Odds ‘n Sods:

Just when we thought the economic headlines couldn’t get much worse, Mark P. for spotting this: Downturn accelerates as it circles the globe: Economies worse off than analysts predicted just weeks ago. And Paul A. sent this grim deflationary prediction from Mish Shedlock: Extreme Leverage In Reverse Portends Global Systemic Crash. Whether the incipient crash is deflationary, or inflationary, or a whipsaw of sharp deflation followed by sharp inflation (which is my personal prediction), you should get you beans, bullets, and Band-Aids together and stand ready!

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Mike W. sent us this “must read” piece from NASA on Severe Solar Storms, Power Grids, and the Web of Interdependent Systems

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Trent flagged this: Citigroup, Bank of America May Look ‘Nationalized’. And Cheryl sent us all these items: “Bad Bank,” Bad News — How Big is Britain’s Toxic Debt? — Britain on Brink of Depression — Lights Go Out Across Britain as Recession Hits Home — The Fed: Life After Zero — Shipping Rates Hit Zero as Trade Sinks — China Prepares for Year of the Slump — Britain May Seek IMF Bailout — Fears Confirmed: Recession Fuels Crime Surge — Iceland Government on Verge of Collapse — Jobless Claims Surge, Housing Starts Tumble — Code Red: Economy in Collapse — JP Morgan Chief Says Worst of the Crisis Still to Come — Special Forces Rescue Icelandic PM from Furious Credit Crunch Rioters — Stores Closing in 2009

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For the “It Comes as No Surprise to Us” Department, SurvivalBlog reader Florida Guy forwarded this article: Bad Times Spur a Flight to Jobs Viewed as Safe. (FWIW, I’ve been cautioning about the need for recession-proof income streams for years! It is not too late to launch a home-based business. And it just might turn out to be your ticket to making a good living out in the hinterboonies.)

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.”

– Lamentations 3:22-26 (King James Version)

Note from JWR:

The current high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is at $810. This auction is for a large mixed lot, which includes::

1.) A “be ready to barter” box of 36 full-capacity gun magazines, from my personal collection in JASBORR. This box includes: 12 – Used original Bundeswehr contract HK91 (G3) steel 20 round magazines, 6 – Used original Austrian FN-FAL steel 20 round magazines, with cartridge counter holes, 10 – Used AR-15/M16 USGI (all Colt made!) alloy 20 round magazines, 6 – Excellent condition original Glock Model 19 9mm 15 round pistol magazines (early type, with “U” notch), and 2 – New and very scarce original FN (Belgian-made) US M1/M2 Carbine blued steel 30 round magazines (marked “AYP”) . All of these magazines are of pre-1994 manufacture (and hence legal to possess in New York.) These magazines have a combined value of approximately $710, in today’s market. Note: If you live in a state where full capacity magazines are banned, then you must choose to: refrain from bidding, or designate a recipient in an unrestricted state, or re-donate the magazines for a subsequent auction.

2. ) A brand new-in-box Hot Jaw Bag Sealer and a box of 10 Mylar bags . (Every retreat group should have one these, since they are a tremendous labor saver!) This is a $200 retail value, courtesy of Ready Made Resources.

3.) A huge lot of DVDs, CD-ROMs and hard copy nuclear survival/self-sufficiency references (a $300+ value) donated by Richard Fleetwood of www.SurvivalCD.com

4.) A NukAlert compact radiation detector donated by at KI4U.com (a $160 retail value). 

5.) A gift certificate for $100 worth of books, courtesy of Back 40 Books.

6.) A case of 12 cans of recent production nitrogen-packed storage granola (mixed varieties) This is a $96 retail value, courtesy of CampingSurvival.com.

Thus, this auction has a combined value in excess of $1,565.

This auction ends on February 15th. Please e-mail us your bid. Your bid will be for the entire mixed lot.

Letter Re: Way Points for G.O.O.D. Routes?

James,

I finally have my bugout location found and purchased. Plan to start building a small home there later this year. Cabin first, house will wait till I see how the economy runs. On the east coast, as I have family here and really don’t want to leave this area. I am outside a small town, on a dirt road off a local rural highway. I have near nine acres of woods and one acre of pasture (garden and orchard) space. One acre of the land is separated from the rest by a four foot wide surface creek. It has a nice cleared area I plan to develop into a picnic area at the creek. The majority of the land is heavily wooded.

I am considering offering the space as an overnight primitive camping stop for bugout travelers. One night to one week maximum. You know, rest up and recoup or reunite with stragglers while en route. Good idea or no?

How should I let fellow survivalists know about the location? I would have to meet traveler in some nearby town to get to know before showing them the location, for personal security.

Or should I hole up on my land and let everyone else fend for themselves? Your thoughts are appreciated, either as an e-mail or a post on your blog. Thanks, – S. in Alabama

JWR Replies: I can foresee a few potential problems with your plan:

First: Vetting someone for suitability and trustworthiness for such an arrangement is time consuming. Unless you could properly vet someone before they were told the exact location of your retreat, then it would be a huge OPSEC risk. Worst case: Your retreat ends up on some outlaw motorcycle gang’s “shopping list.”

Second: If anyone asks if they can cache supplies at your retreat, there could be legal implications, especially if they are less than honest about what they are burying on your property. (I’ve heard a couple of horror stories from consulting clients about the antics of some their erstwhile “friends” that turned out to be flakes or criminals.)

Third: In times of Deep Drama, it might be difficult to persuade “stay-overs” to abide by their contractual obligation to move on. (I can just hear the whining: “But I’m sick with the flu”. or, “But my wife has a badly sprained ankle and can’t walk…”, or, “I’m not leaving until my brother arrives. We’re supposed to meet-up here.”)

Fourth: “Signing-up” a large number of stay-overs is an egregious violation of the “need to know” rule. Each person that is told about the retreat location represents one more person that could get careless and blather or boast of it to friends. Repeat that risk 20 or 30 rimes, and sure enough, on TEOTWAWKI+ 1 or TEOTWAWKI+2 you’ll wake up in the morning to find that a hundred tents have sprouted in your pasture, most of which will be occupied by newcomers that you know nothing about. (This factor, BTW, is why The Memsahib and I have taken some extreme measures in guarding the location of our year-round retreat.)

In summation, I think that such an arrangement is more trouble than it is worth. To do it right would requite plenty of vetting. And if you are going to that much trouble, then it might as well be to approve someone that will be a full-fledged member of your retreat group.

Two Letters Re: How to Approach Shooting

Mister Rawles,

My husband and I have two editions of “Patriots“, both heavily highlighted. I shudder to think that your books sounds all too prophetic about now.

I’ve seen you reference The Appleseed Program [of rifle matches and clinics] on your web site, but I can’t determine if you have ever been to one of our events. If you haven’t, it is truly worth the time, since we are about more than just marksmanship. That is just the hook to get people to come.

We teach the history of the beginning of the Revolutionary War and the mindset of the people involved. Somehow Appleseed changes people. It gets people off their rears to come and it gets prompts many to take up the call to spread the word of involvement. It gets people thinking. Appleseed has given me hope that there are good committed people out there and that with them, not all of America is lost. It has also proven to be an excellent way to meet like minded people. If the worst comes to pass, I have the marksmanship skills to survive and I now know many others who do as well.

My husband and I are new instructors, as we have taken up the call. We are involved in teaching in the Southwest, but there are classes around the country, so everyone should be able to find one relatively close by. The training is highly effective and I have yet to see anyone, even experts, leave without some new skills.

Sincerely Yours, – G.F.in New Mexico

 

Hello Jim,
A little follow up to MJM’s article on basic marksmanship. He is 100% spot on. The fundamentals and basics of marksmanship are the foundation that all shooting is built on. I would recommend seeking out NRA high power competition to improve their rifle shooting skills. High power shooters are always looking for new people and welcome them with open arms and are willing to teach. Plus the matches are just plain fun and gives you goals to strive for and measure your progress against. Also don’t forget Fred’s Appleseed program as well. Take care, – Jeff in Ohio

Odds ‘n Sods:

Here is a round-up of grim economic tidings from England: Scotty found this one from The Times of London (online edition): World Agenda: riots in Iceland, Latvia and Bulgaria are a sign of things to come. And Jack B. found this: Britain on the brink of an economic depression, say experts. And still more bad news from the UK, by way of reader G.G.: Confident tone as UK bond sale nears. (They admit that the risk of a government bond auction failing–where the amount of money raised falls short of its target–has increased.) And Luddite Jean sent this: Gordon Brown admits: ‘I never saw it coming,’ as figures confirm we’re in the worst recession for 28 years: (Jean notes: “How on earth a Chancellor of the Exchequer and then Prime Minister didn’t see this coming, I’ll never know. 18 months ago, I was predicting a sharp downturn and possible recession – family and friends thought I was crazy, but I prepared for it just the same. Now I have a business which is doing well, and should continue to survive through a recession and depression. The goods I hold will be in great demand if we reach TEOTWAWKI. When I found your web site in the latter part of last year, it reassured me that I wasn’t the only ‘crazy’ person on the planet!”) Also from Jean: UK ‘could run out of money very soon’ warns Cameron amid fears of 70s-style IMF bail-out.

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Evan sent this, as an example of very bad OPSEC: Deadly weapons found in storage unit.With some more details, reader L.D. sent us this link: Man accused of keeping weapons cache in Bellevue [, Washington] storage. Gee, I guess that this shows that skill as a machinist does not necessarily also engender the ability to mark a calendar with a storage contract expiration date. One correction to the television news report: It described the demi-blocks of C4 as “armed and unstable”. But there were no blasting caps, fuses or wires visible in the photo. So I think the description was a bit of hyperbole. But regardless, this guy is going to be in deep legal trouble. As I advise my consulting clients: Do NOT risk a long stretch in prison, just for the sake a of gun that shoots faster. Either buy registered Class 3s, or just skip it. You can wiggle your trigger finger nearly as fast as full auto, anyway…

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Thanks to Mr. Yankee for sending this: As Food Costs Rise, Is Government Being Straight About Inflation?

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Bill N. mentioned a Thermite emergency fire starter.

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The wise man does not expose himself needlessly to danger,
since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently;
but he is willing, in great crises to give even his life–
knowing that under certain conditions it is not worthwhile to live." – Aristotle (B.C. 384-322)

Note from JWR:

I posted “E.”‘s letter on “Gray Man” survival strategies without comment, because I knew that he’d be sure to get and earful without me having to chime in.) Just as I anticipated, his letter elicited many strongly-worded letters of disagreement. For the sake of brevity, I have posted just a sampling:

Four Letters Re: The Gray Man in the Coming Storm

Jim:

“E’s” Gray Man concept is cowardly, standing idly by as evil men corrupt this fine country. The Citizen, on the other hand, works to preserve and protect the liberties that we now enjoy, in opposition to men and women who wish to do those liberties harm.

The Citizen knows the power of government is kept in check only by the citizenry-at-large. He (or She) is not afraid to oppose totalitarian policies, because he knows to remain silent will surely result loss of his rights. He understands the Constitution and respects the ideals of the fore-fathers. He knows they didn’t hide at home when the call went out for help, and our great country was the result. He participates in activities like The Appleseed Program where he can increase his skills and knowledge. He is the first to write / call / e-mail his elected representatives. He is the first to join with like-minded people in the NRA and other organizations, knowing those organizations are not perfect but that there is strength in numbers.

He not only teaches his children what is right, but he is an example to his friends, neighbors and religious congregants. He is involved in leadership activities like Scouting, so he can help mold the youth of tomorrow and preserve great American traditions. He takes a kid hunting who has no other way to experience a great American tradition. He helps out a neighbor women with two kids whose husband is serving Afghanistan . He is not boastful or full-of-himself, but is ready to support liberty with a well-thought-out and logical argument.

This does not mean the Citizen is not prepared. This does not mean the Citizen doesn’t keep his preparations under wraps and private. This does not mean the Citizen does not put the safety of his family first and foremost. It is precisely because he cares for his family that he refuses to allow tyranny to become the law of the land.

The Citizen is not afraid to stand up and be counted against tyranny, as he knows that both he and Gray Man are “on the list.” He, the Citizen, refuses to go quietly into that long, dark night. The Gray Man, on the other hand, will one day be hunted like a weasel in the wilderness: cold, wet and alone, with no way to challenge the tyrants. – W-Squared

 

Mr. Rawles:
If our Founding Fathers had followed the “Gray Man” strategy, we would still be British subjects. Regards, – Steven L.

 

Dear Mr. Rawles,
I read your blog regularly and appreciate the information deeply. I could not resist replying to today’s post by “E.” regarding the “Gray Man’s” plans for survival, because, of all the interesting posts I’ve read on your site this one had a most unusual effect on me.

What I can’t understand is:
Where is “Gray Man” going to go after becoming a fugitive in a police state? Especially with children? Is he going to walk there? How will he trick the face/iris scanning cameras at every corner, or the heat signature blimp hovering overhead, which are a certain part of the future he describes?

Where is “Gray Man” going to stick his [RFID] chip when he also consents to being strip searched before thanking his oppressor?
How many of his friends, family members and co-workers will “Gray Man” surrender to the authorities to maintain the appearance of loyalty to the system?
What good will it do “Gray Man” to teach his children of Liberty after he has given their Liberties away?

Why didn’t the “Gray Man” do anything to help out the millions of Americans who sacrificed their lives fortunes and sacred honor to preserve Liberty for our posterity when we still had a fighting chance?

What sort of prayers will “Gray Man” whisper to his God after he has rendered his soul and spirit useless in the face of evil?

The “Gray Man” is part of the problem. A typical American who so desperately fears the consequences of saying ‘no’ that he has convinced himself that consent to tyranny is somehow revolutionary. How can a man pretend to be free after relinquishing his rights? This is double think, and I find it quite disappointing that many modern American males have such difficulty seeing the value of rising in common defense against tyranny over shrinking away in silent, lonely protest after having lost all.

Is a person truly being honest about the value of their life if they choose to live it in bondage?
Thanks for all you do, Mr. Rawles. – D.H.

 

Mr. Rawles,
As a Christian, I would caution “E.,” the “Gray Man,” against taking the chip and then removing it if he is also a Christian. If the RFID chip is the “mark of the beast” or if it merely could be, it is too much of a risk for my soul. From everything that I have read in the Bible, accepting the mark proves your allegiance to something other than God and it is against His will. Personally, I do not want to be against His will. If I am captured and forced to make a choice in those times, oil up the guillotine and I’ll see you guys on the other side.
Always cynical, – Semper Cynicus

Two Letters Re: Advice on Two-Way Radio Communications

Good Morning Jim,
First, I definitely concur on a BFO award for the horizontally polarized CB antenna idea.

I am a relatively new ham. I got my license two years ago, and can highly recommend that as you say, that everyone [in the US reading this] get their license, because it IS so easy now. One thing that I think needs to be pointed out is that with the removal of the code requirements for any license, a General Class license is really no harder to get than a Technician license. The best way to get your ham license it to find a local club that offers classes. Many clubs have web pages that are listed on the ARRL web site, and will tell you if they do classes. My club, the Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS), usually runs both a Technician, and a General class at least once a year, and usually twice, we are not unique in this regard.

If a person lives so far out that they can not conveniently get to a club then I can highly recommend QRZ.com. They are a huge resource for hams with all kinds of technical information on radios, and antennas, as well as forums for asking questions. The most useful thing is that they offer an online practice test program that uses the current question pool for all licenses. So it is possible to practice for Technician, General, and Extra class tests with the live question pool. This is a great learning tool. If you can’t get to a class, get a copy of the current book for the license you want/need, and read it cover to cover, then go to QRZ.com and take the test, until you pass it.

When I was taking my Tech class exam , and got to the point that I was passing the QRZ test every time, I decided to try the General test, just for fun. I only missed passing it the first time by just two questions. So I got the General book, read it, and then took [variations of] that test until I was passing it every time. Two weeks later I took both the Tech, and General tests at the same testing session, and passed both. While I’m above average bright, I’m not that much above average, it’s just that easy. With a general license almost all of the Amateur radio allocated spectrum is available to you, and all modes are available in one band or another.

After saying all of this I need to point out that while getting you license is not hard, the book only teaches you what you need to pass the test. Being a licensed ham is being part of a community, and there are huge amounts of information, and many skills you will need to have to effectively use anything beyond your Tech license. That’s not to say you should avoid getting your General right off the bat, but you will be much happier, and get much more out of your time on the air, if find a local club, or at least get an Elmer (a ham who mentors new hams) to help you learn what you really need to know to be a good ham. You will find that getting the hardware, and getting it up and working is much easier, and will work much better with the skills your Elmer can teach you.
Recommendations:
1) Get your license, and go ahead and try for both your Tech and General tickets, you have nothing to loose.
2) Find a club that offers classes, if you can’t find one, get the books and try anyway.
3) Find an Elmer to help you learn the ropes.
Good Luck to all, – Fanderal

 

Hello Jim
There has been much great “Advice on Two-Way Radio Communications”. There are a couple suggestions I would add:

If you are interested in an Amateur Radio License, there are numerous free web-resources to help you prepare for the simple tests. The giant link site AC6V.com links to the vast majority of them. In mentoring students I’ve suggested they work at the material until they regularly score 90% or better on their on-line or on-computer practice tests. My most recent student went from not having a license to passing all three levels of exams at the same test session using this simple guideline.

I’ve used the Hamcram free Materials from W9PE.us to assist over 30 students. Their on-line test site, as well as QRZ.com and eHam.net and the audio Podcasts at HamRadioClass.org have been mentioned by students are helpful.

A previous letter mentioned PSK31. There is a very interesting PSK31 modem that avoids the need to use a computer with the radio [available] from http://nue-psk.com/

One concern with transmitting is being DFed. Some simple suggestions to avoid being found are:
* Decide whether your Emergency Communications needs to be Two-Way, Single (Broadcast) or a Broadcast acknowledged other than by return transmission on the same frequency.
* Don’t interfere with anyone else on the air, why tip anyone that you are even transmitting?
* Listen first, Listen some more and make sure your frequency is clear before transmitting.
* Avoid calling any attention to your transmissions – no whistle tones, lengthy preambles or other attention grabbers.
* Do not transmit or broadcast on a regular schedule and certainly do not announce a schedule unless it is an emergency. Work out a varying schedule.
* Keep your broadcasts short.
* After you sign-off, don’t go back on for at least a few hours later, if not days between transmissions.
* Never respond to an unknown call-in.
* Don’t give out any information that helps locate you – even GPS coordinates or landmarks can get your found.
* Maintain tight security, consider Transmitting and Broadcasting to be on a Need to Know basis.
* When possible, broadcast from different locations.
* Consider operating mobile.
* Consider operating “remotely” via a line of sight RF link to your main transmitter.
* Feed Line is Cheap and can save you. Get some distance between your antenna and yourself.
* When you are done transmitting, pack up and get your gear out of there.
* Consider taking down your antennas between uses. Some antennas can be erected just before use, and taken down and hidden away after you are finished, others can be concealed, including changing their electrical resonance when not in use.
* Use a lookout (LP/OP) while broadcasting. If alerted, terminate transmission and put the station into full countermeasures drill.
* Have a stand down drill, full countermeasures drill and evacuation drill planned out. If need be power the station up and let it serve as a decoy for your own safety while moving off.
* If your receiving stations can be so equipped, have them record your transmissions rather than repeating them for lost parts of your message. They should use OPSEC in their handling of the recordings.
* Though digital modes get through RF noise that will blank out many other modes, they are slow. Consider using modes that operate below the noise level (check out a mode called “Olivia” which can put a message through that neither ear or computer screen will show a signal for!).
* Consider minimizing your message to prearranged pass-phrases. Better to type in “Blue Balloon for Baby” four times, which gives the receiving station a very high probability of capturing the whole passphrase which they can look up in their passbook, than rattling off a long list of instructions once.
* In usual use the use of Encryption or Codes will get you in trouble on the Amateur Bands (except very limited special situations such as controlling an Amateur Radio Satellite), but in time of emergency it would be prudent to consider anything transmitted as public. Uninteresting Codes may be useful.
* Consider using antenna designs with RF patterns matching your needs. If a finely focused antenna with little side or back sensitivity or emissions can work, use it.
* Don’t forget about DF resistant techniques like Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS). This technique employs antennas which basically shoot straight up and reflect off the ionized layers in a fashion making direct DF difficult [except from very close by, via ground wave DF].
* Only use Radio when simpler, less exposed methods of passing information won’t work. I had a long chat with a WWII Homing Pigeon Specialist, who rode a glider in at the battle of the Arne. He pointed out that the use of Pigeons allowed them to maintain absolute radio silence during the launch of the assault. There is so much more to the use of radio in a serious emergency situation. I’ve written articles on various techniques for using industrial equipment as transmitters.

Be a bit wary of the Amateur Radio “Emcomm” groups. They are training to be part of the government system and in some areas border on paramilitary auxiliary government units. They also tend to never really look at the sort of serious situations we might, nor do they do much for protecting the individual participant, as most require the Emcomm Responder to go unarmed and have SOPs that are basically counter-OPSEC [and counter-COMSEC].

Hope these little bits of information are of use! 73, – Steve W

JWR Replies: Thanks for those suggestions. OBTW, some other COMSEC and OPSEC issues, do-it-yourself cryptography, and counter-DF techniques are described in the “Radio Ranch” chapter of my novel “Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse”

Odds ‘n Sods:

Matt S. recommended this editorial: The United Ponzi States of America

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It’s time to pray for global warming, says Flint Journal columnist John Tomlinson. (Thanks to Rich C. for the link.)

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The “all things vehicular” web store JCWhitney.com (one of our Affiliate Advertisers) has a special underway for free shipping on orders of $49 or more. This could be a huge savings on heavy items. Use Promo Code SAWBBX8 at check out. This offer is valid only through February 7, 2009.

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Stephen S. suggested this editorial: If the state can’t save us, we need a licence to print our own money. Meanwhile, Ben H. sent this: [UK] Reform plan raises fears of Bank secrecy. The article begins: ” The Bank of England will be able to print extra money without having legally to declare it under new plans which will heighten fears that the Government will secretly pump extra cash into the economy.” And Cheryl sent us the following bits of news and commentary: Will China Lead the World Into Depression? — Asian Economic Woes Grow — Sony Looking at $4 Billion Loss — Is Britain Facing Bankruptcy? — Fed Manipulating Market Prices, Gold, Oil and Bonds — Gold Safe Haven as US and UK Head for Bond Default and Devaluation — Gold to Gain Through 2012, Morgan Stanley Forecasts — Jobless Claims Increased Sharply Last Week — Foodbanks Struggling to Meet Demand

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand?" – Robert Louis Stevenson

Notes from JWR:

The current high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is at $385. This auction is for a large mixed lot, which includes::

1.) A “be ready to barter” box of 36 full-capacity gun magazines, from my personal collection in JASBORR. This box includes: 12 – Used original Bundeswehr contract HK91 (G3) steel 20 round magazines, 6 – Used original Austrian FN-FAL steel 20 round magazines, with cartridge counter holes, 10 – Used AR-15/M16 USGI (all Colt made!) alloy 20 round magazines, 6 – Excellent condition original Glock Model 19 9mm 15 round pistol magazines (early type, with “U” notch), and 2 – New and very scarce original FN (Belgian-made) US M1/M2 Carbine blued steel 30 round magazines (marked “AYP”) . All of these magazines are of pre-1994 manufacture (and hence legal to possess in New York.) These magazines have a combined value of approximately $710, in today’s market. Note: If you live in a state where full capacity magazines are banned, then you must choose to: refrain from bidding, or designate a recipient in an unrestricted state, or re-donate the magazines for a subsequent auction.

2. ) A brand new-in-box Hot Jaw Bag Sealer and a box of 10 Mylar bags . (Every retreat group should have one these, since they are a tremendous labor saver!) This is a $200 retail value, courtesy of Ready Made Resources.

3.) A huge lot of DVDs, CD-ROMs and hard copy nuclear survival/self-sufficiency references (a $300+ value) donated by Richard Fleetwood of www.SurvivalCD.com

4.) A NukAlert compact radiation detector donated by at KI4U.com (a $160 retail value). 

5.) A gift certificate for $100 worth of books, courtesy of Back 40 Books.

6.) A case of 12 cans of recent production nitrogen-packed storage granola (mixed varieties) This is a $96 retail value, courtesy of CampingSurvival.com.

Thus, this auction has a combined value in excess of $1,565.

This auction ends on February 15th. Please e-mail us your bid. Your bid will be for the entire mixed lot.

—

Today we present another entry for Round 20 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include:

First Prize: The writer of the best contributed article will be awarded two transferable Front Sight  “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value!
Second Prize: A three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses.
Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing

Round 20 ends on January 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival will have an advantage in the judging.

The following is a design for a barrel stove heater that is designed to be installed outdoors, with hot air from an upper air chamber forced into a residence via a four-inch diameter air duct, pushed by an electric fan. However, with a proper chimney installation the same system could also be used. Also, keep in mind that both utility line current (AC) fans and 12 VDC fans–suitable for larger off-grid power systems–can be used.

Because so many SurvivalBlog readers uses mobile devices such as Blackberries and cellular phones, an because some of our readers live in remote areas with slow dial-up Internet connections, we generally avoid posting graphics in SurvivalBlog. But we can make rare exceptions for articles that genuinely need graphics to convey a message. Today’s first post is good example:

How to Build an Inexpensive Forced Air Wood Burning Heater, by Marc S.

How to Build an Inexpensive Outdoor Forced Air Wood Burning Heater

If wood is available but you are unable to safely utilize it as a heat source due to the fact that your permanent or temporary shelter happens to be a recreational vehicle (RV), mobile home or travel trailer, then this idea may be helpful. On the other hand, it may also have appeal to those who live in a home where a wood burning heater could be safely used but for those who do not want the mess associated with constantly transporting wood and ash. Those with large homes and greater winter heating requirements should regard the heater as a possible method of reducing heating costs and not as a substitute for your current system. Two additional benefits of the forced air outdoor barrel stove heater are very low initial cost and portability. I built mine for less than $150 last year and can verify that it has been working splendidly since then.

For the first time in my life I have not been faced with expensive monthly propane or heating oil bills. Granted, my residence is tiny but the winters here are quite long and brutal. It is nice also to know that in the event that I move I can easily disassemble the heater and take it with me.

These images pretty much tell the story:

Back

Duct Detail

Front

I have excluded drawings of the blower and the flexible aluminum tubing that connects to the horizontal air pipe ends with large hose clamps. Keep in mind that each four foot section of flexible aluminum tubing will stretch to up to eight feet in length. Run the tubing into your residence either through a window opening that has been partially covered with plywood or through a small port cut through the side of your residence. A small blower connects to either one of the two tubing sections just inside the window opening or wall port. Except for the barrels and a small electric blower, all of the hardware required can probably be found or ordered at your local hardware store. Ace Hardware is a particularly good source for wood burning supplies, however, and most of their stores also carry the Vogelzang Barrel Stove Kit. In the event that you can’t find a small used blower locally, try Dayton Blower. They offer a number of reasonably priced small blowers that would work just fine. If you are limited to twelve volt electric power you might consider finding a used automobile heating and/or air conditioning system blower. Should the nearest auto salvage supply company require you to go through the long drudgery of pulling the part yourself then give the U Need A Part (UNAP) locating service a try. I should warn you, however, that auto parts dealers can sometimes become irritated when one is unable to provide an exact part description. If you can connect to someone via e-mail try saying something like “virtually any heating-air conditioning system blower – the more powerful the better” and see what happens.

If there is someone in your area that owns a plasma cutter I would recommend hiring him to make the barrel cuts. It will save a lot of time, effort and metal cutting saw blades. Insulating the heater is an optional step but it can obviously improve efficiency. I wrapped the sides (but not the ends) of my heater with R-11 insulation. Make sure, however, that the paper backing is removed beforehand. Although fiberglass insulation is fireproof, the paper backing is not. If you should decide to use insulation it must be covered with sheet metal to protect it from wind and rain. I used some aluminum roofing material that had conveniently blown off the roof of a nearby derelict barn erected 1913. Fortunately, the owner had no interest in having the material returned since he was planning to have the barn demolished soon anyway. I snipped a few pieces of the roofing material to size and fastened them together with sheet metal screws. Note that I created a drip edge on top made cutouts for both the barrel legs and chimney pipe. The cover laces tightly together at the bottom with steel wire. I had briefly considered using ample quantities of heavy duty aluminum foil for the job but decided against the idea because it not only punctures and tears too easily but could also blow off in strong winds. I would not be surprised, however, if there is some sort of more easily cut metallic wrap available from Menards or Home Depot, for example, that would be far more convenient to use than sheet metal. At the present time I don’t use a thermostat. If I did I would try to find one that could also turn the blower off should inside air temperature fall below a certain level due to fuel exhaustion which unfortunately turns the heater into an air chiller. If anyone can suggest how to do that, then please e-mail the details to the SurvivalBlog Editor.

The parts list is as follows:
Two clean 55 gallon steel drums
One small electric (“hamster wheel”) blower
One Vogelzang Standard Airtite Barrel Stove Kit # BK100E. [Barrel stove kits are available from Lehman’s. Search for Item # 17120106 ]
Three 4′ sections of 4″ diameter steel stove pipe. One section will need to be cut to length. Avoid using aluminum chimney pipe or elbows
Two 4″ diameter steel stove pipe 90-degree elbows.
One or two 4′ sections of 6″ diameter steel stove pipe for the chimney. A rain cap is optional, but recommended
Two or more 4′ sections of 4″ diameter flexible aluminum [clothes dryer type] duct tubing. The number of sections needed will vary according to the distance that heater is located from your residence and how you decide to route the tubing after it enters your home. Keep in mind that when expanded each section can stretch to 8′.
Approximately six large [stainless steel Aero-Seal type] hose clamps for the air duct tubing
Two dozen short sheet metal screws
Duct tape and silicone sealant

Optional items would include a thermostatic fan cut-off switch and enough fiberglass insulation to wrap the sides and thin sheet metal to cover the insulation.

JWR Adds: I strongly recommend that the bottom of the main (firebox) barrel be lined with firebrick. Without it, the service life of a barrel stove could be as short as two years with regular use. A rain cap for the chimney is also a must, in my opinion. Without it, rainwater coming down the chimney will cause a barrel stove to rust out with alarming rapidity.

Take appropriate safety precautions in routing the chimney, to avoid fires,and to avoid the introduction of smoke indoors. Inspect the chimney and air ducts frequently, to make certain that carbon monoxide from the chimney does not co-mingle with the air passing through the ducts! The use of a carbon monoxide alarm is a must whenever using any sort of wood-fired heater.