SOmeone asked about the shelflife of the FRH (Flameless Ration Heater a.k.a. ‘NRE heater’). The must-bookmark website, www.mreinfo.com , says five years. I just tried out one of my ten year old FRH’s. I think there was some decreased performance but not enough to be a concern…I would say that ten years is about the limit.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

I have one of those nifty little weather alert radios that goes off like a stun grenade whenever the weather people determine there to be some sort of bad weather warning that people need to know about. Anyway, Im sitting at the computer minding my own business when the thing goes off. Turns out, and this was a first for me, it was a non-weather related alert. It was an alert that a couple counties over there was a prisoner who had escaped from custody during transport. Interesting use of the weather alert system. Those little weather radios, by the by, are about $30 or so and even if you never get an alert they still give you constant weather updates.
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The girlfriend is off to gun camp this weekend. Its a two day ‘practical rifle’ course at Front Sight. Since we’ve already taken a similar course from Pat Goodale on the AR’s, this trip will be with the AK. Whats amusing is that the FS literature says you’ll need about 200 rounds for two days. With Goodale we went through four times that in one day. Its worth noting that in the constant shooting, the AR’s needed to be lubed or cleaned upa bit every 350 rounds or so. (Although to be fair, this may have been the result of using the PMC ammo which may not have been milspec). I fully expect the AK to need no cleaning or lubing whatsoever. Asl always, a report from the range about other peoples hardware and the problems they encountered will be interesting.
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Speaking of AK’s, the price of 7.62×39 ammo has gone up in a large way. It was only a year or so ago I was getting a case of wolf for $85…now its looking like you cant touch it for less than $115 – when you can find it. I really dont care why the shortage, theres no lack of rumours, I just care that the shortage exists. With the Chinese switching to their new cartridge and the Sov’s keeping to the 5.45×39 the days of gobs and gobs of cheap 7.62×39 may be numbered. It’ll be years before the enormous stockpiles of it are gone but it will happen.
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IOR Valdada, the guys who make the scope Ive been lusting after, also make binoculars and, more interestingly, monoculars. Even better, they have rangefinding reticles. May have to get one for myself. Be kinda handy in the field.
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Sportsmans Guide HQ catalog has black Mickey Mouse winter boots on sale for $40. $60 if, like me, you take a wide. Their product #AX6M-21076X …. If anyone wants to buy me a pair, I take a 10W. These boots are the shiznits for mind-numbing cold. HQ also has them in white but then your looking at an extra $20 (but no Wides), and, frankly, I can get the same effect with some spray paint. So if you want some winter boots that will keep your footsies warm and dry in literally arctic conditions, these be the ones.
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And, this is a goodie, a reallyneat deal: 288 MRE heaters for $20. Even if you dont have MRE entree pouches laying around, you can still heat the small ’single serving’ packages of chili, ravioli and various other small packaged pre-cooked foods. This is a smoking bargain on these things. Oh..and you can make little noise bombs out of them using empty plastic pop bottles. Seriously, this is a good deal. Grab some while you can.

I have one of those nifty little weather alert radios that goes off like a stun grenade whenever the weather people determine there to be some sort of bad weather warning that people need to know about.  Anyway, Im sitting at the computer minding my own business when the thing goes off. Turns out, and this was a first for me, it was a non-weather related alert. It was an alert that a couple counties over there was a prisoner who had escaped from custody during transport. Interesting use of the weather alert system. Those little weather radios, by the by, are about $30 or so and even if you never get an alert they still give you constant weather updates.
=====
The girlfriend is off to gun camp this weekend. Its a two day ‘practical rifle’ course at Front Sight. Since we’ve already taken a similar course from Pat Goodale on the AR’s, this trip will be with the AK. Whats amusing is that the FS literature says you’ll need about 200 rounds for two days. With Goodale we went through four times that in one day. Its worth noting that in the constant shooting, the AR’s needed to be lubed or cleaned upa bit every 350 rounds or so. (Although to be fair, this may have been the result of using the PMC ammo which may not have been milspec). I fully expect the AK to need no cleaning or lubing whatsoever. Asl always, a report from the range about other peoples hardware and the problems they encountered will be interesting.
=====
Speaking of AK’s, the price of 7.62×39 ammo has gone up in a large way. It was only a year or so ago I was getting a case of wolf for $85…now its looking like you cant touch it for less than $115 – when you can find it. I really dont care why the shortage, theres no lack of rumours, I just care that the shortage exists. With the Chinese switching to their new cartridge and the Sov’s keeping to the 5.45×39 the days of gobs and gobs of cheap 7.62×39 may be numbered. It’ll be years before the enormous stockpiles of it are gone but it will happen.
=====
IOR Valdada, the guys who make the scope Ive been lusting after, also make binoculars and, more interestingly, monoculars. Even better, they have rangefinding reticles. May have to get one for myself. Be kinda handy in the field.
=====
Sportsmans Guide HQ catalog has black Mickey Mouse winter boots on sale for $40. $60 if, like me, you take a wide. Their product #AX6M-21076X …. If anyone wants to buy me a pair, I take a 10W. These boots are the shiznits for mind-numbing cold. HQ also has them in white but then your looking at an extra $20 (but no Wides), and, frankly, I can get the same effect with some spray paint. So if you want some winter boots that will keep your footsies warm and dry in literally arctic conditions, these be the ones.
=====
And, tis is a goodie, a reallyneat deal: 288 MRE heaters for $20. Even if you dont have MRE entree pouches laying around, you can still heat the small ‘single serving’ packages of chili, ravioli and various other small packaged pre-cooked foods. This is a smoking bargain on these things. Oh..and you can make little noise bombs out of them using empty plastic pop bottles. Seriously, this is a good deal. Grab some while you can.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Ever get one of those newspaper-like periodicals that is nothing but product information for various products related to a particular field? Computer folks get them all the time, Im sure. I received one for law enforcement stuff. Its interesting because theres all sortsa goodies that might be handy and its also good to know what sort of new toys the friendly fellows in the black ski masks are going to have. Some interesting highlights:
Self heating rescue blanket – Ready-Heat Blanket www.boundtree.com
Earbud LED light – Ear Piece Lighting System –  www.policehelmets.com
Rescue rope gear – www.cmcrescue.com
QuikClot Absorbent Clotting Sponge – www.quikclot.com
Bone conduction mic headset – www.swatheadsets.com
Large tensts/shelters of various use – www.base-x.com

You know, with that Fatherland Security money floating around every Mayberry police department is gonna be wanting a piece of that newfangled eee-lec-tronic cop gear.

Ever get one of those newspaper-like periodicals that is nothing but product information for various products related to a particular field? Computer folks get them all the time, Im sure. I received one for law enforcement stuff. Its interesting because theres all sortsa goodies that might be handy and its also good to know what sort of new toys the friendly fellows in the black ski masks are going to have. Some interesting highlights:
Self heating rescue blanket – Ready-Heat Blanket www.boundtree.com
Earbud LED light – Ear Piece Lighting System –  www.policehelmets.com
Rescue rope gear – www.cmcrescue.com
QuikClot Absorbent Clotting Sponge – www.quikclot.com
Bone conduction mic headset – www.swatheadsets.com
Large tensts/shelters of various use – www.base-x.com

You know, with that Fatherland Security money floating around every Mayberry police department is gonna be wanting a piece of that newfangled eee-lec-tronic cop gear.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Well, it kinda dropped off the radar for a little bit but it appears Uncle Sam
U.S. Issues Tips for Possible Flu Pandemic: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060106/ap_on_he_me/pandemic_preparation

Soooooo….will it or won’t it? Be interesting to see.

Well, it kinda dropped off the radar for a little bit but it appears Uncle Sam
U.S. Issues Tips for Possible Flu Pandemic: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060106/ap_on_he_me/pandemic_preparation

Soooooo….will it or won’t it? Be interesting to see.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Bandicoot has his After Action Report up.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/bandicoot/564659.html#cutid1

Good details and a few photos. Recommended read.

bandicoot has his After Action Report up.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/bandicoot/564659.html#cutid1

Good detaila nd a few photos. Recommended read.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Bandicoot is in the middle of an extended outage in California. He’s logging in off a battery stack and giving updates. Good reading and always eye-opening…good to learn from others experiences. Go read.