it is really a non-issue) 16 MC shortwave, 19 MC shortwave, 25 MC shortwave and 31 MC shortwave.

One has to understand that Trans-Oceanics were designed for use in WWII to be utilized by the U.S. Signal Corps for the monitoring of both enemy and ally transmissions. Suffice it to say, any radio good enough to help the boys from the Greatest Generation win WWII will perform beyond expectations!

As an example, I am ensconced in a small town in northern Idaho completely surrounded by mountains and can pick up stations several hundred to several thousands of miles away. I listen to radio
stations from San Francisco, Russia and Japan, Vancouver, Alberta and Quebec (Canada), Denver, Boise, Reno and Brazil (South America), Florida, Havana Cuba) and San Martinique (Caribbean). (What makes my listening experience exceptional is the fact that my mother is of Cuban ancestry and fills me in on the information coming out of South America, while my Russian wife “decodes” broadcasts from Russia.)

Trans-Oceanics are still readily available on eBay and range in price from $50-$250 as an average. All though several pages could be dedicated to the different models of Trans-Oceanics, all of them will offer standard broadcasts as well as shortwave capabilities. Tubes are still readily available and most of them will require electrical refurbishment as 50 year-old capacitors will break down. I have been restoring Trans-Oceanics for quite some time and feel that these radios offer the best of both worlds: Rugged dependability and simplicity of use. If any of your readers would like to contact me
concerning Trans-Oceanics (as I have several refurbished units available and offer discreet refurbishment services as well) please feel free to contact me via email at afbaw1@uaa.alaska.edu and I will do my best to assist my fellow SB readers prepare for the trying times ahead.

Mr. Rawles, I would like to offer my sincerest thanks for continuing to be a “voice crying out in the wilderness”. God Bless. – Prof. W.

Hi James et altera:
For some years now I have refurbished tube radios bought via eBay. I replace all the electrolytic capacitors and paper capacitors, check all the tubes. Then I tune all the padder capacitors and adjustable coils using an RF signal generator. A Fluke multimeter, a tube tester, and an RF signal generator are essential for this work. I’ve done four models of Hallicrafters and the G-500, H-500, and 600 models of the Zenith Trans-Oceanics (“T-Os”).. The 600s have provision for a dial light off a separate battery and a slide rule-like dial. One does not need the gas discharge tube voltage regulator tube in the 600s for DC use. The AM band Wavemagnet is turnable very easily. This aids in both reducing AM interference and increasing the signal strength. I like the 600s the best.

The source for parts and books is TubesAndMore.com. They sell an interesting little kit for a simple tube radio. Would be a great learning tool for novices.

Now while the All American AC/DC radios are a good choice, IMHO they may not be the best. Only a few receive any of the shortwave bands. I would try to locate one that does if you wish to go this route. The shortwave broadcast bands are going to be very important when the Schumer hits the fan. The Zenith T-Os cover the spectrum from 560 kHz up to 31 mHz. Now these models use the miniature 1.5 volt filament tubes that have low “A” battery drain. I fabricate a battery pack with ten of the 9 Volt small batteries in series for the “B” plate current, and 5 of the 1.5 volt “D” batteries in series for the “A” filament current. Five instead of six is preferable. The T-Os work fine with 5 “D” cells in series and the lower filament current makes the filaments last longer. The T-Os have a tuned RF stage, making them much more sensitive than the All American AC/DC designs. I plan to fabricate and test a board for charging rechargable batteries from a 12 VDC source by the following arrangement: connect two of the nine V batteries in series, thence in parallel with one D battery. Arrange five such links in parallel, then all will be charged by a 12 VDC source. One disadvantage of the T-Os is that they use a pentagrid converter tube, the 1L6, which is now hard to find. When the Schumer hits the fan, I will give these spare T-Os to my close-by neighbors.

The disadvantage of the T-Os is that they will not receive single sideband (SSB) transmissions. Most all military and government transmissions will be SSB. The range of an SSB signal is greater. For SSB reception I recommend one of the Hallicrafter’s tube radios. The best ones have transformers and require 120 VAC, but this can be supplied by an inverter. After working on several models, I’ve now bought four of the S-40’s to refurb this winter on bad winter days. These will receive either upper and lower sidebands. I suggest buying the reference books on both the T-Os and the later tube Hallicrafters. The source mentioned above can supply a circuit diagram for most older radios.

The ‘creme de la creme’ is the Hallicrafters SX-71. This tube radio has a dual IF conversion circuit. That is, unlike most all other superheterodynes which have an IF frequency of 455 kHz, this one has a second IF conversion frequency that is considerably higher. Having two such IF frequencies vastly increases what is called “image rejection” and makes for a much more selective receiver. I’ve one of these I’ve refurbished. I wish I could find another one!

Now a warning about EMP and close by lightening strikes (which have similar effects as an EMP). I had a nice shortwave antenna with a gas discharge tube next to a Grundig Satellit 800. The gas discharge tube was supposed to shunt a fast moving voltage spike to ground. Yes, it was connected by 6 gauge copper wire to an 8 foot [deep] copper ground. Well now, we had a severe lightening strike which totally fried three circuit boards in the Grundig. A several hundred dollar lesson on Murphy’s Law.

To protect radios from EMP the recommendation I’ve found is this: wrap the radio in nonconductive plastic film. Then wrap completely with heavy duty aluminum foil. Then wrap in a 2nd layer of plastic film. Then add a second layer of aluminum foil. The “skin effect” for electrostatic charges tells us that multiple layers give better protection. If you can use copper foil, this is more conductive and better than aluminum. I’ve read conflicting opinions on whether or not it is best to ground the outer aluminum foil layer. My opinion is only to ground it IF the distance from the foil to the ground is very short. Else I read that the ground wire will simply act as an antenna and flood the foil with the voltage spike.

One might seriously consider a true uninteruptable power supply (UPS) for a tube radio for household use. Might well isolate it from EMP power line voltage spikes. Best Regards, – Les H.

JWR Replies: I’m also a fan of the older (pre-transistor) Zenith Trans-oceanics. I’ve owned four of them over the years, and still have two of them here at the Rawles Ranch. The radios of this generation are now five+ decades old, so I agree that replacing the capacitors is a must. (Otherwise you never know when one might go “bang” and make that distinctive “blown cap” smell.) When testing these radios (before re-capping them) it is best to use a Variac to bring the power up very gradually. Aside for buying a few spare tubes and perhaps a reel of extra tuning -dial string, they are relatively “bomb proof” and maintenance free. The book Zenith Trans-Oceanic: The Royalty of Radios provides some excellent details on how to restore these gems, as well as some fascinating history and price comparisons. By the way, Zenith Trans-oceanics are often available in eBay, including some that have already been “re-capped” and re-aligned. The scarce Pentagrid 1L6 tubes are also sometimes available on eBay, but it is best to be patient and wait for a “sleeper” auction to get one at a reasonable price. It is also worthwhile to look for inexpensive “junker” Zenith Trans-oceanics and AM-only Zenith “Universal Model” radios (with beat-up cases, cracked dials, and missing knobs), as a source for spare vacuum tubes and and telescopic antennas.

Economics and Investing:

Reader DLF spotted this: Detroit: Too broke to bury their dead

Foreclosure Rate Rises 17 Percent. (Thanks to The Other Chris for the link.)

A residential real estate shadow inventory case study.

Items from The Economatrix:

Manufacturing, Employment Pounds Stocks

Jobs and Manufacturing Suggest Slow Recovery

Banks Trim Use of Emergency Fed Programs

September US Auto Sales Fall Amid Clunkers Letdown

Natural Gas Tumbles with Most Ever in Storage

Unprecedented US Corporate Defaults Seen for 2009 [JWR’s comment: So where is the “recovery” that the CNBC cheering section keeps talking about? I think that a recovery around 2022 may be closer to the truth.]

Greenspan: Growth Slowing, Stocks “Flattening Out”

Dollar Falls Again in Second Quarterly Loss

Schoon: The Coffin-Shaped Recovery

Dan Denninger: The Banking System is Insolvent

Odds ‘n Sods:


Ammo Rationing at Wal-Mart as Panic Buying Sweeps US

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Signs of the times in small-town America: Layoffs, lost cruisers: Problems grow for sheriff. Here is a key quote: “‘We will be a lawless society,’ worries Angela Greenwell, a county board member, fearing the latest trouble ‘basically has neutered the sheriff’s department.'”

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Los Angeles Times reporter Matthew Brown digs in to the conflicting reports coming out of Hardin, Montana: California entrepreneur promising to revitalize rural Montana town has checkered past. This just gets curiouser and curiouser.

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Reader Phil E. discovered a map graphic that could prove useful: McDonalds fast food franchises in the USA. Phil’s comments: “Predictably, it shows many blank areas in the west. It is very similar to the lights-at-night pictures, with fewer data points. It makes a good point about relocation areas.” JWR’s comment: This squares perfectly with my postulate on “Stop n’ Rob” convenience stores that I’ve often mentioned to my consulting clients. Some of the safest places to be during the unfolding economic depression will be small towns without the conveniences and franchise chains. These towns will have no appeal to the assorted riffraff that will wander out of the big cities in a “slow slide” collapse. They’ll likely just pass through, opting instead for larger towns with welfare infrastructures that can accommodate them.

#1 Son’s Quote of the Day:

“Modern military planners often talk in terms of “threat spirals” when a given threat escalates and inspires a defensive countermeasure. Ideally you should anticipate your opponent’s next escalation and take countermeasures, insulating yourself from the future threat.” – James Wesley, Rawles, discussing recent trends in home invasion robberies in
“How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times”

Notes from JWR:

My sincere thanks for making the Book Bomb Day a great success! When I last checked, my new book was ranked at #4 in Amazon.com’s overall book rankings. Only the new Dan Brown novel, the upcoming Sarah Palin book, and Glenn Beck’s book are ranked higher. How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It is also ranked #1 in the Survival Skills category, #1 in the Technology & Society category, #1 in the General & Reference category, and #2 in nonfiction books. Thanks again! At this rate, the publisher will soon have to order a second printing. (The first printing was 20,000 copies.)

OBTW, so that Amazon doesn’t get all the business, be advised that there are many other outlets for How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It. These sources include:

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Borders

Indie Bound – This is a coalition of independent booksellers. While they don’t sell directly from the web site, they direct customers to their nearest independent bookstore. The customer enters a zip code to find the nearest independent bookseller, then the customer can order through that specific seller’s site, or go pick it up at the store. Support you local book store!

My book should also soon be available soon as a regularly-stocked item at “bricks and mortar” bookstores.

Once again, thank you!

Writing Contest Winners – Round 24

We’ve completed the judging! The first prize winner for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest is”Old Dog” , for his article “Grub and Gear–Lessons Learned from an Alaskan Trapper”. He will receive: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be 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 between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.)

The second prize winner is Brad T. for his article Bug Out and Refugee Considerations. He will receive a “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $350.

The third prize winner is C. the Old Farmer , for her article The Disaster Garden–What’s Not in the Can. She will receive a copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing.

Runner-up prizes go to four writers:

T.W.P., for Camouflage: The Art of the “Liar”

Lisa L., for One Woman’s View of Budget Preparedness

Prepared in Maine, for Prepare to Garden Like Your Life Depends on It.

KAF, for Squeezing Efficiency Out of Every Second of Your Workday to Provide Quality Relaxation Time

They will each receive a $30 Amazon.com gift certificate.

Note to prize winners: Please e-mail me your snail mail addresses (both UPS and US mail), and I’ll get your prizes out, right away.

Today we begin Round 25 of the writing contest, which will end on November 30th. Get busy writing, and e-mail your entry!

Letter Re: Putting the Fats Back Into Non-Fat Powdered Milk

Hello Mr. Rawles,

Here is a link to Chow How that I thought some of your readers might wish to print out and add to their preparedness manuals.

It tells you how to add the fats back to powdered milk (with oil) to make whole milk. It is important that toddlers have the fat for proper brain growth. It would also be a good idea for pregnant women to have the extra fats.

Hope this link is helpful to some of your readers. Sincerely, ~ Garnet

Two Letters Re: Crystal Radios

JWR,
While the concept and idea of a Crystal Radio for TEOTWAWKI (no battery or external power) sounds ideal, in practice the execution leaves much to be desired.

Many ignore the fact that if a grid down situation occurs (or worse an EMP attack) that most radio stations in the affected area will be down and out for the count. In a best case scenario if the transmitting station’s components aren’t damaged, how long will their source of backup power stay up? Many modern stations rely on satellite feeds or long line telephone circuits for their program materials to be delivered and many regional stations have a minimum of technical staff (and no announcers) to maintain their operation and some station’s technical staff actually drives or travels on a circuit to do the upkeep on conglomerate owned stations in a region. US Domestic shortwave stations are in the same boat.

My point? You will probably use your radio for long distance listening to stations that are still up and functioning. Crystal radio sets run the gamut from children’s toys to hobbyist’s expensive toys but generally due to lack of amplification are useful for local listening (and some of the children’s toy type can only pick up two or three very close AM stations – even with a good (100’ long) antenna and ground).

The sets with a mechanical cat’s whisker detector are EMP proof but the ones with a 1N34A style germanium diode are not. The junction in the manufactured diode is very, very sensitive to surges. [JWR Adds: Be sure to buy a few spare detector diodes, and keep them wrapped in insulating plastic and then in tin with a tight-fitting lid, or at least a sleeve of aluminum foil with al seams folded.]

If you want to build or use a set then my strong suggestion is to instead build a one-tube regenerative receiver using space charge technology. These don’t require special batteries or high voltages. If you do a search for a Hiker’s Radio there are a few sites that explore the building of the sets. The component counts are low, the sets are very easy to build (only slightly more complex than a crystal radio), you can use a couple of AA and 9-volt batteries to power them and they utilize the same style of headphones as a crystal set.

The advantages are that the set can be easily built to cover the AM and Shortwave bands, the regenerative receiver can detect AM, Morse Code and SSB signal. (In contrast, crystal radios are limited to AM only.) If built to use 12 volts DC can be run from car batteries, dry cells or gel cell batteries. The Armstrong regenerative circuit provides amplification to the signals and you will be amazed at how sensitive the set actually is.

Parts (including the tube) are available from many sources. (You can even find the parts to build one easily on eBay). Finally, there are a few folks who build these sets and sell them on eBay. (Do a web search for “regen receiver”). Regards, – Karl A.

 

James,
This is another topic about which I have some intimate knowledge. When I was a kid – when gasoline sold for 29 cents a gallon – I built three crystal radios. I build them using both a razor blade and a germanium diode as the detector. I never had a piece of galena crystal to try out.

This kind of radio receiver depends heavily on having a strong radio signal. When I built my first one my folks were living in a small town in Central Texas that had exactly two radio stations (on 1240 and 1380 AM.) I can remember hearing both stations at the same time. That was because both stations were only a couple of miles away. This is what happens when a crystal radio is used. Also, a crystal radio radio can only drive a crystal earphone, which means only one person at a time can listen to it.

Far superior to a crystal radio for survival is a pair of two superheterodyne radios. One of the two radios would be of the hand crank and/or solar cell variety, a solid state radio. Unless there is an EMP attack this will be the best radio one can have because it’s light and it requires no replacement batteries.

In case there is an EMP attack a vacuum tube radio is the best radio to have. It is possible to shield a solid state radio from EMP by storing it inside of a well grounded metal box or can. But, what if you happen to have the radio out when the EMP attack occurs? You’re SOL unless you have a spare radio stored in a grounded can. (What if there’s a second EMP attack?)

The best type of vacuum tube radio to have is what’s commonly called an “All American Five.” This type of radio was built between about 1935 and 1960 by literally hundreds of US manufacturers. What distinguishes the All American Five is that it uses a set of five tubes whose filament voltages add up to about 120 volts. Since it has no power supply transformer it can be run on either 120 volts AC or DC (10 car batteries in series.)

The older version, made from the late 1930s through the 1940s used the 12SA7-12SK7-12SQ7-50L6-35Z5 tube lineup. The later version, made during the 1950s and into the early 1960s used the 12BE6-12BA6-12AV6-50C5-35W4 tube lineup. For survival use I recommend getting one of the later versions and keeping around a full set off spare tubes (especially the 50C5 and 35W4.) These radios are very sensitive and selective. At night they easily pick up stations up to 1,000 miles away.

“All American Five” radios often sell for around $20 – $30 on eBay. They make cheap insurance against EMP. Regards, – M.E.

Economics and Investing:

A Year Later, TARP Inspector General Barofsky Sees a ‘Far More Dangerous’ Financial Situation

Officials: Fed will need to boost rates quickly. (Thanks to El Jefe Jeff E. for the link.)

Bob G. sent the link to this Wall Street Journal piece: Plenty More Bank Losses Expected Globally; Additional $1.5 Trillion in Write-Downs Forecast by End of 2010

Account overdrawn: FDIC Fund Goes Negative. Although the US Treasury is the guarantor of last resort, it now won’t take much to trigger bank runs. (A hat tip to K.T. for the link.)

Items from The Economatrix:

Hard Times Good for Your Health

Marty Weiss: US Dollar Crashes Against Yen! Time to Act!

US Dollar Set to Be Eclipsed, World Bank President Predicts

FDIC Considers Calling for Bank Advances

Homeowners in Financial Trouble Often Re-Default

Fed is Developing New Exit Tools

Economy Dips at 0.7% Pace in Second Quarter