Much2, yes we'll pick up another set of GC batteries at Sam's as soon as I have confidence in the ATV to get us in and out of here safely. Each one weighs over 60 pounds.

We're going back down in the AM.

Incidently, we weren't particularly conservative of how much juice we used today and ran the 2 batteries down a little while ago and the alarm on the inverter started beeping.

So I bared the cold [couldn't talk the SO into it] and started up the little Honda and am recharging them now at a 40 amp rate using a Vector VEC1093A charger, they are great for an inexpensive servicible multi-amperage smart chg'ing system.

One thing abt the Honda, when we first got here I couldn't start it in about 25 degree air. After warming it in the container it started right up. I had it in here all the time and tonight it didn't want to start unless it was breathing warm container air. Important consideration if your survival depends on it.

We have 2 small redundant kerosene heaters, one has issues, the other is a 8700 BTU radiant Kerosun but both are a lot of continous output for the insulated container. So the electrical fired RV propane furnace is pretty important. We have a near identical backup to the furnace here, this one is an Atwood 12000 BTU, the backup is 18000, same form factor.

Who makes the uni-solar panels? Would like to read abt them.

Sharon,
Yeah, we have some of the wall bracket lamps. About $15 at a local hdwe store, which I thought was pretty high. They are available on the net for under $3 a buddy told me--if you buy a container of 600 lamps!!!!

I have a machine/welding/sheet metal shop, so I'll make my own brackets from here on.

My wife's sister called last week, out of power like she was back in September after Ike went through here. "I just feel so HELPLESS!" She wailed a while and I asked her if she had bought a camp stove? No. Bought a generator? No. Got flashlights, batteries? No. Why not? Well, it all costs a lot, and I spend a lot on clothes and at the hair salon and the nail salon....

You just can't help some people.

how many of you are in good shape physically? before spending loads of cash on gear, one of the most cost effective things you can do is build your endurance level and overall physical fitness. it's not glamourous, but if you can run or bike a good distance and/or are physically strong you will be ahead of large numbers of people. your value and worth to others will increase dramatically as well.

just a thought.

Does a strong liver count for anything?

Expy, uni-solar is made by united solar ovionic. Their website is not consumer friendly but if you google you will find some dealers selling them. They are thin film units. Uni-solar is now concentrating on smaller foldable panels and larger flexible membranes designed to be installed directly to metal roofs. I am still in the due diligence phase of checking these panels out. One guy told me he dropped his panel off his roof and it still works fine. I have heard stories of them being shot, etc, and still working. Here is a video of a damaged panel still working.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkook28Hh....


I too have kero heaters for standby heat. Also have a couple of aladdin kero mantle lamps for light in the winter. Those are great when the heat they put off is desirable. I am trying to standardize on a single fuel source so I just ordered a kerosene powered wick stove for cooking.

Much, watched the vid. I would expect the panel with the bent frame to perform OK. Good info!

Kero is a great long term storage fuel for heating. It's comforting up there to know there are a couple 5 gal containers of it and heaters. Approx 140,000 BTU's per gallon, need ~40,000 BTU's per 10 hour, 15 degree night, for nice sleepingwhatever comfort the way the insulation is set up.

[Planning a micro geothermal AC for summer]

RE the cooking stove, I hope this doesn't send the $ thru the roof but at the current listed price of ~$40 it is a steal. That model is no longer made and IMO is one of the best. Stainless. We have gotten a couple of these on ebay over the years and my SO has used them to cook on for practise.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie....

We're back down from the mtn now, it was pretty hard/strange psychologically to do much work up there because of the cold and snow [and my natural lazyness] due to our lack of experience. I brought the slow 800 mc mini-itx PC back and will fit a new MB into it before we go back up around Fri. We rested a lot, I surfed, my SO did her dancing and exercise activities, I worked on the damn squeeky heater more times than I can count reapplying Mobil-1 oil to the bushings, ultimately to no benefit. There is a lub called Krytox that I've had amazing service out of for hi-temp aps from aircraft engine VAPC needle bearings to bathroom fan motor bushings. You can contact Dupont or Dow and get samples free. Fantastic stuff but no one believes me - Can't wait to put it to the test on the furnace. In any case, two motors ordered and hopefully here tomorrow, with a spare furnace to boot.

I guess we have not had this experience of isolation in these condx before and it was a good training exp and the next time it won't be so much of a big deal.

We learned we need better communications if we get separated, FRS/GMRS isn't powerful enough, the tracked ATV worked well, [talked with an oldtimer who services these for many yrs, yesterday, trying to learn the history of the various makes and models, how capable this one is and he gave some good advice. He said he's abused the hell out of this model over the yrs hunting and carrying HEAVY loads -animals + hunters combined] and they held up well if maintained. He said NEVER go far in somewhere where the snow is deep because you can't walk out of it w/out snowshoes. Always have two vehicles in the group.]

We bought snowshoes last year but have never tried them. Having 2 vehicles isn't often practical for us. Good comms are important. We will get starting fluid for whatever engine needs it and keep available. We'll get an aux 12VDC chging jack installed on the ATV's and cable for the cell phone, [only have one between us]. I have a ham license so will take a w/t on the local rep'r for emergencies.

We used flashlights extensively. Less so the headlamps [BD Icon with the Cree LED, not the earlier model], because we didn't go out at night except a few times and used them a few times. The Fenix L2D is superb with an amount of light that exceeds most anything. Will be buying more. Have found myself using it all the time doing all sorts of repairs.

Considering a winch but had a come-a-long and 2 straps last time and will probably not spend the $.

My preps lately have been buy 1 get 1 free at the grocery store. So I've got dried pasta, jarred pasta sauces, easyMac, canned corn and peas but today a few things insignficant happened and NOW I am thinking. . . .

Karl's tickers today and my hairdresser told me this morning she is bartering with everyone. She owns her own spa and is very talented in her profession and running a business.

She says she is bartering with a lot of her clients these days. A wine merchant, babysitters, other small business owners. I bartered with her and will be getting $350.00 of cuts and color for me and a few haircuts for my son. Haircuts, highlights and bikini waxing for a year!

This is cool and I think this is going to be a new trend. The light bulb went off today.

Anyone out there sew? I need some new drapes for my son's BR and I can either do interior painting or a photography shoot of your family and photoshop it till is is as good as a pro.

:)

B~

Beignet--I wonder if your hairdresser is doing this through one of the barter clubs.

There are several barter organizations that have been around for decades. Some of them have been pretty successful. Most members have usually been owners of small businesses, and they work especially well for businesses where increased volume doesn't give rise to increased overhead expenses. Restaurants, printing businesses, motels/hotels, and hairdressers are good examples. Plus the business enjoys increased volume from customers they would not otherwise have.

Informal barter would be better in many ways, since the barter clubs obviously have to have their cut. And, obviously, it's easier to barter for some things than for others: Mainly, it's always been easier to barter for services than goods. That may have changed.

Sharon,

I got the impression she started doing this recently. I think she probably would have told me if she was part of a club. I've known her for 10 years+. We been over to each others houses and have a son the same age. Not sure, but I'll ask next time I see her.

I pulled out my bread machine my mom gave me. I have never used it. This weekend I am going to ATTEMPT whole wheat bread. :)

I'll let you guys know how it goes. . . .

B~

Scrood,

I'm sure a strong liver counts for something. At the very least it should give you a good foundation for some home brewing, winemaking, or distilling - if things get bad. Always a good trade/barter item.

Weps-

Agree completely. I have been working out 90 minutes a day 7 days a week since November. I am now carved out of wood, and ready to fight if need be.

All of you out of shape should seriously think about burning off that goo...

By Dmitry Orlov's account, vodka is the best currency you can have, post-collapse. This might be a good time to buy or build a still and learn how to use it.

Stills are not in my skillset--I'm a little afraid of them, and the procedure seems a little exacting. I can make wine, which is easy, and I hear that beer is even easier. In terms of currency value, beer and wine will be small change compared to the really hard stuff, but if you can produce alcohol in any form, you probably have the makings of a back-door business.

We did the home brew many years ago when we were in college in NOLA.

Our place had almost as many people as Cooter Browns did on a Friday night.

It might be time to pull out the old vat. If we still have it?

:)

B~

Beignet:"I pulled out my bread machine my mom gave me. I have never used it. This weekend I am going to ATTEMPT whole wheat bread. :)"

Whole wheat can be a bit tricky to start with in a bread machine (found a little malt/wine/cider vinegar with the vitamin C is a help).

I found it can take a while to get in the swing of getting proportions for an individual machine spot on. Once you learn the basics of bread machine ingredients ratios, you can have a field day ringing the changes.

Careful what oils you use in your bread, as bread will tell you right away the ones that don't agree with you. For me sunflower oil and rapeseed oil are immediate and chronic indegestion.

Butter, olive oil, beef fat, pork fat, ground nut oil, grape seed oil, walnut oil, etc., all make highly palatable breads with no digestion problems for me.

I mainly use honey instead of sugar, and often will put an egg into a loaf (just crack the egg into the measure, then top up with water to get the same volume).

A nice mix I do is 1/3rd of each white strong flour, wholewheat flour, and spelt flour (100% Spelt is a brilliant loaf too). Done with milk, honey, butter, and sea salt (plus yeast of course), it's a great bread for toasting as well.

Have fun with it, when you get the hang of it, it's literally only a couple of minutes to shove the ingredients in and get it going.

Oh one thing to watch for when you start, is the milk/water quantity - a little out can make a big difference. Look at the instructions to see when the kneading cycle is running, and check that the consistency is right at that point. Easy at that point to add a little milk if there's not enough, or a little flour if it's too wet.

Greetings TFers:

How to prepare? As some have posted in this thread, first you have to identify what you're getting ready for.

Generally speaking, as a two-decade survivalist who's not too PC, here's my advice:

Get the basics down.

Visit "Listening to Katrina" here

http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/blogs/....

and follow Shane's advice with regard to making plans to evacuate in an emergency (be it a housefire, hazmat incident, hurricane, or whatever) and get stuff together ahead of time to expedite your evacuation should you have to leave. Shane calls it "HYST"... Having your **** together. For instance, you should have all of your important records, documents, certifications, and a photographic inventory of EVERYTHING you have (for insurance claims) on a USB drive (or three) so if you have to leave and never return to your home because of fire or whatever, you'll have what you need to protect your health, wealth and ability to earn an income in another location.

This is something that will take some time, but it will pay great rewards should you ever need this information.

Other web related resources include:

Captain Dave http://www.captaindaves.com/index.html
AR15.com's Survival Forum: http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=....

Being "ready" is more than having some extra food in the pantry and a shotgun in the closet.

John

Sharon:"By Dmitry Orlov's account, vodka is the best currency you can have, post-collapse. This might be a good time to buy or build a still and learn how to use it.

Stills are not in my skillset--I'm a little afraid of them, and the procedure seems a little exacting. I can make wine, which is easy, and I hear that beer is even easier. In terms of currency value, beer and wine will be small change compared to the really hard stuff, but if you can produce alcohol in any form, you probably have the makings of a back-door business. "

My German Vicar friend knocks out about 2 bottles of spirits a week. He's very good at it too.

Apparently there's an easy test if the alchohol is good or bad - burn it. If the flame is blue, it is good, if it is yellow, it isn't.

Ribbit,

Did a copy and paste about he ww bread.

Thanks!

B~

Templar223--I've been saying for several years that we were headed for a collapse of some sort. The trouble is, I've never been quite sure what sort.

As best I can figure out, the only thing that is certain is that a lot of people will have no money and no job. We can also be fairly certain that the federal government won't slink away into the night. I would assume that those in power will try to remain in power by any means necessary.

It's difficult to foresee anything beyond that.

I think we all have a fair idea of what will happen when there are a lot of people with no money and no job. We also can make some reasonable guesses about the means the federal government will use to try to retain power. We may even be able to make some guesses about how human and government reactions to the growing crisis will play out in our particular area.

I wonder if the ministers of our local churches have their sermons ready? In a couple of years, I expect there will be some regular rejoicing amongst the angels because "our boys" have come home to protect us from terrorism and insurrection here in the "homeland." Tears will be shed on CNBC, and people will throw flowers. People will welcome martial law with open arms.

Sharon & all:

A collapse is pretty vague.

I'm more worried about a sudden issue, for example:

* Bird flu or similar pandemic.
* Coordinated terror attack of elementary schools, hospitals & shopping malls by islamic terrorists.
* Computer attack crippling the Internet and impeding merchant transactions (as in credit / debit cards don't work)
* Large earthquake along New Madrid.
* EMP attack by China, NK or Iran.

These things would lead to panic in the sheeple.

Things like a souring economy, a "great" depression or even martial law wouldn't result in mass panic and as such, are less of an immediate threat.

I don't have any confidence that our new administration would handle a crisis well.

John

Bill-OTH, the 5.8 gHz link is working very well. Using it right now, and have seen 8 gbps. 14 miles.

Deleted

Good list of preparation subjects:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/forumdi....

Expy, Trango? Great throughput on 14 miles. Congrats!

Bill, here's what happened, maybe you can help.

We made our way up and set up the antenna on a tripod in the snow at ground level, connected the Tranzeo TR-%A Plus radio with a 3' piece of LL coax, and aligned the antenna [a 26 dB grid type] for best signal all the lights were lit [s/n ratio ~30dB on both ends] hooked up the ethernet cable to a LT and immeditely got around 8 mbps.

So after playing with it and using the SNP web pages to check signal, errors, etc, I put the stuff together and mounted the antenna and radio on top of the container.

Came back inside, hooked to the mini itx PC, and the speed was only around 2 to 3 mbps.

I've spent all last night trying different things to figure out why, antenna is pointed the same way, s/n ratio still the same, everything's the same.

It seems that when running a speed test like PCPitstop you can watch the initial thru-put have no errors and then errors jump to about 20% as larger packages start running.

Signal is great.

So I'm at a loss but not complaining, the speed is wonderful! I'm just driven to optmize, make it work as good as possible, not giving up.

Several times when reconfiging the distant 5 gig radio I lost all com w/it. Having the slower 2.4 link as a backdoor into the remote radio was nice, to say the least.

What is on the other end of the link? and, is the container grounded well?