Glock 17 RTF 9mm Handgun, by Pat Cascio

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Many readers have asked me to review the Glock 17, even though I’ve already reviewed the Glock 19 – which is my favorite Glock model. Other than their size, there isn’t a lot of difference between the two models per se. However, since I received a lot of requests for my input on the Glock 17, we’re taking a close look at it today.

It was 1987, and my family and I lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado – actually we lived slightly outside of The Springs, right next to the Peterson Air Force Base. Even though I was in partnership with my friend Tim, in a gun shop – although most guns were sold at gun shows – I loved going to Payless Drugs to see what the latest firearms selections they had. And, I might add, at great prices. I had never heard of a Glock at that time – they were new to America. I picked up the new Glock 17, and was more than a little confounded at the “plastic” frame – but the darn gun felt good in my hand, and it held 17+1 rounds of 9mm and came with a second magazine. Back then, not many gun makers included a second magazine with their handguns. I was sold, and went home with the Glock that very day.

Continue reading“Glock 17 RTF 9mm Handgun, by Pat Cascio”

Recipe of the Week: Lo Carb Green Chile Cheese and Egg Bake Set

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Okie Ranch Wife’s Lo Carb Green Chile Cheese and Egg Bake

I found the original recipe on an Atkins Diet-friendly web site and changed it up to suit my taste. It is a great way to use eggs from your chickens and other garden produce. I would not suggest doubling this recipe in a larger dish, due to the increased cooking time. I suggest baking it in two 8″x8″ dishes. – OkieRanchWife

Ingredients

4 oz can of Green Chile Peppers or equivalent weight of fresh chiles

8 large Eggs

½ Sweet Red Pepper, small dice

2 Tbsp Heavy Cream

1 Tsp Garlic Powder or 2 cloves Garlic minced

1 Tsp Onion Powder

½ Tsp Salt

½ Tsp Black Pepper

1-½ cups (or more) grated Cheese, your choice

Continue reading“Recipe of the Week: Lo Carb Green Chile Cheese and Egg Bake Set”

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. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today’s focus is on Rhodium (See the Precious Metals section.)

Precious Metals (Rhodium):

I see that the spot price Rhodium just touched $3,000 per Troy ounce late last week. You may recall that I issued a buy recommendation for Rhodium back in 2016, when it was languishing around $670 per ounce.  I hope that some of you readers took my advice. If you did, then you’re now sitting pretty.  The future for Rhodium’s price is uncertain. But I’ll reiterate one key point: Most of the world’s Rhodium comes from just two places: Russia and South Africa.  Watch geopolitical, military, and economic events closely.  And, as always: Buy low and sell high.

o  o  o

Michael Pento interviewed by Mike Gleason: Coming QE And Low Rates Will Be ‘Rocket Fuel for Gold’.  Here is a  key quote:

“So, here’s where what’s going on and we are at a record high position for gold in the inflation-deflation and economic cycle model that I run here at Pento Port. So, why is that, okay? Why is that the case? So we were a 5% goal when it was crashing in 2016 and 17 but we are now at 22% gold and gold related investments. So, why is that the case? Because nominal interest rates, there’s been a proclamation from central bankers that nominal interest rates can never go above zero. You look at the negative rates now in Japan, the German boom has a yield going out 10 years now of 0.7%. So, interest rates can never be allowed to rise. If you look at our 10-year note is now, at least in the terms of yields, is in a bear market. So, a bull market and bond prices in a bear market in that yield.

And when you come to the realization that nominal rates can never really get much above zero, that’s a rocket fuel for gold. Because gold loves are interest rates that are close to zero and falling because it doesn’t produce any income, it “just” preserves your purchasing power. I say just in quotations, “just” is pretty important. Now because its central banks are also going to have to resort to a return to Quantitative Easing. I believe that the ECB is moving in that direction. They also extended the TLTLRO, which is a Targeted Long-Term Refinancing Operation. Basically just to spell it out for your audience, it’s basically when the central bank makes loans to commercial banks and commercial banks don’t have to pay back the central bank, if they make that loan to the private sector.”

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“In a republic the sovereignty resides essentially, and entirely in the people. Those only who compose the people, and partake of this sovereignty are citizens, they alone can elect, and are capable of being elected to public offices, and of course they alone can exercise authority within the community: they possess an unqualified right to the enjoyment of property and personal immunity, they are bound to adhere to it in peace, to defend it in war, and to postpone the interests of all other countries to the affection which they ought to bear for their own.” – William Rawle, A View of the Constitution of the United States of America (1829)

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — March 17, 2019

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Today is the 100th birthday of famed mercenary Thomas Michael “Mad Mike” Hoare (born 17 March 1919). The Infogalactic wiki has some details on his colorful life:

“Hoare was born in India.[1] He was educated in England. He served in North Africa and Italy as an officer in the London Irish Rifles[2] during World War II, and achieved the rank of Captain. After the war, he completed his training as a chartered accountant, and qualified in 1948.[3] He emigrated to Durban, Natal Province, Union of South Africa, where he ran safaris and became a soldier-for-hire in various African countries.

During the Congo Crisis Mike Hoare organized and led two separate mercenary groups:

1960–1961. Major Mike Hoare’s first mercenary action was in Katanga, a province trying to break away from the newly independent Congo. The unit was called “4 Commando.” During this time he married Phyllis Simms, an airline stewardess.

1964. Congolese Prime Minister Moïse Tshombe hired “Major” Mike Hoare to lead a military unit called 5 Commando ANC (later led by John Peters) (not to be confused with No.5 Commando, the British Second World War commando force) made up of about 300 men most of whom were from South Africa. His second in command was a fellow ex-British Army officer, Commandant Alistair Wicks. The unit’s mission was to fight a revolt known as the Simba Rebellion. Later Hoare and his mercenaries worked in concert with Belgian paratroopers, Cuban exile pilots, and CIA-hired mercenaries who attempted to save 1,600 civilians (mostly Europeans and missionaries) in Stanleyville from the Simba rebels in Operation Dragon Rouge. This operation saved many lives.[4] Hoare was later promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in the ANC and 5 Commando expanded into a two-battalion force. Hoare commanded 5 Commando from July 1964 to November 1965.[5]”

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 81 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any 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 (an $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 Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  4. 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).
  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. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 81 ends on March 28th, 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.

End-Times Survival Guide Pt. 2, by Robert Paine

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(Continued from Part 1 — End-Times Survival Guide.)

4. Survival Necessities: Supplies, Tools and Skills

In case of the event of an economic collapse or blackout scenario, it’s recommended to have a minimum of six months of supplies prepared. Make sure you have enough food and other survival essentials properly stored and well-hidden. You also need a reliable source of water, and the means to make it safe to drink. Keep in mind, tools and gear should be light, portable and durable. Invest in quality American-made products that you can depend on when the going gets tough.

Survivalist Checklist:

• Firearms: Guns prove to be the greatest asset in any survival situation. Owning a firearm gives us optimal protection and the ability to hunt more efficiently. I recommend investing in a short barreled rifle; you need something powerful and intimidating yet versatile for different situations. If you buy a scope, think about getting a light amplification or thermal night vision scope; it’s nice to see what’s hiding in the dark—plus—hunting at night has it’s advantages. It’s also a good idea to have a back-up pistol and of course a gun cleaning kit.
• Ammunition: Cartridges are the money of the future; make sure you invest in a currency that is most widely accepted. Choose a caliber that is easy to come by; 9mm is the most common, and it is inexpensive and lightweight. Have some hollow-point ammunition in your arsenal too.
• Water: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend storing one gallon of water per person per day; one half gallon is to drink and the other half is for hygiene purposes; if you have animals, factor their needs as well. It would be wise to invest in a quality water filter and collect rainwater if you can.
• Food: Store non-perishable organic foods that are healthy and easy to prepare: rice, pasta, flour, beans, oatmeal, canned foods, dehydrated meals, salt and spices, honey, sugar, coffee, herbal teas, almond milk, dried fruit, crackers, energy bars, hemp seeds, hemp protein powder, cacao powder, cooking oil and most importantly: peanut butter.Continue reading“End-Times Survival Guide Pt. 2, by Robert Paine”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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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”.  Today, we focus on the contemporary revival of Typhus in the United States.

Typhus and TB are Spreading

We’ll start of with this in The Atlantic, suggested by readers G.P. and J.C.: Medieval Diseases Are Infecting California’s Homeless: Typhus, tuberculosis, and other illnesses are spreading quickly through camps and shelters. Here is a passage:

Infectious diseases—some that ravaged populations in the Middle Ages—are resurging in California and around the country, and are hitting homeless populations especially hard.
Los Angeles recently experienced an outbreak of typhus—a disease spread by infected fleas on rats and other animals—in downtown streets. Officials briefly closed part of City Hall after reporting that rodents had invaded the building.
People in Washington State have been infected with Shigella bacteria, which is spread through feces and causes the diarrheal disease shigellosis, as well as Bartonella quintana, or trench fever, which spreads through body lice.
Hepatitis A, also spread primarily through feces, infected more than 1,000 people in Southern California in the past two years. The disease also has erupted in New Mexico, Ohio, and Kentucky, primarily among people who are homeless or use drugs.
Public-health officials and politicians are using terms like disaster and public-health crisis to describe the outbreaks, and they are warning that these diseases can easily jump beyond the homeless population.”

More About Facial Recognition

The US Government Will Be Scanning Your Face At 20 Top Airports, Documents Show

.22 Rimfire Price is Down

One bit of good news: .22 rimfire cartridges, after suffering a severe drought for several years (with insanely high prices) are back in good supply in most wholesale and retail channels. I recommend stocking up now while the selection is good, and prices are low.  A neighbor mentioned that Natchez Shooters Supplies presently has some Remington .22 cartridges available for as little as 3 cents per round. When you consider that some dealers were commanding 14 cents a round for .22 LR back during the dark days, the current price is very attractive. Buy low and stack it deep!

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” – Revelation 21:1-27 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — March 16, 2019

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Today is the anniversary of the American Civil War Battle at Pound Gap Kentucky, in 1862.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 81 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any 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 (an $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 Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  4. 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).
  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. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 81 ends on March 28th, 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.

End-Times Survival Guide Pt. 1, by Robert Paine

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This guide is intended for all those who walk in truth and all those who seek to find it. Brothers and Sisters, we most humbly present to you, a definitive End-Times Survival Guide and Ultimate Salvation!

This is a comprehensive, end-times survival guide created to help you and your family prepare for the possible collapse of America and other end-time scenarios that show sign of manifestation. Most importantly, we desperately share with you a message that leads to ultimate salvation.

We have a lot of information to share, so we will speak briefly about each topic; please be advised to do your own research and have your Bible ready. (Remember, the Bible is God’s authoritative Word and it’s the best survival book we have available.) Also—it should be mentioned—don’t rely on mainstream media when it comes to the safety of your family.

Continue reading“End-Times Survival Guide Pt. 1, by Robert Paine”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

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To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, 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 the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

JWR Reports

This week, I helped Lily muck out the poultry house. It was real, and it was fun. It just wasn’t real fun. But it did provide some great exercise. I also went walking twice for exercise this week.

Also this week, FedEx delivered us a quantity of the Federal 5.56mm M193 55-grain ball ammunition that was on sale at Natchez Shooters Supplies. I couldn’t pass that up because they were offering both a 5 cents per-round factory rebate and free shipping. That was a tremendously good deal, and I hope that some of you blog readers also took advantage of it.

 

Avalanche Lily Reports

Dear Readers,

This week was beautiful and very busy.  For exercise, I skied five times this week and walked twice. I finally got myself motivated to make jerky.  We had five packages of frozen jerky meat in the freezer from butchering cows and steers last summer and the summer before. I should mention: that butchering was expertly accomplished by the folks at  Boar’s Head Butchery, in Weippe, Idaho.  So I retrieved and thawed them.  The first batch I just rinsed off in water to get rid of some of the excess blood.  Then I marinated it in Himalayan salt and maple syrup for eight hours and dried for 12 hours in our Excalibur dehydrator, set at 155 degrees Fahrenheit.  It was an instant hit with the whole family.

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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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”.  Today, we focus on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA Reports Admits Failures

Reader G.P sent this:  New FEMA Report Admits Preparedness Failures.  A brief quote:

“Attempts to enhance levels of preparedness among individual households, communities, and various organizations which lie outside the emergency management profession’s immediate sphere of control have shown little to no sign of improvement. Preparedness campaigns such as Ready.gov, America’s PrepareAthon, and National Preparedness Month, all aimed at individual households and communities, have not produced the desired results…  Past efforts to apply top-down or one-size-fits-all solutions have too often ended in disappointment.”

The Christchurch Massacre: Keep Calm

Sargon of Akkad has posted some incisive commentary on the Christchurch Massacre: Keep Calm.

And on the same topic, there is this great commentary by Matt Christiansen: On the Christchurch Shooting | When Self Defense Is ‘Not a Valid Reason’

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.

And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.

The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.

In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;

The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;

All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.” – Zechariah 12:1-14 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — March 15, 2019

1

The Ides of March: I just got word of a massacre in New Zealand, by a self-described “Eco-Fascist”. This was a horrendous and reprehensible act. It will surely provoke more civilian disarmament legislation, throughout the English-speaking world. And there will also surely be a spike in demand, shortages, and higher prices for semi-auto rifles and full capacity magazines.

—

This is the birthday of General and President Andrew Jackson, in 1767. He was the 7th President of the United States (1829-1837.)

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 81 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any 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 (an $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 Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  4. 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).
  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. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 81 ends on March 28th, 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.

Using Mesh Networking, by Aden Tate

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Editor’s Introductory Note:  The following primer introduces mesh networking.  As a survivalist, I see the biggest limitations of present-day mesh networks are that: A.) Most are urban, and B.) Most are dependent on  the continuity of grid power.  But one implementation of mesh networking that overcomes both of those limitations is sold under the trade name GoTenna. A competing brand is called Radacat. Either of these will enable your existing Android or iOS phones to become Mesh devices that will continue to work in text mode even if the power grid and cellular networks go down. They both also have GPS capability. They need to be used in at least pairs. At under $160 per pair, that is a viable option for fairly secure communications at a group retreat or for comms between nearby rural neighbors. If you have teenage kids that are heavily smartphone and text dependent, then I recommend that you get them these. This way, they can at least keep in touch with their neighbor friends. That may help keep them sane, sensible, and productively coordinating local security, in the midst of TEOTWAWKI.

The historical photo that I chose for the top of this article (just for fun) is of the Newark, New Jersey Police Department, demonstrating a two-way UHF radio, back in the 1940s. I suppose we should call them Early Adopters.

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I recently finished reading Matthew Mather’s novel Cyber Storm, which I found to be incredibly well-woven, and appreciated just how tangible Mather’s makes living in a world post-cyberattack without any power. Throughout the story, Mather’s characters make extensive use of a technology called mesh networking. I’d never heard of this term before. I found it fascinating, and began to delve deeper into the research behind “meshnets” to figure out just how they worked, and what benefits and services they could provide in a post-disaster situation.

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