CylonGlitch

That explains the cellular outage today! It was your fault! I need to schedule to take my test, I'm confident but just need to get it done.

If you get out to Jackson, let me know, I can make it there and would pick it up.

Thanks for the suggestion on the PRI-G, I will be looking for that!

I have never heard of AvGas. But I do know where to get ethanol free gas; and I need to reload my gas cans (2 x 5 gallons and another smaller can). I should go that way and hit up Autozone for some additives. Any recommendation on what additives are good? fyi found this on Amazon, it’s cheap so I ordered it. Fuel Additive

I can't say much about the water grid, but the electrical systems have security in place to prevent a lot of issues with hackers. Specifically one of the big things is that it is air gapped these days from the network. Yes the front end is connected to the network but the actual controls and operations are not. Loading a new configuration that could cause issues would be extremely unlikely anymore. I know this because I worked on the design of those systems, the equipment that runs the controls the way the electrical generation works (control programs). While it would be much easier for a physical breech to cause problems. Just getting a tech to work at the facility who wants to cause trouble; can create a huge problem, easily with a little know how. This goes back to our original issue where if #### hit the fan in the US; it is not unlikely that someone would want to cause problems to our electrical grid who already works there, and has been working there for a long time. So yes, they can sabotage our electrical grid. That's why it is highly recommended to have a good generator at home. But you need to store fuel; and that along can be problematic because fuel doesn't last long.

Finished the book Prairie Fire while on my business trip. While I think that he is a bit pessimistic; he is right in that if things go bad, it may happen fast and we may not be prepared for it. While I would like to say that TN should be less likely to get hit by much violence, you never know what could happen in Nashville and Memphis. Even then, I would think most of the violence would stay within the city and little would move out to the countryside. I hope!

FYI since starting this post I have been studying for the HAM radio license. There are plenty of online practice tests, that uses the actual test questions. I’m now consistently getting 85 to 95%, only need 75% to pass. So I should be good to go. I’m going to find a test in a couple of weeks (busy next week). So not hard, not hard at all. Just a few hours of practice and you should be good to go.

Already have done that. LOL. Honestly, I had the same reservations but I have heard nothing but good about it. Can't wait to get it, going to be another week or so (I'll be out of town for a week).

My son moves in to his first apartment in Nashville this year; figured he may want it for Home Defense. But yeah, $200 is awesome, should have picked up a few more.

In California they can vote in federal elections and there is no way to stop them. To get a license in CA all you need to do is to have an address. Take the address and go to the DMV and you can claim you're illegal and they'll give you a license; that is 100% identical to the CA licenses. Then to register to vote, you just need a license and address. You've got both. Bam, registered to vote. Voting day you don't show any ID just give your name and address. BTW, I left CA 3 years ago, just the other day I got a notice, delivered to TN, saying they believe I have left the state and they will keep me on the voting roster if I say I will vote in CA and no where else. Seriously, you mailed that to my house in TN, so why are you keeping me on the roster?

My son lives in Nashville, ran across this today. Seems like it would be suited for home defense. https://palmettostatearmory.com/jts-m12ar-12ga-5rd-18-5-semi-auto-shotgun-black-m12ar.html Should be a good start.

Ok, I agree with that, no problem. Makes more sense giving it to offset the costs of illegals, such as schools and hospitals.

I agree with this, let's hope it is. But no one can deny that the border is bad, and needs to be fixed! Even Biden (although he has been saying the border isn't a problem) released this on 1/25/24 "For too long, we all know the border's been broken. It's long past time to fix it." (well why didn't you?) He goes on to say that he'll close the border **IF** he gets the funding for his Border Security Package. So what is in that border security package (Note, it officially hasn't been made public yet, but based on the past information leaked it is this) $60+ Billion to Ukraine $8B for Refugees (food, clothing, housing, etc). -- initial only, after that up to the state $1B for programs in other countries to help them there 5000/day illegals allowed in (1.8M a year) but closes the border only when it hits 8500/day (3M a year) 375 new immigration Judges 1600 Asylum officers 100 inspection machines (to detect fentanyl) This does nothing to fix the problem. My proposal NO money for Ukraine, Israel or anything outside of the US Build the Damn wall, similar to the one between Gaza and Egypt, not what we have now. 375 New Immigration Judges (or more) 1600 Asylum officers (who turn away anyone who does not qualify for asylum [the vast majority]) No entry into the US until court dates (the stay in Mexico policy Trump had that Joe removed) Streamline the legal immigration policy. Yes, background checks on everyone, but more agents to push the work and limits on how long it can take. Limit total LEGAL immigration to 1M per year. ICE is re-enforced with more agents to gather and deport illegals Businesses caught hiring illegals are penalized, financially based on the company net worth. (funds collected go to the ICE agency) Any one caught trying to enter the US illegally, is deported, and BANNED from ever being allowed LEGAL entry. To me, under Bidens proposal, the ones highlighted are NON-STARTERS. That is NOT a bi-partisan proposal, it does not address the issues and just demands more money for his pet projects.

This thing in Texas is scaring me more than it should. Do I think it will eventually blow over? Yes, I think it will. But could it easily turn into something horrible, oh yeah.. That worries me.

Most critical component.

I have not read the sequels, I thought that the first one was well done, and did cover a lot of what would be expected, but didn't think it was worth a sequel. What did you think of them? Cool that you were in the area it was written about, that's really neat.

Who has a bulldozer that I can borrow? Actually the thread is quite tame, no one is advocating for violence, but preparing for it if it happens. No one is even talking about any form of violence, but working to form communities and being able to help one another in case something does happen. You know, like what we SHOULD be doing. You care for yourself and family first, and then help out those around you as you can. The goal being to survive and protect ourselves, not to go on the offensive and cause problems, just handle those that are brought to us.

I read 1984 in High School as well, also graduated in '88. it changed my view of the world at the time, made me think a lot more than I expected it to. But it wasn't until I read it again, after college, and after reading up on George Orwell himself. He lived through the Spanish Revolution and was fighting against the Fascist state, the book was meant to be a warning, to show people how they manipulate and bring about these things without you realizing it. While in 1988 it was pretty much required reading for everyone, it quickly went away after that. It is not really taught anymore. My sons never read it (I tried to get them too). We are not seeing that they are here again, almost exactly what George predicted and said would happen. They aren't using 1984 as a warning anymore, they are using it as a guide book to bring about the next regime and we are standing in their way. For those who don't think so, we are in civil war right now. People think that these things happen fast, that war is declared, shooting starts an 6 months later it's over and everything has changed. No, it is a slow roll, it comes upon you. right now we are still in the early stages, it hasn't turned hot yet. But Texas is standing up to the Feds, it could turn hot any day, quickly. If that keeps simmering and the elections become a total pooch screw, fighting will start. People will die. I feel old. My priority will be to protect my family, then my neighbors and community. I'm hoping it never comes to that, but even if we don't have fighting in our area, we will be affected. And thus, we should be prepared.

Have you read the book, "One Second After"? Sure it is fiction but it goes into what happens after the power goes out. And yes, it is predicted that within a week people are killing one another. That's the kind of thing I'm hoping we don't face. I wouldn't be surprised though if we did though. The only way I think that we would see Trump Assassinated would be if they knew for sure that they could pin it on someone that wouldn't cause the backlash. If they found someone who is a pro Trump supporter and convinced them to kill him, that might work. Or, more likely, using a foreign state such as Iran. If they did this then they could justify war with Iran and would have support from everyone. I hope this doesn't happen because then we are really heading into WW3 fast and hard. Same thing with the border issue in Texas. If they get someone to kill a national guard or a Fed, but not let anyone know who fired the shot; then real fighting might start there, and that would lead to civil war.

I think you misunderstood. We as individuals can do little to stop the deterioration of the country. But what we can do is band together and protect our communities. These are our people. While it would be great if we could protect the country, we also know that is impossible. All I'm saying is that if the SHTF, one way or another, that we should fall back into defensive areas and protect those people around us. The people we live with and those who otherwise may be vulnerable.

Been studying the HAM radio handbook. Only a few hours but can already pass the tests. Some of it is logical, I have a degree in Electrical Engineering. Biggest difficulties right now are the detailed specs like knowing what frequency services are. But I’m sure with a bit more studying I’ll have them down. If I can do it, you can too. I have no desire to be part of a HAM club, too old for that now. But I do want to help the community, especially in the time of need or crisis. Today the Supreme Court ruled that Texas can’t block the border; that is the Feds job. Even if they aren’t doing it. Watched a video this morning (before the announcement) of an illegal from the Middle East yelling “You don’t know me now, but you will soon!” Trouble is brewing, and it just about ready. We used to laugh about SHTF; but man I feel like today was a big step in the direction. Need to be prepared, need to be ready, need to dig in a protect our people.

Spent a few hours last night reading up on emergency rations. Most are NOT worth the money they charge. Here is what I've found : * Oatmeal, quite a lot of them have oatmeal * Pancake mix is another big one. * Powdered Eggs and Milk So what I'm thinking is to get a vacuums sealer, and get pancake mix and oatmeal from Costco. Should be able to keep for a long time. Even the quake oat oatmeal in packets, 52 packets for $10 is a lot better than in the kits. Same thing with a few big bags of Pancake mix. Pasta as well, or at least flour. Spend the money for freeze dried meats and other things that normally can't get that easily. Another thing I came up with are seeds. $20 for hundreds of seeds for all types of veggies. If SHTF then this will be necessary eventually, they recommend sealing in a mylar bag and in a cool dark place (ideally fridge or freezer). Need to remember to try and store all of these things in a way that mice and bugs can't get into it and / or are attracted to it. That's why I think the vacuums sealing is important. But don't forget to put into food storage containers, and maybe surround the whole thing with mothballs. Thoughts and opinions?

Few questions for you. If we wanted to communicate between communities, but not around the world, what type of setup would we need? Are we look at hundreds of dollars or thousands? I'm assuming if we had setups between 50 and 100 miles apart, what we would need to talk. I see there is a club in Dickson and McEwen (closer to where I live), I would suspect they have relays but they are still 50 miles apart. My home is at the top of a hill, the highest around me, so I could put up antenna there when I get my license. Just wondering what I'm looking at getting into. Money isn't that much of an issue, but always watching the budget and want to make sure I get my finds lined up.

Was just reading a bit up on it, and yes, I know, seems like more will be needed. But I know many kids got their license when they were about 8. So shouldn’t be hard. There are three basic levels; technician, general, amateur extra. YouTube technician class How To Get your License Official amateur radio org I’m going to watch the YouTube class and see about taking the test online. Better to have it and start practicing with it now then trying to learn it when we need it.

Agreed 100%. Also getting a license is easy and cheap once you learn the basics.