Survivalists: Are you part of the new subculture?

KFOR ^ | 5/6/11 | Ali Meyer

[Kartographer]

At Red Dawn: Hunting, Survival, Recreation, they specialize in homesteading, emergency preparedness and first-aid.

Owner Gaylon Cornsilk first dreamed up this concept about a year ago.

The doors have been open just six months and business has exploded.

Cornsilk says, "This was kinda born out of a passion to see people prepared for any kind of emergency, natural or man-made. We are growing exponentially everyday. Obviously there's an air of people starting to notice and want to prepare for what's going on around them."

Donna Harper manages the store's long-term storage food section.

Some of the pre-packaged emergency food rations last five to 25 years; the rations sell out so quickly they cannot keep enough on premises.

[DuncanWaring]

... 6000 215's...

You expecting a Kodiak Bear stampede?

[Nowhere Man]

I have the Grundig G6 Aviator radio, the “Buzz Aldrin Edition.” It’s not a bad little radio, I picked up a Canadian amateur on 10 meters (28,444 kc) from Calgary, Alberta by just using the whip antenna alone although I had to be outside for that. I did get Egypt one night in the 6200 kc area as well. It is good on batteries too, 2 AA’s last a long time and I use 4 NiMH batteries, one in the radio and one charged, ready to go. I did at one time notice my batteries didn’t last as long at first, but I discover Mom borrows it all the time to listen to Sean Hannity and Rush, the downside, she messes up my clock. B-)

[Iron Munro]

Thanks for the feedback on the Grundig.
That’s good information.

[familyop]

"Sounds like you have a "project list". Someday we can argue whose is bigger. ;-)"

Yes. ;-) There are necessities here, first--enough to occupy us for some time. While we're working on the septic system, power shack, heating shack and house, we'll be planning for the years to follow.

We're interested in building ham component kits (well, appliances from components), because we'll know that those are easily enough repairable. Extra components that tend to fail or change values very soon can be stored. We'll need the power and versatility, because there are peaks all around. And we're in the middle of nowhere. ...very low population density. And we get to learn more, of course. There's a monster electronic component store with all kinds of new and used junk about 120 miles away. Nothing's close here. And ham radio, of course, can be extremely expensive for us.

On "hardening," are you referring to shielding and grounding?

We've decided to store extra modules and some components in lined bags in lined trash cans with copper wool seals (like gaskets). We can apply copper wool and other wraps for connections, small groups of components, and all of that sort of work to outdoor appliances (and will on some mounted, expensive things), but that could be if-y to rely on, depending on the strength of pulses that might occur. PV panels, for example, look pretty tough, except for a diode in each, IIRC. ...not a problem.

We're only going with a tiny, cool, dry, dark fuel storage facility in the ground (small fuel containers) for safety from fire hazards, temperature extremes, sunlight and the like. ...couple tanks' worth with stabilizer/extender additive will do us, as we're preparing to stay on the home place for a long time, if necessary.

As for what kind of economic slide, I think you're right. And for our USA, there are also more economic geniuses hard at work (as compared to Argentina) on making sure that the decline continues at a snail's pace for a longer time, if possible.

The ugliness will commence in more earnest, probably in the near future, as the bond collapse and interest rate hike contagion spreads. That's when many government and service employees will be laid off. It will be uglier, if any of it happens very quickly. Or maybe corporate-government minds will really find ways to make that process really slow. We'll see.

As for huge disaster (nuke exchange, etc.), that's only very likely to happen, IMO, if a much accelerated international currency, natural resource, ocean route or trade fight starts. But that kind of scenario is going to be much more likely in the near future, IMO, than in our past (more likely than during the '60s). ...too many up-and-coming loose cannons in the world now.

IMO, the economic decline continuing toward default is highly likely, while nuclear exchange is not. Well...so far.

As for other "black swans" (natural disasters) powerful enough to radically shut down the economy in a day, I doubt that for the near future.

BTW, if you haven't already done so and are interested in saving money, have a look at some of the free operating systems. I use some of them. They'll do just about anything that most people do with computers and the Net, and very easily now. ...all of the bells and whistles. A need for AutoCAD or something like that for work might get in the way (we use an open source, 2D CAD package that makes DXFs), but for the most part,...

Here's the easiest install that I've found (all of the bells and whistles with an easier install than MS Windows).

Ubuntu Linux

The most stable (for controls, security systems, etc.) but with bells and whistles requiring configs in terminals, etc.,...

NetBSD

For the most paranoid (comes with all strong crypto stuff pre-installed),...

OpenBSD

Those OSs and cheap equipment leave much more money for building things.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Interesting site ... thanks!

[Eska]

ha, I want to go to my grave knowing my grandkids will never want for ammo to fill their subsistence tags.

Also way back in late 80's, I was buying cases of 556 for $179; still have over 5K stored and I know we shot off 3-4K over the years. Bottomline, even the wifey doesn't regret me buying that ammo years back. When my wife doesn't care how much I spend on guns and such; it's a good move for sure.

[familyop]

On that off-grid approach, here are some items (inlets for generator extension cables) that might
make your search for generator/transfer switch parts a little easier (which items depend on your code/current needs). Or maybe you have a standby generator that’s fixed and not portable (needs to be hard-wired). Depending on what kind of engineering you do, you might already know more than I do. But if you are connected to the grid, you’ll also need a transfer switch. Let me know, if you want sources for lower cost transfer switches. ...might be some at Home Depot. Those aren’t very cheap anywhere. And no, I don’t work for Home Depot. ;-)

GenTran 30 Amp Power Inlet Box with Flip Lid
http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Electrical-Boxes-Conduit-Fittings-Accessories/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbmaf/R-202019439/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

GenTran 50 Amp Power Inlet Box with Flip Lid
http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Electrical-Boxes-Conduit-Fittings-Accessories/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbmaf/R-202019440/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

GenTran 30 Amp Power Inlet Box with Breaker
http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Electrical-Boxes-Conduit-Fittings-Accessories/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbmaf/R-202019430/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

GenTran 50 Amp Aluminum Power Inlet Box
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/electrical/electrical-boxes-conduit-fittings/gentran/50-amp-power-inlet-box-73347.html

There are also quite a few easy code guides with pictorials for portable generator installs around the Net. Even saw one for NY a while back. ...mostly Adobe Acrobat files. Make sure that all needed grounds are installed—especially for building everything with PVC conduit (needs large enough ground conductor between all boxes and to ground).

For our water well pump install, we only needed an outdoor safety switch. ...got an Eaton brand from Home Depot cheap, but the hub for conduit from that box to the inlet (above the switch) was harder to find (same hub labeled as “breaker box” at HD with two letters added to the model number...model number on part was same as for safety switch). Industrial supplies wanted nearly thirty bucks for that little 3/4” hub.

But for a house hooked up to the grid, the transfer switch is an absolute code and safety must.

[familyop]

Hopefully, I didn’t send too much extraneous info, but I assumed that you’ll be grid-tied (i.e., are connected to the power company and want to install backup power). ...wasn’t sure.

We’re off-grid, and that’s a bit of an expensive hardship for the time being (nearest hookup to the power company well over 2 miles away).

[Tainan]

Thank Ya kindly. Hope all is reasonably well.

[familyop]

You’re welcome. Yes, everything’s fine. The weather broke. It was beautiful outside (59 degrees Fahrenheit high) and a good day to get some work done. I looked at your FR page. It’s beautiful there most of the time, eh? ...good place to stay wet, too, no doubt (hot)? :-)

[Nowhere Man]

No prob. BTW, another feature I like is the sleep timer. I like to set it for 20 minutes and drift off to sleep listening to “Coast to Coast.” I like the light up dial too, I set mine to light up when I tune it around, a handy feature at night. I rarely us the A/C adapter, just use the batteries. I also have the official card stating it’s the “Buzz Aldrin Edition” and it has the little astronaut with flag logo on the radio. Not bad for a radio the size of a cigarette pack.

[Iron Munro]

It sounds as if the Grundig G6 is a lot of radio for the money and size.

Good review of it here:

http://www.dxer.ca/latest/61-the-grundig-g6-aviator-comprehensive-review

[Nowhere Man]

I started to read the review, he is right, it is quite sensitive although from 25000 kc and up, it is a little deaf when you’re inside the house, but when you go outside, I can pick up lots of CB’ers and 10 meter activity so I think in that case, being in the house weakens those signal along with the interference. Longwave is the same but I’ll have to try to go outside again. SSB tuning at first was a bit awkward but once you get used to it, it does not take too long to home in on the signal. I’m using it now, BTW, listening to Kasey Kasem’s “American Top 40” from May 5th, 1973.

[PA Engineer]

Hopefully, I didn’t send too much extraneous info, but I assumed that you’ll be grid-tied (i.e., are connected to the power company and want to install backup power). ...wasn’t sure.

Never hurts.

I do have a rather complicated hybrid system. For battery power (12-L16s), I use the GenTran 10 circuit manual transfer switch. This one can remain on with power from the inverters, however I keep it isolated. We have had a couple lightening strikes and one primary drop onto the secondary in the past. In the most likely Argentina model there will be rolling blackouts. In our current situation we are the last on our power leg. Always the last house back on. Temporary (2-days) quiet backup power (critical circuits) is a dream and works well in most of the situations. There is always the "ONE HOUSE OFF IN THE HILLS THAT LETS THEIR GENERATOR RUN ALL NIGHT". I digress.

When charging with the generator I have a whole house manual transfer switch (for extended outages). Was going to go with a permanently installed NG generator, but went with a "portable" 10KW multi-fuel. We just take it out of the garage and plug it into a remote outdoor terminal for a couple of hours. When charged we put it back in the garage. I have the NEC manual as toilet reading. ;-)

The final area I will be working on is "packet ham radio". After all of this we will be literally "prepped" for a throw the switch scenario. We are covered for food, medicine, heat, water, most communications and the best security possible for an isolated rural neighborhood. Here is and interesting site for some home security ideas. This item you may want to consider. I consider it necessary for a worst case scenario.

If there is a worst case situation and I consider that only if the grid goes down, we have enough Helios (12-85watt in storage) to provide water and keep the deep freeze going. In this part of Western Pennsylvania, Solar and wind are not economical. We are truly sun deprived and the wind seems to always come "all at once".

[musicman]

Less Than $13k To Go!!
Just A Reminder
Please Don't Forget
To Donate To FR

[familyop]

It looks like you're built and improving the system then.

"Was going to go with a permanently installed NG generator, but went with a "portable" 10KW multi-fuel."

I was unaware of those and did a search. That appears to be a great choice.

"I have the NEC manual as toilet reading. ;-)

Good. We keep that around and read it to confirm what's found in how-to information elsewhere (e.g., MC4 connectors for PV modules). We'll probably go high voltage (72V) for installing our larger array on sheds (copper prices, newer MPPT controller design, etc.) with a 24V battery array (Sundanzer DC fridge and freezers sold not far from here). ...will probably use a little voltage converter (step-down transformer) for running the low-wattage pumps for the solar-radiant heating system. ...running 12V for the RV situation in the meantime.

"The final area I will be working on is "packet ham radio". After all of this we will be literally "prepped" for a throw the switch scenario."

That's a good part of a radio system, IMO. But it is slow, so I'll be pairing some very old style mail and browsing packages with it. AX.25 does work for the essentials, and there are some free patches to the Net here and there. It'll be a way to get the distant news, if things ever degenerate so much.

...which is possible. Quite a few wireless Internet carriers are expected to close, if the economy sinks much lower. ...worse, if anything more destructive occurs.

"Here is an interesting site for some home security ideas. This item you may want to consider. I consider it necessary for a worst case scenario."

Thank you. I'll search statutes here, to make sure that it's a go in this State. ...probably is in most states with a safe, alarm-only setup. That would scare some bad boys away. ...played with those a lot in my Army specialty in the Guard, BTW. ;-)

We're installing camera systems with software motion detection--cheap with free operating systems and the like. They'll auto-upload to remote servers. Some pretty decent cameras that will do starlight or near (very low lux) can be had for about $100 now, but they need to be sealed and covered against weather. The infrared cameras are a pain (use too much power for us, pick up too much dust, moths, etc.).

"If there is a worst case situation and I consider that only if the grid goes down, we have enough Helios (12-85watt in storage) to provide water and keep the deep freeze going. In this part of Western Pennsylvania, Solar and wind are not economical. We are truly sun deprived and the wind seems to always come "all at once"."

I don't know of anything else for your climate, offhand, except maybe wood-fired steam engines for driving alternators. That's very expensive, though, due to dangers and regulations on steam engines. But they do work.

[editor-surveyor]

BFL

[editor-surveyor]

>> “Don’t load up on too many MRE’s, because five years of trying to live off spoiled MRE’s may not be a life worth living, if things ever got that bad in the first place.” <<

.
I think you are missing the point on MREs.

MREs are for keeping in the vehicles and bug-out bags for emergency travel, not for long term survival.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “It is somewhat baffling that most people in this country are willing to think that being prepared for disasters is kooky.” <<

.
They’re called liberal democrats.

[PA Engineer]

We're installing camera systems with software motion detection--cheap with free operating systems and the like. They'll auto-upload to remote servers. Some pretty decent cameras that will do starlight or near (very low lux) can be had for about $100 now, but they need to be sealed and covered against weather. The infrared cameras are a pain (use too much power for us, pick up too much dust, moths, etc.).

I am working on that "literally" now. Do you have an opinion on the Lorex system.

I have found that the new motion sensors are pretty amazing. They are cheap, battery powered and the receivers can be programmed by tone for each location. The changes over the past year have been pretty amazing. The range of the new models will allow me to cover the majority of approaches (woodlands) to my property. I should add a ditto for the motion sensing LED spotlights. They use 3D cells and the batteries last over a year. I have installed them at the barn, woodshed, and two on the rear tree line.