When I run across a really good prepping deal, it gets my attention, but when I find two in the same day....
I bought them both;
I have enough radios to set up the network we need out on Keystone lake, but as with all prepping, I'm looking for redundancy. These are Kenwood transceivers, which is the Cadillac of ham radios. I found the first one at 20% of what it is worth, and when I looked, the other one was 33% of it's used value. These are 60 watt units, while the ones I now have are 5 watt units. Both will reach where we need, but these will offer full quieting...solid communications, all the time! I'm buying new microphones for both, as that is where the wear damage concentrates.
I will be able to make some home made J pole antennas, that will give about double the reach. I can make them for about $20 each location.
This is why I recommend getting a ham radio license, it will allow you to get the systems fully running and tested before the SHTF in case you need to buy parts!
Once the SHTF occurs, anyone can use a ham radio in emergency conditions; but it's damn hard to scratch build one with no parts!
I tried to help a Lady in Nicaragua get a radio online after the SHTF down there. I got her the diagram for a radio, and helped her scrounge some parts; but the government shut down their internet before she could finish the transmitter! I never heard from her again...
I don't intend to be in that same bind here! Our local area network will allow our 5 homesteads to help one another, linked by water with 2 sailboats. We should be able to keep all homesteads safe and supplied, and in full communications!
The smaller 5 watt radios can be used for remote communications at each homestead, possibly at a sentry position.
Very good value find for that equipment 👍
It sure surprised me! Saved me about $400. That made it an easy decision!
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Nice find! It's so sad that we need government permission, and to give up our privacy, just to communicate over ham radios... but that's the way it is, and it's only going to continue to get worse. Soon you will need a smart phone app and valid government ID just to use a walkie talkie!
That's all I have, 2 walkies. I think they do CB as well, but I haven't figured that out. They're complicated, and I have nobody to teach me or to practice with.
That can be enough, what model are they; maybe I can help. May be able to keep you in touch with your sweety.
Can you own a crossbow there? That could allow you some security. I have a .177 pellet rifle that is dangerous, that could be used for security too; if it's legal up your way!
Some good questions, thank you for asking.
I have a couple Tenway handsets. The box strangely doesn't say what they are, other than "professional digital signal processing systems". There is no description of the product inside, no model name/number, etc. Inside, the instruction manual calls them "amateur portable radios". 128 memory channels, broadband and narrowband, selectable frequency, 105 codes and 50 privacy codes, lithium ion battery, DTMF encoded, commercial FM radio receiver 65-108 MHz. With some fiddling, I can set them both up to use the same channel, and do basic communication between them. I'm also capable of recharging them when they run out (as long as the power stays on). So I guess I've got some basic communication, but I'd like to learn more about what they can do. I wish I had a buddy who could practice with me, but I know zero people within 800 miles. I did splurge for the extra-long antennae but when I tested them with a buddy last year, before moving up here, they stopped working when there was a mountain between us. So it's basically line of sight more or less. I've read the manual but half of it is lingo I'm not familiar with, plus it was written by people with English as a second language...
I have little experience with projectile weaponry, but I have uncommonly good hand-eye coordination (although my vision is blurred in the past few years as a result of my undiagnosed nerve condition that is something like MS). I was the kid who could hit a target with a snowball (or rock) from as far away as it could be thrown, just about every time. I played only a small amount of racket sports (was not athletic or competitive) but was always good at it. I've used a blowgun and became extremely good at hitting small targets from a distance. Those aren't legal in Canada anymore. I don't know about crossbows. I've had a practice bow and arrows, and my aim with that was excellent as well. I have almost no experience with firearms due to the difficulty of obtaining them and the necessary documentation here, although it's not impossible as some Americans assume. (That said, they are trying to ban almost all guns here in Canada at the moment.) Anyway, before shtf I have to keep it legit, so I'd have to look into the rules about various defensive weapons.
That's not to say I'm totally unarmed, in case anyone reading this might be considering stopping by unannounced sometime ;D
Interesting radios, they don't ring a bell. Sometimes there is a model number under the batteries. They sound well built, and are likely line of sight due to frequency. Still solid communications, and a good add for prepping use!
Defense varies, but the bow is a good starting point. I have a slingshot that is mainly just for low noise, that locks over top of my wrist. It is deadly, and quiet using marbles! A single shot break open long gun might be a good choice up your be way. Minimally threatening to the government, will make it easier to get legally I bet.
Stinging nettle will likely help you recover, and can make a good fence in hidden approach areas of your property. It also makes a great tea, and superfood pot greens. The sting goes away when dried or cooked.
Be blessed!
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Ahhh yes, stinging nettles. I learned about eating those (even fresh, ouch!) back in Earthquest, a special outdoor survival program I went through. It was part of public school here, for students who were accepted (and could pay), during Grade 11. We did half the year of accelerated classroom studies, then the other half of the year outside. Ocean and whitewater kayaking, telemark skiiing, camping in a little hut on a glacier, survival hiking/camping, cycling long distance with gear, indigenous studies (cedar root baskets, kekuli building, etc). It added to my knowledge and experience gained in the Scouting movement, in which I rose to the very top of all Canadian Scouts. Sadly, that was the height of it for me, as I then went into college, got married, did 10 years of nursing, got divorced, and then went into activism, leading to destabilization of my social situation, and then unexplained health problems.
Slingshot, nice. I used to have one up at the family cabin, but my parents sold it for pennies (despite being already loaded with money from my grandparents, who also gave them the cabin). It was meant to be mine, and my children's, but after Grampa died my parents told me "we asked him on his deathbed if we could sell the cabin and he said yes". I don't think they would have actually done such a tasteless thing, and it's just a lie. I hope he went to his grave thinking his grandsons would get the cabin as he always intended, poor guy. I really miss that place. It was up in the mountains on a little fishing lake. I had 40 years up there, generally 5 to 8 trips per year. The slingshot was great for target practice. I guess it went with the place.
I will keep trying to figure out the radios bit by bit. At least we have the basic functionality sorted out :) Maybe I'll take one with me in the taxi next time I go for groceries, see if I can reach home with it.
Stinging nettle is one of the most nutritious plants on Earth. It also makes a great fence! I will plant rings of nettle on public lands, then put some herbs inside. That way, the deer won't eat them flat....
The nettle is doing enough nerve repair for her, that her neurologist has written a prescription for them to give it here in the hospital!
When family does stuff like that, you are justified to disown them; and leave their judgement to GOD! I'm sorry they are such small people!
A good slingshot is a friend for certain, especially if you can find some ball bearings for ammo. With a pouch on the slingshot, you can use BB's for a shotgun effect. Lead wheel weights is another good ammo, that can be free where they work on tires. Stock in extra surgical tubing for repairs. One that has a fold down brace will fit in a pocket. I spent many years that way when I was a kid, LOL! The bow is a nice option too, and could work for hunting if you are that kind of stuff. My primary hunting weapon will be an air rifle in .177 calibre size made by gamo.
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