Several things have happened to me recently that I consider to be signs from God. The common factor is to get supplies. Now.
I am writing about one example because it shows that supplies need not be expensive. My base station UPS went out yesterday. I reset it and it still made a whining noise. Another UPS was installed and the whining noise started from the UPS when I plugged in my radio’s power supply. I replaced the power supply with a backup and my station was back up.
Here was the problem with the power supply:
Imagine not having a base station working because of a blown fuse. I would have other workarounds but the point is to be aware of the “small things” that may have a large impact. Like oil filters, gaskets, tubing for small engines, spark plugs, grease, oil and good hand tools.
David DeGerolamo
David, you are spot on. To list a few things that most folks don’t think of. Nails, bolts nuts, screws, o-rings, grease, oil, welding rod, needles/thread, bic lighters, chlorine bleach, vinegar, salt, sugar the list can go on and on. Think of the common things you take for granted and use everyday. Don’t forget the jobs skills you hire done.
Details, details and details. It is the sum of the little things. I have noted as of late that He is the God of details. And that amazes me constantly. Thanks for the confirmation, David.
Very important points, having redundancy for all essential systems is a must. Thanks for reminding us all. I will pick up some extras today. Additionally making sure the systems work when needed is also essential, so check them regulary.
Having lived on a homestead for fifty years, that is thirty miles from town; we can’t run to the hardware or grocery store, for every little thing. I started buying two of every thing we needed. If I needed it once, I will likly need it again, to be sure it cost more, but then a 60mi trip to town for a fuse, is not cost effective.
As the economy continues to slow and as a crash or war is likely, even if you live next to a shopping center, you may not be able to get what you want or need!
” two is one and one is none” are good rules to live by! Have at least two of all essentials on hand.
Having seeds on hand is essential these days also. The problem is that unless you have a stable garden, there is a learning curve and you might not be able to live off of it for several years! Have some food stored.
Today I am going to the COOP for dirt for the garden and 50 lb of grains for eating or planting.
matches, lighter fluid, small propane bottles, fuel, batteries.
water.
tools.
Let me add to this discussion.
Mice.
Yes, I know it was covered a few posts back… they are a tremendous nuisance, and they reproduce very quickly. I have captured six in my greenhouse in the last two months. However, that is not my biggest issue.
Mice chew on PEX. To the point where they chew through to get to the water. I had a repair last fall, and I thought the plumber has just installed bad pipe… perhaps it sat on the truck and rubbed against something for too long and wore through. Then, last night, I went into the crawl space to turn our radon fan back on, and lo and behold, water was spraying again. Shit.
At that point I knew it was something else, because that was the exact line I replaced in the fall. So today I replaced it AGAIN, and also installed a cutoff valve in the crawl for each of the outside spigots, so if they do this again, I can cut off the water and not worry about it all night. I also took advantage of the “opportunity” to replace the water filters, since I was going to be crawling around in the crawl space. I hate that, by the way.
All this to say, make absolutely certain that your preps include replacement sections of water line, connectors, cutting tools (remember, two is one and one is none) and crimping tools, crimps, PVC glue, and MOUSE POISON. And kneepads and a headlamp and lots of spare batteries.
Several years ago I came home from vacation to thawed freezer in the storage shed! The rats chewed through the 12-3 wire, it is now in conduit. Living in the country, they are a constant problem! My only solution is to put anything valuable in glass or metal. One pack rat once carried off a box of PVC ends!
Help!
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Guinea pigs. free range . will clear out rodents.
they won’t cohabitate.
opossums also will not cohabitate
Claire Wolf had a pretty good article that might be worth a look… more things to think about before it’s simply too late… and it’s almost too late.
https://www.clairewolfe.com/blog/2022/04/06/small-things-to-do-before-the-world-descends-into-hell/
Good one. I haven’t read Claire in a long time. Nice to know she hasn’t lost her edge.
Here is a little thing, there will be an organized march on every state capital nationwide on 05/01/2022. This is being done by the state militias at 12 noon be there. The only exception to 12 noon is Michigan that is at 9am.
The power supply is blowing fuses for a reason either overloaded are a shorted component.
Or power surges from a bad utility.
Yes, we certainly have that to contend with. Sometimes surges that cause all the lights to come on in the middle of the night. Doesn’t seem like that would be too good for the radio or TV.
The way a fuse blows can indicate the cause, by severity of the blow.
This one, has fuse material plated on the inside of the glass, indicating a severe blow with lots of current. If is a primary line fuse, I would look to lightning or emp, for an external cause, a shorted bridge, filter cap or finals for an internal cause.
Replacing the PS should be a good way to test the system.
Using a variac or adjustible supply with an amp meter and slowly raising the voltage should give you a safe way to check out the unit. If the finals were shorted, this will protect the new ones, untill the fault is found. Final transistors can be very expencive.
Fuses with the fuse broken and slightly bent, tends to indicate a slight overload and I would just replace it. Using the variac is always a good idea. A minor blow would indicate a possible line surge and replacing the fuse might solve the problem. If it blows again, it is likly another cause lol.
The bottom line is to have lots of spare fuses, power supplies and a spare radio. Having old tube equipment, is good as well, as it is EMP proof, if you can power it. Older transistor analog equipment, is good too as it has some EMP resistance.
I keep an old tube type scope (535) in the lab, just to heat things up in the winter!
I like moble 12V radio equipment even for a base, as I can power it from multiple sources. These days I keep the antennas and power disconneced unless in use, for some EMP protection! The back ups are wraped in tin foil and in a metal cabinit.
Now that we are finally at war with Russia, I expect an EMP?
Well it is 4AM, time for bed.