Well, make that three.
1st - Sorry it has been so long since I posted. I hope some of you are still out there!
2nd - Cheese (grated) is on sale thru tomorrow at $2.00/lb. The sale is at Country Mart, but take the grocery ad if you try to comp at Walmart because the Walmart brand of the very same thing is $8.98!!! I bought 10 lbs yesterday and plan to go back to get more. It FREEZES!
3rd - Oops - the article I was going to send you apparently was not completely true. Sorry about that - this link has been disconnected!
What are we working on? Well, for one - we are going to see about getting another Walton Food order together, so stay tuned!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Change in Location
Tomorrow night's Provident Living will be at Kathy Mix's home. Don't go to Susan's house! No one will be there.
She lives at
202 Billy Davis Dr
Searcy
See you tomorrow - 6:30 pm.
She lives at
202 Billy Davis Dr
Searcy
See you tomorrow - 6:30 pm.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Peanut Butter and Ham Radios
The cost of peanut butter is rising - may want to stock up.
Also - Ham Radio training on the 22nd of October 10:00 a.m. at the Searcy Fire Station.
You DO NOT have to own or commit to get a Ham Radio. The license is $15 IF you pass the test.
Steven G. is going to help us prepare and pass the test that day! Email me if you want a copy of the questions beforehand.
Great way to be prepared!
Also - Ham Radio training on the 22nd of October 10:00 a.m. at the Searcy Fire Station.
You DO NOT have to own or commit to get a Ham Radio. The license is $15 IF you pass the test.
Steven G. is going to help us prepare and pass the test that day! Email me if you want a copy of the questions beforehand.
Great way to be prepared!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Ham Radio Class on October 22
We will have a Ham Radio class at the Searcy Police Department on October 22nd, starting at 10:00 a.m.
After the class we will take the test (which is 30 questions) - if we pass we pay $15 and get will get our call number assigned to us.
Do you have to own a ham radio or even get a ham radio? NO!!!! You will just have the license. Then if you ever decide to get one, you will be able to use it. Some people wait 6 month or a year or even longer before they get a ham radio.
Steven Gifford will be there to tutor use through the exam to help us pass. If you want a list of the questions with all of the correct answers, just send me an email or respond to this post. I will get one off in an email so you can look it over.
Don't miss this opportunity!
Let me know if you have any questions.
After the class we will take the test (which is 30 questions) - if we pass we pay $15 and get will get our call number assigned to us.
Do you have to own a ham radio or even get a ham radio? NO!!!! You will just have the license. Then if you ever decide to get one, you will be able to use it. Some people wait 6 month or a year or even longer before they get a ham radio.
Steven Gifford will be there to tutor use through the exam to help us pass. If you want a list of the questions with all of the correct answers, just send me an email or respond to this post. I will get one off in an email so you can look it over.
Don't miss this opportunity!
Let me know if you have any questions.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
It's not your mama's "ham"
SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Steven Gifford will be here to talk about communication in times of emergencies, in particular the ham radio.
You do not want to miss it!
Steven is a licensed radio operator and will tell us what we need to do in times of emergency and also if we are interested in becoming licensed - it is free!
Bring your friends and neighbors - ham radios are NOT what they used to be!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
CHICKEN
Skinless, boneless chicken breast is on sale at Sexton for only $1.39. Now is the time to can!!!
Does anyone know the price of milk at Walgreen's this week?
Does anyone know the price of milk at Walgreen's this week?
Sunday, August 28, 2011
An Excellent Survival Communications Overview
This article is from the Rocky Mountain Survival Institute.
If you are interested in becoming a ham radio operator, you must simply take an exam - and we have someone that will help you pass! We can have a class on it if we have enough interest. Let me know! The test is free and after you pass you can purchase the kind of ham radio you want.
If you are interested in becoming a ham radio operator, you must simply take an exam - and we have someone that will help you pass! We can have a class on it if we have enough interest. Let me know! The test is free and after you pass you can purchase the kind of ham radio you want.
COMMUNICATION FOR SURVIVAL
© 2006 RogueTurtle.com
Two tin cans and a string. It still works. But in a survival situation, you just might need something a little more modern. The ability to receive information in a timely manner will greatly increase your chances of survival in almost every scenario you can think of. There are many different ways to get information. More than you're probably aware of. You just have to plan ahead to have the necessary equipment with you. Yeah, once more we're back to the 6-P's: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
Communication requires three parts: A sender, someone talking to you; a mode of transmission, telephone, for example; and a receiver, which is you. Talking face to face is always the best form of communication, but when you and your friends and family are scattered to the winds, this is impossible. You have to rely on some form of electromechanical means to assist you. I'm going to examine most of these systems so you can decide for yourselves which system will be best for you.
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
When the Power is OFF
1. TELEPHONE
The most obvious first choice is the telephone. Mr. Bell's little invention that changed the world. We all have those ugly black wires hung on our houses, running through the walls. Now, the newest rage is the "cordless phone". Pick it up and walk anywhere in the house to talk. No more dragging a curly and tangled cord behind you. I have one that has two handsets. Actually, they are a very small, limited range radios, broadcasting around your house. But, when the power is off, so are the cordless phones.
The older rotary dial phones and push-button phones don't use radio to transmit or receive signals. They don't even need household electricity to work. Your house can be totally blacked out and the phone will still work. Why? Because the phone companies' power is still ON. Most phone companies have backup generators. The real trick is finding the ringing phone in the dark.
The limitation that the telephone has is that it is still tied to a hard-wired plug-in jack and the cord only goes so far before you have to stop moving. We've all pulled these phones off the desk or off the wall by tugging just one more inch of reach out of the cord. The other limitation is that there are only just so many phone wire (pairs) available for anybody to use. Once they are in use, nobody else can talk until a line comes open. This has caused many a customer to have a dialed number fail to connect.
A. UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
A newer trend in modern neighborhoods is to free up the landscape from unsightly poles with wires strung all over the place. So, they bury them all in the ground. Looks good. But, the first time someone digs a hole, they are bound to cut the wires. I think it's a law. The second problem is that anything buried gets drowned when it floods. Electrical wires, TV cable wires and telephone lines buried underground will short out when flooded. This is also a law. Underground service vaults (where the connections and relays are located) fill up shorting out the whole thing. Until these dry out, you are out of luck.
B. ABOVE GROUND UTILITIES
"Damned if you do, damned if you don't". Above ground lines are even more susceptible to damage from other sources. Hurricane and tornado strength winds blow down trees and short out everything. Cars and trucks crash into them. Crazies blow them up. Forest fires burn them up and avalanches crush them. All utility lines are vulnerable to be damaged or destroyed. At least underground, they won't burn up.
C. FAX MACHINES
The facsimile machine is just another type of telephone. Only this one needs even more electricity to run than the telephone itself. It is actually a type of mini-computer tied to a phone line that received digital "codes" to make an accurate copy of something somebody sends you. So, if your house power is off, the fax is also off.
2. CELLULAR PHONES
Cell phones operate within cells, and they can switch cells as they move around. Cells give cell phones incredible range. Someone using a cell phone can drive hundreds of miles and maintain a conversation the entire time because of the cellular approach. The problem with the cell concept is that at the center of each cell is a tower that is powered by electricity. Without electricity at the tower, the entire cell phone system falls on its collective behind. No electricity – no cell phones.
Of all the competitive communications systems out there, the cellular phone business has got to be at the top of the list.
3. SATELLITE PHONES
A satellite telephone, satellite phone, or satphone is a mobile phone that communicates directly with orbiting communications satellites. Iridium was the first satellite phone company. Depending on the architecture of a particular system, coverage may include the entire Earth, or only specific regions. The mobile equipment, also known as a terminal or earth station, varies widely. A satellite phone handset has a size and weight comparable to that of a late 1980s or early 1990s cell phone, but with a large retractable antenna. These are popular on expeditions into remote areas where terrestrial cellular service is unavailable.
The advantages over the land-based cellular phones is obvious. You talk and receive phone calls on your hand-held equipment that uses rechargable batteries. The satellite has its own source of power, the sun. It is the ultimate alternate energy project so far. All satellites are, for that matter. You don't use household electrical power EVER to use this system (except to recharge the battery). You can also recharge the battery off of a plug into your automobiles' electrical system. As long as your batteries keep a charge, you can talk anywhere in the world...almost.
The "almost" means that if you call somebody on a standard cellular phone, it still won't work if the power is not working around the cellular phone. It takes TWO satphones to guarantee communication. All other type phone systems will eventually fail when all power is lost...except the satphones. They just keep on, keep'in on.
Sat Phone companies will lease you a telephone and charge by the minute just as they did if you were around when cell phones first came out. As competition increases, the rates will go down. One company has 66 satellites up there for world-wide coverage.
THE SATELLITE PHONE IS BY FAR AND AWAY THE MOST RELIABLE OF ALL THE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AVAILABLE TO THE SURVIVALIST. While there are moderately high-end monthly fees, the safety and protection they provide are head and shoulders above any other means of communication.
4. AM and FM Commercial Radio
All the countless radio stations in the country will NOT all go off the air at the same time. A disaster in your local area will probably not affect a town 25, 50 or 100 miles away. That means that they will be broadcasting news and weather to you, provided you have a radio to hear it. For a national level emergency, the start will be from the EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM.
The EAS system was established by the FCC in November of 1994 with the approval of Part 11 EAS rules. The EAS replaced the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) as a tool the President and others may use to warn the public about emergency situations.
All participating commercial radio stations in the country, in times of national crisis will be issued an EMERGENCY ACTION NOTIFICATION MESSAGE:
"This is an emergency action message requested by the White House. All broadcast stations will follow activation procedures in the EAS Operating Handbook for a national level emergency. The President of the United States or his representative will shortly deliver a message over the Emergency Alert System."
All licensed radio stations receiving this notification must then make the following announcement:
"We interrupt our programming; this is a national emergency. Important instructions will follow."
The next announcement (for participating manual operations...that is, there are people there working and not a pre-recorded program) will be:
"This is an Emergency Action Notification. All broadcast stations and cable systems will broadcast this Emergency Action Notification Message. This station has interrupted its regular programming at the request of the White House to participate in this Emergency Alert System.
During this emergency, most stations will remain on the air providing news and information to the public in assigned areas. This is (station call name). We will continue to serve the (EAS local area name). If you are not in this local area you should tune to stations providing news and information for your local area. You are listening to the Emergency Alert System serving the (EAS local name) area.
Do not use your telephone. The telephone lines should be kept open for emergency use. The Emergency Alert System has been activated.
We will also be acting as a message distribution and relay source to other broadcasting stations."
The priorities for Emergency Action Messages to be broadcast are:
Presidential messages to be carried "live".
Local area messages
State messages
National Information Center (NIC) messages
Termination of the Emergency will be almost a repeat of how it started, but the final notification to the radio station will be:
"This concludes the Emergency Alert System. All broadcast stations may now resume normal programming operations".
Stations then will return to "normal" programming however they see fit.
It is also important to know that this same Emergency Alert System can be activated at the local and state level for local emergencies, not just "national" emergencies.
ALL THESE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS MEAN NOTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE A GOOD RADIO TO RECEIVE THESE MESSAGES. YOUR LIFE COULD DEPEND ON IT.
5. Citizen's Band Radio
"Breaker one-nine for the Rubber Duck" ... Movie lore is full of the uses and abuses of the CB radio. Truckers have for years installed these radios in their trucks to keep them alert on the road. Any citizen of the United States can purchase and install a CB radio without needing any license or permit. Outside the US, there may, or may not, be restrictions.
The FCC has set aside a band of frequencies for CB use: All frequencies are MHz.
27 27.275
Channel 09, in red, is the emergency channel, but to be honest, it is not monitored very much by anybody.
Channel 19, in blue, somehow got adopted as the unofficial truckers channel. If you monitor this one, be prepared for all sorts of graphic traffic conditions...language varies.
The primary use for CB is while traveling to and from home, either by talking to a home base radio or from car-to-car. CB radio allows you to keep informed with up to the minute status of the occupants in the vehicles and the condition of the vehicles (fuel status, etc.). You can coordinate group efforts between vehicles, such as a mutual place to stop for fuel or food.
The other use for CB is to monitor the road conditions both ahead and behind you. The truckers will let you know about the traffic delays, and usually graphically describe how long they have been stuck in stalled traffic. Time is money to them.
From a lot of years of experience with CB radios, I can tell you without hesitation that "going cheap" will be a really BAD IDEA. Cheap radios do not transmit or receive very well. The radios are limited to 12 Watts of power ONLY and you won't even get that with a cheap radio. At the maximum, most CB radios (unmodified) will only get from 3 to 5 miles range. This, of course, depends a lot on your pocketbook.
CB MOBILE UNITS
Some expertise is needed to wire up and install a CB radio without shorting out your ignition and battery system. All the units sold in the USA use 12 volt, negative ground systems. The more powerful the radio, the heavier the power wires have to be. Here is the radio I use:
Cobra 148 GTL CB Radio $159.95
12 watts power SSB RF output increases range capabilities with SSB operation. 4 full watts AM RF power output. Dual converstion AM receiver - maximum frequency response and spurious rejection. Professional driver-requested improvements include a front panel microphone connector, tactile controls (for added convenience and safety when adjusting functions).
Includes microphone, mounting bracket, mount knobs, & power cord.
Approximate Dimensions:
Height - 2 3/8"
Width 7 7/8"
Length - 9 1/4"
Add approx 1" for knobs on front & 1/2" antenna connection on back.
Additional Features:
40 CB Channels
Front Panel Mic Connector
Full RF Power Output
Dynamike Gain Control
RF Gain Control
PA Function
1 year warranty*
But, you're not done with the expense yet. Every good radio uses a good antenna. Without the antenna all you have is a brick. Here's the one I use:
High Power Ability To Handle 5,000 Watts AM, 20,000 Watts SSB (ICAS) Made with high impact Mobay Thermoplastic 6 gauge solid copper silver-plated wire Exclusive low loss coil design 62" 17-7 PH Tapered spring stainless steel whip Frequency range 26 MHz to 30 MHz Weather Channel Ready Available in Roof Top, Trunk Lip, or Magnetic Mount Removable coil for safe storage & garage entrance Weather Cap included to protect mount when coil is removed 2 year warranty.
Price: $99.95
You may be asking yourselves why I use an antenna capable of handling 5,000 watts when the radio only puts out 12 watts? The answer is that I could "expand" my capability beyond what the factory and the FCC says I can use. I won't admit to anything, but there are ways to "boost" or "kick up" your power for transmission. Since telling you exactly how to do this would be skirting some law or another, all I can say is that if you get with a group of CB knowledgeable people, someone will know how to do it. Inside some handheld radios, there is a capacitor that can be "clipped", boosting the output power from 2 or 4 watts to 12 watts. From there, the outgoing signal can be further boosted by adding a LINEAR AMPLIFIER that goes to the antenna. The going rate (used to be) about a dollar and a half per watt output. A 400 watt amp would be around $600.00 (new). You can get better deals on Ebay, if you know what you're doing.
CAUTION: Not all amplifiers work on CB. Find an expert and find out EXACTLY what you need.
CB BASE RADIOS
These radios attach to a much larger antenna than the mobile units. It can, therefore put out and receive much better. They usually are supplied with a 120 volt/AC power source, but almost all of them can be connected to a 12 volt/DC battery and still work very well. As always, the charge in the battery is the limiting factor. Any radio, however, could be a base radio, it is just installed indoors, instead of in your car.
I have a couple of base radios I can use, but right now they're not in service. Here's an example:
RANGER'S NEWEST 10 METER RADIO $ 279.95
Features:
10 Watts AM, 25 Watts SSB
Adjustable Dual Echo (Not Just On-Off!!)
Selectable Talk Back, Roger Beep and Mic/RF Gain
6-Digit Frequency Counter
6 Position Band Switch With +10KHz Offset
Cobra power mike - 4 pin. Good for Base or Mobile radios. $19.95
Wired for Cobra, Connex, Uniden, Galaxy, General, Ranger, 4 pin models only and the Magnum and Cobra 148 (new) 4 pin version
RogueTurtle and clan each use one of these and they are terrific.
Has a 9 volt battery to send a "boosted" signal into the radio before it ever gets transmitted. Improves the broadcast of your transmissions and adds clarity to the spoken word.
Since it's attached to your house or shelter, the base antenna can be much larger than the mobile antenna. This helps collect weak signals from long distances, and greatly improves the power output of any base radio.
The MACO Comet $239.95 plus coaxial cable (extra)
A long-distance 6-element base station with 12.5 dB gain and dual polarity. This antenna is designed for CB'ers who want a booming base station, but space is a problem. And, it has the MACO 2 kw power handling capability!
This is just a "teaser" on CB equipment. If you are serious about getting a Citizens Band radio set up, you need to sit down with an expert and tell him or her what you need. Mixing incompatible components will be costly and could damage sensitive radio equipment, putting you out of business before you even get started. There are uncountable combinations out there, but they are NOT all compatible with each other.
For car-to-car information, you can't beat the hard-wired CB radio. It has a range of 12 to 30 miles depending on your "improvements", and is a very reliable form of communication.
6. AMATEUR (HAM) RADIO
Ham radio operators are a special breed of enthusiasts who take their radio skills and craft very seriously. Broadcasting on a relatively small range of closely controlled radio frequencies, they virtually police themselves. In some advanced CB radios, using a SSB or Lower Side Band setting can bring your CB dangerously close to the frequency used in the 10 meter or 12 meter bands. I have been chewed out on the radio more than once by Ham operators who felt I was infringing on his sacred bandwidth. I, of course, apologized and changed channels immediately.
Unlike CB radio, all Ham operators are licensed by the FCC as well as their local clubs. Many frequencies are dedicated not only to Ham operators, but are restricted to a certain class of license that is eligible to use the channel. I'm not a Ham operator, so I don't know all the details, but in order to get a "full ticket", that is, fully qualified in all channels, takes years and years of work and study. There are a series of tests administered to determine skill level in the operators. They take great justifiable pride in their skill levels, and (unfortunately) many look down on the "lowly" CB people as some sort of sub-species. At least I'm not a geek.
Unless you're willing to get into a local radio club and study your brains out, Ham operations should probably be avoided. Their equipment and antennas are very expensive, and each bandwidth is monitored, somewhere in the world, by an egomaniac.
The advantage of Ham Radio is their vast world-wide (capability). Depending on atmospheric conditions, Ham operators can talk to anywhere in the world. Talking city to city in the USA is easy...talking to Japan or Germany takes a better radio than CB can offer. However, most Ham operations are fixed, not mobile. They make it hard to "bug out". I cannot recommend Ham Radio for survivalists. It's not flexible enough.
7. MARINE RADIO
A marine radio is mandatory for all boats over 65.5 feet, and optional for all those smaller boats out there. Marine radio is in a very small frequency band that is always crowded on even a good day. They have one frequency called a "hailing frequency", and when you are answered you are directed to another, lesser used channel. With a line-of-sight range of only about 35 miles (barefoot, or non-amplified), the marine radio has limited use. Inland from either coast, marine radios could be used, but there are better uses for your money. I can't recommend using a marine radio for survival purposes, unless you are surviving on a boat. In that case, you should have TWO radios, in case one breaks.
8. AIRCRAFT RADIOS
An aircraft radio becomes very expensive whenever the word "aircraft" is attached to it. It could be the same Radio Shack components available in a $100.00 radio, but when it's an "aircraft radio" the cost doubles or triples. Aircraft radios are set up to use aircraft-compatible antennas that may not be appropriate for your vehicle. I know you can't drive as fast as an aircraft can fly. Many aircraft radios use standard aircraft (24 volt) power supplies not available in most cars. Since the possibility exists for you to interfere in the orderly flow of aircraft traffic, DO NOT USE AIRCRAFT RADIOS. Let the pilots get along with their own problems without you adding to them. Can you tell I used to fly in the Air Force for a living?
Exception: If you are using an aircraft for your bug out, by all means use the installed radios to follow all the required Air Traffic Control regulations governing your flight. Survival means keeping you and your family safe. If the airwaves are not cluttered with misused radios, your flight should be as uneventful as possible. Flight = hours of boredom followed by moments of panic.
9. SPECIALTY RADIOS
These are special radios or radio frequencies you don't normally think about during your normal daily life. Most of the following items are available at a relatively low cost, or are a free service provided by the Federal Government.
Global Positioning Satellites
(GPS) Over 50 satellites now cover the globe since their first launch in 1978. Handheld and fixed receivers in vehicles now are taken for granted by many car buyers. Accuracy has now improved so much that the GPS signals can guide you through crowded city streets over open and rough terrain. First designed by the military for foot soldiers (who get lost easily), this service is now free for civilian use. However, in time of WAR, the military could just adjust their GPS satellites so that only the military version would be accurate. This takes away the use of GPS by the enemy. It makes sense.
As far as I know, there would be no way to tell exactly when the military decides to make this move. It would, for sure, be during a time of national emergency and/or an imminent threat to our troops in other parts of the world. I suppose that reading your GPS in your front yard in Indiana and finding out the GPS says you are in Alaska would be a very good "clue".
For all other type emergencies (short of WAR), GPS will continue to work on its own power sending signals to earth, to your receiver.
There are now hundreds of models and styles of GPS receivers now in use. Many cell phones have allegedly had a chip installed in them so your location can be followed by "somebody". (Big Brother???) Cars routinely come off the assembly line with GPS services, as well as other costly aids to navigation provided when the warranty is up.
I like GPS. Its fun to use, particularly walking at night, under the clouds, with no way to tell where you are except for the GPS and a compass. Again, if your batteries die, so does the GPS. Use it for a weight to catch fish.
A. NOAA Radio
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is part of the US Department of Commerce. The National Weather Service is part of NOAA. Since the National Weather Service has a primary responsibility to monitor severe weather, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, they have their own severe weather warning radio system.
By tuning into the local NOAA radio stations, you can keep up to date on the progress of severe weather that is going on NOW, and forecast for the future. It gives a whole lot of weather information that could be critical to your safety. Many manufacturers now produce small, desktop radios that only turn on when NOAA sends out its warning signal for local area bad weather. This system has now been refined down to warning only the radios within a certain geographical area. In the past, NOAA warning radios would go off for a tornado in Cleveland, even if you lived in Tampa. Now, only the Tampa area gets a warning when the weather is bad in Tampa, not Cleveland.
Special radios are for sale that are easily carried in a pocket while you are in the bush. If you think that bad weather is approaching, turn on the radio and get the official version from NOAA.
B. WWV, Fort Collins, Colorado
A little-known, but much used in the military, these frequencies give you the exact date and time. Based on the atomic clocks, this station sends out a synchronous time signal and verbal time announcements 24/7/365. If you are in doubt as to the exact time, remember that the time given is Universal (Greenwich) time and you have to adjust it for your own time zone. GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time (called "Zulu" time in the military) does not change for seasons or local politicians. It does not care if you're on daylight savings time or not, it just gives out the most accurate Universal time possible.
C. WWV FREQUENCIES:
The station broadcasts simultaneously on five distinct frequencies: 2.5 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz and 20 MHz. Many newer model radios have the capability to receive time signals in this area of the radio frequency band not covered by AM or FM radio. If all you own is the AM/FM radio, you cannot receive WWV radio signals.
D. SATELLITE TELEVISION
"Direct TV", for example.
Another source of information. Most of the hardware and electronics that power the satellite TV receivers is 120 volt/AC current. This is not battery voltage and must be supplied by a generator while in the woods. A lot of campers now have the little dishes mounted on trailers or on tripods that sit by the campfire. All satellite TV dishes must have a clear, unobstructed view of the southern sky because that's where the satellite hangs out. As long as you have gas for the generator, your satellite TV will still work. When your out of gas, the satellite TV goes OFF. I don't use the satellite TV any more, it got to be just too much trouble and went out whenever it rained. Others swear that the rain never affected the signal. I know it did on my set up. I switched back to land-based, ugly black wire cable.
E. SCANNERS
Scanners are another source of information that can be used to search for where the action is. It is important in using scanners that you have some idea which section of the radio band you really want to search. If you spend a lot of money on a scanner, but search in the wrong band width areas, it will appear not to work. Companies such as Radio Shack, sell guides on scanner frequencies that include Fire, Police, Ambulance, Civil Aviation, CB, etc., etc.
WARNING: The scanner must NOT be ON when you are broadcasting from a radio in or around the scanners' antenna. I blew out a perfectly fine scanner in my own truck when I forgot to turn it off and it scanned around to the frequency I was using to broadcast. I burned the poor little thing to a crisp. Lesson learned...an expensive one for me. I now use a less expensive hand-held scanner.
A lot of scanner fans keep close records of the active frequencies in their local area. If you can find one of these folks, have him/her copy it for your use. Now you don't have to wonder who's voice it is you're listening to. Roger? Ten-four. Over and Out.
F. SATELLITE RADIO
The newest radio on the block, Satellite Radio has its broadcasting antenna high above the atmosphere. It can reach almost anywhere a normal line-of-sight radio receiver can get a signal. You can listen to the same station driving from Los Angeles to New York. Curiously, many controversial radio personalities have signed up for Satellite Radio, but I'm not sure why.
Due to their newness, I don't know if these stations are participants in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) I talked about under AM/FM radios. I hope they are. Their use during a national emergency would be of tremendous assistance to those people trapped outside reception areas where the power is out to the local broadcasters. I'll try and find out. If anybody out there knows, let me know so I can update my site.
Satellite radios operate on a frequency not available on normal AM/FM radios, so a special radio has to be purchased just for this system. As long as your batteries hold out, you can get music, news, and (controversial) talk shows. I would monitor the kids use, however, while the naughty ones are on the air.
G. WALKIE-TALKIES
Today's miniaturized walkie-talkies are a far cry from the 20 pound monsters carried by our troops in Vietnam. Kids run around with them in amusement parks keeping parents up to date on their latest mischief (don't we wish). Most often, its parents looking for their kids. These little items use frequencies in a very limited band width, and are very low powered.
There are, however, some pretty good hand-held CB radios around that can be used to augment base and mobile radios by people in your party out of the vehicle for any reason. You can keep track of them while in public areas or off in the woods. Their range is usually about 1/4 to 1/2 mile, so you can keep pretty good track of them as long as they don't wander too far off.
Their limited range and low power output make them only good as an augmenting radio to an existing system, such as mobile or base CB radios.
More expensive and more powerful, VHF and UHF walkie-talkies are available, but usually operate on commercial frequencies such as public utilities, business channels, or taxi frequencies. Most people I know don't use these as during the day they are very busy with business traffic.
H. SATELLITE INTERNET
This access may be worth considering. It's ideal for rural Internet users who want broadband access. Satellite Internet does not use telephone lines or cable systems, but instead uses a satellite dish for two-way (upload and download) data communications. Upload speed is about one-tenth of the 500 kbps download speed. Cable and DSL have higher download speeds, but satellite systems are about 10 times faster than a normal modem.
Firms that offer or plan to offer two-way satellite Internet include StarBand, Pegasus Express, Teledesic and Tachyon. Tachyon service is available today in the United States, Western Europe and Mexico. Pegasus Express is the two-way version of DirecPC.
The key installation planning requirement is a clear view to the south, since the orbiting satellites are over the equator area. And, like satellite TV, trees and heavy rains can affect reception of the Internet signals.
Some systems are specifically designed for mobile use, including the Mobile Universe system shown on the left. The dish automatically tracks the satellite as you drive giving you uninterrupted internet access while on the move.
Their stated price is $139.00 per month.
Laptop computers now range in prices from $600 to $1500 each and many are now wireless compatible.
As I write this article, almost all the information is already obsolete. Advances in computer technology are moving so fast that by the time a product reaches the market, it is "old fashioned" by some newer, faster technology. There is no such thing as "state of the art" computer systems. I cannot recommend these systems for emergency use unless you have really deep pockets and everyone in your party has access to the internet. One system, set up in the final shelter may be a great idea, but I would rather have a satellite telephone than a satellite computer. Nice toy but not back-pack friendly.
10. PORTABLE TELEVISIONS
I grew up during the entire development of television, from its inception in the 1940's and rapid growth through the years. Today, you can get tiny little television sets – in color – for a relatively tiny price. A far cry from the heavy, round screen TV's of the 1950's.
For example, the Casio 4" Handheld TV (EV4500) is sold at Radio Shack for $199.00. It uses either AC power or 4 AA batteries. It has a headphone jack as well as a built-in speaker.
For survival purposes, this type TV would be a pretty good choice, provided you have some way of replacing or recharging your batteries. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, and its true. Visualizing a problem is much easier when you can actually see what's going on.
Most TV stations are part of the EAS system so they will all be involved in broadcasting news about whatever the EAS guru's tell them to. The LOCAL news, however, may be of more use to you since that directly affects you in your travels, or at your survival site. If pressed, I couldn't say no to one of these toys without wondering what bit of information I would miss if I didn't have it.
I have a portable TV in my truck that plugs into my 12 volt system. It has a CD and video tape player to keep the kids happy, as well as "rabbit ears" for local news. However, its too heavy to back-pack. I would have to go with the small one if I had to "beat feet" out in the bush.
The major use I see (for me here in Florida) is to follow the track of hurricane winds in my area. If, for some reason, I have to leave my vehicle(s), I would definitely like to have a little set like this to see which direction to travel to avoid the high winds and storms.
SUMMARY
My first recommendation for survival communication will have to be for the satellite telephone. All the forms of communication I have mentioned require battery power, so I have to assume I can recharge my batteries, or will have spare batteries available for whatever I choose.
Next, I would set up mobile CB units in all the vehicles to be able to talk back and forth, and keep updated on traffic conditions. There will be a CB base station set up at the shelter. First occupants in set it up and turn it on, assisting others still on the road.
Without electrical power "from the grid", many services we take for granted today will not be available. Shelters must have some sort of generator system to be able to recharge batteries for prolonged survival.
But, before you rush out and purchase ANY system, be sure that everyone in your select group is willing to also foot the bill or share the expenses. None of these communications systems are worth a plug nickel unless everyone has one with them. Proper Prior Planning (and Purchasing) Prevents Poor Performance.
© 2006 RogueTurtle.com
Two tin cans and a string. It still works. But in a survival situation, you just might need something a little more modern. The ability to receive information in a timely manner will greatly increase your chances of survival in almost every scenario you can think of. There are many different ways to get information. More than you're probably aware of. You just have to plan ahead to have the necessary equipment with you. Yeah, once more we're back to the 6-P's: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
Communication requires three parts: A sender, someone talking to you; a mode of transmission, telephone, for example; and a receiver, which is you. Talking face to face is always the best form of communication, but when you and your friends and family are scattered to the winds, this is impossible. You have to rely on some form of electromechanical means to assist you. I'm going to examine most of these systems so you can decide for yourselves which system will be best for you.
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
When the Power is OFF
1. TELEPHONE
The most obvious first choice is the telephone. Mr. Bell's little invention that changed the world. We all have those ugly black wires hung on our houses, running through the walls. Now, the newest rage is the "cordless phone". Pick it up and walk anywhere in the house to talk. No more dragging a curly and tangled cord behind you. I have one that has two handsets. Actually, they are a very small, limited range radios, broadcasting around your house. But, when the power is off, so are the cordless phones.
The older rotary dial phones and push-button phones don't use radio to transmit or receive signals. They don't even need household electricity to work. Your house can be totally blacked out and the phone will still work. Why? Because the phone companies' power is still ON. Most phone companies have backup generators. The real trick is finding the ringing phone in the dark.
The limitation that the telephone has is that it is still tied to a hard-wired plug-in jack and the cord only goes so far before you have to stop moving. We've all pulled these phones off the desk or off the wall by tugging just one more inch of reach out of the cord. The other limitation is that there are only just so many phone wire (pairs) available for anybody to use. Once they are in use, nobody else can talk until a line comes open. This has caused many a customer to have a dialed number fail to connect.
A. UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
A newer trend in modern neighborhoods is to free up the landscape from unsightly poles with wires strung all over the place. So, they bury them all in the ground. Looks good. But, the first time someone digs a hole, they are bound to cut the wires. I think it's a law. The second problem is that anything buried gets drowned when it floods. Electrical wires, TV cable wires and telephone lines buried underground will short out when flooded. This is also a law. Underground service vaults (where the connections and relays are located) fill up shorting out the whole thing. Until these dry out, you are out of luck.
B. ABOVE GROUND UTILITIES
"Damned if you do, damned if you don't". Above ground lines are even more susceptible to damage from other sources. Hurricane and tornado strength winds blow down trees and short out everything. Cars and trucks crash into them. Crazies blow them up. Forest fires burn them up and avalanches crush them. All utility lines are vulnerable to be damaged or destroyed. At least underground, they won't burn up.
C. FAX MACHINES
The facsimile machine is just another type of telephone. Only this one needs even more electricity to run than the telephone itself. It is actually a type of mini-computer tied to a phone line that received digital "codes" to make an accurate copy of something somebody sends you. So, if your house power is off, the fax is also off.
2. CELLULAR PHONES
Cell phones operate within cells, and they can switch cells as they move around. Cells give cell phones incredible range. Someone using a cell phone can drive hundreds of miles and maintain a conversation the entire time because of the cellular approach. The problem with the cell concept is that at the center of each cell is a tower that is powered by electricity. Without electricity at the tower, the entire cell phone system falls on its collective behind. No electricity – no cell phones.
Of all the competitive communications systems out there, the cellular phone business has got to be at the top of the list.
3. SATELLITE PHONES
A satellite telephone, satellite phone, or satphone is a mobile phone that communicates directly with orbiting communications satellites. Iridium was the first satellite phone company. Depending on the architecture of a particular system, coverage may include the entire Earth, or only specific regions. The mobile equipment, also known as a terminal or earth station, varies widely. A satellite phone handset has a size and weight comparable to that of a late 1980s or early 1990s cell phone, but with a large retractable antenna. These are popular on expeditions into remote areas where terrestrial cellular service is unavailable.
The advantages over the land-based cellular phones is obvious. You talk and receive phone calls on your hand-held equipment that uses rechargable batteries. The satellite has its own source of power, the sun. It is the ultimate alternate energy project so far. All satellites are, for that matter. You don't use household electrical power EVER to use this system (except to recharge the battery). You can also recharge the battery off of a plug into your automobiles' electrical system. As long as your batteries keep a charge, you can talk anywhere in the world...almost.
The "almost" means that if you call somebody on a standard cellular phone, it still won't work if the power is not working around the cellular phone. It takes TWO satphones to guarantee communication. All other type phone systems will eventually fail when all power is lost...except the satphones. They just keep on, keep'in on.
Sat Phone companies will lease you a telephone and charge by the minute just as they did if you were around when cell phones first came out. As competition increases, the rates will go down. One company has 66 satellites up there for world-wide coverage.
THE SATELLITE PHONE IS BY FAR AND AWAY THE MOST RELIABLE OF ALL THE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AVAILABLE TO THE SURVIVALIST. While there are moderately high-end monthly fees, the safety and protection they provide are head and shoulders above any other means of communication.
4. AM and FM Commercial Radio
All the countless radio stations in the country will NOT all go off the air at the same time. A disaster in your local area will probably not affect a town 25, 50 or 100 miles away. That means that they will be broadcasting news and weather to you, provided you have a radio to hear it. For a national level emergency, the start will be from the EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM.
The EAS system was established by the FCC in November of 1994 with the approval of Part 11 EAS rules. The EAS replaced the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) as a tool the President and others may use to warn the public about emergency situations.
All participating commercial radio stations in the country, in times of national crisis will be issued an EMERGENCY ACTION NOTIFICATION MESSAGE:
"This is an emergency action message requested by the White House. All broadcast stations will follow activation procedures in the EAS Operating Handbook for a national level emergency. The President of the United States or his representative will shortly deliver a message over the Emergency Alert System."
All licensed radio stations receiving this notification must then make the following announcement:
"We interrupt our programming; this is a national emergency. Important instructions will follow."
The next announcement (for participating manual operations...that is, there are people there working and not a pre-recorded program) will be:
"This is an Emergency Action Notification. All broadcast stations and cable systems will broadcast this Emergency Action Notification Message. This station has interrupted its regular programming at the request of the White House to participate in this Emergency Alert System.
During this emergency, most stations will remain on the air providing news and information to the public in assigned areas. This is (station call name). We will continue to serve the (EAS local area name). If you are not in this local area you should tune to stations providing news and information for your local area. You are listening to the Emergency Alert System serving the (EAS local name) area.
Do not use your telephone. The telephone lines should be kept open for emergency use. The Emergency Alert System has been activated.
We will also be acting as a message distribution and relay source to other broadcasting stations."
The priorities for Emergency Action Messages to be broadcast are:
Presidential messages to be carried "live".
Local area messages
State messages
National Information Center (NIC) messages
Termination of the Emergency will be almost a repeat of how it started, but the final notification to the radio station will be:
"This concludes the Emergency Alert System. All broadcast stations may now resume normal programming operations".
Stations then will return to "normal" programming however they see fit.
It is also important to know that this same Emergency Alert System can be activated at the local and state level for local emergencies, not just "national" emergencies.
ALL THESE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS MEAN NOTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE A GOOD RADIO TO RECEIVE THESE MESSAGES. YOUR LIFE COULD DEPEND ON IT.
5. Citizen's Band Radio
"Breaker one-nine for the Rubber Duck" ... Movie lore is full of the uses and abuses of the CB radio. Truckers have for years installed these radios in their trucks to keep them alert on the road. Any citizen of the United States can purchase and install a CB radio without needing any license or permit. Outside the US, there may, or may not, be restrictions.
The FCC has set aside a band of frequencies for CB use: All frequencies are MHz.
CHANNEL FREQUENCY
01 26.965 MHz
02 26.975
03 26.985
04 27.005
05 27.015
06 27.025
07 27.035
08 27.055
09 27.065 Emergency
10 27.075
11 27.085
12 27.105
13 27.115
14 27.125
15 27.135 Traditional Sideband
16 27.155 Traditional Sideband
17 27.165
18 27.175
19 27.185 Traditional Truckers Frequency
20 27.205
21 27.215 Traditional Truckers Frequency
22 27.225
23 27.255
24 27.235
25 27.245
26 27.265
27 27.275
28 27.285
29 27.295
30 27.305 Traditional Sideband
31 27.315
32 27.325
33 27.335
34 27.345
35 27.355
36 27.365
37 27.375
38 27.385
39 27.395
40 27.405
Channel 09, in red, is the emergency channel, but to be honest, it is not monitored very much by anybody.
Channel 19, in blue, somehow got adopted as the unofficial truckers channel. If you monitor this one, be prepared for all sorts of graphic traffic conditions...language varies.
The primary use for CB is while traveling to and from home, either by talking to a home base radio or from car-to-car. CB radio allows you to keep informed with up to the minute status of the occupants in the vehicles and the condition of the vehicles (fuel status, etc.). You can coordinate group efforts between vehicles, such as a mutual place to stop for fuel or food.
The other use for CB is to monitor the road conditions both ahead and behind you. The truckers will let you know about the traffic delays, and usually graphically describe how long they have been stuck in stalled traffic. Time is money to them.
From a lot of years of experience with CB radios, I can tell you without hesitation that "going cheap" will be a really BAD IDEA. Cheap radios do not transmit or receive very well. The radios are limited to 12 Watts of power ONLY and you won't even get that with a cheap radio. At the maximum, most CB radios (unmodified) will only get from 3 to 5 miles range. This, of course, depends a lot on your pocketbook.
CB MOBILE UNITS
Some expertise is needed to wire up and install a CB radio without shorting out your ignition and battery system. All the units sold in the USA use 12 volt, negative ground systems. The more powerful the radio, the heavier the power wires have to be. Here is the radio I use:
Cobra 148 GTL CB Radio $159.95
12 watts power SSB RF output increases range capabilities with SSB operation. 4 full watts AM RF power output. Dual converstion AM receiver - maximum frequency response and spurious rejection. Professional driver-requested improvements include a front panel microphone connector, tactile controls (for added convenience and safety when adjusting functions).
Includes microphone, mounting bracket, mount knobs, & power cord.
Approximate Dimensions:
Height - 2 3/8"
Width 7 7/8"
Length - 9 1/4"
Add approx 1" for knobs on front & 1/2" antenna connection on back.
Additional Features:
40 CB Channels
Front Panel Mic Connector
Full RF Power Output
Dynamike Gain Control
RF Gain Control
PA Function
1 year warranty*
But, you're not done with the expense yet. Every good radio uses a good antenna. Without the antenna all you have is a brick. Here's the one I use:
High Power Ability To Handle 5,000 Watts AM, 20,000 Watts SSB (ICAS) Made with high impact Mobay Thermoplastic 6 gauge solid copper silver-plated wire Exclusive low loss coil design 62" 17-7 PH Tapered spring stainless steel whip Frequency range 26 MHz to 30 MHz Weather Channel Ready Available in Roof Top, Trunk Lip, or Magnetic Mount Removable coil for safe storage & garage entrance Weather Cap included to protect mount when coil is removed 2 year warranty.
Price: $99.95
You may be asking yourselves why I use an antenna capable of handling 5,000 watts when the radio only puts out 12 watts? The answer is that I could "expand" my capability beyond what the factory and the FCC says I can use. I won't admit to anything, but there are ways to "boost" or "kick up" your power for transmission. Since telling you exactly how to do this would be skirting some law or another, all I can say is that if you get with a group of CB knowledgeable people, someone will know how to do it. Inside some handheld radios, there is a capacitor that can be "clipped", boosting the output power from 2 or 4 watts to 12 watts. From there, the outgoing signal can be further boosted by adding a LINEAR AMPLIFIER that goes to the antenna. The going rate (used to be) about a dollar and a half per watt output. A 400 watt amp would be around $600.00 (new). You can get better deals on Ebay, if you know what you're doing.
CAUTION: Not all amplifiers work on CB. Find an expert and find out EXACTLY what you need.
CB BASE RADIOS
These radios attach to a much larger antenna than the mobile units. It can, therefore put out and receive much better. They usually are supplied with a 120 volt/AC power source, but almost all of them can be connected to a 12 volt/DC battery and still work very well. As always, the charge in the battery is the limiting factor. Any radio, however, could be a base radio, it is just installed indoors, instead of in your car.
I have a couple of base radios I can use, but right now they're not in service. Here's an example:
RANGER'S NEWEST 10 METER RADIO $ 279.95
Features:
10 Watts AM, 25 Watts SSB
Adjustable Dual Echo (Not Just On-Off!!)
Selectable Talk Back, Roger Beep and Mic/RF Gain
6-Digit Frequency Counter
6 Position Band Switch With +10KHz Offset
Cobra power mike - 4 pin. Good for Base or Mobile radios. $19.95
Wired for Cobra, Connex, Uniden, Galaxy, General, Ranger, 4 pin models only and the Magnum and Cobra 148 (new) 4 pin version
RogueTurtle and clan each use one of these and they are terrific.
Has a 9 volt battery to send a "boosted" signal into the radio before it ever gets transmitted. Improves the broadcast of your transmissions and adds clarity to the spoken word.
Since it's attached to your house or shelter, the base antenna can be much larger than the mobile antenna. This helps collect weak signals from long distances, and greatly improves the power output of any base radio.
The MACO Comet $239.95 plus coaxial cable (extra)
A long-distance 6-element base station with 12.5 dB gain and dual polarity. This antenna is designed for CB'ers who want a booming base station, but space is a problem. And, it has the MACO 2 kw power handling capability!
This is just a "teaser" on CB equipment. If you are serious about getting a Citizens Band radio set up, you need to sit down with an expert and tell him or her what you need. Mixing incompatible components will be costly and could damage sensitive radio equipment, putting you out of business before you even get started. There are uncountable combinations out there, but they are NOT all compatible with each other.
For car-to-car information, you can't beat the hard-wired CB radio. It has a range of 12 to 30 miles depending on your "improvements", and is a very reliable form of communication.
6. AMATEUR (HAM) RADIO
Ham radio operators are a special breed of enthusiasts who take their radio skills and craft very seriously. Broadcasting on a relatively small range of closely controlled radio frequencies, they virtually police themselves. In some advanced CB radios, using a SSB or Lower Side Band setting can bring your CB dangerously close to the frequency used in the 10 meter or 12 meter bands. I have been chewed out on the radio more than once by Ham operators who felt I was infringing on his sacred bandwidth. I, of course, apologized and changed channels immediately.
Unlike CB radio, all Ham operators are licensed by the FCC as well as their local clubs. Many frequencies are dedicated not only to Ham operators, but are restricted to a certain class of license that is eligible to use the channel. I'm not a Ham operator, so I don't know all the details, but in order to get a "full ticket", that is, fully qualified in all channels, takes years and years of work and study. There are a series of tests administered to determine skill level in the operators. They take great justifiable pride in their skill levels, and (unfortunately) many look down on the "lowly" CB people as some sort of sub-species. At least I'm not a geek.
Unless you're willing to get into a local radio club and study your brains out, Ham operations should probably be avoided. Their equipment and antennas are very expensive, and each bandwidth is monitored, somewhere in the world, by an egomaniac.
The advantage of Ham Radio is their vast world-wide (capability). Depending on atmospheric conditions, Ham operators can talk to anywhere in the world. Talking city to city in the USA is easy...talking to Japan or Germany takes a better radio than CB can offer. However, most Ham operations are fixed, not mobile. They make it hard to "bug out". I cannot recommend Ham Radio for survivalists. It's not flexible enough.
7. MARINE RADIO
A marine radio is mandatory for all boats over 65.5 feet, and optional for all those smaller boats out there. Marine radio is in a very small frequency band that is always crowded on even a good day. They have one frequency called a "hailing frequency", and when you are answered you are directed to another, lesser used channel. With a line-of-sight range of only about 35 miles (barefoot, or non-amplified), the marine radio has limited use. Inland from either coast, marine radios could be used, but there are better uses for your money. I can't recommend using a marine radio for survival purposes, unless you are surviving on a boat. In that case, you should have TWO radios, in case one breaks.
8. AIRCRAFT RADIOS
An aircraft radio becomes very expensive whenever the word "aircraft" is attached to it. It could be the same Radio Shack components available in a $100.00 radio, but when it's an "aircraft radio" the cost doubles or triples. Aircraft radios are set up to use aircraft-compatible antennas that may not be appropriate for your vehicle. I know you can't drive as fast as an aircraft can fly. Many aircraft radios use standard aircraft (24 volt) power supplies not available in most cars. Since the possibility exists for you to interfere in the orderly flow of aircraft traffic, DO NOT USE AIRCRAFT RADIOS. Let the pilots get along with their own problems without you adding to them. Can you tell I used to fly in the Air Force for a living?
Exception: If you are using an aircraft for your bug out, by all means use the installed radios to follow all the required Air Traffic Control regulations governing your flight. Survival means keeping you and your family safe. If the airwaves are not cluttered with misused radios, your flight should be as uneventful as possible. Flight = hours of boredom followed by moments of panic.
9. SPECIALTY RADIOS
These are special radios or radio frequencies you don't normally think about during your normal daily life. Most of the following items are available at a relatively low cost, or are a free service provided by the Federal Government.
Global Positioning Satellites
(GPS) Over 50 satellites now cover the globe since their first launch in 1978. Handheld and fixed receivers in vehicles now are taken for granted by many car buyers. Accuracy has now improved so much that the GPS signals can guide you through crowded city streets over open and rough terrain. First designed by the military for foot soldiers (who get lost easily), this service is now free for civilian use. However, in time of WAR, the military could just adjust their GPS satellites so that only the military version would be accurate. This takes away the use of GPS by the enemy. It makes sense.
As far as I know, there would be no way to tell exactly when the military decides to make this move. It would, for sure, be during a time of national emergency and/or an imminent threat to our troops in other parts of the world. I suppose that reading your GPS in your front yard in Indiana and finding out the GPS says you are in Alaska would be a very good "clue".
For all other type emergencies (short of WAR), GPS will continue to work on its own power sending signals to earth, to your receiver.
There are now hundreds of models and styles of GPS receivers now in use. Many cell phones have allegedly had a chip installed in them so your location can be followed by "somebody". (Big Brother???) Cars routinely come off the assembly line with GPS services, as well as other costly aids to navigation provided when the warranty is up.
I like GPS. Its fun to use, particularly walking at night, under the clouds, with no way to tell where you are except for the GPS and a compass. Again, if your batteries die, so does the GPS. Use it for a weight to catch fish.
A. NOAA Radio
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is part of the US Department of Commerce. The National Weather Service is part of NOAA. Since the National Weather Service has a primary responsibility to monitor severe weather, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, they have their own severe weather warning radio system.
By tuning into the local NOAA radio stations, you can keep up to date on the progress of severe weather that is going on NOW, and forecast for the future. It gives a whole lot of weather information that could be critical to your safety. Many manufacturers now produce small, desktop radios that only turn on when NOAA sends out its warning signal for local area bad weather. This system has now been refined down to warning only the radios within a certain geographical area. In the past, NOAA warning radios would go off for a tornado in Cleveland, even if you lived in Tampa. Now, only the Tampa area gets a warning when the weather is bad in Tampa, not Cleveland.
Special radios are for sale that are easily carried in a pocket while you are in the bush. If you think that bad weather is approaching, turn on the radio and get the official version from NOAA.
B. WWV, Fort Collins, Colorado
A little-known, but much used in the military, these frequencies give you the exact date and time. Based on the atomic clocks, this station sends out a synchronous time signal and verbal time announcements 24/7/365. If you are in doubt as to the exact time, remember that the time given is Universal (Greenwich) time and you have to adjust it for your own time zone. GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time (called "Zulu" time in the military) does not change for seasons or local politicians. It does not care if you're on daylight savings time or not, it just gives out the most accurate Universal time possible.
C. WWV FREQUENCIES:
The station broadcasts simultaneously on five distinct frequencies: 2.5 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz and 20 MHz. Many newer model radios have the capability to receive time signals in this area of the radio frequency band not covered by AM or FM radio. If all you own is the AM/FM radio, you cannot receive WWV radio signals.
D. SATELLITE TELEVISION
"Direct TV", for example.
Another source of information. Most of the hardware and electronics that power the satellite TV receivers is 120 volt/AC current. This is not battery voltage and must be supplied by a generator while in the woods. A lot of campers now have the little dishes mounted on trailers or on tripods that sit by the campfire. All satellite TV dishes must have a clear, unobstructed view of the southern sky because that's where the satellite hangs out. As long as you have gas for the generator, your satellite TV will still work. When your out of gas, the satellite TV goes OFF. I don't use the satellite TV any more, it got to be just too much trouble and went out whenever it rained. Others swear that the rain never affected the signal. I know it did on my set up. I switched back to land-based, ugly black wire cable.
E. SCANNERS
Scanners are another source of information that can be used to search for where the action is. It is important in using scanners that you have some idea which section of the radio band you really want to search. If you spend a lot of money on a scanner, but search in the wrong band width areas, it will appear not to work. Companies such as Radio Shack, sell guides on scanner frequencies that include Fire, Police, Ambulance, Civil Aviation, CB, etc., etc.
WARNING: The scanner must NOT be ON when you are broadcasting from a radio in or around the scanners' antenna. I blew out a perfectly fine scanner in my own truck when I forgot to turn it off and it scanned around to the frequency I was using to broadcast. I burned the poor little thing to a crisp. Lesson learned...an expensive one for me. I now use a less expensive hand-held scanner.
A lot of scanner fans keep close records of the active frequencies in their local area. If you can find one of these folks, have him/her copy it for your use. Now you don't have to wonder who's voice it is you're listening to. Roger? Ten-four. Over and Out.
F. SATELLITE RADIO
The newest radio on the block, Satellite Radio has its broadcasting antenna high above the atmosphere. It can reach almost anywhere a normal line-of-sight radio receiver can get a signal. You can listen to the same station driving from Los Angeles to New York. Curiously, many controversial radio personalities have signed up for Satellite Radio, but I'm not sure why.
Due to their newness, I don't know if these stations are participants in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) I talked about under AM/FM radios. I hope they are. Their use during a national emergency would be of tremendous assistance to those people trapped outside reception areas where the power is out to the local broadcasters. I'll try and find out. If anybody out there knows, let me know so I can update my site.
Satellite radios operate on a frequency not available on normal AM/FM radios, so a special radio has to be purchased just for this system. As long as your batteries hold out, you can get music, news, and (controversial) talk shows. I would monitor the kids use, however, while the naughty ones are on the air.
G. WALKIE-TALKIES
Today's miniaturized walkie-talkies are a far cry from the 20 pound monsters carried by our troops in Vietnam. Kids run around with them in amusement parks keeping parents up to date on their latest mischief (don't we wish). Most often, its parents looking for their kids. These little items use frequencies in a very limited band width, and are very low powered.
There are, however, some pretty good hand-held CB radios around that can be used to augment base and mobile radios by people in your party out of the vehicle for any reason. You can keep track of them while in public areas or off in the woods. Their range is usually about 1/4 to 1/2 mile, so you can keep pretty good track of them as long as they don't wander too far off.
Their limited range and low power output make them only good as an augmenting radio to an existing system, such as mobile or base CB radios.
More expensive and more powerful, VHF and UHF walkie-talkies are available, but usually operate on commercial frequencies such as public utilities, business channels, or taxi frequencies. Most people I know don't use these as during the day they are very busy with business traffic.
H. SATELLITE INTERNET
This access may be worth considering. It's ideal for rural Internet users who want broadband access. Satellite Internet does not use telephone lines or cable systems, but instead uses a satellite dish for two-way (upload and download) data communications. Upload speed is about one-tenth of the 500 kbps download speed. Cable and DSL have higher download speeds, but satellite systems are about 10 times faster than a normal modem.
Firms that offer or plan to offer two-way satellite Internet include StarBand, Pegasus Express, Teledesic and Tachyon. Tachyon service is available today in the United States, Western Europe and Mexico. Pegasus Express is the two-way version of DirecPC.
The key installation planning requirement is a clear view to the south, since the orbiting satellites are over the equator area. And, like satellite TV, trees and heavy rains can affect reception of the Internet signals.
Some systems are specifically designed for mobile use, including the Mobile Universe system shown on the left. The dish automatically tracks the satellite as you drive giving you uninterrupted internet access while on the move.
Their stated price is $139.00 per month.
Laptop computers now range in prices from $600 to $1500 each and many are now wireless compatible.
As I write this article, almost all the information is already obsolete. Advances in computer technology are moving so fast that by the time a product reaches the market, it is "old fashioned" by some newer, faster technology. There is no such thing as "state of the art" computer systems. I cannot recommend these systems for emergency use unless you have really deep pockets and everyone in your party has access to the internet. One system, set up in the final shelter may be a great idea, but I would rather have a satellite telephone than a satellite computer. Nice toy but not back-pack friendly.
10. PORTABLE TELEVISIONS
I grew up during the entire development of television, from its inception in the 1940's and rapid growth through the years. Today, you can get tiny little television sets – in color – for a relatively tiny price. A far cry from the heavy, round screen TV's of the 1950's.
For example, the Casio 4" Handheld TV (EV4500) is sold at Radio Shack for $199.00. It uses either AC power or 4 AA batteries. It has a headphone jack as well as a built-in speaker.
For survival purposes, this type TV would be a pretty good choice, provided you have some way of replacing or recharging your batteries. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, and its true. Visualizing a problem is much easier when you can actually see what's going on.
Most TV stations are part of the EAS system so they will all be involved in broadcasting news about whatever the EAS guru's tell them to. The LOCAL news, however, may be of more use to you since that directly affects you in your travels, or at your survival site. If pressed, I couldn't say no to one of these toys without wondering what bit of information I would miss if I didn't have it.
I have a portable TV in my truck that plugs into my 12 volt system. It has a CD and video tape player to keep the kids happy, as well as "rabbit ears" for local news. However, its too heavy to back-pack. I would have to go with the small one if I had to "beat feet" out in the bush.
The major use I see (for me here in Florida) is to follow the track of hurricane winds in my area. If, for some reason, I have to leave my vehicle(s), I would definitely like to have a little set like this to see which direction to travel to avoid the high winds and storms.
SUMMARY
My first recommendation for survival communication will have to be for the satellite telephone. All the forms of communication I have mentioned require battery power, so I have to assume I can recharge my batteries, or will have spare batteries available for whatever I choose.
Next, I would set up mobile CB units in all the vehicles to be able to talk back and forth, and keep updated on traffic conditions. There will be a CB base station set up at the shelter. First occupants in set it up and turn it on, assisting others still on the road.
Without electrical power "from the grid", many services we take for granted today will not be available. Shelters must have some sort of generator system to be able to recharge batteries for prolonged survival.
But, before you rush out and purchase ANY system, be sure that everyone in your select group is willing to also foot the bill or share the expenses. None of these communications systems are worth a plug nickel unless everyone has one with them. Proper Prior Planning (and Purchasing) Prevents Poor Performance.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Update on Next Meeting
Hello Everyone!
Welcome back from summer break. Now that the kids are back in school and we are getting into a new routine, it is time for us to start thinking once again about Provident Living.
Our next meeting is Tuesday - I hope to see you all there. Pass the word. We will have a lot of information about water storage.
Bring any success stories you have had with your garden. Unfortunately, unless you love to eat okra, my garden has not been a success. I have a long list of things I am going to do differently next year.
A couple of housekeeping items:
The can seeds have not come in and I have cancelled the order. We will try again at a later time. I would suggest going to the stores and see if there are seeds you can buy on discount to save for next year.
If you have cans still at my house, plan on getting them this Tuesday. We are moving some items for a friend that is in between houses and we will use the extra room when the boxes are gone.
If you need to schedule the canner, give me an email. We now have TWO canners so more people can use them.
Bring on Tuesday, or shoot me an email, a list of classes you would like to see. We will continue to hold class as long as there is an interest.
One final note, if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. Let us take a prudent and common sense approach to provident living and prepardedness. If we do, we will be blessed and our cruse of oil will never fail.
See you on Tuesday!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Free Download
This is a recipe book with about 200 shelf-stable recipes. Download it and use for a reference when you are trying to decide what to make with your food storage.
A great deal.
A great deal.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
TV Special
Tonight on National Geographic Channel is a show called "Doomsday Preppers." I don't have TV, but if anyone does and can record it, please do! It should be interesting.
Also, remember no meeting tomorrow night - see you in August!
Also, remember no meeting tomorrow night - see you in August!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Change in Plans
I can't stop enjoying my vacation!!
I will not be in town next Tuesday and neither will my cohorts.
Please plan on our next meeting: August 16th. We will be discussing emergency and long-term water storage and purification.
Important!!
Have a great summer everyone.
I will not be in town next Tuesday and neither will my cohorts.
Please plan on our next meeting: August 16th. We will be discussing emergency and long-term water storage and purification.
Important!!
Have a great summer everyone.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Too late?
from Meridian Magazine
Wednesday, June 08 2011
Has the Time for Preparation Passed?
By Carolyn NicolaysenHere are some headlines from the past several days:
“2011 Tornado Season has seen increase in Storms, Record Death Toll”
- “Missouri River Flood of 2011 one for the History Books”
- “The recent floods and tornado outbreaks mark the most costly disaster in American history”
- “Food price shock ahead”.
All of these are headlines seen in the past few days in June. Is the time for preparing past? No, but it will now be much more expensive than it would have been just a few months ago.
The National Weather Service has announced the forecast for the coming hurricane season. Although the prediction is for more named storms this year, that alone is not the most interesting part of the story. What we should really be taking note of is the fact that we are returning to the weather patterns of the 1950s and 1960s. During those years there were serious weather conditions which hit the northeast coast of North America, the jet stream lowered its path, and temperatures were confused – it was much colder in normally warm areas, and much warmer in normally cool areas.
We have seen the results this spring with tornadoes not only in the Midwest “Tornado Alley”, but also in diverse places such as California and Massachusetts. All of this news means we can expect to have weather only our parents and grandparents remember well. The time for preparing has not passed, but the urgency has increased.
The winter of 2010-2011 has seen record snowfall in all the mountain ranges west of the Mississippi. Spring in these areas has been colder than normal, setting up a disastrous scenario for the remaining weeks of spring and summer. Rivers and reservoirs in some places are overwhelmed, and heat waves may follow the cool spring weather in many areas. Hot weather will eventually come to the West, and when it does there may be severe flooding. Four states not part of the Mississippi River system, where horrific flooding and loss of life and property have already occurred, - Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota - have already declared a state of emergency due to flooding.
Are you prepared to remain out of your home for a month or more? Are you prepared to be without grocery and pharmacy supplies for weeks? This is already the case in some areas. Do you really still believe natural disasters can't happen to you?
We have heard so much about flooding and tornadoes this year that it should come as no surprise that some North American crops have been destroyed or not planted at all. The logical conclusion: prices will go up.
On the other hand - are you aware that in some regions there is still a drought?
Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Alabama all have areas of extreme drought or worse “exceptional drought.”
This is also the case on other continents:
“Several submerged sections of an imperial tomb of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) have resurfaced in east China's Jiangsu Province as a result of a severe drought that is still affecting the region. The tomb was built for the ancestors of Zhu Yuanzhang, founder and the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, in AD 1386, on the west bank of the Hongze Lake in Xuyi County of Jiangsu.
“The mausoleum was flooded in 1680, when the Yellow River broke its banks, changed course and converged with the nearby Huaihe River. Now local residents have got to take their first look at the tomb, which hadn't seen the light of day in more than 300 years.
“Stone arches and other parts of the tomb emerged on Thursday as the lake's water level continued to recede because of the recent drought. Local residents also got a look at a paved path leading to the tomb.”¹
In China, 725,000 acres of land are drying out causing not only enormous crop loss but leaving 820,000 people in the region without sufficient food and water. Where will the food come from to feed these people? Will China purchase crops normally sold to industrialized nations such as the United States, Canada and Australia, leaving them short?
Food riots have already occurred around the world. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization is warning the drought conditions in China, Europe and Great Britain may lead to the worst food inflation we have seen to date. Combine this with the loss of crops in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami and flooding, plus drought and tornadoes in the United States and the outlook is not good for food supplies and food prices. The fear is food shortages
The price of oil has already gone up making the cost of petroleum based items rise. The price of cotton has soared making the cost of everything from clothing to camp tents rise.
Has the time for preparing passed? No, but maybe the time to ask what we are preparing for has. It is here. Now is the time to gather your family and to discuss your priorities for the coming year. Summer is almost here and it is not too late to plant a garden. It is not too late to plan a stay-at-home vacation to save money for self reliance goals. Summer vacations from school are the perfect time to clean out used items and sell them at a garage sale or online.
There will never be a less expensive time to purchase preparedness items or to learn skills that will save you the money you are now spending on them. Now is the time. Don't make the mistake of thinking this won't affect you. It will. Don't make the mistake of thinking it can wait and looking back months from now and wishing you had taken action when prices were lower.
Ready to Grow!
Last night's meeting was so informative, probably too much so since I learned I was doing several things wrong! A huge THANK YOU to Mike Davis for coming and sharing his knowledge and experience of gardens.
If you have a question for Mike as you head back home to incorporate some of the tips he gave us, please post it on the blog and I will get him to answer you :-)
What was the first thing I did this morning? Why I trimmed my tomato plants, of course! They seem very happy with it. Now I won't be able to water until tomorrow morning, but I did procure a #10 can for the job. We will see how it goes!
In August we will get together for a class on canning some of the produce in our garden. We will share time-proven recipes.
See you at our next meeting on June 28th. We will be talking water storage.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Walgreens Deals 5/22-5/28
MONEYMAKERS
Complete Multi Purpose Solution 12oz $7.99
$7.99RR on 1
$1.00/1 Peelies (widespread availability) or 5/22RP (Regional)
Final after RR: $1.00 Moneymaker!
Bayer low dose aspirin orange or cherry chewable 36ct = $2.99 - $3.19
(there is an unflavored variety at the same price point as well)
-$1 Bayer IVC in May book #5187
-$2 Bayer Wag Q from this weeks ad
$1/1 Aspirin product (24ct or larger) SS 3/20
$1/1 Aspirin product (81mg or 325mg) SS 5/1
Final: $1.01 Moneymaker!
FREEBIES
Tone Body Wash 18oz $3.99
$3.00RR on 1
Final after RR:FREE
Scunci No Damage Hair Elastics 18ct $2.00 (look for BOGO packs)
$2.00RR on 1
Final after RR: FREE
Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor System $9.89
$5.00RR on 1
$5.00/1 PG BrandSampler
$4.00/1 5/1PG
Final after RR: FREE
Carefree Pantiliners $0.99 with ad coupon
20-22ct (lim 3)
$1.00/1 5/8SS
$0.50/1 Actifresh Glamour June
$0.50/1 3/27RP
Final: FREE
CHEAPIES
Pure Silk Shave Cream 9.5oz $1.99
$1.50RR on 1
Final after RR: $0.49
$5.00RR wyb 2 or More Products Below
Pain Relief
Advil 40-50ct $4.99
Advil PM 16-20ct $4.99
ThermaCare Wraps 2-3ct $5.99
$5.00RR on 2
$5.00 off Advil AND Thermacare
$4.00/2 Advil, PM or Thermacare 5/22SS
$2.00/1 Advil
Final after RR: 2/$0.98 or $0.49ea wyb 2 Advil or 1 Advil and 1 Thermacare
Glade 2/$5.00
Scented Gel Refills 3ct
Fabric Odor Eliminator 22oz
Carpet & Room Odor Eliminator 32oz
Tough Odor Spray 9.47oz
Sanitizer 10oz
Surface & Air 12oz
B1G1F Glade Fabric & Air All YOu Feb
$1.00/1 Glade Fabric & Odor 5/22SS
$2.00/2 Tough Odor Country Liv, Mar, BHG Mar, Good
Housekeeping Mar, Fam Cir Mar,Woman's Day Mar,
Redbook Mar
$0.50/1 Carpet & Room
$0.75/1 Fabric & Air
$1.50/3 Scented Gel
Final: 2/$1.50 or $0.75ea for Fabric & Air
Revlon Colorstay Cosmetics, Nail Color or Implements
40% off (Perle or Satin Shadow $4.99)
$3.00RR on $10.00
$2.00/1 Color Cosmetic 5/8SS
$1.00/1 Nail Enamel 4/10SS
Final: Varies
Dealie:
3 - Revlon Perle Shadow Single $4.99
Total: $8.98
Use:
3 - $2.00/1 5/8SS
Pay: $2.98
Get $3.00 RR
Cantu Hair Care $4.99
$4.00RR on 1
Final after RR: $0.99
Colgate Dental Care 2/$7.00
Total Advanced or Sensitive 5.8-6oz
360 Actiflex Toothbrush
$3.00RR on 2
$1.00/1 Total Toothpaste Walgreens Diabetes & You
$1.00/1 Total All You April
$1.00/1 Sensitive All You June
$1.00/1 360 TB All YOu May or All You April
$1.00/1 Total Advanced Cooking Light April
$0.75/1 Toothbrush All YOu May
Final after RR: 2/$2.00 or $1.00ea
Pantene Hair Care 2/$7.00
Sham, Cond or Styler
$1.00RR on 2
$2.00/1 Product PG BrandSampler
$3.00/2 Product 5/1PG
$2.00/1 PG BrandSaver Mar
$1.00 off Sham and Cond PG Everyday Savings
Final after RR: 2/$2.00 or $1.00ea
General Mills Cereal $1.99
10.7-14oz (lim 4)
Cheerios, CTC and more
$1.50/2 General Mills Cereal
$0.75/1 Chex
$0.75/1 Cinn Burst Cheerios 4/17SS or HERE or HERE
$0.75/1 Kix
$0.75/1 Cookie Crisp Cereal HERE or HERE
or HERE
$0.75/1 MultiGrain Cheerios or HERE
$0.55/1 Trix Cereal
$0.55/1 Honey Nut Cheerios or HERE
$1.00/2 Frost. Cheerios and other specialty Cheerios 5/8SS
$1.00/2 General Mills 5/15SS
$1.00/3 Select Cereals 5/1SS
Final: $1.24ea
Q Tips $1.99 with ad coupon
300-375ct (lim 3)
$0.60/1 HERE
$0.30/1 5/22RP
Final: $1.39
Buy One Get One FREE
Schick Hydro
Razor System
Cartridge 4ct
Shave Gel 8.4oz
$3.00/1 Hydro 3 or 5
$2.00/1 Hydro 5 REfill 5/17SS
$2.00/1 Hydro 3 Refill 4/17SS
$1.00/1 Razor or Refill 5/22SS
Final: 2/$2.99 or $1.49ea for Razor
Kraft Mayo or Mir. Whip $2.99
30oz (lim 2)
$1.00/1 Mayo or Mir Whip 5/15SS
Final: $1.99
Buy $25 Get $10 ECB
Banana Boat or Hawaiian Tropic
(excludes Lip, Stick and After Sun)
$2.00 off Banana Boat AND Off Clip on Starter 5/1SS
$1.00/1 Banana Boat real Simple June or All You June or All You May
$1.00/1 Hawaiian Tropic
Huggies Little Swimmers $6.99
$2.00/1 Walgreens May Coupon Booklet
$2.00/1 5/15SS
$1.00/1 HERE
Final: $2.99
Coppertone Sun Care $9.99
$3.00RR on 1
People Style Watch $0.49 with purchase of Coppertone
$1.00/1 HERE or HERE
or 5/22RP
Final after RR: $6.99 + $0.49 Magazine
Allegra 24hr 45ct $23.99
$4.00RR on 1
$4.00/1 5/8SS or HERE
Final after RR: $15.99
Complete Multi Purpose Solution 12oz $7.99
$7.99RR on 1
$1.00/1 Peelies (widespread availability) or 5/22RP (Regional)
Final after RR: $1.00 Moneymaker!
Bayer low dose aspirin orange or cherry chewable 36ct = $2.99 - $3.19
(there is an unflavored variety at the same price point as well)
-$1 Bayer IVC in May book #5187
-$2 Bayer Wag Q from this weeks ad
$1/1 Aspirin product (24ct or larger) SS 3/20
$1/1 Aspirin product (81mg or 325mg) SS 5/1
Final: $1.01 Moneymaker!
FREEBIES
Tone Body Wash 18oz $3.99
$3.00RR on 1
Final after RR:FREE
Scunci No Damage Hair Elastics 18ct $2.00 (look for BOGO packs)
$2.00RR on 1
Final after RR: FREE
Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor System $9.89
$5.00RR on 1
$5.00/1 PG BrandSampler
$4.00/1 5/1PG
Final after RR: FREE
Carefree Pantiliners $0.99 with ad coupon
20-22ct (lim 3)
$1.00/1 5/8SS
$0.50/1 Actifresh Glamour June
$0.50/1 3/27RP
Final: FREE
CHEAPIES
Pure Silk Shave Cream 9.5oz $1.99
$1.50RR on 1
Final after RR: $0.49
$5.00RR wyb 2 or More Products Below
Pain Relief
Advil 40-50ct $4.99
Advil PM 16-20ct $4.99
ThermaCare Wraps 2-3ct $5.99
$5.00RR on 2
$5.00 off Advil AND Thermacare
$4.00/2 Advil, PM or Thermacare 5/22SS
$2.00/1 Advil
Final after RR: 2/$0.98 or $0.49ea wyb 2 Advil or 1 Advil and 1 Thermacare
Glade 2/$5.00
Scented Gel Refills 3ct
Fabric Odor Eliminator 22oz
Carpet & Room Odor Eliminator 32oz
Tough Odor Spray 9.47oz
Sanitizer 10oz
Surface & Air 12oz
B1G1F Glade Fabric & Air All YOu Feb
$1.00/1 Glade Fabric & Odor 5/22SS
$2.00/2 Tough Odor Country Liv, Mar, BHG Mar, Good
Housekeeping Mar, Fam Cir Mar,Woman's Day Mar,
Redbook Mar
$0.50/1 Carpet & Room
$0.75/1 Fabric & Air
$1.50/3 Scented Gel
Final: 2/$1.50 or $0.75ea for Fabric & Air
Revlon Colorstay Cosmetics, Nail Color or Implements
40% off (Perle or Satin Shadow $4.99)
$3.00RR on $10.00
$2.00/1 Color Cosmetic 5/8SS
$1.00/1 Nail Enamel 4/10SS
Final: Varies
Dealie:
3 - Revlon Perle Shadow Single $4.99
Total: $8.98
Use:
3 - $2.00/1 5/8SS
Pay: $2.98
Get $3.00 RR
Cantu Hair Care $4.99
$4.00RR on 1
Final after RR: $0.99
Colgate Dental Care 2/$7.00
Total Advanced or Sensitive 5.8-6oz
360 Actiflex Toothbrush
$3.00RR on 2
$1.00/1 Total Toothpaste Walgreens Diabetes & You
$1.00/1 Total All You April
$1.00/1 Sensitive All You June
$1.00/1 360 TB All YOu May or All You April
$1.00/1 Total Advanced Cooking Light April
$0.75/1 Toothbrush All YOu May
Final after RR: 2/$2.00 or $1.00ea
Pantene Hair Care 2/$7.00
Sham, Cond or Styler
$1.00RR on 2
$2.00/1 Product PG BrandSampler
$3.00/2 Product 5/1PG
$2.00/1 PG BrandSaver Mar
$1.00 off Sham and Cond PG Everyday Savings
Final after RR: 2/$2.00 or $1.00ea
General Mills Cereal $1.99
10.7-14oz (lim 4)
Cheerios, CTC and more
$1.50/2 General Mills Cereal
$0.75/1 Chex
$0.75/1 Cinn Burst Cheerios 4/17SS or HERE or HERE
$0.75/1 Kix
$0.75/1 Cookie Crisp Cereal HERE or HERE
or HERE
$0.75/1 MultiGrain Cheerios or HERE
$0.55/1 Trix Cereal
$0.55/1 Honey Nut Cheerios or HERE
$1.00/2 Frost. Cheerios and other specialty Cheerios 5/8SS
$1.00/2 General Mills 5/15SS
$1.00/3 Select Cereals 5/1SS
Final: $1.24ea
Q Tips $1.99 with ad coupon
300-375ct (lim 3)
$0.60/1 HERE
$0.30/1 5/22RP
Final: $1.39
Buy One Get One FREE
Schick Hydro
Razor System
Cartridge 4ct
Shave Gel 8.4oz
$3.00/1 Hydro 3 or 5
$2.00/1 Hydro 5 REfill 5/17SS
$2.00/1 Hydro 3 Refill 4/17SS
$1.00/1 Razor or Refill 5/22SS
Final: 2/$2.99 or $1.49ea for Razor
Kraft Mayo or Mir. Whip $2.99
30oz (lim 2)
$1.00/1 Mayo or Mir Whip 5/15SS
Final: $1.99
Buy $25 Get $10 ECB
Banana Boat or Hawaiian Tropic
(excludes Lip, Stick and After Sun)
$2.00 off Banana Boat AND Off Clip on Starter 5/1SS
$1.00/1 Banana Boat real Simple June or All You June or All You May
$1.00/1 Hawaiian Tropic
Huggies Little Swimmers $6.99
$2.00/1 Walgreens May Coupon Booklet
$2.00/1 5/15SS
$1.00/1 HERE
Final: $2.99
Coppertone Sun Care $9.99
$3.00RR on 1
People Style Watch $0.49 with purchase of Coppertone
$1.00/1 HERE or HERE
or 5/22RP
Final after RR: $6.99 + $0.49 Magazine
Allegra 24hr 45ct $23.99
$4.00RR on 1
$4.00/1 5/8SS or HERE
Final after RR: $15.99
Save Seeds
I am looking to sell at least 6 cans of these to get the sale price. They are $21 ea if we sell 6 or more cans.
Let me know by Sunday!!
Heirloom Seed Combo Pack
Non-hybrid, Non GMO Open Pollinated Heirloom Seeds.These heirloom seeds produce about 1/4 of an acre garden. This heirloom seed combo is designed to store for 4+ years. The seeds are sealed in a triple layered zipper top bag. Be sure to store these heirloom seeds in a cool dry environment.
Each 6° drop in storage temperature may double the life of most seeds. A refrigerator or freezer is recommended. Carrots - 2346 seeds, Corn - 150 seeds, Cucumbers - 176 seeds, Green Beans - 174 seeds, Green Peas - 178 seeds, Lettuce - 2822 seeds, Onions - 988 seeds, Peppers - 494 seeds, Squash, Zucchini - 81 seeds, Tomatoes - 1235 seeds. Substitutions may occur dependent upon crop availability. 10 Non-hybrid varieties
Let me know by Sunday!!
Heirloom Seed Combo Pack
Non-hybrid, Non GMO Open Pollinated Heirloom Seeds.These heirloom seeds produce about 1/4 of an acre garden. This heirloom seed combo is designed to store for 4+ years. The seeds are sealed in a triple layered zipper top bag. Be sure to store these heirloom seeds in a cool dry environment.Each 6° drop in storage temperature may double the life of most seeds. A refrigerator or freezer is recommended. Carrots - 2346 seeds, Corn - 150 seeds, Cucumbers - 176 seeds, Green Beans - 174 seeds, Green Peas - 178 seeds, Lettuce - 2822 seeds, Onions - 988 seeds, Peppers - 494 seeds, Squash, Zucchini - 81 seeds, Tomatoes - 1235 seeds. Substitutions may occur dependent upon crop availability. 10 Non-hybrid varieties
- Beans
- Carrots
- Sweet Corn
- Cucumber
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Peas
- Sweet Peppers
- Squash, Zucchini
- Tomatoes
Coupons 101
Coupon Sources:
Manufacturer
SS – Smart Source
RP – Red Plum
P&G – Proctor & Gamble
Bricks
Cellfire
Websites - have a seperate email address to keep spam out of your regular one
Blinkies
Store (stackable with a manufacturer coupon)
Walgreens
Target
Buy extra coupons from www.ebay.com or www.couponmaster.com.
Terms to Know:
Q - Coupon
MM – Money Maker
MIR – Mail in Rebate
BOGO or B1G1 – Buy One Get One Free
OOP – Out of Pocket
RR – Register Reward
IP – Internet Print
YMMV – Your Mileage May Very
Websites:
www.afullcup.com
www.moneysavingmom.com
www.hip2save.com
www.hotcouponworld.com
Ways to Organize:
Accordian file
Binder
File System
Tote
Know the stores coupon policy. Bring a copy from their website.
Kroger:
IP cannot exceed $100
Limit of 8 of the same coupon
Walgreens:
Cannot have more coupons than you do items. Walgreens coupons don’t count in total. Use fillers to make up difference.
Cannot use RR to buy the same item and get another RR. Must alternate brands.
Manufacturer
SS – Smart Source
RP – Red Plum
P&G – Proctor & Gamble
Bricks
Cellfire
Websites - have a seperate email address to keep spam out of your regular one
Blinkies
Store (stackable with a manufacturer coupon)
Walgreens
Target
Buy extra coupons from www.ebay.com or www.couponmaster.com.
Terms to Know:
Q - Coupon
MM – Money Maker
MIR – Mail in Rebate
BOGO or B1G1 – Buy One Get One Free
OOP – Out of Pocket
RR – Register Reward
IP – Internet Print
YMMV – Your Mileage May Very
Websites:
www.afullcup.com
www.moneysavingmom.com
www.hip2save.com
www.hotcouponworld.com
Ways to Organize:
Accordian file
Binder
File System
Tote
Know the stores coupon policy. Bring a copy from their website.
Kroger:
IP cannot exceed $100
Limit of 8 of the same coupon
Walgreens:
Cannot have more coupons than you do items. Walgreens coupons don’t count in total. Use fillers to make up difference.
Cannot use RR to buy the same item and get another RR. Must alternate brands.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Our Next Meeting
Our guest speaker will be Mike Davis, who has been gardening and canning to feed his family for years and years.
He will give us advice and tips to making our garden this summer a success. Even if you don't plan on putting in a garden this year, after hearing from Mike you will be inspired enough to start planning for one.
Don't miss it!
Tuesday, June 7th
6:30 pm
McGrath Home
See you there!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Great Night
WOW! I learned so much last night - Thanks, Sarah - I am inspired, even though I could not find a a single coupon for Breyers Ice Cream, lol.
For those of you who could not make it, Sarah will be posting the information online.
We hope to see you all at our next meeting!
For those of you who could not make it, Sarah will be posting the information online.
We hope to see you all at our next meeting!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Field Tested Receipes
From Karen O. (Thanks!)
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 C butter, softened
2/3 C honey
1/4 C powdered milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 c wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 C chocolate chips
2/4 C chopped pecans (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease cookies sheet or use parchment paper. Mix butter, honey, and powdered milk with mixer. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir into honey mixture. Mix in chocolate chips and pecans. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake 7-10 minutes.
Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies
1 C peanut butter
1/2 C honey
1/2 C butter
1/2 C packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 C whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix peanut butter, butter, honey, brown sugar, and egg until smooth. Combine flour and baking powder, stir into the batter until blended. Roll into small balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork, using a criss-cross pattern. Bake 13 minutes.
Wheat Snickerdoodles
1/2 C butter
3/4 C packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 C whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
cinnamon mixture: 2 TB sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, add egg and vanilla. Beat well and add dry ingredients. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with a drinking glass with a flat bottom. Bake at 375 degrees. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 C butter, softened
2/3 C honey
1/4 C powdered milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 c wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 C chocolate chips
2/4 C chopped pecans (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease cookies sheet or use parchment paper. Mix butter, honey, and powdered milk with mixer. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir into honey mixture. Mix in chocolate chips and pecans. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake 7-10 minutes.
Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies
1 C peanut butter
1/2 C honey
1/2 C butter
1/2 C packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 C whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix peanut butter, butter, honey, brown sugar, and egg until smooth. Combine flour and baking powder, stir into the batter until blended. Roll into small balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork, using a criss-cross pattern. Bake 13 minutes.
Wheat Snickerdoodles
1/2 C butter
3/4 C packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 C whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
cinnamon mixture: 2 TB sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, add egg and vanilla. Beat well and add dry ingredients. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with a drinking glass with a flat bottom. Bake at 375 degrees. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
Monday, May 9, 2011
GOOD NEWS!
We WILL be having our Provident Living night on the 17th. It is on couponing strategies and how to navigate and succeed big-time at Walgreens.
Don't miss it!
McGrath House
6:30 pm
May 17th
Don't miss it!
McGrath House
6:30 pm
May 17th
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Update
Thanks to the few who showed up on Tuesday, and for Janet and Irene taking over while I attended a school activity. We realize that summer is upon us and everyone is extremely busy with this and that. We are postponing meetings for the summer. We will still be posting and giving out ideas, so don't leave us permanently! We will start up again in August.
In the meantime - garden, garden, garden!!
If we see any great deals, we will post them here.
GROUP SPECIALS from Emergency Essentials is available. Check it out and if we get the required number, we will place the order. Orders due by the 20th of May.
VINEGAR is the BFF of food storage. Check it out.
Sarah will be posting sale ads - soon - right, Sarah?
Milk is still on sale at Walgreens for $2.99 under at least Saturday.
Karen O. has given me some whole wheat recipes - I will be posting them soon.
Those 39 cents cans of vegetables at Mayflower will not last long - the pallet is nearly empty. Stock up while you can!
Have any questions? Don't hesitate to email us.
In the meantime - garden, garden, garden!!
If we see any great deals, we will post them here.
GROUP SPECIALS from Emergency Essentials is available. Check it out and if we get the required number, we will place the order. Orders due by the 20th of May.
VINEGAR is the BFF of food storage. Check it out.
Sarah will be posting sale ads - soon - right, Sarah?
Milk is still on sale at Walgreens for $2.99 under at least Saturday.
Karen O. has given me some whole wheat recipes - I will be posting them soon.
Those 39 cents cans of vegetables at Mayflower will not last long - the pallet is nearly empty. Stock up while you can!
Have any questions? Don't hesitate to email us.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Weekly Deals
Knight's (good through May 4)
Boneless Skinless Fryer Breasts $1.69/lb
Kiwi Fruit 5 for $1
Mangoes 3/$1
Limes 4/$1
Rotel .79
Mezzetta Peppers 10 for $10
Mayflower (good through May 3)
Crisco Vegetable Oil $1.99
Libby's Canned Veggies .39
Vine Ripe Tomatoes .88/lb
Sexton Foods (good through May 3)
Vidalia Onions .49/lb
Zucchini or Yellow Squash .89/lb
Navel Oranges 3/$1
Country Mart (good through May 3)
Kraft Truckload Sale. Use coupons in ad for some great deals.
Miracle Whip or Mayo $1.74
BBQ Sauce 2/.79
A1 $2.29
Oscar Mayer Shaved Lunch Meats 2/$4
Oscar Mayer Bacon $2.49
Fryer Leg Quarters .49/lb
Kroger (good through May 3)
Pepsi 2 Liters .84 when you buy 6
Kroger Milk or Juice 3/$5
Goldfish Crackers 10/$10
Nabisco Snak-Saks 10/$10
Gatorade .79
Boneless Skinless Fryer Breasts $1.69/lb
Kiwi Fruit 5 for $1
Mangoes 3/$1
Limes 4/$1
Rotel .79
Mezzetta Peppers 10 for $10
Mayflower (good through May 3)
Crisco Vegetable Oil $1.99
Libby's Canned Veggies .39
Vine Ripe Tomatoes .88/lb
Sexton Foods (good through May 3)
Vidalia Onions .49/lb
Zucchini or Yellow Squash .89/lb
Navel Oranges 3/$1
Country Mart (good through May 3)
Kraft Truckload Sale. Use coupons in ad for some great deals.
Miracle Whip or Mayo $1.74
BBQ Sauce 2/.79
A1 $2.29
Oscar Mayer Shaved Lunch Meats 2/$4
Oscar Mayer Bacon $2.49
Fryer Leg Quarters .49/lb
Kroger (good through May 3)
Pepsi 2 Liters .84 when you buy 6
Kroger Milk or Juice 3/$5
Goldfish Crackers 10/$10
Nabisco Snak-Saks 10/$10
Gatorade .79
Thursday, April 28, 2011
MASSIVE CROP DAMAGE
READ THE ARTICLE HERE.
Also, 72 hours are extremely important this time of year - have you finished yours?
Also, 72 hours are extremely important this time of year - have you finished yours?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
In the News: China
Hope everyone is safe from last night's storms!
An cold blast of reality from Market Watch.
An cold blast of reality from Market Watch.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Weekly Deals
Knight's (good through Apr. 27)
Butterball Turkey .98lb
Russet Potatoes 2.99 for 15 lb bag
Hormel Bacon 2 for $5
Salad Dressings 3 for $5
Wesson Oil 2.48
Bush's Baked Beans 2 for $3
Kroger (good through Apr. 26)
Gatorade .79
Sweet Corn 4 for $1
Sweet Potatoes .48lb
Birds Eye and Green Giant Frozen Veggies 10 for $10
Cauliflower or Brocolli Bunch $1.77
Sexton Foods (good through Apr. 26)
Yarnell's Ice Cream 2 for $6
Strawberries 2 for $3
Country Mart (good through Apr. 26)
Mayo or Miracle Whip $1.98
Strawberries 2 for $3
Celery .99
Red Delicious Apples .99
Butterball Turkey .98lb
Russet Potatoes 2.99 for 15 lb bag
Hormel Bacon 2 for $5
Salad Dressings 3 for $5
Wesson Oil 2.48
Bush's Baked Beans 2 for $3
Kroger (good through Apr. 26)
Gatorade .79
Sweet Corn 4 for $1
Sweet Potatoes .48lb
Birds Eye and Green Giant Frozen Veggies 10 for $10
Cauliflower or Brocolli Bunch $1.77
Sexton Foods (good through Apr. 26)
Yarnell's Ice Cream 2 for $6
Strawberries 2 for $3
Country Mart (good through Apr. 26)
Mayo or Miracle Whip $1.98
Strawberries 2 for $3
Celery .99
Red Delicious Apples .99
Friday, April 22, 2011
You won't believe what I found!
Walmart is selling both Borax AND Washing Soda.
I thought I won the lottery.
Here is the price breakdown:
Borax, Walmart: $3.36
Borax, Ace: $4.79
Washing Soda, Walmart: $2.77
Washing Soda, Country Mart: $3.69
Washing Soda, Ace: $3.79
Stock up while you can :-) It is the first time I have ever seen it at our Walmart.
I thought I won the lottery.
Here is the price breakdown:
Borax, Walmart: $3.36
Borax, Ace: $4.79
Washing Soda, Walmart: $2.77
Washing Soda, Country Mart: $3.69
Washing Soda, Ace: $3.79
Stock up while you can :-) It is the first time I have ever seen it at our Walmart.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Via "Food Storage and Survival" Blog
HONEYVILLE GRAINS is having a sale. Check out the important info!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Wheat Night!
We had fun!! And we had a ton of good new food to try. A big THANK YOU to everyone who came and participated.
As promised, the recipes:
Remember, wheat berries can be cooked ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator or freezer.
Hot Breakfast Cereal
Wheat Berry Chili
As promised, the recipes:
Remember, wheat berries can be cooked ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator or freezer.
Blender Wheat Pancakes
1 Cup Milk (translation for powdered milk is 3 T. Milk and 1 C. Water)
1 Cup Wheat Kernels, whole & uncooked
2 Eggs (2 T. powdered eggs)
2 tsp Baking Powder
1-1/2 tsp Salt
2 Tbs. Oil
2 Tbs. Honey or Sugar
Put milk and wheat kernels in blender. Blend on highest speed for 4 or 5 minutes or until batter is smooth. Add eggs, oil, baking powder, salt and honey or sugar to above batter. Blend on low. Pour out batter into pancakes from the actual blender jar (only one thing to wash!)
Susie’s Whole Grain Bread
1 TB yeast
1/4 C vital wheat gluten
3 Cup flour (I use a mixture of white winter wheat with any or all of the following: spelt, kamut, amaranth seed, flax seed, whole rolled oats, etc)
2 Cup very warm water.
Preheat oven to 150. Mix the following gently for just about 30 seconds. Cover and let sponge for about 10-15 minutes.
Add:
1/4 C oil
1/4 C honey
1 Tsp salt
Mix on (2) and add flour until it starts to pull away from the sides. Knead until gluten is developed. Form into loaf and put in oven. Turn off oven. Let rise for about 20 minutes. Turn oven on to 350 and set timer for 30 minutes.
WHEAT BERRY WALDORF SALAD
-------------------------
1 c. fully cooked wheat berries
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. honey or sugar to taste
1 sweet apple
Celery or raisins, if you like
1/4 or 1/3 c. no fat yogurt or mayonnaise
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 c. walnut halves
1 cup wheat berries, cooked in 3 1/2 cups cold water. Boil
the wheat berries for 50 to 60 minutes. Add more water if
needed as they cook. Cool. Add rest of ingredients for 2 to
3 hours.
Hot Breakfast Cereal
- 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 cups nonfat milk, or reduced-fat soymilk
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups Cooked Wheat Berries
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (we used pecans)
Wheat Berry Chili
- 1 c. wheat berries
- 3 c. water
- 1.5 lbs. ground turkey or hamburger (optional)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1.5 c. whole kernel corn
- 4 tsp. chili powder, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- 28 oz. can tomatoes, diced
- 2 c. beef broth
- 2 c. cooked or canned kidney or black beans
- 2 c. cooked or canned white beans
- salt, to taste
Directions:
Cook wheat berries in 3 cups of water for 1 hour until tender; add more water if necessary, drain thoroughly.
Brown optional meat in a 4-quart pot; add onion, and peppers for a minute or two. Add the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for about an hour. Stir occasionally.
Wheat Berry Tabouleh
(you can buy a mix from Walmart, or use this recipe)
- 1 cup wheat berries
- 14 oz. can ready to serve vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
In large bowl combine cooked wheat berries, mushrooms, tomato, cucumber, green bell pepper, parsley, green onions. In small jar with screw top lid place oil, lemon juice and salt and shake well until combined. Pour over wheat berry mixture and toss. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Serve on lettuce or baby spinach leaves, accompanied by pita chips.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Our Next Meeting
We are going to go back to basics and have a wheat workshop. This may be a repeat for the few of you that came to the wheat meeting last November.
This is a rough agenda:
*Basic whole wheat bread (and we can't have bread without taking some of the dough to make cinnamon rolls!)
*Pancakes made with whole wheat berries (no wheat grinder necessary)
*Some new recipes made with the whole berry (this will be a surprise, I want to make sure they actually work first, lol)
*A look at different kinds of wheat we can use (i.e. spelt, kamut, soft, red, white)
*A display of different kinds of wheat grinders, including a hand grinder.
If you have some berries you would like to have ground into flour, bring them that night and we will grind your wheat into flour (think Little Red Hen).
To keep you busy, here are some nutritional facts about the infamous wheat berry:
This is a rough agenda:
*Basic whole wheat bread (and we can't have bread without taking some of the dough to make cinnamon rolls!)
*Pancakes made with whole wheat berries (no wheat grinder necessary)
*Some new recipes made with the whole berry (this will be a surprise, I want to make sure they actually work first, lol)
*A look at different kinds of wheat we can use (i.e. spelt, kamut, soft, red, white)
*A display of different kinds of wheat grinders, including a hand grinder.
If you have some berries you would like to have ground into flour, bring them that night and we will grind your wheat into flour (think Little Red Hen).
To keep you busy, here are some nutritional facts about the infamous wheat berry:
Nutrition Notes
Wheat berries are whole, unprocessed wheat kernels that contain all three parts of the grain, including the germ, bran and starchy endosperm. Only the hull, the inedible outer layer of the grain, has been removed. As a result, wheat berries retain all of the grain's vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. All wheat products are made from wheat berries, including white and whole-wheat flour.
Whole grains, including wheat berries, have a long list of health benefits. Studies continue to show that consuming whole grains can help lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Research has also shown that substituting whole grains for their refined counterparts can help with weight control. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition followed the eating habits of over 70,000 women and found that those who consumed the most whole grains consistently weighed less than those who ate the least.
Wheat berries, like all whole grains, get the nod for their exceptional nutrient profile. They're high in fibre, low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals. A half-cup (125 ml) serving of cooked wheat berries is a great source of manganese, selenium, phosphorus and magnesium. Wheat berries also contain lignans, phytochemicals thought to guard against breast and prostate cancers.
Whole grains are the corner stone of a healthy diet.
Wheat berries contain gluten, so they're not suitable for people with celiac disease.
Nutrient information per ½ cup (125 ml) of cooked wheat berries:
| Calories | 111 kcal |
| Protein | 3.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 24.9 g |
| Fibre | 4.3 g |
| Fat | 0.5 g |
| Sodium | 3 mg |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Source: The Complete Whole Grains Cookbook, 2008
72 Hour Kit Update
A big thanks to everyone that came to our last Provident Living. Our numbers were much smaller, but with school testing and ball practice that may be our setup for a while.
If you weren't able to come and want info on starting your own 72-hour kit, please email me and let me know. I will get you your own "8 Week List" so you can get up and running.
Elaine gave us two useful new recipes. Try them out:
Mouthwash
1 tsp baking soda for each 8 oz of boiled or distilled water
Add 4-6 drops of peppermint or other essential oil.
Bathroom Scrub
1 C baking soda
1 C salt
1 C Borax
1/2 C washing soda
Mix ingredients and put in a shaker-type container (like an old Parmesan cheese container). Use like you would Comet or Ajax.
If you weren't able to come and want info on starting your own 72-hour kit, please email me and let me know. I will get you your own "8 Week List" so you can get up and running.
Elaine gave us two useful new recipes. Try them out:
Mouthwash
1 tsp baking soda for each 8 oz of boiled or distilled water
Add 4-6 drops of peppermint or other essential oil.
Bathroom Scrub
1 C baking soda
1 C salt
1 C Borax
1/2 C washing soda
Mix ingredients and put in a shaker-type container (like an old Parmesan cheese container). Use like you would Comet or Ajax.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Weekly Deals
Better late than never, right? There are some really great deals this week. Knights (good through Apr 6) Nestle Splash Water 6 pack 1/2 liter 10/$10 WestPac frozen veggies 10/$10 2 lb Rice or Pinto Beans 10/$10 Split Fryer Breasts $1.00/lb Chunk Tuna 2/$1 Best Choice canned veggies 3/$1 Iceberg Lettuce $1 Tyson Breaded Chicken Tenders $3 Brawny Paper Towels 10/$10 Campbell's Cream Soups 2/$1 Sexton Foods (good through Apr 5) Kraft Salad Dressings 10/$10 Split Fryer Breast .89/lb Kool-Aid 10/$1 Russet Potatoes $1.49/5lb Gala Apples .99/lb Country Mart (good through Apr 5) Strawberries $1.28/lb Large Eggs .98 Oscar Mayer bologna .99 Oscar Mayer bacon $2.50 Oscar Mayer hot dogs $1.29 Oscar Mayer Deli Shaved Meats $2.49 Kroger (good through Apr 5) Milk or Orange Juice half gallon 3/$5 White Seedless Grapes $1.28/lb Chicken on the Sea Tuna 2/$1 Post or Quaker Cereal $1.88 Frozen veggies .98
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Can-Can
Don't forget we are dry pack canning tonight, so if you have items you need canned, or if you want to learn all about dry pack canning, come tonight around 6:00 or so.
I will also be pressure canning chicken tonight, starting around 5:30 if you want to see how to process chicken for long-term storage.
Everyone is welcome. We are laid-back and easy-going and if I do say so myself, we have a good time.
See you tonight!
I will also be pressure canning chicken tonight, starting around 5:30 if you want to see how to process chicken for long-term storage.
Everyone is welcome. We are laid-back and easy-going and if I do say so myself, we have a good time.
See you tonight!
Want Milk?
Hillary told me last night that milk is $2.99 a gallon at Walgreens. She has now officially become my "milk guru" and I will be bugging her every week for the lowdown on milk.
Go get yours today!
Go get yours today!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Our Next Meeting
When we lived in Louisiana there was a huge regional push to have our 72 hour emergency kits ready. It just makes sense to have one - you never know when you will need it.
Our next provident living class will talk about 72 hours kits. You will get a guide sheet that will help you have your complete kit assembled in only 8 weeks to make it more affordable!
We will also have some MRE samples so you can check out a great item to go in your kit if you are so inclined.
Pass the word and tell your friends - everyone is welcome!!
Our next provident living class will talk about 72 hours kits. You will get a guide sheet that will help you have your complete kit assembled in only 8 weeks to make it more affordable!
We will also have some MRE samples so you can check out a great item to go in your kit if you are so inclined.
Pass the word and tell your friends - everyone is welcome!!
Dry Canning
For those that have dry pack items that need to be canned, we will have dry pack canning sessions this week - Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m.
If you don't have anything to can, but want to learn about dry pack canning you are welcome to come and help out, extra hands are always welcome.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
In the News: Texas Drought
Hope everyone is enjoying Spring Break - we are having a great time with family in Tennessee. I came across this, which once again reminded me our food supply is fragile.
Don't forget our next meeting on April 5th!
Don't forget our next meeting on April 5th!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Next Meeting
Will not be until April 5th. Have a great spring break!
Those of you who are waiting to can, I am hoping to have the canner back by the time I get back from Spring Break - so plan on about two weeks, okay?
Those of you who are waiting to can, I am hoping to have the canner back by the time I get back from Spring Break - so plan on about two weeks, okay?
Prepardedness
I had a few people ask me about the nuclear fallout implications for those on the West Coast. I am by no means an expert on nuclear stuff, but there are plenty of people out there who are. One in particular that I like is by Jim Rawls, who is a former US Army Intelligence Officer. He is a frequent guest to news shows and radio programs to ask his advice and opinions. While I do subscribe to all of his philosophy or promote everything on the site, every once in a while I come across some good information. I am by no stretch of the imagination a survivalist, I have neither the inclination or the means, but good knowledge is not harmful. If you decide to read it, please note that I do not advocate everything on the site. Proceed with your own good common sense and judgment.
Now, if that is clear for ya, HERE is the article on nuclear fallout.
Now, if that is clear for ya, HERE is the article on nuclear fallout.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Power?
How many of you were without power last night?
I used the opportunity to make a list of what I am short on if I am without power for an extended time.
1. We knew where all of the candles and flashlight were. The flashlight had good batteries in them. +1
2. Our big generator was ready to roll. +1
3. Our spare gas containers were just about empty. -2
4. We have gas water heaters. Could bathe and wash dishes. +1
5. Have the items to bake a box oven. +1
6. Didn't have said box oven ready to use. -1
7. Had extra blankets for boys' rooms. +1
8. Cell phones were charged, just in case. +1
9. Need adapters for the big appliances to run to the generator. -1
10. Enjoyed each others company visiting and reading scriptures. Survived well without electronic devices, computers and television. +10
Was anyone else without power? Did it make you think??
I used the opportunity to make a list of what I am short on if I am without power for an extended time.
1. We knew where all of the candles and flashlight were. The flashlight had good batteries in them. +1
2. Our big generator was ready to roll. +1
3. Our spare gas containers were just about empty. -2
4. We have gas water heaters. Could bathe and wash dishes. +1
5. Have the items to bake a box oven. +1
6. Didn't have said box oven ready to use. -1
7. Had extra blankets for boys' rooms. +1
8. Cell phones were charged, just in case. +1
9. Need adapters for the big appliances to run to the generator. -1
10. Enjoyed each others company visiting and reading scriptures. Survived well without electronic devices, computers and television. +10
Was anyone else without power? Did it make you think??
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Weekly Deals
Knights (good through Mar 9)
Pork Chops $1.48/lb
Ruffles or Lays $2.50
Kraft BBQ Sauce .59
Hormel Little Sizzlers .88
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.68
Split Whole Fryer .88/lb
8 lb Red Grapefruit $2.99
Country Mart (good through Mar 8)
Family Pack Split Chicken Fryer Breast .99/lb
Large Eggs .89
PicSweet Vegetable 5/$5
Always Save Flour 1.39/5lb
Cantaloupes 2/$4
Slicing Tomatoes 1.29/lb
Sexton Foods (good through Mar 8)
Gala Apples .79/lb
Yoplait Yogurt 2/$1
Naval Oranges 4/$1
Tangerines 4/$1
Pork Chops $1.48/lb
Ruffles or Lays $2.50
Kraft BBQ Sauce .59
Hormel Little Sizzlers .88
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.68
Split Whole Fryer .88/lb
8 lb Red Grapefruit $2.99
Country Mart (good through Mar 8)
Family Pack Split Chicken Fryer Breast .99/lb
Large Eggs .89
PicSweet Vegetable 5/$5
Always Save Flour 1.39/5lb
Cantaloupes 2/$4
Slicing Tomatoes 1.29/lb
Sexton Foods (good through Mar 8)
Gala Apples .79/lb
Yoplait Yogurt 2/$1
Naval Oranges 4/$1
Tangerines 4/$1
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
In the News: Commodity Food Prices
Go to this article on "Forbes" for insight into the future of the food market.
Recap
Awesome turnout tonight!!! A huge thanks to all of those that came and to Anna Combs for the demonstration on making our own laundry soap. If you have any questions about how to use what you took home - ASK!
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ - 1 Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
This soap is healthy for your washer and plumbing systems.
Rub a bar of Fels Naptha bar into stains.
May alleviate soap allergy symptoms.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ - 1 Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
This soap is healthy for your washer and plumbing systems.
Rub a bar of Fels Naptha bar into stains.
May alleviate soap allergy symptoms.
Monday, February 28, 2011
March Newsletter
Next Meeting
Tuesday, March 1
6:30 pm
Topics:
Get organized – ways to plan your food storage system.
A shelf-stable dish by Susie McGrath
Save money by making your laundry detergent! Anna Combs will show us how.
Bring your menus and/or shopping list so we can discuss where we may want to trim our budget.
BRING A FRIEND OR TWO!!!
Quotes from the Prophets
“Should the Lord decide at this time to cleanse the Church ... a famine in this land of one year's duration could wipe out a large percentage of sloughful members, including some ward and stake officers. Yet we cannot say we have not been warned.”
Ezra Taft Benson (General Conference, April 1965)
“On the average, about 30 percent of the church has a two-month supply of food. The remainder have little or none...become self-sufficient as possible to prepare against the days to come.”
Bishop H. Burke Peterson (General Conference October 1975)
“I stand before the Church this day and raise the warning voice. It is a prophetic voice, for I shall say only what the apostles and the prophets have spoken concerning our day. ...It is a voice calling upon the Lord's people to prepare for the troubles and desolations which are about to be poured upon the world without measure. For the moment, we live in a day of peace and prosperity but it shall not ever be thus. Great trials lie ahead. All of the sorrows and perils of the past are but a foretaste of what is yet to be. And we must prepare ourselves temporally and spiritually.”
Bruce R. McConkie (General Conference April 1979
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