The K.I.S.S. Principle and Transceivers – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit

9

(Continued from Part 2.)

Editor’s Note: The following section of the article describes some high power and out-of-band transmission modifications that are not legal under most circumstances. In an absolute disaster situation, anyone can operate outside of normal bands/channels without a license and probably without any legal repercussions. But doing so in normal times will surely get someone arrested, their gear seized, and some hefty fines. Beware!

BACK TO THE FUTURE, CB RADIO IS BACK!
Although Citizen Band (CB) might not be a part of our primary radio communications plan, we may need to operate a CB to talk to neighbors. Although it appears that CB has fallen into disuse, it is not forgotten, in fact it is fast making a ‘come back’. And there are yet many hidden away that will be dusted off and put back into service in a disaster. It could be the radio that connects and informs the masses. A low-cost example should then be in our radio shack even if it is not our first choice, since it will be the first and only choice for many neighbors. And it would be good enough for most local situations.
Sigle-sideband (SSB) mode CB offers twice the range and four times the COMSEC as a standard CB. Yet if there are no other SSB CBs that we could contact, then SSB is not a practical choice.  Unless of course we planned ahead and SSB CBs were apart of our primary or alternative radio communications, and members standardized on SSB CB. Standard CB radio is a good alternative, if the operation requirement is less than 3 to 8 miles. Cost and technical barriers also weigh heavily on our decisions, and may force us to compromise and choose the CB. If a radio choice is too difficult for the least technical capable member, then it is not a good choice.  CB could at the least be a contingency radio option.
My approach tends to favor lower-cost radios coupled with the best antenna that I can afford.  This usually works out well in the field. Connect a lower-power, or lower cost radio to a optimal antenna, and it usually will outperform, or perform just as well as a better quality, and higher priced and powered radio that is connected to a sub-optimal, or sub-standard antenna.  There is a general tendency to purchase brawn (power output), rather than using ‘brains’ to get the job done.
The choices of transceivers and antennas available is impressive and overwhelming. In this day and age, vehicles have evolved beyond the traditional CB antenna mounts of the past. In this comparison, I’ve chosen to use a decent performing magnetic mount 5 foot long antenna, because it is easy for the average person to install on modern vehicles.  There are better performing antennas, but the goal is to find and examine combinations that are a sensible balance of cost, performance, with a low technical barrier.  Motor homes, pick-ups, and even base stations could use a no ground plane (NGP) antenna if a full-sized antenna is out of reach. Whatever the application, there are numerous options that are offered as solutions that will allow us to install a better antenna. Ask around, and choose the best performing antenna for your situation.
Generally speaking, the longer the antenna, the better it propagates. This is especially relevant when it comes to CB antennas.  As a rough rule of thumb, for every one foot of antenna height, we might expect 1 mile of range. However, there are too many variables to estimate the actual range. If the range requirement is modest, then buying the best antenna one can afford, will likely allow the radio to perform adequately.  There is likely a better antenna that can be used if the installer is up to the technical challenge. Those with older vehicles and trucks would do well to install a Hustler 102″ Stainless Steel Whip that is 8.5 feet in length:
Hustler 102 Inch Whip CB Ham Antenna Stainless Steel – 18 ft RG8X Coax – Spring & Mount
Modern pickups and other modern vehicles are better served with compact radios and modern mounting brackets. Here is an example from CB World’s “Help Center”:
And here is a kit complete with CB for modern pickups found at Amazon:
Pro Trucker Pickup CB Radio Kit Includes Radio, 4′ Antenna, CB Antenna Mount, CB Coax, SWR Meter w/Jumper Coax, Speaker, and Springhttps://www.amazon.com/Pro-Trucker-CB-Antenna-Speaker/dp/B01N7U4Z74/ref=sr_1_5?crid=C9981K8XF9AZ&dchild=1&keywords=swr+for+cb+radio&qid=1611950300&sprefix=swr+for+cb+radio%2Celectronics%2C213&sr=8-5
$199.90

Continue reading“The K.I.S.S. Principle and Transceivers – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

24

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the ongoing commodities boom.

Precious Metals:

‘Gold is going to be outpaced by silver and platinum’ – Bill Baruch

o  o  o

Kansas Bill Would Make Gold And Silver Legal Tender In The State

Economy & Finance:

At Zero Hedge: Got Inflation? The Fed Just Printed Another $100+ BILLION This Week.

o  o  o

At Wolf Street: What Happens to the Markets If Long-Term Interest Rates Double from Here? Did Low Interest Rates Boost Auto Sales? Do These Covid Markets Make Any Sense?

o  o  o

Shipping Costs, Trucking Rates Soar Despite Demand Below Prior Years. Now Add Diesel Price Surge to the Mix

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — February 25, 2021

14

February 25th is the birthday of bluegrass music legend Ralph Stanley (1927 – 2016). His harmonizing and high tenor solos had an almost haunting sound to them.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 93 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (a $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. 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).
  4. Naturally Cozy is donating a “Prepper Pack” Menstrual Kit.  This kit contains 18 pads and it comes vacuum-sealed for long term storage or slips easily into a bugout bag.  The value of this kit is $220.
  5. An assortment of products along with a one-hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $150 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!

Round 93 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 K.I.S.S. Principle and Transceivers – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

17

(Continued from Part 1.)

UHF Business Band Transceivers
This is a more versatile radio than the Midland MXT400 that can access off the beaten path frequencies, and provides much better COMSEC (Communications Security). These can use the same antenna, cable, and adapters detailed for the GMRS transceivers. This type of radio can be programmed per your instructions by BuyTwoWayRadios.com, and the radio is easy to use and rugged. Our choice of frequencies are limited by the radio to the UHF band, and the limits of the antenna that covers only a section of the UHF band. We can also purchase an exclusive license for the private use of a frequency from the FCC using their service:  https://www.buytwowayradios.com/services/radio-licensing.html
UHF Business Band Base Station Transceiver
Icom IC-F6021-51B UHF Base Station Radio (Complete with power supply)
$459.99
UHF Business Band Mobile Transceiver
Icom IC-F6021-51B  (same as base station, but without the power supply)
$299.99
UHF Business Band handhelds and Mobile Business Band Transceivers.
These UHF handhold can be used with a UHF linear amplifier, or we can get a UHF mobile, and base station in your flavor and choice.
Wouxun KG-805G GMRS Two Way Radio
This is the only full 5-watt GMRS radio I can find. It is GMRS repeater capable, a strong point if you have a GMRS repeater in your area.
$79.99
Or,
Olympia P324 Two Way Radio
4 watts maximum. Memory is limited to 32 channels, and it may not be GMRS repeater capable,
yet the price is right so that we can buy replacement radios, or enough radios.
$49.99
BTECH AMP-U25 Amplifier for UHF (400-480MHz), 20-40W Output (2-6W Input), Analog and Digital Modes, Compatible with All Handheld Radios: BTECH, BaoFeng, Kenwood, Yaesu, ICOM, Motorola
$137.89

Continue reading“The K.I.S.S. Principle and Transceivers – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

72

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at a re-purposed Atlas Missile silo.

Silo, Sweet Silo

First up, Tim J. sent us a link to this at The Natural Building Blog: Underground Home Recycled from a Missile Silo. Here is the article’s opening:

“A Cold War–era missile silo base in Eskridge, KS on 32 acres was converted into an underground home and has come on the market. It was built as an Atlas E missile structure in the early 1950s and was operated by the Air Force in the early 1960s, but was decommissioned in 1965 in favor of newer technology and more robust facilities. Built to withstand bomb blasts, it is made up of epoxy-resin concrete and heavy rebar. The current owners purchased the property in the early 1980s. It had been vacant for some time, with some areas filled with as much as 8 feet of water, but the current owner did his due diligence before purchasing. He explored the underground space with a canoe and flashlight, even diving in, before deciding to take on the project.”

Since I’m sure some readers would ask about it, here is a link to the real estate agent’s listing.

Pole Reversal Caused Sudden Climate Change

Reader C.B. sent us this, at Phys.org: Earth’s magnetic field broke down 42,000 years ago and caused massive sudden climate change

Claire Wolfe’s Updated Blogroll

The sagacious libertarian blogger Claire Wolfe has re-launched her blogroll: A note about the forums + recreating the blogroll. I feel honored to have SurvivalBlog included!

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

1

“We hear a great deal about the rudeness of the rising generation. I am an oldster myself and might be expected to take the oldsters’ side, but in fact I have been far more impressed by the bad manners of parents to children than by those of children to parents. Who has not been the embarrassed guest at family meals where the father or mother treated their grown-up offspring with an incivility which, offered to any other young people, would simply have terminated the acquaintance? Dogmatic assertions on matters which the children understand and their elders don’t, ruthless interruptions, flat contradictions, ridicule of things the young take seriously sometimes of their religion insulting references to their friends, all provide an easy answer to the question “Why are they always out? Why do they like every house better than their home?” Who does not prefer civility to barbarism?” – C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — February 24, 2021

4

On February 24, 1970 an avalanche took the lives of 29 Swiss Army officers in Reckingen, Switzerland.

—

To those who have been sending anxious e-mails about the status of their orders for SurvivalBlog Archive USB Sticks, here is an update: The second batch of orders starting mailing Monday, following a brief delay while our fulfillment team was awaiting a new supply of padded mailers.  All orders placed one or before February 20th should be mailed within the next 14 days.  Please note that we had advertised: “Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.” Thanks for your patience. – JWR

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 93 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (a $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. 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).
  4. Naturally Cozy is donating a “Prepper Pack” Menstrual Kit.  This kit contains 18 pads and it comes vacuum-sealed for long term storage or slips easily into a bugout bag.  The value of this kit is $220.
  5. An assortment of products along with a one-hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $150 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!

Round 93 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 K.I.S.S. Principle and Transceivers – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

64
Editor’s Introductory Note:  Because of the length of this detailed article, it will be serialized into five parts.
—
I’ll begin with a note of warning for those who would delve into, or recommend sophisticated radio equipment.  The learning curve can be steep, and it requires a significant investment of time to become competent. I recommend using the “Keep, Simple, Stupid” (K.I.S.S.) principle. The apocryphal originator of the K.I.S.S. principle was no simpleton. He was the aircraft design genius Kelly Johnson, and we should heed the advice. It is likely that simple-to-use equipment is the best choice for most.
Here is an example of what can happen with some transceivers: Baofeng handi-talkies can inadvertently become locked, and unusable should the key denoted with the ‘#’ symbol is accidentally depressed. A lock symbol will appear on the upper right-hand corner of the LCD display. To unlock it, simply press the # key again. If one is unaware of this keypad lock feature, the radio is ‘stuck’ on the current frequency, and otherwise rendered mostly unusable.
Here is another example, this time involving a good quality, and nearly new in condition, modern ham radio, a Yaesu 2800M mobile. I recently pulled it out of storage to check the operation, and to physically remove the MARS/CAP (MARS, Military Auxiliary Radio System) that limits the unit to the 2 Meter Ham band by removing solder from a circuit board connection, and soldering to make a new connection in some transceivers. I got it in a trade for a couple old CBs. It was too much radio for the previous owner. They were very happy to dump the NIB Yaesu 2800M, and get two good-looking CBs, one with an antenna. The Yaesu 2800M is a good one for preppers in that the MARS CAP can be overridden, or canceled by depressing the ‘low’ and ‘d/mr’ buttons simultaneously while turning the radio on. The code ”A2” appears on the display indicating the radio is unlocked, allowing it to transmit from 137 to 174 MHz. I had programmed the radio prior to securing it in a watertight Faraday cage. Upon testing it’s function, I found that it transmits and receives, yet no audio was available. I must have depressed a key that muted the radio. The owner’s manual did not shed light on the problem. This radio has a sophisticated menu which on one hand is wonderful, and on the other hand, could be a curse. With so many different radios to deal with, it can be a challenge to master them all. Anyway, the ‘fix’ was to do a factory reset by rebooting it’s CPU and cleaning out it’s ‘brains’ to return it to it’s default settings. This fixed the audio problem, but it wiped the memory clean. Because I cannot get a programming cable, I must now spend hours reprogramming it.
TRANSCEIVER SELECTION
Ham radio is not for everyone. Most people I am acquainted with who have a Tech license know little more after attaining their license than they did before studying for the 35 question examination. Much of the test is about the ‘rules of the road’ that the FCC would like you to know. Sadly they have not availed themselves of the technical knowledge offered by potential ‘Elmers’, or other knowledgeable and helpful Hams in person, or on the Internet. The Smartphone is just too convenient, and provides for all of their communication needs. Therefore there is little incentive to look elsewhere, and to strive to master a new platform that offers less. Besides, they only got the license in case the world blew up, and have little current need for it, just like the Baofeng they got that is still in the box. I end up taking care of their programming and other technical issues, so that all they have to do is key up. I’ve finally accepted this as a fact of life of this day and age.
If you cannot invest lots of time into radio, then I suggest going with simple platforms. If there is someone in your family, or group who has the time to become the ‘resident expert’, perhaps sophisticated Ham radios can be a part of your plan, but not all have to get their Tech license.  We can use MURS, GMRS, and even CB.  The Ham Shack should have all these radios, something for everyone, and an ability to talk to neighbors.  The two most popular radios outside of Survivalist circles is not a Baofeng. Rather, it will be CB, and FRS/GMRS. GMRS will allow you to talk far and near, and to your neighbors. A 40-watt GMRS transceiver on a good antenna, will in most situations, talk farther than a 4 watt CB.  It will also talk to the Wal-Mart bubble pack FRS/GMRS radio most already have. Human error and ignorance can disable an otherwise very capable and sophisticated radio. Over the years I’ve had to fix many Ham radios, and antennas operated by Hams.  They got their surfboard, but still can’t surf. In a WROL situation, you will be on your own, and in big surf. A simpler radio with less buttons to push, however less capable, would be a better choice, than a complicated radio that can not be operated at all.

Continue reading“The K.I.S.S. Principle and Transceivers – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — February 23, 2021

5

February 23 is that day that six Marines from E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima.

Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836).

February 23rd is also the birthday of Captain Isaac Davis (February 23, 1745 – April 19, 1775), a militia officer and gunsmith who commanded a Minute Company in Acton, Massachusetts during the Battle of Concord.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 93 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (a $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. 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).
  4. Naturally Cozy is donating a “Prepper Pack” Menstrual Kit.  This kit contains 18 pads and it comes vacuum-sealed for long term storage or slips easily into a bugout bag.  The value of this kit is $220.
  5. An assortment of products along with a one-hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $150 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!

Round 93 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.

 

PACE-BB: Distribute Your Guns

73

It is clear that we are living in perilous times.  I’ve often referred to our present era with the phrase:  We Are Living In The Age Of Deception and Betrayal. (WALITAODAB.) Now that the Democrats are again ruling Washington, so-called “gun control” measures are going to be coming at us at a gallop. So it is wise to complete your firearms battery soon.  For now, private party sales are still legal in about 34 of the 50 States. So stock up, before we have a nationwide  “Universal Background Checks” law. The purpose of this essay is to underscore the importance of distributing your firearms into several discreet and discrete safe storage locations. This is not the time to keep all of your proverbial eggs in one basket. WALITAODAB!

The U.S. military is famous for its use of acronyms. You might say they speak an English dialect called Acronese. One acronym popular with military communications planners is PACE. That stands for Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency. For your distributed firearms storage locales, I suggest something along those lines.  I use a variant of this acronym: PACE-BB. I’ll explain that in detail.

But first, let me remind you that you need to record the serial numbers and detailed descriptions of your guns, for insurance and/or theft-reporting purposes.  I recommend using 3″x5″ cards for this — one card per gun. That way you can simply shred or burn cards whenever one legitimately leaves your collection. And if you ever lose a gun to a burglar, you certainly don’t want to hand authorities your full list of guns.

I do not recommend any electronic cataloging unless you have a fully air-gapped (not Internet-connected) tablet or laptop. But most people don’t have the self-discipline to resist connecting such a device, so it is best that you stick to just using 3″x5″ cards. Those cards should be hidden in the home of trusted relative who is not a likely target of gun confiscation.  (Read: Granny’s house.)
Continue reading“PACE-BB: Distribute Your Guns”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

39

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on Idaho’s population growth.   (See the Idaho section.)

Idaho

‘Demand is through the roof’: The housing market crisis in Boise

o  o  o

Some Idaho residents unhappy with rate of population growth

o  o  o

Protesters gather outside lawmaker’s home after introduction of anti-picketing bill

o  o  o

Avalanche in Southeast Idaho kills Preston man

o  o  o

Five Idaho Airmen transfer to U.S. Space Force in ‘historical’ change.

Montana

Gianforte signs ‘constitutional carry’ gun bill. JWR’s Comments: The law is now effect, and will also apply to Montana college campuses as of June 1, 2021.​ And by the way, the Utah Governor signed a similar bill, just a week ago. It is good to see that firearms freedom is still on the march, at the State level.

Next, we need the State legislatures to pass Constitutional Gun Sales laws — exempting citizens of the states from any federal restrictions on intrastate sales of firearms, ammunition, reloading components, gun optics, or gun accessories. That way “Universal Background Checks” will only apply to legitimate Federal interstate jurisdiction, per the Commerce Clause.

o  o  o

Bozeman man takes to street with signs about housing market

o  o  o

Dillon man arraigned for role in Capitol riot. And here is a news report about the man and the murals on his appliance store.

o  o  o

Bill would delay sales of recreational marijuana in Montana by one year

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

Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 22, 2021

14

On this day in 1732, George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the second son from the second marriage of a colonial plantation owner. An initially loyal British subject, Washington eventually led the Continental Army in the American Revolution and became known as the father of the United States.

—

On this day in 1943,  Sophie Scholl was executed by beheading for organizing the White Rose group–a student resistance to the Hitler regime.  She had been convicted of high treason, after having been found distributing anti-war leaflets at the University of Munich (LMU) with her brother, Hans. She was 21 years old.

—

Today we are posting a review written by our Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio.