Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit

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

Antennas

As an example, factory broad band antennas can suffice, yet performance in terms of propagation and receive will be lacking, and the overall range shortened, and the transceiver’s life possibly shortened. And there are other issues to consider. The crude, yet effective Baofeng UV5R does not power back given an excessively high Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) from an antenna, and this situation will shorten the life of the ‘finals’ of this transceiver. If the back side of a Baofeng UV5R becomes warm to the touch, stop transmitting, drop the power setting to low power, or install a properly tuned antenna, or better yet, an antenna that is located as high up as possible, and use the lowest power setting that make communication possible. This is an example of why we need a basic understand of how transceivers work or do not work well, and how to use them correctly.

Even if we can not make antennas, we need to know that we need to use the correct antenna for a given frequency range, and how use an antenna to limit or extend the range of the transceiver. Often, shorter antennas that limit the range are the most appropriate if we seek to improve COMSEC — that is, when we need not have a range beyond our perimeter. Knowing when to attach an antenna that propagates further is the correct choice and is also a part of what the operator needs to know.Continue reading“Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 3, 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:

Our lives got a lot more complicated last Sunday when we began caring for two bummer lambs. (Pictured above is my cousin (twice removed) Martha Rawles, with three bummer lambs, circa 1948.) Lily will give you most of the details on the lambing.  But I would like to relate just one of our experiences, from Friday:

We had one of our ewes penned in a corner of the west sheep corral, using an 8-foot heavy wire mesh cattle panel, to form a triangular pen. The ewe was already in there with her own lamb. Lily got in with her, and I handed the two bummer lambs over the fence to her, to try to encourage some foster milking. When I also handed her a pan of alfalfa pellets to keep the foster mama ewe occupied, the other sheep in the main part of the pen got jealous, and three of them vigorously stuck their heads through the panel, trying to get at the delectable pellets. Lily was sitting butt on the ground with legs outstretched. Their heads were pushing on Lily’s back, and meanwhile mama ewe had her flank against Lily’s face and was straddling Lily’s outstretched legs. Lily was doing her best to get the two bummer lambs to latch on to the foster mom’s teats.  This was quite the chaotic rodeo, all in a small space.  It reminded me of the old Army rejoinder: “What a Goat Rope!” Needless to say,  Lily is quite the Trooper! One could see that she was enjoying every minute of the process and didn’t care a lick about being stepped on and pushed around. A wife like her is a keeper.

I’m still deep in firewood cutting season.  Our still-at-home daughter has been helping me with the wood stacking. She has also been dragging limbs out to a slash pile. We’ll burn that this coming fall.

Today, I’m attending a gun show in Post Falls, Idaho, but I won’t have tables there.  I’m just walking the show, looking for pre-1899 cartridge guns, to replenish my Elk Creek Company inventory.

Now, Lily’s part of the report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord; what then should a king do to us?

They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

 The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” – Hosea 10:1-12 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 30, 2025

May 30th was America’s original Memorial Day. By proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the first major Memorial Day observance was held on May 30th, 1868 to honor those who died “in defense of their country” Known to some as “Decoration Day,” mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

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And on May 30, 1896, America’s first car accident occurred when driver Henry Wells hit a cyclist in New York City.

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We are pleased to announce that a new prize package will be included in the Second Prize in our bi-monthly nonfiction writing contest, starting with Round 119: Solar Power Lifestyle is now kindly donating a $269 retail value survival-ready power package. This includes two of their proprietary branded  25W Portable Solar Panels plus a $150 gift card to use for any purchase at solarpowerlifestyle.com. Solar Power Lifestyle is a company dedicated to helping people prepare for the unexpected with reliable, high quality, and portable solar gear. Their Solar Power Lifestyle 25W Portable Solar Panels can charge  phones, radios, GPS units, rechargeable batteries, and other low-wattage devices in off-grid or emergency situations. Lightweight, foldable, and rugged, these 25W panels are ideal for bug-out bags, camping kits, glove boxes, or long-term power-outage prep. Whether you’re off-grid, on the move, or riding out a blackout, Solar Power Lifestyle will help make sure you never lose your connection to power—or your peace of mind. Take a look at their website, to see their line of photovoltaic panels, power stations, and Faraday protection bags.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. 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.
  5. 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. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  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. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail value.
  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.

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More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 118 ends on May 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.

 

 

Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1.)

Emergency Communications

The Emergency level (the “E” of the PACE acronym) methods of communications are used exclusively during recovery or for link up in the field where no electronic means are possible or desirable. The injured may need to use a whistle as their only means to call for help. Linking up in the field is a very dangerous situation that carries the threat of ambush with it, or even casualties from friendly fire. How the Emergency PACE level methods are used to signal using a code or a procedure only known to friendly participants must be well rehearsed and unambiguous. Participants must be confident enough to make contact, given the risk that is inherent.Continue reading“Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit”

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 the demise of the U.S. penny. (See the commodities section.)

Precious Metals:

The spot prices of gold and silver have been strong for nearly a week. If we see a sustained rally in silver above $36 per Troy ounce, I suspect that the Perma-Short market manipulators may capitulate. And once that happens, a rapid run-up to $50 or even $70 per ounce is possible. Hold on to your silver for the long haul, folks! – JWR

o  o  o

Goldman Sachs analyst predicts $4,000 gold, calls it a better hedge than Bitcoin.

o  o  o

At Gold-Eagle.com: Gold SWOT: Platinum Surged to a Two-Year High, Posting Its Strongest Weekly Gain Over Four Years. JWR’s Comments:  I still see platinum as the ultimate World War 3 hedge. You can’t produce cruise missiles and a lot of other high-tech weaponry without it.  Mark my words: If a major war breaks out, Platinum could quadruple or quintuple in just a couple of weeks, catapulting it well above the price of gold.

o  o  o

How the ECB’s Mark-to-Market of its Gold Holdings to €1 Trillion and €3.1 Trillion in QT Affect its Balance Sheet.

Economy & Finance:

US court blocks most Trump tariffs, says president exceeded his authority.

o  o  o

30-Year & 20-Year Treasury Yields Back over 5%, 10-Year over 4.5%, Yield Curve Steepens at Long End, Mortgage Rates Back over 7%.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“When writing your will, I suggest that you show some studied regard for what you leave in the hands of your progeny.  You should name each of your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews with specific tangible bequests. Merely writing a Dollar sum signifies nothing.  Do not leave them toys and trifles.  Instead, leave them tools and rifles.  Specifically name for each inheritor a quantity of silver, a couple of guns, a knife, several quality hand tools, and a stack of good books — to educate and to edify. A proper bequest becomes a quest for a righteous and meaningful life.” –  James Wesley, Rawles, from his Tangibles Investing book manuscript

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 29, 2025

On May 29th, 1765, Patrick Henry gave his historic speech against the Stamp Act. He answered a cry of “Treason!” with, “If this be treason, make the most of it!”

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May 29, 1953: Edmund Hillary (of New Zealand) and Tenzing Norgay (of Nepal) became the first men to reach the summit of Mount Everest as part of a British Expedition

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Blatten, flattened: 90% of Swiss village covered by landslide after glacier collapse, says official. (Video.) JWR’s Comment:  Please pray for the residents of the village, and their relatives.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

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

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. 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.
  5. 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 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. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail value.
  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 $950,000 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.

 

Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

Introduction

In my recent SurvivalBlog multi-part article, Communications Options for the Common Man, I looked at how to use commonly available license-free radios in a way that provided a low level of communication security by following a few basic rules, by mostly untrained people. Included in that article was the use of field phones that are easy to use, and provide the highest level of communication security that could be available to both untrained and trained personnel.

In this article, I will describe methods that could only be used by trained and disciplined personnel who can maintain higher standards, and use more sophisticated transceivers and better Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to attain a higher level of communication security. Field phones are not discussed as the previous article adequately covered the topic.Continue reading“Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit”

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 rapid advances in drone warfare.

The Drone Warfare Threat is Advancing

These videos from the war in Ukraine illustrate how the drone warfare threat is increasing, even with drones that are largely mere commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) units: (Warning: The following videos have graphic real-world combat carnage and some foul language):

Versus parked military vehicles and self-propelled artillery pieces,

and versus moving vehicles, camouflaged vehicles, and structures,

and, even more frighteningly…

versus dismounted infantry,

…and even at night, with thermal night vision.

JWR’s Comments: Plan accordingly for a potential civil war involving drones. If you think through the Threat Spirals, that means constructing full ghillie suits, preferably with thermal spoofing layers. Seeing these videos makes me appreciate living in a heavily-forested region.

Bacteria Feeding on Plastic Is Spreading in Hospitals

Nobody saw this one coming: Superbug That Can Feed on Plastic Is Spreading in Hospitals. (Our thanks to reader D.S.V. for sending the link.)

Fine Dining in the Apocalypse

Chris M. sent this: Fine dining in the apocalypse: how to be a middle-class prepper.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Men, you are all marksmen—don’t one of you fire until you see the white of their eyes.” – Israel Putnam (1718-1790), at Bunker Hill, 1775; as quoted in R. Frothingham’s History of the Siege of Boston (1873) ch. 5.  Note that these words were also attributed to William Prescott (1726-1795)

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 28, 2025

On May 28, 1937, the famed Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was opened to vehicular traffic. JWR’s Comments: Originally, the toll was 50 cents each way, or $1 for a round trip, with a 5-cent surcharge for any car with more than three passengers. The bridge toll is now $10 for automobiles, or $9.75 with a FastTrak transponder, for automated billing. Assuming 260 working days in a calendar year, that would equate to a bridge toll expense of $2,535  per year, for a Golden Gate Bridge commuter with a transponder!  By the way, additional incremental toll increases have already been scheduled annually until 2028.

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Today is also the birthday of the late Major General Victor Joseph Hugo Jr. (He was born 28 May 1931, and died 11 May 2020.)

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. 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.
  5. 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. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  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. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail value.
  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 $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 118 ends on May 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.

 

TEOTWAWKI Signals Intelligence – Part 2, by Mike in Alaska

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)

I will devote the rest of this article to a USB “dongle” type radio receiver that I have on hand, and the amazing things you can do with it. I also intend to make mention of a device called a “Tiny SA” a signal analyzer that was made more for spectrum analyzing signals on the test bench but can also be used for SIGINT as well.

The USB dongle I am currently using is the RTL2832U. This is a low-price unit costing just $40. But I do advise you consider buying the full package unit at $114 with all the items needed to get on the air. I have in fact just ordered this package since my current unit is not as up to date as this package is, and I wanted to compare it with this new one.Continue reading“TEOTWAWKI Signals Intelligence – Part 2, by Mike in Alaska”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

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

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A fascinating video about Finland, and its preparation for near-future arctic warfare: Inside the Most Prepared Country on Earth. JWR’s Comment:  I’ve concluded that the reason Johnny Harris was given such great access to do this reporting was because Finnish officials could see that he had handled his previous reports on Switzerland so even-handedly.

o  o  o

SurvivalBlog Editor-At-Large Mike Williamson suggested this video: 7 Of The Worst Cartridges For SHTF.

o  o  o

Some news from Nanny State England: Sword owners offered £5 compensation to hand in blades.

o  o  o

14,000 years ago, the most powerful solar storm ever recorded hit Earth. ‘This event establishes a new worst-case scenario’.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“It took more than 60 years between when the notion of Artificial Intelligence was first proposed and studied, and for us to reach today’s capabilities. Solving safety of superhuman intelligence—not perfect safety, safety in the sense of ‘not killing literally everyone’—could very reasonably take at least half that long. And the thing about trying this with superhuman intelligence is that if you get that wrong on the first try, you do not get to learn from your mistakes, because you are dead. Humanity does not learn from the mistake and dust itself off and try again, as in other challenges we’ve overcome in our history, because we are all gone.

Trying to get anything right on the first really critical try is an extraordinary ask, in science and in engineering. We are not coming in with anything like the approach that would be required to do it successfully. If we held anything in the nascent field of Artificial General Intelligence to the lesser standards of engineering rigor that apply to a bridge meant to carry a couple of thousand cars, the entire field would be shut down tomorrow.

We are not prepared. We are not on course to be prepared in any reasonable time window. There is no plan. Progress in AI capabilities is running vastly, vastly ahead of progress in AI alignment or even progress in understanding what the hell is going on inside those systems. If we actually do this, we are all going to die.” – Eliezer Yudkowsky, from a March, 2023 Time opinion article titled: Pausing AI Developments Isn’t Enough. We Need to Shut it All Down.