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The Sunday Survival Buzz Volume 103
Welcome to this week’s Sunday Survival Buzz – a roundup of preparedness news, tips, articles and recommendations from around the web. But first, an update on my own preps.
The momentous thing I did this week was to soldier through the frustration of getting my Baofeng ham radio programmed with local repeaters. I had problems getting the programming cable to work using the supplied disc. I finally went back to my email archives and sure as day, there were a few emails from readers advising me to download and use the free CHIRP software.
Now here is the deal. Before using CHIRP, you must install some drivers. They are call Prolific drivers and are not the same as the ones that come with your unit. If you do not do this, you will want to tear out your hair and throw the units in the trash. I almost did. Anyway, here is where you get the drivers: Installing the New Prolific Drivers.
Because my time has been so limited, I have been approaching the HAM radio set up and my own licensing in very modest baby steps. The next step is to dial in to a repeater frequency and listen. How difficult can that be? Then, after I return from my March vacation, it will be time to study and take my technician test.
In the meantime, if there is some nice Elmer out there that would like to coach me, I would be grateful!
This week I made another huge batch of soft soap and also took delivery of my Spark Naturals oil of the month, Marjoram. I am reading up on the uses of this oil and experimenting a bit. So far, it appears to be a reasonable and inexpensive alternative to some of the more pricey blends. I put some in a salve I made and am testing it on who else, Shelly, the Survival Husband.
Speaking of salves, I have some great new recipes coming up soon. I just know you are going to love them!
Okay, enough about me. Let’s get on to the Sunday Survival Buzz.
SURVIVAL NEWS & ARTICLES FROM AROUND THE WEB
For the gun industry, women are the next big thing: Did I mention that in addition to my Ruger LCP and the AR7/22 caliber Shelly got for me last year (for Valentines Day of all things), I am going to get my own Glock later this spring? Standard black will do; as much as I am a girly girl, purple sparkles on a glock seems a bit over the top, even for me.
EMP Effects on Vehicles: I found this article fascinating in that addresses a topic that has been on all of our minds at one time or another. A hat tip to Shelly for digging this one up for me.
States Enrolling Prison Inmates in ObamaCare: Go to jail, get health insurance? WTF?
Threat Report 2013: Antibiotic & Antimicrobial Resistance: This report from the CDC is a detailed examination of antibiotic resistance. Did you know that most deaths related to antibiotic resistance happen in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes?
Gardening Link Bomb: Need some gardening help? Todd (www.prepperwebsite.com) has compiled this list of resources for us. He will continue to update the list so be sure to check back often. And by the way, one of my blogging friends that lives nearby has been helping me with my own gardening efforts this year. If you want to learn more about heirloom seeds, sign up for Melissa’s newsletter and get her Heirloom Gardening Guide for free.
15 Things You Really Should Buy At The Dollar Store: And wile you are there, look around for some inexpensive items to add to your preps. Often times, the dollar store can become a big treasure hunt. Also see Budget Prepping for A Buck.
BACKDOOR SURVIVAL MAIL BAG & READER TIPS
On the subject of preserving eggs without refrigeration, “Penrod” shared this:
Oregon State University Extension Service has a page on oiling eggs and on preserving them with water glass. They say that eggs can be preserved “from 4-8 months or longer. Here is a link: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/images/lc105.pdf
“Chris” shared this:
I was with a cave rescue group for several years and we were in damp areas and sometimes walking through underground rivers for days. We made our matches water proof by coating with clear finger nail polish. This worked well and can make almost any match water proof.
On the subject of children and prepper, a new reader, “Michele” shared this:
I started breaking my kids in to prepping by telling them a zombie apocalypse was coming. They were old enough to know better but young enough to play along.
Our regular, sometimes totally unplanned, camping trips help with their quickness in getting out the door. I just tell them if everyone can be ready to go and in the car in less than five minutes we will spend a few days in the woods. My 7 year old is done in less than 3 and has taken to grabbing the diaper bag and our smallest tent on his way out.
They have also taught me a few things. I now have games and toys stocked with my food and water. My middle daughter keeps track of the toiletries because I tend to focus on food and water too much. My 9 year old is afraid of the dark, until the power goes out. Then she heads for the closest flashlight calmly while telling my melodramatic teen girls to be quiet before they scare the baby.
Yeah, I’ve taught them a lot, but they have taught me plenty too.
AND THE WINNER IS
The winner of the The Pocket Guide to Wild Mushrooms is Marilee. Here is how she answered the question What native plants are available for foraging in your area? (It is okay to respond saying you don’t know!)
I will say I don’t know!
Fair enough – perhaps this book will help you identify the wild mushrooms in your area.
The winner of a copy of both The End and The Long Road by G. Michael Hopf was Sue. Here how she answered the question: What is your favorite survival fiction novel?
My favorite survival fiction novel is probably the first one I ever read (and I’m aging myself here
– Lucifer’s Hammer.
The last winner for today is Barbara, who wins the Vigilant Trails Survival Kit
The outdoor activity where i would need a compact survival kit would be in a bug out situation,( if I could not shelter in place.) I have no retreat to bug out to, A kit like this one would be a much needed addition to my BOB.
I would like to thank everyone for their entries. There are many more giveaways to come; more food, more books and some really cool gear. And remember, someone has to win – it just might be you.
BACKDOOR SURVIVAL BLOOPERS
Blooper alert!! Remember that compost bin I ordered? For those of you well versed in acronyms, it was a P.O.S. so I returned it. Please do not purchase this item: CompoMix Composter. I have ordered a different portable compost system but this time will check it out before blabbing about it here on Backdoor Survival. Stay tuned – it should be here next week.
THE FINAL WORD
Last week, a bunch of you shared your weekly preps in the comments area and that was great. Did you know that when Shelly ( the Survival Husband) visits the website, the first thing he does is read your comments? I know from reading them myself that a lot can be learned from readers sharing their tips and their experiences. So keep it up – I love it when you comment!
So now it is your turn. What about you – what did you do to prep this week?
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
Click Here To Vote For Me at Top Prepper Websites!
If you have not done so already, please be sure to like Facebook which is updated every time there is an awesome new article, news byte, or link to a free survival, prepping or homesteading book on Amazon. You can also follow Backdoor Survival on Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ and purchase my book, The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage from Amazon.
In addition, when you sign up to receive email updates you will receive a free, downloadable copy of my e-book The Emergency Food Buyer’s Guide.
Spotlight Item: Surviving With Nature is a wonderful book on healing. t includes over 2000 natural treatments for more than 79 ailments. The best part is that most of the ingredients can be found at home. The author is someone that one of our readers knows personally and while not free, it is only 99 cents.
Bargain Bin: For your discernment, here are of some items mentioned in recent articles as well as some personal and BDS reader favorites and items from the current Amazon Top 10.
FordEx Group 300lm Mini Cree Led Flashlight Torch Adjustable Focus Zoom Light Lamp: Here we go with another flashlight. At the time of this writing, this one is only $3.55 with free shipping. It is super mini sized, bright and waterproof. Plus, it uses a single, standard AA sized battery.
Morakniv Craftline Q Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Coghlans Waterproof Matches 10-pack: There are 10 boxes of 40 matches each for about $7. That is a good deal for 400 waterproof matches.
Gorilla Clear Repair Tape and Gorilla Tape 35-Yard Roll: Enough of you have told me I need to try Gorilla Tape so okay, I have just purchased some and will put it through its tests.
BaoFeng UV-5R Dual-Band Ham Radio: The Baofeng UV-5R is a compact hand held transceiver providing 4 watts in the frequency range of 136-174 MHz and 400-480 MHz. It is a compact, economical HT that includes a special VHF receive band from 65 – 108 MHz which includes the regular FM broadcast band. Dual watch and dual reception is supported. Here is the antenna I ordered along with the programming cable: NAGOYA Antenna for BAOFENG UV-5R and USB Programming Cable for Baofeng UV-5R UV-3R+.
Blocklite Ultra Bright 9V LED Flashlight: I now own six of these little gems. There is a similar flashlight called the Pak-Lite (which is more expensive) but it does not have a high-low switch like this one. Less than $10. These little flashlights just go and go, plus, they make good use of those re-purposed 9V alkaline batteries that you have recharged with your Maximal Power FC999 Universal Battery Charger.
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EMERGENCY ESSENTIALS Mountain House SUPER SALE! 25% – 50% off all cans!
This month the big news is that all Mountain House tins are 25% off. Of course my favorite is the Mountain House Chili Mac but I know the Beef Stroganoff
is really popular as well.
A recent Mountain House Order
Other specials to consider are the Baking Mixes Combo and Butter Powder, both of which I use regularly. The butter powder, especially, is good in bread machine breads.
These are just a few of the items that are on sale. Click on this link for more: Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials.
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Need something from Amazon (and who doesn’t)? I earn a small commission from purchases made when you begin your Amazon shopping experience here. You still get great Amazon service and the price is the same, no matter what.
The Amazon Top Ten Most Wanted Survival and Outdoor Items
Emergency Preparedness Items from Amazon.com
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
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Are You Interested in Essential Oils?
The Spark Naturals Oil of the Month Club is the best value out there – all oils are 15ml bottles – shipped out to you once a month (on the same date you ordered the product). The price is $15.99 a month and includes shipping and tax. This is a great way to collect oils at a discounted price. Be sure to use the code BACKDOORSURVIVAL at checkout.
The Sunday Survival Buzz Volume 103 is the latest article from Gaye Levy at Backdoor Survival.
Source: http://www.backdoorsurvival.com/sunday-survival-buzz-103/
Congrats on the radio, and the battle of the programing!.. FYI: there are many sites with such programing info, different software downloads, etc…
Congrats on getting your lic – this makes “practice” much more easy than having the band police yelling at you for not ID’ing or using a call-sign, etc…
When you go “tactical” for training…the common rule is: Tactical call in, ham call out…to keep you legal…after shtf, you won’t care nor will I…get ‘er done!
However…you need to finish your “what if” thoughts and plans… Why do you think those “repeaters” are still going to be up and usable come shtf day? … They might be during some “transition” period…while their stand-by batteries last at least…but, then ??? IF we get an EMP…forgetaboutit…roger? BTW: there are some excellent sources out there how to EMP proof store a radio at home on the cheap!.. well worth looking at, since your radio can be had for $40 or so + long antenna/charger, etc.. Make sure you get a 12v DC charger, since that can be driven by a solar cell+ battery rig up..unlike the 120v AC versions, which need an inverter…or, a genset.
Don’t forget to “store” some coax and antenna wire, spares, etc…too.
ALSO…consider using “Hamtest online” for your study…you can do it anytime you have time, from a laptop, etc… The tech test should only take you about 8 to 10 hours of study..very easy..mostly regs and authorized frec’s, etc..since it is for VHF/UHF and above only. You SHOULD just keep studying for your GENERAL lic…takes about another 12 to 18 hours worth of study…you can TAKE BOTH TESTS THE SAME DAY for the same $15 fee to the VE’s…pass the first one, take the second…you can even do all three — to EXTRA lic level, if you pass the general, same deal…one fee only…it’s been done many times…not that hard… the Extra study time is about 24 to 30 added hours… BUT–you may find it much shorter, since you are “fresh” from the Tech/General level work…not long enough to be “forgotten”, eh?..
The reason I say keep going soonest is that it is so easy to “not do it” later. The added lic levels allow you to get active on HF frec’s .. where you DON’T NEED ANY REPEATERS…for long distances! Ham’s love to help other ham’s… You will meet many on the local repeaters…they will “know of some items/equipment” for sale locally that will make your radio/comm’s dollars go much futher..
Thru the local hams you will meet “like minded” people – which will allow you to network for other important issues, like OpSec and PerSec … how to form fire teams you can trust…pooling of larger resources…etc. NOT ALL HAMS are prepper’s…advance slowly… YMMV.
I am good on qrz.com — see you on the other side… ask any questions you want…will to share anytime.. KD7DCR
ALSO..
Wanted to add:
Don’t forget BARTER for longterm events…
Small bottles of Whisky, vodka, rum…pints/500ml and/or 1/2 pints… (It’s easy to trade 3 pints for a pig…why only have 1/2 gal jugs and overpay?)..
Single pack’s of cigarettes – cheap, any brand, and/or some big names too…maybe some cigars.
TOILET PAPER by the bale…paper towels and plates too…for your own use short term.
MRE’s…for trading or patrol rations…not a steady diet…very bad on toilet paper stocks!..
I see your Mtn House comments…good stuff. BUT, Dehydrated by the bucket full go further or feed more people for less cost per meal…Remember to aim for 2000 to 2,400 calories/day/adult.
We have about 60 ea Mtn House “pouches” for two…for trading or self use while moving fast.
REMEMBER: Mtn House must be cooked, as freeze dried, they do need WATER. Unlike MRE’s.
You NEVER trade ammo…unless a gun goes with it for 2 slaves minimum…hi,hi.
An assortment of combs/cosmetics/nail clippers/scissors/P38′s/sheath knives/folding knives; these are all good for barter as well…for smaller items. Propane bottles and 12v dc light bulbs too.
Enough of the ‘ol Ranger…good luck…see you on the other side.
KD7DCR
Something is running amuck here!
There were 2 extensive comments here last hour…
Where now, eh?…
MontanaMel – They are showing up on my screen okay. Thanks, BTW, for the great comments!
– Gaye