Don’t forget to do a neighbor check! Always check with each other in case of emergency. September is National Preparedness Month. Learn more at www.ready.gov/September.
Related:
Check Your Neighbours (pdf)
Neighborhood Preparedness (pdf)
Category: Informational
ARRL: Emergency Net Activated for Mexico Earthquake. 9/8/2017
From the American Radio Relay League, Emergency Net Activated in Wake of Earthquake in Mexico:
The National Emergency Net of the FMRE — Mexico’s national Amateur Radio association, has activated on 7.060 MHz (the Net also may operate on 3.690 MHz) to handle any emergency traffic after a late evening earthquake occurred off Mexico’s coast. Radio amateurs not involved in the earthquake disaster should avoid those frequencies.
The potent magnitude 8.2 earthquake off Mexico’s Pacific Coast — the strongest in 100 years — has resulted in multiple fatalities so far, including 23 in Oaxaca, seven in Chiapas, and 2 in Tabasco. Rescue and recovery efforts are under way to free victims trapped in the rubble.
The tremor was felt around Central America. At 0500 UTC, Jose Arturo Molina, YS1MS, reported feeling a strong temblor within a few minutes of the earthquake in Chiapas, which is near Mexico’s border with Guatemala. In Honduras, Antonio Handal, HR2DX, located on the North Coast, also reported feeling the quake.
The Central American Network operates at 7.090 kHz, and Guatemala at 7.075 MHz. No reports have been heard yet from Guatemalan radio amateurs. In Southeastern Mexico, FMRE has a link to the WL2K Network with capacity to cover Mexico and Central America. — Thanks to IARU Region 2 Coordinator Cesar Pio Santos, HR2P, for some information
ARRL: Amateur Radio Preparations Ramp Up for Hurricane Irma
From the American Radio Relay League, Amateur Radio Preparations Ramp Up as Irma Strengthens to Category 5:
Hurricane Irma, making its way through the Caribbean with the possibility of affecting South Florida by week’s end, has, in the words of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), become “an extremely dangerous category 5 hurricane.” The NHC urged that hurricane preparations be rushed to completion in areas now under hurricane warnings…
The HWN will activate at 1800 UTC (2 PM EDT) on its primary frequency of 14.325 MHz and will remain in continuous operation until further notice, Graves said. Daytime operation will begin at 1100 UTC each day continuing for as long as propagation allows. Operation on 7.268 MHz will start at 2200 UTC and continue overnight. “If propagation dictates, we will operate both frequencies at the same time,” Graves said. The HWN marks its 52nd anniversary this week.
He noted that HWN operation on 7.268 MHz will pause at 1130 UTC, and, if required, resume at approximately 1230 UTC, to allow the Waterway Net to conducts its daily net…
IARU Region 2 Emergency Coordinator Cesar Pio Santos, HR2P, has compiled a list of emergency frequencies, subject to change, for use in the Caribbean in anticipation of Hurricane Irma.
- Puerto Rico: 3.803, 3.808, 7.188 MHz. Radio amateurs in Puerto Rico also will cooperate with the HWN on 7.268 and 14.325 MHz.
- Cuba: Daylight hours, 7.110 MHz (primary) and 7.120 MHz (secondary); Provincial Net — 7.045, 7.080 MHz, and on other lower frequencies as necessary. Nighttime, 3.740 MHz (primary) and 3.720 MHz (secondary) and on other lower frequencies as necessary.
- Dominican Republic: 3.873 MHz (primary), 3.815 MHz (secondary), 7.182 MHz (primary), 7.255 MHz (secondary); 14.330 MHz (primary), 21.360 MHz (primary), 28.330 MHz (primary).
- Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net (CEWN): 3.815 MHz and 7.162 MHz (when necessary). NOTE: Net will activate continuously starting this evening until the hurricane has passed through…
The FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) reminded licensees this week that FCC rules address operation during emergencies. “These rules allow licensees to provide emergency communications during a period of emergency in a manner or configuration not specified in the station authorization or in the rules governing such stations,” the FCC said.
National Preparedness Month, Week 2, 2017
National Preparedness Month, Week 1, 2017
Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make a family emergency plan today. September is National Preparedness Month. Learn more at www.ready.gov/September.
Related:
Myths and Facts of Water Storage
Pool Shock & Bleach for Water Purification
Granular Calcium Hypochlorite
Only use HTH Pool Shock that does not have any algicides or fungicides. Ingredients should reads CALCIUM hypochlorite and inert ingredients. Use a brand with at least 73% Hypochlorite.
For this video I used Poolife Turboshock, but feel free to use any brand you wish as long as it fits the perimeters above.
Before you begin mixing any chemicals in any way, please follow basic safety precautions. Make sure you do this in a ventilated area. Have plenty of water to dilute any mistakes. Wear eye protection for splashes. Lastly always mix the powder into the water NOT the other way around.
Add and dissolve one heaping teaspoon of high-test granular calcium hypochlorite (HTH) (approximately 1/4 ounce) for each two gallons of water.
The mixture will produce a chlorine solution of approximately 500 mg/L (0.0667632356 oz per US gallon), since the calcium hypochlorite has an available chlorine equal to 70 percent of its weight.
To disinfect water, add the chlorine solution in the ratio of one part of chlorine solution to each 100 parts of water to be treated. This is roughly equal to adding 1 pint (16 oz.) of stock chlorine to each 12.5 gallons of water to be disinfected.
To remove any objectionable chlorine odor, aerate the water by pouring it back and forth into containers to add air.
Chlorine Bleach
Common household bleach (unscented) contains a chlorine compound that will disinfect water. The procedure to be followed is usually written on the label. When the necessary procedure is not given, find the percentage of available chlorine on the label and use the information in the following tabulation as a guide.
Available Chlorine Drops per Quart of Clear Water
- 1% needs 10 Drops
- 4-6% needs 2 Drops
- 7-10% needs 1 Drops
(If strength is unknown, add ten drops per quart of water. Double amount of chlorine for cloudy or colored water)
The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor; if not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes.
September Is National Preparedness Month, 2017
Once again National Preparedness Month is at hand. This September, FEMA’s National Preparedness Month (NPM) will focus on planning, with an overarching theme “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.”
We should all take action to prepare! We are all able to help first responders in our community by training how to respond during an emergency and what to do when disaster strikes — where we live, work, and visit. The goal of NPM is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, business, school, and place of worship.
2017 Weekly Themes
- Week 1: September 1-9 Make a Plan for Yourself, Family and Friends
- Week 2: September 10-16 Plan to Help Your Neighbor and Community
- Week 3: September 17-23 Practice and Build Out Your Plans
- Week 4: September 24-30 Get Involved! Be a Part of Something Larger
In Washington State, prepare in September because October 19th, 2017 is the Great Shake Out.
Two Weeks Ready: Be Prepared. Build Kits. Help Each Other. Download our new brochure. Our thanks to the Seattle Office of Emergency Management for developing this brochure and offering it to us for statewide customization.
NEW! Download our drop, cover and hold earthquake scenarios map.
Map Your Neighborhood works.
You don’t have to do it all at once. Prepare in a Year!
Sign up for ShakeOut!
The Market Ticker: Editorial on Free Speech
Source: Kart Denninger at Market-ticker.com
To The Press, The Pols And The RestLet me say this just one more time:
That someone is a Neo-Nazi, a White Supremacist, KKK member or racist does not render them bereft of the First Amendment. Just as being a member of BLM or the Antifa does not render them bereft of the First Amendment.
It is not acceptable, legal or excusable to meet speech by any such person with violence.
Period.
To suggest, state, or advocate that such is the case, or to promote the premise that violence is an appropriate remedy for speech you find vile and outrageous is to declare civil war, because there are others who will likely find your speech vile and outrageous and by your statement you have made the claim that just punishment for speech you deem vile is to be found at the hands of a mob.
The press and now lawmakers are openly advocating for the complete breakdown of civil society — they are stating by the droves that violence in response to mere speech that one finds offensive yet has the protection of the First Amendment is not only worthy of said violence the person uttering same is not worthy of having their assailants prosecuted or the protection and investigation of the police forces to interdict violence intended for or served upon them…
The Forgotten Founding Father
From American Founding Principles comes an article on John Calvin, The Forgotten Founding Father.
In a nation that appears to be doing everything possible to expunge the remnants of its Christian foundation and heritage, it is no wonder that John Calvin has been forgotten as the virtual founder of our nation. John Adams, America’s second President; Leopold von Ranke, a nineteenth century leading German historian; and George Bancroft, a Harvard educated historian known as the “father of American history”, all testified to the significant influence Calvin had upon the foundation of America.
Unlike Locke or Montesquieu, however, Calvin did not write a political treatise on how to organize civil government. Instead, he wrote Biblical expositions that completely changed how people in western culture thought about their relation to God and, subsequently, how they thought about their relation to their civil government.
Although he did not write a political treatise, Calvin did popularize three Biblical principles and took one action that helped shape western culture and influenced the founding of America more than anything else he said or did. First, he explained that the civil magistrate and his work are a divinely established order. Second, he explained that although civil disobedience to the magistrate is forbidden, there is a limitation to the magistrate’s authority. Third, he explained that the lesser magistrate is a check on unlawful use of power by a higher magistrate, and fourth, his ecclesiastical organization heavily influenced the political structures of Scotland, England and, ultimately, the American colonies…
In the US Constitution, one can see a reflection of the three main Christian denominations that were prevalent in America in 1787. Over ninety-seven percent of the approximate three million people living in America, around its founding, were Protestant Christians. Of that ninety-seven percent, the three most common denominations were Anglican (Episcopal), Presbyterian, and Congregationalist. The Episcopal Church government was hierarchal, or the rule of the one; the Presbyterian Church government was representative, or rule by the few; and the Congregational Church government was democratic, or rule by the many.
The Executive Branch of the United States national government is a reflection of Episcopal Church government; rule by the one. The Senate, which prior to the Seventeenth Amendment, was a reflection of Presbyterian Church government; rule by the few. The House of Representatives, the only entity in the United States national government that was intended to be elected by the majority of the electorate, is a reflection of the Congregational Church government; rule by the many. In this, one can see the United States national government is a reflection of the different forms of church governments most prevalent in America in 1787. Two-thirds of the United States national government reflects the two-thirds of the Calvinist population living in America at that time and their form of ecclesiastical government…
Click here to read the entire article at American Founding Principles
Preparing for Nuclear Disaster (or not) and N. Korea
From Herschel Smith at captainsjournal.com comes this article discussing Preparing for Nuclear Disaster and dealing with some myths and bad information involved with the same. He also opines about the possibilities (or lack thereof) of nuclear war with North Korea.
Let’s discuss a few things concerning radiation, radioactivity and nuclear events. If you’re a layman, most articles you will read on these subjects will either be written way above your head, or by people who only pretend to know what they’re talking about because they lack the proper education and experience to speak intelligently. Even the man who wrote this article on surviving a nuclear attack is in that category.
I could wax haughty and throw words around showing what I know about photon, electron and neutron shielding, the theoretical and mathematical difference between a Rad, Roentgen and a Rem, committed dose equivalent to organs, total effective dose equivalent, albedos, Keff (criticality) calculations, the Boltzmann transport equation and reactor kinetics. But it would do you precisely no good. None. You wouldn’t be one bit better off after having read an article like that than you are right now. You would have to take an advanced engineering degree or train in the radiological sciences in order to stay with me in such a discussion, and you can’t right now, so that’s that. Something else needs to be done because the conversation the “journalist” had with that prepper above is off the charts stupid.
Potassium Iodine, or KI, doesn’t stop the thyroid from “absorbing radiation.” It isn’t a magic radiation pill, regardless of how pepper and survivalist web sites market it. There is nothing magic about it. There is a little bit it can do under the right circumstances, and it can’t do anything else. If you take it – and be aware that taking KI when you don’t need it can lead to severe health problems, especially in the young and old – it will load your thyroid with iodine and prevent the absorption of any more iodine, radioactive or not. The intent behind this is to prevent radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid and thus the absorbed radiation dose from such a localized source.
What it doesn’t do is prevent the thyroid from “absorbing radiation.” The entire whole body, including every organ in your body and the skin (which is treated as an organ by the ICRP) will still attenuate and absorb radiation from external sources, such as immersion in a cloud of radioactive material. Charged particles (such as betas, or in other words, electrons) can be essentially stopped by clothing, skin and just a little tissue overlying the organs.
You cannot wear enough shielding to stop gammas or neutrons, although being inside a structure deep in the ground could help…
Read the entire article at The Captain’s Journal by clicking here
2017 Bonner County Citizens Preparedness Expo, Idaho
The Bonner County Citizens Preparedness Expo at the Bonner County Fairgrounds in Sandpoint, Idaho will take place Saturday, Sept. 9th, 2017 from 9am – 5pm.
Brushbeater: Open-Source Drone Warfare
NCScout at Brushbeater has a post on using drones and electronic warfare against them. Employ a drone or worry about nefarious drone users? Read on!
But the technology over the past decade has experienced a renaissance. Rightly so. It has a number of significant advantages- namely, the eye in the sky provides a large force multiplier eliminating dead space (what groups on the ground can’t see), can in some cases provide a communications relay platform, and most significant, provides a weapons delivery system that attacks with little to no warning and carries with it no culpability. From the State’s perspective this reduces the human cost of war and is politically advantageous; from the insurgent perspective, a platform that kills without warning…
Finding all of that data via Open Sources, we now have a huge step towards doing two things: Intercepting Drone Data or Jamming and Disabling them. From knowing the properties of the frequencies themselves, we can say that the ground control is Line of Sight, meaning the operator is nearby and can be intercepted themselves. But this is not the only spread of spectrum Common Off The Shelf (COTS) drones operate on. Digging a little deeper, we also find them operating on 5.8GHz for real-time video, or First Person View operation. This means guiding it via a camera. But what if, in the field, drones are being built that don’t use this spectrum? These are for the off-the-shelf or open source models, but not necessarily for 100% of them in the air. The only way to know is to have the capability to monitor the airwaves in that spectrum
Source: Open-Source Drone Warfare
AmRRON Advances to AmCON 3 – Aug. 8, 2017
Today, AmRRON announced that it had moved the organization to level AmCON 3. Level 3 means that an incident is considered probable which would interrupt conventional communications, but not necessarily imminent.
*08 AUG 2017 UPDATE: *
Due to the increased probability of armed conflict with North Korea,
which is now nuclear-capable and could strike American cities on the
mainland, we are increasing our readiness levels and the AmRRON
Readiness Condition Level to 3. This means that while disruptions to
conventional communications are by no means imminent, there is an
increased probability.https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/08/trump-warns-north-korea-threats-will-be-met-with-fire-and-fury.html
Trump warns North Korea threats ‘will be met with fire and fury’
* President Donald Trump warns that threats from North Korea “will be
met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.”
* North Korea has successfully created a miniaturized nuclear weapon
that can fit in its missiles, according to NBC News and The
Washington Post.*Note from JJS: * This is significant. President Trump is warning that
these continued threats must stop and that he is prepared to carry out
military action. Previous attitudes and responses indicate that North
Korea will continue to agitate the US and other nations. Essentially,
Trump must make good on his word. If he does not, it will only embolden
North Korea and increase the danger to US citizens and interests, as
well as our allies. Essentially, it appears the time for talking and
negotiating are over. We’ll see. Boy Scout’s motto: “Be Prepared”————————————
*Additionally, the previous open source (OSINT) information which
prompted us to raise to Level-4 several weeks ago is still relevant:*
/////END OF MESSAGE/////
chart
CSG: Tactical Skills Q & A -or- Be Good at Everything or Die
Another good interview with K from Combat Studies Group titled Tactical Skills Q & A -or- Be Good at Everything or Die.
In the interest of spreading useful information regarding tactics/training I wanted to relay this conversation I had with some folks from the tactical community a while back. I was asked several pointed questions which I do my best to answer below:
Question 1:
Of all the various training disciplines available, which one should be top of the training list right now in light of world events? Rifle training? Land Navigation? Communications? Patrolling, etc…
Answer:
Well, there are definitely some sacred cows on that list. It of course kind of depends on where you are as an individual with regard to the various skillsets, but lets assume you are a competent shooter with some basic fieldcraft under your belt….I would put information gathering on top. You could also label it Intel/Comms if you wanted. Why?
1. Intelligence drives the fight. Without it, you are just a bunch of armed guys in the woods.
2. Everyone can do it. Your 75 year old aunt can do it, your kid can do it. Not everyone can be an effective infantryman, but anyone can be eyes/ears/disseminators.
3. Right now nearly everyone sucks at it. I had a good buddy that was with CAG tell me once, “Everyone thinks our shooting is what makes us so effective, and while we are talented shooters there are certainly better out there….that is just a small part of what we do. It’s all those other skills that make the difference”. I thought he made a very good point…..
Question 2:
What is the best fighting rifle?…
Doug Casey on the End of the Nation-State
Doug Casey writes about the End of the Nation-State over on International Man.
Mankind has, so far, gone through three main stages of political organization since Day One, say 200,000 years ago, when anatomically modern men started appearing. We can call them Tribes, Kingdoms, and Nation-States.
Karl Marx had a lot of things wrong, especially his moral philosophy. But one of the acute observations he made was that the means of production are perhaps the most important determinant of how a society is structured. Based on that, so far in history, only two really important things have happened: the Agricultural Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. Everything else is just a footnote.
Let’s see how these things relate…
The way I see it, Thomas Paine had it right when he said: “My country is wherever liberty lives.”
But where does liberty live today? Actually, it no longer has a home. It’s become a true refugee since America, which was an excellent idea that grew roots in a country of that name, degenerated into the United States. Which is just another unfortunate nation-state. And it’s on the slippery slope.
Click here to continue reading the article at International Man.
Related: Doug Casey on Phyles
Combat Studies Group: Full Spectrum Training
From K over at Combat Studies Group, Full Spectrum Training…Does It Matter?
So I know the question is out there….why is this website supposedly devoted to the study of warfare always talking about computer security and cryptocurrency? Shouldn’t I just be posting articles about “improving your shot group” or the latest in “tactical accoutrements”? It essentially boils down to this:
1. As anyone who has attended my courses knows, I believe in what I call “The Heinlein Doctrine” (or the Competent Man principal). In essence, a warrior (or just a human being for that matter) must be good at everything…not just shooting, or grappling, or navigating.
2. Right now, technology is at the forefront of not just battle, but our everyday lives….like it or not.
3. Many believe that war lies in the not too far future of the western world. I believe that this war has already begun. Perhaps not the shooting part, but the IPB (Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace) has begun in earnest in the technical space. We ignore this aspect of the battlefield at our greatest peril.
4. And finally, there are hundreds of sources these days for sound tactical training, but very few sources for full spectrum training exist.
***“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”
— Robert Heinlein (From Time Enough For Love)
Lower Valley Assembly 