tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48742220511443494302011-08-29T08:23:26.297-04:00Urban Survivalist projects and ruminations.Trajannoreply@blogger.comBlogger231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-44566346801959482652011-05-23T12:54:00.001-04:002011-05-23T14:23:43.441-04:00

I haven't updated this blog in ages. I figure it's time for me to post...something The next few entries in this blog are going to orient themselves around integrating tech into your emergency preparation plans. By "tech" I mean adding specific software to the following items so that they lend themselves to being useful during an emergency: Cell phone USB Flash drive or SD flash card Laptop I

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-10740423464494112772011-01-27T22:17:00.000-05:002011-01-27T22:17:29.261-05:00

It's been a loooong time since I updated this blog. In the meantime I stupidly closed the website where I hosted most of the images I linked to in most of my posts. I have the original images and have uploaded them to one of my other sites but I haven't had the time to go through and update all the links in each post to point to the new images location. I'm currently unemployed and looking for

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-1737472751645390542009-11-06T01:09:00.006-05:002009-11-06T15:43:21.496-05:00

Hi all. Here is a little contribution to add to urban gardening. Most plastic containers are suitable for some type of food production. Small containers that most would think useless can be used for small rooted plants such as herbs, peppers etc. I myself live in the country with room enough for a regular garden, but this year I decided to try some container gardening. What I tried was Big Boy

mcgyver1467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-39829265530775280922009-10-30T14:59:00.003-04:002009-10-30T18:53:09.574-04:00

One of the challenges facing those that decide to hunker down in their homes will be trying to find a sustainable or supplemental food supply. If your are hunkering down somewhere out in the sticks and you have a large plot of land starting a garden is relatively easy. If you are living in an urban setting with very limited space starting a garden is...problematic to say the least. You have to

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-40044300494902722602009-10-27T11:47:00.003-04:002011-05-23T12:58:32.693-04:00

Most of this post is basically a collection of various tips and info that I've collated from around the internet in regards to window security. References are listed at the end. Using Plants An age old suggestion for a first line of window security is to plant thorny or prickly bushes under them. Plants such as Cactus, Bougainvillea, Spanish Bayonets, Crown-of-thorns, Holly bushes, Barberry,

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-23191196591224727162009-10-18T21:02:00.006-04:002009-10-20T14:45:01.727-04:00

There has been some interest in my ALICE setup by a few people so I thought I'd share here. I have every intention of "bugging in", but if the need presents its self, I will be prepared to "bug out" with my family in tow. Keep in mind that my ALICE, and my plans change sometimes. I update, and add to, as the need changes. This video shows my basic camping set up, but is the basis for my "bug out

mcgyver1467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-55203250099368018392009-10-14T11:49:00.005-04:002011-05-23T13:03:13.703-04:00

In case you are not conversant in what EMP is, here's a primer. In case you don't know what it can do, here's a chilling account This is NOT science fiction, this is documented science fact. In my opinion an EMP attack is the most likely and deadly threat that this country faces in the next few years, particularly in light of the recent actions of such rogue nations as Iran and North Korea.

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-23814472804749958452009-10-08T14:06:00.003-04:002011-05-23T13:40:25.693-04:00

Here's a few pictures showing the end result of the ALICE pack mod project. The bag is not full, I didn't have time to "stage it" properly like I wanted to. The straps retrofit kit has been applied. Also the MOLLE II sleep system bag and canteens have also been attached.  Back Side Front

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-88901546135908587552009-10-08T13:34:00.003-04:002011-05-23T13:54:52.804-04:00

Imagine a calamity of some sort has occurred, and society as we know it has broken down. Maybe temporarily, maybe long term. Or perhaps you just have a local emergency such as a hurricane, where services have been suspended or cannot get to you due to the storm. Or suppose some gang bangers come rolling through your neighborhood tossing Molotov's. What happens if there is a fire in your house?

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-89028050664301515182009-10-02T20:16:00.001-04:002009-10-02T20:17:51.318-04:00

For those of you who do not know who Kip Kay is, here's his bio from his website: Kip Kedersha (better known by his YouTube user name Kipkay) is best known for his weekend projects with Make Magazine, weekly videos that show users how to actually create projects featured in the magazine. Currently with 144,000 subscribers, Kipkay is also known to be an all time top 100 subscribed YouTube Channel

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-22658364845801712642009-09-28T15:38:00.020-04:002011-05-23T13:41:46.193-04:00

This is the first post in the Hardening your home section. The following info comes from my own experience in securing my house, and some comes from tidbits collected around the net, mostly from police crime prevention info sites. First and foremost, if possible install steel doors with no window openings. Obviously this will be your strongest option by far over wood or glass doors. If you are

Trajannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-56901355504449017822009-09-27T21:44:00.006-04:002009-10-08T13:43:59.148-04:00

The following info is from a post by fellow prepper that goes by the nom de plume "Darkside" on a forum I frequent called flsurvival.com. As the name suggests it is a preppers/survivalist forum for Florida residents, but that's not germane to the thrust of this article, that's just a little FYI. The post is a visual tour of his extended capability First Aid Kit that he is assembling for his

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-20235123441793658402009-09-26T20:59:00.003-04:002011-05-23T13:19:37.382-04:00

Just a note about the small hardware You can get strap materiel, Fastex buckles, cordlocks, grommets, snaps, velcro, and most any other such items from your local fabric and sewing store. I get mine from the JoAnne Fabrics around the corner. Don't waste your time going to sporting goods stores, I blew most of a day trying that and getting blank looks when trying to convey what I was looking

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-9100422812915055782009-09-26T20:49:00.002-04:002011-05-23T13:20:19.802-04:00

This is a fairly common upgrade procedure, it was one of the first I read about when I started researching the ALICE pack. You can find a few sites that offer instructions on this, and it's not exactly rocket science to figure out on your own...but I figure I will add it here for completeness This is what the back of the belt looks like, this is the part that attaches to your frame: (Click

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-72633743144410803312009-09-26T15:07:00.002-04:002009-09-26T21:24:12.908-04:00

I didn't want to modify the radio pouch so much that it could no longer function as originally intended. My solution was to install grommets in select locations and use paracord as a drawstring to secure the Gerber bladder in the pouch. To install the grommets I went to JoAnne Fabrics and picked up a grommet tool and some 1/4 inch grommets. You may also see them called "eyelets" (Click for

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-20524780405947869462009-09-26T12:09:00.005-04:002011-05-23T13:24:52.292-04:00

As I mentioned in Part 1 of Hydration, I decided on a redundant system of water management to allow me to carry a greater quantity of water than the usual 2 liters, and to be able to hand off the canteens if need be but still have my own water supply at hand. Originally I had rigged a Camelbak Storm bladder that I had laying around up inside the empty frame area  between your back and the

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-74743633071683169962009-09-25T23:24:00.002-04:002011-05-23T13:39:23.758-04:00

This is probably the quickest and easiest mod. I am using a black compression strap in these pictures for contrast. I have some OD green Swiss milsurp straps on order from Sportsmans Guide that I will be using instead when they get here. The compression strap in these pictures came from Wal Mart, cost a little over $2, and is found in the camping accessories section of the store. Simply take

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-38729970705366340512009-09-25T15:17:00.004-04:002011-05-23T13:18:19.334-04:00

Some of the items I am using for this project are offered as retrofit kits available from several vendors. Here are the big items Blackhawk Enhanced ALICE Shoulder straps ALICE LC1/LC2 PACK MODERNIZATION STRAP & BUCKLE KIT ALICE PACK FRAME DETACHABLE CARGO SHELF MOLLE II SLEEP SYSTEM BAG MOLLE II ENHANCED WAIST BELT

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-86249824920859942952009-09-25T14:36:00.005-04:002011-05-23T13:38:54.172-04:00

The large ALICE has one main compartment (that also includes a radio pouch), 3 external small pockets that fit under the top flap, and 3 external large pockets at the bottom for a combined total of around 3800 cubic inches of space. However it is no frills when it comes to internal organization. It is also water resistant, not waterproof. The original issue bags came with plastic bag inserts for

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-77790819848803985492009-09-25T11:06:00.005-04:002011-05-23T13:32:36.070-04:00

Since I will have to be carrying supplies not only for myself but for my children, I decided to go with a 2 part modular system for water storage that will allow me to carry a combined total of 5 liters of water. The first part of this system is 2 USGI 1 liter plastic canteens that I will mount either on the pack or more likely on the upgraded MOLLE 2 waist belt (that I will be showing you how

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-76972145110035481322009-09-25T10:20:00.004-04:002011-05-23T13:23:28.221-04:00

One thing that modern packs have that is sadly lacking on the ALICE system is a carrying handle or strap, usually placed at the top of the bag to facilitate easier manhandling of the bag. Luckily this can easily be remedied with some 550 paracord and 10 minutes of your time. For this project I am using Atlanco brand paracord in a 3 color simulated woodland camo pattern, but you can use whatever

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-1372971844535111172009-09-24T15:07:00.007-04:002011-05-23T13:22:34.575-04:00

The large ALICE pack typically comes with an elastic banded pack cover (also works as a spare tire cover) that is patterned in 3 color desert camo. Here's a picture, click it and the other following pics for a larger view: This is not a very useful coloration pattern if you happen to live in temperate or sub-tropical regions like South Florida, as I do.Oh sure, if I was planning on laying low

Trajannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4874222051144349430.post-33105212278534997932009-09-24T11:44:00.016-04:002011-05-23T13:19:08.650-04:00

This will be an ongoing blog about some of my survival oriented projects, and the first is modifications of the ubiquitous ALICE bags. This has become something of a fun hobby for me, seeing how far I can go with (relatively) cheap materials in modernizing these bags. So I figured I’d post about it, and possibly give someone some ideas. Here is a picture of the large ALICE: I’m not going to

Trajannoreply@blogger.com