What have you done to prep today?

[JoJo]

 I went to the range for the first time in five months today. I went to the fifty yard range, even though my rifle is sighted in for one hundred yards to make sure it was on paper. 3/4 inch group 2 1/2 inches low. Then I went to the hundred yard range and was I surprised, 1 1/2 inch group left in the right side of the nine ring. Two clicks and X ring. 
 After that I went to the gun shop to replace what I used up. Here in Delaware you need an appointment to go to a gun store. I didn't have one but they let me buy ammo. Now the bad part. $12.00 a box of 20 for federal red box. I only had enough for money for five boxes. But I had a great time!

[pkveazey]

I went to the range for the first time in five months today. I went to the fifty yard range, even though my rifle is sighted in for one hundred yards to make sure it was on paper. 3/4 inch group 2 1/2 inches low. Then I went to the hundred yard range and was I surprised, 1 1/2 inch group left in the right side of the nine ring. Two clicks and X ring. 
 After that I went to the gun shop to replace what I used up. Here in Delaware you need an appointment to go to a gun store. I didn't have one but they let me buy ammo. Now the bad part. $12.00 a box of 20 for federal red box. I only had enough for money for five boxes. But I had a great time!

I've done a little maintenance on a couple of mine and need to check them out but I just can't seem to get off my butt and go shooting. As for AMMO, that was one of my first priorities when I started prepping. I loaded up on everything I could possibly use and hopefully I won't ever need to buy any more.

[Kbop]

Since we cant use all of our eggs and one of our sale sources can't take them all - we've been donating to a local food bank. - keeping one barter item topped off

[mechmedic]

Installed the mobile radio into the family car today. Hits some local repeaters. I’m more than impressed with the comet antenna and antenna mount. The antenna it self is only 12 inches long (with a coil in the length to make sure it’s correct for the band). The longest part was routing the coax line. Right now I just have to cigarette plug it came with for power. But I’ll wire it in once I get a fuse jumper to make it clean.

[pkveazey]

Installed the mobile radio into the family car today. Hits some local repeaters. I’m more than impressed with the comet antenna and antenna mount. The antenna it self is only 12 inches long (with a coil in the length to make sure it’s correct for the band). The longest part was routing the coax line. Right now I just have to cigarette plug it came with for power. But I’ll wire it in once I get a fuse jumper to make it clean.

Great. The plug they use is pretty typical . I used a wire from another radio on one of mine and it was almost a perfect fit. You might need to file the edges a slight amount to make it snap together easier. Don't expect too much out of the 440 band. The 440 is usually about half the power of the 2 meter band. My Tri-Bander is 25 watts on 2 Meters, 25 watts on 220, and about 12 watts on 440.

[Erick]

Well "Today" is probably not the right term for my preps.. (I am still abroad) but just before silver exploded earlier this year.. I bought a whole bunch... like a lot..

It would have been more if i had not been told my contract is ending early.. so i wanted to preserver liquidity.. but I was ready to put my entire savings into it because it was obvious it would go up..
This way i only put a fraction of my savings into it but still made a tidy profit.

Also late last year, long before ammo price shot up, I bought a significant amount of 9mm and 556/223 to be delivered to a Buds house..even though i couldnt use any of it at my current location..
Just to build up the stash..
And this was not the only ammo purchase I made in this manner while abroad..

So while it was hard to be away from the community it was well worth it... when I come back to the US in 4 months or more,my college loans will be paid off, my truck is paid off, my pockets will be full of money + my ammo stash will be stacked to overflow.
I am likely also bringing back a bride.

[Jackalope]

Congratulations Erick!  We've been dehydrating Tomatoes, peppers, okra, etc.  We're in the peak of harvest season here.Today, we moved our baby chicks into larger quarters.  I'm always amazed how quickly chicks grow.

[JoJo]

 

I am likely also bringing back a bride.

Congratulations Let us know when the big day is? What's her name? Come on guy give us some more information!

Good Luck to the both of you.

[Kbop]

Congrats - i hope everything works out and your bride comes home with you!

[ninanitnat]

stocked up on deodorant 

Up next... VODKA!
 
Totally agree, new here and lacking abit in survival knowledge

[JoJo]

 I replaced the band aids that I used up and also bought Blood Clot which I also used up.
 I found a five gallon water bottle off the side of the road so I traded it in for a full one which cost less than five dollars. Need to get more canned meat and fruit plus hard candy.
 Anyone know the shelf life of Red Feather Butter? I have some that is about 5yrs old.

[special-k]

...Anyone know the shelf life of Red Feather Butter? I have some that is about 5yrs old.

Good question.  I have a can of their butter and a can of their processed cheese that came free with a large order of dehydrated food back in 2007.  I completely forgot about those cans until your comment.  I don't eat dairy so they got pushed to the back and forgot about, figuring to use them for trade at some point. 

I just dug them out.  Both cans have a little surface rust.  Guess I can open them now to see how they faired.  I'll do it at someone elses house who can eat dairy... see if they'll be a guinea pig and try them if they still seem edible.     

[JoJo]

 

I'll do it at someone elses house who can eat dairy... see if they'll be a guinea pig and try them if they still seem edible.     

Does crazy Nancy live close by?

[JoJo]

 I've been ramping up my preps. I bought a vacuum sealer and have been buying meat that is on sale, will keep buying meat until I run out of money.
 Everyone in our community is very nervous, it's getting to me. 

[pkveazey]

Sometimes I think that I'm an idiot. I've got tons of prepping stuff but there is always that nagging thought in the back of my brain that says, "You need more Brown Rice and Dried Beans." Then when I go to the Grocery Store, I don't buy more Brown Rice and Dried Beans.

[JohnyMac]

Why brown rice? More nutritious?

[Deathstyle]

Why brown rice? More nutritious?

More nutrition but lousy shelf life. JWR recommends white rice for long term storage n brown for short term.


*Bought a brand new British army Desert DPM ammo grab  bag in plastic for $20 at local surplus store. Gonna go back and buy others that are in good conditon later. Can use them for static positons, working outta vehicles, or to run around with. Great items to passout to friends who need extra kit or have no kit. Can also just toss them the bag if they run out of ammo.

[pkveazey]

Why brown rice? More nutritious?

Growing up, I had to eat White rice and while it was healthy, it tasted like I was eating nothing. Many years later I found out about Wild Rice and Brown Rice and tried them. Damn!!!! It actually tasted like FOOD. I must have about 40 lbs. of White Rice but now I buy small Sealed Plastic bags of Brown Rice. I don't need it to last 20 years because I'm 75 and I'll be dead before the Rice goes bad. I put a Dash of Salt, a Dash of Black Pepper, and a Cap full of Apple Cider Vinegar in with the Brown Rice when I simmer it. MMMMMMMM, Good. My wife is a big Rice eater and when I fix it she thinks I'm the worlds greatest chef.

[gadget99]

We have been buying in more bulk food. Still have some storage space so will do so until full up. The homemade MRE's are coming along. Next step is pouch Canning the main meals.

We are in all reality pretty well set. All we did was break out our gear and ready it for immediate use as opposed to stored for later need. If things calm down we can always reduce our alert level.

With everything being so fluid. We are continuing to fill gaps in general so we are ready for all eventualities. Unpredictable times indeed.

With firearms being off the table here in the UK with the associated costs saved. It makes the rest of prepping surprisingly affordable.

A Soldier for life

[pkveazey]

I've mentioned this before but I'll mention it again. I have saved a few hundred Pennies(the new Copper plated Zinc ones). I'm waiting to see how the election turns out and what happens afterward. If things get funky, I might have to bury a few things on my property and I plan to camo my bury spots by throwing several hundred Pennies all over my property. If somebody tries to find my bury spots, they'll have to dig at least a couple of hundred spots to find anything. Then again, I might just fool them by throwing the pennies in a wide area that isn't where I bury stuff. Also, a good bury site is to bury something and then Camo it by placing a gravestone over it that says, "RIP ROVER" or whatever other Dog Name you want.

[Jackalope]

Today, our mutual assistance group had a training exercise, which consisted of using map skills, hiking, and practicing communications skills.  It was a beautiful day to be in the woods, and learning.  Earlier this week we topped off our bulk supplies at some of our local Mennonite stores.  At this point we're topping off anything that has rechargeable batteries, i.e., radios weapon lights, flashlights, etc.  I don't foresee the immediate area becoming spicy; I'm basically preparing for events that are outside my AO, but could impact us, like extended power outages, lockdowns due to the Chinese virus, or supply interruptions.  We're making sure we have an adequate supply of medications and livestock feed.  Overall, we're in good shape, though Mr. Murphy may beg to differ.

[pkveazey]

Good for you. As far as the Communication skills go, the biggest problem I've run into is getting people to not be chatterboxes. They just don't seem to understand short messages that are on point are critical. I've heard really stupid stuff like,"I just passed the big tree and now I'm climbing over a big log."

[Jackalope]

Good for you. As far as the Communication skills go, the biggest problem I've run into is getting people to not be chatterboxes. They just don't seem to understand short messages that are on point are critical. I've heard really stupid stuff like,"I just passed the big tree and now I'm climbing over a big log."

    Transmission brevity was actually part of the exercise.  I emphasize thinking about what you're going to say, before transmitting.  We also use multiple frequencies, i.e. a team tactical channel, and a command channel which is used to speak with the command center.  That keeps idle chatter off of the command frequency.

[Deathstyle]

Went to Dollar Tree and spent about $40 to fill a Plano Sportsman trunk w rolled gauze and ace wraps (elastic bandages).

[Erick]

Today, our mutual assistance group had a training exercise, which consisted of using map skills, hiking, and practicing communications skills.  It was a beautiful day to be in the woods, and learning.  Earlier this week we topped off our bulk supplies at some of our local Mennonite stores.  At this point we're topping off anything that has rechargeable batteries, i.e., radios weapon lights, flashlights, etc.  I don't foresee the immediate area becoming spicy; I'm basically preparing for events that are outside my AO, but could impact us, like extended power outages, lockdowns due to the Chinese virus, or supply interruptions.  We're making sure we have an adequate supply of medications and livestock feed.  Overall, we're in good shape, though Mr. Murphy may beg to differ.

Good Stuff!