Gold and the US Dollar are Moving Like the 1970s Gold Bull Market, by Hubert Moolman

Just like for silver, every major gold rally since 1971 has been during a time of US dollar decline (i.e., U.S. Dollar Index decline—that is, the US dollar as measured against a basket of major currencies.)

From 1971, the DXY declined from about 120 to around 86 at the gold peak in 1980. From 2001 the DXY declined from about 117 to around 74 at the 2012 gold peak.

During the current gold rally of the 2020s, it will likely be no different. It will likely go from the 2022 high of about 114 to a new all-time low, as it has in both of the previously mentioned rallies.Continue reading“Gold and the US Dollar are Moving Like the 1970s Gold Bull Market, by Hubert Moolman”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

“I Bear Witness That The Army And Me Went And Pillaged…”

Conan The Grammarian Chides: “You Mean ‘The Army And I’, Thou Baseborn Varlet!”

Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

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

 

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:9-21 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — June 21, 2025

June 21, 1672: Grand Pensionary of Holland Johan de Witt was seriously wounded by a knife-wielding would-be assassin.

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June 21st is the birthday of Rex Applegate (June 21, 1914 – July 14, 1998), author of Kill or Be Killed. He was the friend and mentor of SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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),
  2. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  3. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  4. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $350 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. A $269 retail value survival-ready power package from Solar Power Lifestyle. This includes two Solar Power Lifestyle 25W Portable Solar Panels, plus a $150 gift card to use for any purchase at solarpowerlifestyle.com.
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $960,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 119 ends on July 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

Directional Antennas Improve COMSEC, by Tunnel Rabbit

Editor’s Introductory Note:   For those who are unfamiliar with the term “YagI”,  I’ll preface this article with a bit of history from the InfoGalactic wiki: “A Yagi–Uda antenna, or simply Yagi antenna, is a directional antenna consisting of two or more parallel resonant antenna elements in an end-fire array; these elements are most often metal rods (or discs) acting as half-wave dipoles. Yagi–Uda antennas consist of a single driven element connected to a radio transmitter or receiver (or both) through a transmission line, and additional passive radiators with no electrical connection, usually including one so-called reflector and any number of directors. It was invented in 1926 by Shintaro Uda of Tohoku Imperial University, Japan, with a lesser role played by his instructor, Hidetsugu Yagi.”

To follow up on my last article, Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Communications, I’d like to discuss a particular type of directional antenna. This is the most practical directional antenna for the common man. This is because a directional antenna is essential equipment — more important than the transceiver itself when pursuing a higher level of Communications Security (COMSEC).

The characteristics of a 3-element Yagi antenna in the UHF band instead of the VHF band as the most important directional antenna that provides the most utility. These are inexpensive and easy to build, and easy to maintain. In comparison, the VHF band is crowded, and a 3-element VHF Yagi is roughly three times larger, and it is relatively cumbersome for a patrol to use.Continue reading“Directional Antennas Improve COMSEC, by Tunnel Rabbit”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

I finished the Rawles Ranch Redneck Pool cleaning project on Wedesday. That work took about nine hours, over the course of four days. It is now filled with crystal clear water, and lightly chlorinated.  It should be warmed up to proper swimming temperature by tomorrow afternoon.  That is good timing, since our four grandsons are arriving for a one-week stay, soon.

Today, I’m returning from a long trip to Billings, Montana. On Friday, I attended a gun show there, in the hopes of finding some pre-1899 cartridge guns to replenish our inventory at Elk Creek Company. After searching through the 200-table show, I did find just a couple of cartridge pre-1899ers that were suitable, and affordable. But they are definitely getting more scarce. The law of supply and demand is inescapable.  The two pieces that I came home with were a scarce early Finn-captured M1891 7.62x54r Mosin-Nagant rifle — clearly dated 1897 on the barrel — and an original Remington-made Rolling Block Argentine contract rifle, rechambered in 11mm Mannlicher!

Now, Lily’s part of the report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.

Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:

(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)

That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.

For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.” – Leviticus 18:22-29  (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — June 20, 2025

On June 20th, 1627, Ottoman pirates (“corsairs”) began raids on Icelandic villages. They eventually captured more than 400 people to sell into slavery.

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Today marks the Summer solstice. We will have less than four hours of total darkness, at the latitude of the Rawles Ranch.

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June 20th is the birthday of Audie L. Murphy. He was born in 1925. He died in a plane crash on May 28, 1971.

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A fan of SurvivalBlog is one of the organizers of a real estate raffle for a 32-acre parcel of waterfront land in northwest Montana that looks quite retreat-worthy.  I generally shy away from raffles and any sort of games of chance.  But because this raffle will benefit a good cause (an animal shelter in that area), and because the property would be quite suitable for building a retreat, I’ve decided to give this fundraiser some publicity in SurvivalBlog. The raffle ends on July 31, 2025. For details, see: DreamPropertyRaffle.org.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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),
  2. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  3. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  4. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $350 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. A $269 retail value survival-ready power package from Solar Power Lifestyle. This includes two Solar Power Lifestyle 25W Portable Solar Panels, plus a $150 gift card to use for any purchase at solarpowerlifestyle.com.
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $960,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 119 ends on July 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

A Primer on Backup Power – Part 3, by R.H.

(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the article.)

6th Backup Option: A Permanent Mid-Size Solar System

This system is advertised as an auto-transfer battery/inverter system that is designed for modular build, which provides the ability to add additional batteries and inverters as your system needs grow. It is a way to start with a solar backup and grow to a full power system in the future.

[JWR Adds:  If you plan to eventually expand your system then choose modular, expandable components.  For example, select modular stacking inverters.]

As with most systems, these systems are basically composed of a power generation method, a storage capability, an inverter that takes the energy from the storage and makes it available for use, a means to charge the energy storage system, and a variety of wiring systems and accessories that tie it into the user’s system. Usually it is a modular system that uses one or more battery modules, one or two inverter modules and multiple solar panels. Proper initial layout will allow the addition of modules in the future.Continue reading“A Primer on Backup Power – Part 3, by R.H.”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at weakening demand and softening prices for new guns. (See the Commodities section.)

Precious Metals:

At Currency Thoughts: Singapore Gold Takes Direct Aim at Comex, LBMA.

o  o  o

Jesse Columbo, at Gold-Eagle.com: A Report on the Bullish Case for Platinum.

o  o  o

Video: Andrew Maguire – “You’re About to Miss Silver’s 10x Moment’ (It’s Starting This June).

Economy & Finance:

G7 leaders gather in Canada for summit overshadowed by trade wars and Israel-Iran crisis.

o  o  o

In The Daily  Mail: Ford forced to shutter factories amid worrying parts shortages: ‘Hand-to-mouth right now’ .

o  o  o

From CNBC: Retail sales fell 0.9% in May, worse than expected, as consumers pulled back.

o  o

Senate Version Of ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Sets Up Showdown With House Over Taxes, Medicaid And SALT.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.” – Thomas Jefferson, Letter to William Smith, Paris, November 13, 1787

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — June 19, 2025

On June 19, 1306, the Earl of Pembroke’s army defeated Robert the Bruce‘s Scottish army at the Battle of Methven.

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On June 19, 1991, Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar surrendered to police.

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June 19, 1778: Continental Army troops finally left their winter encampment at Valley Forge.

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June 19, 1834 was the birthday of Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon, who died on 31 January, 1892. He was a British Particular Baptist preacher.

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On June 19, 1914, the Hillcrest Mine Disaster: An explosion at Hillcrest mine, Alberta, killed 189 men in Canada’s worst mining disaster.

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On June 19, 1917, the British Royal Family, which had strong German ties since George I, renounced its German names and titles and adopted the name of Windsor.

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On Jun 19, 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed 73-27, overcoming largely Democrat opposition. This followed a famous 74-day filibuster that was led by the Southern Democrats. (See the roll call.)  Barry Goldwater opposed the bill because it would expand the size of the government.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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),
  2. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  3. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  4. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $350 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. A $269 retail value survival-ready power package from Solar Power Lifestyle. This includes two Solar Power Lifestyle 25W Portable Solar Panels, plus a $150 gift card to use for any purchase at solarpowerlifestyle.com.
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $960,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 119 ends on July 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

A Primer on Backup Power – Part 2, by R.H.

(Continued from Part 1.)

1st Backup Option: The Portable Engine-driven Generator

The portable engine-driven generator is the most common tool for power blackouts. It comes in a range of sizes and features with an accompanying range of prices. Often used on job sites where electric power is absent, these can be bought almost everywhere. It will make a very accessible backup for your fridge and freezer, even on a minimal budget. As is demonstrated by the news stories of generators being sold out, and of their theft during weather-related disasters, you’ll also need to think in terms of security for your generator.  If it is not kept in a locking vented enclosure, then you need to at least chain and lock your generator to something immovable.

Owning a generator is a good first (and fast) way to have a power backup. With the addition of good quality heavy gauge electric extension cords and fuel storage it allows you to provide your basic needs. Don’t forget to include a plan of where you will place the running generator and how you will run the cords to the devices that you need to power.Continue reading“A Primer on Backup Power – Part 2, by R.H.”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is 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. In today’s column, we look at the increasing risks of a full-scale conflict: World War 3.

Russian General Declares: ‘WW3 Has Already Started’

Over at the UK Express: Putin’s general calls for massive mobilisation as he declares ‘WW3 has already started’. The article begins:

“A Vladimir Putin general claimed today that World War 3 has already started following Israel’s strikes on Iranian soil on Thursday night. Maj-Gen Apti Alaudinov, 51, urged the Kremlin to carry out mass mobilisation of up to one million fresh troops.

In a message published on the social media platform Telegram on Friday, the deputy chief of the Russian armed forces’ main military-political directorate wrote: “We need to declare mobilisation.” Alaudinov, who is a prominent propagandist and the commander of the Chechnya-based Akhmat special forces, added: “We need to prepare at least half a million people in advance. But realistically one million people. We need to call them up and start preparing them for the fact that the war has already begun, which we already know is happening – World War 3. But it has already taken on a new turn and a new momentum.”

‘Tehran Will Burn’ Warning as WW3 Fears Explode

Israel-Iran Live: Chilling ‘Tehran will burn’ warning as WW3 fears explode.

Are We Heading for World War Three?

Over at The Week: Are we heading for World War Three? A pericope:

“China, North Korea and Iran are all supporting Russia, either with military hardware or actual troops on the ground. The worry is that the current, mostly geographically contained “hot war” is “threatening to engulf the entire European continent”, said the Daily Mail.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Conquering kings their titles take
From the foes they captive make:
Jesu, by a nobler deed,
From the thousands He hath freed.” – John Chandler (1806-1876), from ‘Hymns Ancient and Modern’ (translated from Latin)