Ron Paul Forums - Liberty Forest Forums - Freedom Living http://www.ronpaulforums.com/ Discussion of off-the-grid and related self-sufficiency matters to achieve an independent lifestyle. en Thu, 23 May 2013 13:58:52 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.ronpaulforums.com/images/misc/rss.png Ron Paul Forums - Liberty Forest Forums - Freedom Living http://www.ronpaulforums.com/ This site rates freedom in the 50 states http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?415276-This-site-rates-freedom-in-the-50-states&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 00:47:41 GMT just fyi ... just fyi

http://freedominthe50states.org/marr...nt=v1&52213845 ]]> Freedom Living sailingaway http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?415276-This-site-rates-freedom-in-the-50-states Moving Abroad - Seeking opinions of Libertarians/anarcho-capitalists http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?415216-Moving-Abroad-Seeking-opinions-of-Libertarians-anarcho-capitalists&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 15:30:24 GMT Hi Folks,
Long time lurker but just joined Ron Paul forums this week. Also a fellow libertarian. This is my first post and here's why I'm writing.

I moved abroad about 6 years ago at the top of the housing bubble. I did it for a lot of reasons, but I had a bad feeling about the way things were headed. Since then, I started a blog dealing with issues related to families moving overseas. The reason for the blog is because I kept getting emails from folks thinking about moving abroad, and the overwhelming majority of them were libertarian/anarcho-capitalist types.

So my questions are these: Is moving abroad "a thing" among libertarians? Has anyone here considered it, or is anyone actively pursuing it? If so, what's the one biggest reason you're considering it? What's the one thing holding you back?

My reasons for asking are half out of curiosity and half self-interested... I want to give folks the best content possible on my site, and since we get a high degree of libertarian readers, want to make sure we're addressing their specific concerns.

I would greatly appreciate any input from this distinguished group.

Best regards,
Coley Hudgins
Moving Abroad with Children ]]> Freedom Living MAWC http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?415216-Moving-Abroad-Seeking-opinions-of-Libertarians-anarcho-capitalists cheese making http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?415076-cheese-making&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 04:07:57 GMT http://www.cheesemaking.com/ http://www.cheesemaking.com/ ]]> Freedom Living sailingaway http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?415076-cheese-making Does smoking weed make you unable 2b productive? (split from arrest thread) http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?415050-Does-smoking-weed-make-you-unable-2b-productive-(split-from-arrest-thread)&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 17:07:12 GMT
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulConventionWV View Post
Is that what civil disobedience is to you? Does getting high automatically make someone "worthless"?
While they are high, yes, they are pretty worthless to get anything constructive done. ]]> Freedom Living LibertyEagle http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?415050-Does-smoking-weed-make-you-unable-2b-productive-(split-from-arrest-thread) <![CDATA[Who's killing the hydrogen car? The federal government]]> http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414992-Who-s-killing-the-hydrogen-car-The-federal-government&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 12:16:43 GMT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3GDjVskYIs Cliff notes version...the guy in the video is powering his Corvette using hydrogen. He has a 400 mile...

Cliff notes version...the guy in the video is powering his Corvette using hydrogen. He has a 400 mile range. He makes his own hydrogen using solar panels. So why isn't this mass produced? Well the catalyst used to store the hydrogen safely is regulated as it's also used in nuclear bombs. You can make it yourself...but you can't buy it. To make it yourself you need your own particle accelerator. Not the kind at CERN, but one that can fit in your backyard. The problem? Well...doing this requires licensing fees from the FDA. What does the FDA have to do with particle accelerators? Your guess is as good as mine. ]]> Freedom Living jmdrake http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414992-Who-s-killing-the-hydrogen-car-The-federal-government Airplane you can park in garage and launch at lake for $140K http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414937-Airplane-you-can-park-in-garage-and-launch-at-lake-for-140K&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 19:40:40 GMT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51qTAbLiziI Take that TSA!

Take that TSA! ]]> Freedom Living jmdrake http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414937-Airplane-you-can-park-in-garage-and-launch-at-lake-for-140K Successful gasoline to propane generator conversion http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414801-Successful-gasoline-to-propane-generator-conversion&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 03:05:49 GMT So, last week I ordered the SEK - 4A and SEK - 5A propane conversion kits from Century Fuel Products. ... So, last week I ordered the SEK - 4A and SEK - 5A propane conversion kits from Century Fuel Products.

http://www.usgemini.com/Generator-Conversion-Kit.html

$240 for everything.

They arrived today, and after about a half an hour positioning everything and making up fittings, and another half hour or 45 minutes to install, and the generator is up and running on propane power.



5000 watts of heaters and 250 watts of halogen light.



The low pressure demand regulator. The large set screw with lock nut at the top is the demand needle valve. You manually set this for optimum run at peak load and then lock it in place. The empty set screw sockets on the top of the rail are for the gasoline tank, which is removable on this model. These two holes required drilling through the frame.



This is not the best shot of this, if anybody is really curious, let me know and I'll take a better picture. What you are looking at is the "injector block", basically a circular jet ring, milled out of aluminum, that bolts directly ahead of the stock carb with extension studs.

This was the only problem that I ran into, these extension studs were threaded metric and I needed 1/4" x 20. No worries, a few minutes with a tap and die had them ready to go.

The low pressure gas from the demand regulator is fed in here. Important to note is that all of the stock gasoline carb equipment is still in place. I have the tank removed for ease of work and clarity, but all that has to happen is to bolt the tank back on and hook up the fuel line to run regular gas. All the original carb parts, choke and air filter stay in place and will function normally.



Another view of the demand regulator. The kit came with black iron closed nipples, elbows and a brass ball valve to make a shut off connection at this point, but I connected the line from the tank regulator directly to the demand regulator to cut down on weight, connections that might leak and things to get hung up on. Since it was going directly to the portable tank with a shut off valve three feet away, I didn't see the need unless I hook it up to the low pressure feed line off my 100 gallon propane tank. I don't anticipate using that unless shit really hits the fan.

So far, runs like a champ, and now I can store emergency generator fuel without having to worry about it going bad in three months like the gasoline will nowadays.

I highly recommend this kit.

Post in the thread if you have any questions, I'll try to answer them ]]> Freedom Living Anti Federalist http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414801-Successful-gasoline-to-propane-generator-conversion 50 Ways to Build Resilient Wealth Before and After a Collapse http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414732-50-Ways-to-Build-Resilient-Wealth-Before-and-After-a-Collapse&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 13:34:52 GMT *50 Ways to Build Resilient Wealth Before and After a Collapse* Todd Walker *Survival Sherpa* (http://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com/) May... 50 Ways to Build Resilient Wealth Before and After a Collapse


Todd Walker
Survival Sherpa
May 17th, 2013


“Lordy, we’s got to have a doctor! I don’t know nothin’ ’bout birthin babies!”

That’s when Scarlett says, “You told me you knew everything!”

“I don’t know why I lied!”



Does this famous scene from “Gone With The Wind” sum up how you feel sometimes? You feel you don’t know nothing about escaping the caged wheel inside your cubicle.

That may be true, but you do know enough to turn your knowledge and skills into extra income.


The best place to succeed is where you are with what you have ~ Charles Schwab

Conventional prepper wisdom tells us to get our beans, bullets, and Band Aids in order. This strategy, which I embrace, begs the question(s): What then? What do you do after you have squirreled away this consumable stuff? Is it enough? How long before your stuff runs out? How long before the rubber seals on your buckets deteriorate?

These questions nag you like a loose tooth.

Once you come to the un-Pollyannic conclusion that your survival cache will run out, you have to ask the main question, “Is survival enough?” Maybe it is – for the short-term.

Survival skills and stuff are necessary after any disaster. Merely surviving is not what I signed up for in my preparedness contract. You probably didn’t either. You’d like to have your post-SHTF coffee and drink it too – with heavy whipping cream! Could I do without? Sure, for short periods of time.

This requires an outside-the-bunker mindset (unless you enjoy bunker living). If you plan is to hunker down in a remote, hidden hole somewhere, you’ll have to eventually come up for air where the zombies and biker gangs rome. Stuff runs out.

Adopting a non-survivalist mentality may fit the bunker-less among us – present company included. What’s that mean? This is the Survival Sherpa blog, right? Correct. But there’s more to us than mere survival. We promote a lifestyle that would be worth living both now and after economic collapse.

I’ve read that during the Great Depression, the deficit was 40% of our total US GDP. Today it’s 105%. I’m on the tail end of the baby boomer generation. I don’t have plans to retire. I’m not dreaming of eating crumbs from the Social Security Ponzi scheme.

What’s our strategy? Build resilience physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. This is our long-term strategy. It takes time. But it’s worth the effort and investment.

When our fiat dollars become useful only in the outhouse and fireplace, you’ll be ahead of the herd. The key to producing resilient wealth now and after a collapse is to find a way to add value and improve the quality of life for others.

Here’s a few ideas that will help you build resilient skills that produce wealth before and possible after the illusion explodes.

[I've designated each with 'Pre', 'Post', or 'Both'. The transfer of some 'Pre' items to a post-collapse world will be dependent on things like technology and available resources like electricity or the internet. Make use of these modern conveniences while we've got them. Many on my list will transfer to 'Post' seamlessly. I hope 'Both' is self-explanatory.]

1. Pre: Write an e-book and self-publish.

2. Pre: Publish instructional videos and tutorials.

3. Both: Nanny for kids and elderly

4. Both: Food buyers club. The relationships you build with food producers would carry over into a post collapse environment.

5. Pre: Freelance writing

6. Both: Blacksmithing and metal work

7. Both: Seamstress

8. Both: Carpentry

9. Both: Plumbing/Electrical – especially for installing alternative energy systems.

10. Both: Cooking. People have to eat. We enjoy good food. Market your recipes. Tess Pennington over at Ready Nutrition has done just that with her new book, “The Prepper’s Cookbook.”

11. Both: Medical skills. After the SHTF, the free market will determine who’s capable in the field of medicine – not a framed piece of paper on an office wall.

12. Both: Wild food foraging. Learn more on this here.

13. Both: Education/tutoring service

14. Both: Musician/Entertainer

15. Both: Build a barter network

16. Both: Animal husbandry

17. Both: Gardening/permaculture

18. Both: Gunsmith

19: Both: Mechanic for diesel and gas engines

20. Both: Biodiesel production

21. Both: Well boring. Having the equipment to bore water wells makes you a valuable asset.

22. Both: Portable sawmill. People will always want and need lumber. In a post collapse world, energy to run a mill might be a challenge. Explore steam power and biodiesel as alternative fuel.

23. Both: Draft animal trainer. This skill might be more valuable in a post world.

24. Both: Timber frame construction. In the past, raising a barn or home with primitive tools within a community was common place. Having the skills and tools to do so would ensure place you at the top of the producer list in your group.

25: Both: Alternative energy expert – solar, hydro, wood gasification, etc.

26: Both: Make charcoal. It’s mainly a hobby in our pre world. I can see it being value adder after a collapse.

27: Both: Heavy equipment operator. Barter with the guy making biodiesel to keep the machines running.

28. Both: Lumberjack. Post world lumberjack tools will look much different from today. Axes, crosscut saws, draft animals and sleds, files, wedges, and sledgehammers come to mind.

29. Both: Preserving food – smoking, pickling, canning, etc. Practicing more primitive techniques now would be useful in a post world.

30. Both: Building chicken coops/tractors for backyard poultry.

31. Both: Unconventional housing – cob, bail, rammed earth, earth homes, etc.

32. Both: Mobil butcher and meat processor. Instead of hauling livestock to a distant location, this local option might be welcomed by farmers. This would bridge a gap from farm to dinner plate.

33. Both: Marketing and distribution of products. This service bridges the gap between the producers and the consumers. Start small and keep it local. Look for bigger opportunities to grow your business. It’s a win-win-win for the producer, consumer, and you.

34. Both: Distilling spirits. If you don’t think alcohol will be in demand after TSHTF, think again. Its role won’t be just consumption either. Think medicinal and sanitation.

35. Both: Water purification. Essential to life.

36. Both: Appliance repair man/woman. Fixing stuff that breaks is a skill worth knowing.

37. Both: Dumpster diving. A friend of mine rescues ‘trash’ that he finds in dumps. His most recent find was a 18 volt Dewalt drill. He tinkered with it and now uses it in his construction business. Trash into treasure.

38. Both: Soap and candle maker. Handmade soaps and candles are very popular now. Could you become one of these local artisans?

39. Both: Shoe repair/leather work. My mama has the shoe lass that her daddy used to make and repair shoes for her and her nine siblings during the Great Depression.

40. Both: Herbalist. Healing with herbs and homeopathic methods.

41. Both: Luxury items. Even in a post collapse world, we will want our creature comforts to make life seem more normal. Small things like chocolate or a steaming cup of coffee would brighten things up.

42. Pre: Sell stuff on eBay, Craigslist, and other online sites.

43. Pre: Blogging. The vast majority of blogs don’t make big money. Successful sites make lots of money. The conventional approach is to produce great content which draws high traffic. You would then sell advertising on your site. I made a decision to not use advertising on this blog. I’m getting lots of requests from vendors to advertise here. But I want to stick with my no advertising policy.

44. Pre: Photography. Sell your stock photos online.

45. Both: Own land. They don’t make anymore of this stuff. Productive farmland has doubled in price since last year. Even with small acreage, people are able to produce supplemental income. Our local farmers market has several vendors that use limited space to grow and sell organic vegetables.

46. Both: Lease your skills. Offer your knowledge through classes. Build authority in your field and teach others the skills you’ve honed for a fee.

47. Both: Sell seeds. We take for granted that we can run to the garden center and buy seeds for our garden. Heirloom, open-pollenated varieties are hard to come by locally. You could start a seed swap if your area doesn’t have a community of seed savers. Here’s a rare seed company you might be interested in checking out.

48. Consulting. This list alone could go on for pages. For our intent here, we’ll stick to the realm of sustainability, survival, prepping, and resilience: Water, energy, security, food, etc. There are few limits to the list. Be creative. Build authority. Add value.

49. Pre. Retreat and relocation service. Survival Blog has several examples of everyday folks who have developed niche markets to serve Mr. Rawles’ vision of moving to sparsely populated areas. He has promoted the American Redoubt on his site for people wanting to and are able to relocate. You can read Pastor Chuck Baldwin’s reasons for moving to Montana here. A son of Mr. Rawles operates SurvivalRealty.com aimed at helping find survival retreats. Todd Savage started Survival Retreat Consulting to help serve this niche market.

50. Both: Midwifery. How valuable would it be if Prissy possessed these skills? I don’t know nothing about birthing babies. Do you?

This is a simple list to get you thinking. More came to my mind when compiling this list. But I figured 50 was a good, round number to get us started. What would you add? Add yours in the comment section.

Keep doing the stuff,

Todd ]]> Freedom Living donnay http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414732-50-Ways-to-Build-Resilient-Wealth-Before-and-After-a-Collapse why permaculture folks love comfrey http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414607-why-permaculture-folks-love-comfrey&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 14:43:34 GMT

I'm not into permaculture, but this is interesting. I have to wonder though. When they talk about comfrey putting down "deep roots" and "enriching the soil" it sounds like kudzu. ]]> Freedom Living jmdrake http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?414607-why-permaculture-folks-love-comfrey How to Make Ammonium Nitrate http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?413881-How-to-Make-Ammonium-Nitrate&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 18:04:59 GMT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2IG49Nw1Fo Uploaded on Apr 18, 2010 In this video we make ammonium nitrate from various off-the-shelf...

Uploaded on Apr 18, 2010

In this video we make ammonium nitrate from various off-the-shelf chemicals.

Note: This is not cheaper than buying it directly, once again our objective is to explore the chemistry.

Warning: The chemicals are corrosive and ammonia has a horrible smell, work outside or in a fumehood and wear gloves.

First get 138 grams of sodium bisulfate and add just enough water to dissolve it, usually 300mL.

Then get one mole equivalent of a pure nitrate salt. Some common salts include:

Sodium nitrate: 85 grams.
Potassium nitrate: 101 grams.
Calcium nitrate: 118 grams (if using tetrahydrate)

Dissolve the nitrate in a minimum of water, then mix the two solutions together.

Neutralize the mixture with ammonia (using a pH meter to determine the endpoint).

Filter the mixture to get rid of any insoluble materials if needed, then boil until sodium sulfate begins to precipitate. Then cool the mixture to 0 Celsius and filter. Dry the filtrate to obtain ammonium nitrate mixed with some leftover metal sulfates.

For higher purity the solids can be mixed with 500mL of methanol which selectively dissolves ammonium nitrate. Filter again and evaporate the filtrate to obtain pure ammonium nitrate.

====

The war against Ammonium nitrate:
http://www.dhs.gov/ammonium-nitrate-security-program

-t ]]> Freedom Living tangent4ronpaul http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?413881-How-to-Make-Ammonium-Nitrate Homeless: Urban Survival During a Recession (VIDEO) http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?413578-Homeless-Urban-Survival-During-a-Recession-(VIDEO)&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 04:33:17 GMT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miUruRfErMk ]]> Freedom Living paul-for-liberty http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?413578-Homeless-Urban-Survival-During-a-Recession-(VIDEO) Beejacking 101 or Grand Theft Beehive http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?413399-Beejacking-101-or-Grand-Theft-Beehive&goto=newpost Mon, 06 May 2013 07:29:22 GMT Utah cabin no longer home sweet home for 60,000 bees http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56266216-78/bachman-beehive-cabin-honeybees.html.csp ... Utah cabin no longer home sweet home for 60,000 bees
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56...ybees.html.csp



It was the biggest beehive that Ogden beekeeper Vic Bachman has ever removed — a dozen feet long, packed inside the eaves of a cabin in Ogden Valley.

"We figure we got 15 pounds of bees out of there," said Bachman, who said that translates to about 60,000 honeybees.

Bachman was called to the A-frame cabin last month in Eden. Taking apart a panel that hid roof rafters, he had no idea he would find honeycombs packed 12 feet long, 4 feet wide and 16 inches deep.

The honeybees had been making the enclosed cavity their home since 1996, hardly bothering the homeowners. The cabin was rarely used, but when the owners needed to occupy it while building another home nearby, they decided the beehive wasn’t safe for their two children.

A few bees had found their way inside the house, and the hive was just outside a window of a children’s bedroom.

They didn’t want to kill the honeybees, a species in decline that does yeoman’s work pollinating flowers and crops.

So they called Bachman, owner of Deseret Hive Supply, a hobbyist store that can’t keep up with demand for honeybees.

Bachman used a vacuum cleaner to suck the bees into a cage.

"It doesn’t hurt them," he said.

The job took six hours. At $100 an hour, the bill came to $600.

"The bees were expensive," said Paul Bertagnolli, the cabin owner. But he was satisfied with the job.

Utah calls itself the Beehive State, a symbol of industriousness. Whether this was Utah’s largest beehive is unknown, but Bachman said it would rank high.

"It’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen," he said. "I’ve never seen one that big."

He used smoke to pacify the bees, but Bachman said honeybees are gentle creatures unlike predatory yellow jackets or hornets, which attack, rip apart and eat honeybees, he said.

"They just want to collect nectar and come back to the hive," he said. "Most people never get stung by honeybees — it’s a yellow jacket."

Bachman reassembled the hive in a yard of his North Ogden home, while saving some of the honeycomb for candles and lotions at his store. He left other honeycombs for the cabin owners to chew on.

"We caught the queen and were able to keep her," Bachman said. "The hive is in my backyard right now and is doing well."

-t ]]> Freedom Living tangent4ronpaul http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?413399-Beejacking-101-or-Grand-Theft-Beehive Ham Radio Freedom http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?413367-Ham-Radio-Freedom&goto=newpost Sun, 05 May 2013 23:45:11 GMT Ham Radio Freedom by David Hathaway http://lewrockwell.com/orig13/hathaway4.1.1.html Surprisingly, ham radio is something that has not... Ham Radio Freedom
by David Hathaway


http://lewrockwell.com/orig13/hathaway4.1.1.html


Surprisingly, ham radio is something that has not been entirely messed up by state action. As a matter of fact, it has avoided most of the crazy rules that have affected commercial broadcasting and commercial two-way radio in recent years.

The ruinous policy of converting all over-the-air broadcast TV to digital transmission has greatly reduced signal coverage. On the eve of that grand edict taking effect several years ago, many historic stations went out of business rather than spending the money to convert to less effective technology that would reduce their broadcast range. The pay satellite and cable TV lobby won out on that one over the free providers. Digital doesn’t always mean better. The same thing applies to cell phones. Remember when cell phones used to sound clear, with fuller audio fidelity, and very little signal lag? That was back when 3-watt transmitters and broader band analog signals were an option. Regulators have caused the robust quality of cell phone communication to degenerate over time. Your current cell phone emanates a very low powered, very narrow band digital signal which is also plagued with multiple other state-caused unintended consequences like poor hybridization (the ability of both sides to interact at the same time) over the extremely narrow digital signal, low quality compressed audio, and latency delays in the digital stream (when you both keep interrupting each other because you think there is silence when your friend is actually talking).

Another policy change within the past year that has negatively affected users of two-way commercial radio is a new FCC requirement to use a more "narrow band" FM radio signal. This reduces audio fidelity and effective transmission distance. Hams are exempt from this requirement even though they use identical technology for two-way FM voice communication in their walkie-talkies, vehicle mounted radios, and base radios. They can continue to use the much more effective wider band FM signals.

Such requirements like mandatory usage of less effective digital signals or reduced radio signal bandwidth have not been applied significantly to ham radio. Since ham radio is largely considered an experimental amateur (unpaid) medium, most transmission modes are allowed. Ham radio operators use many diverse forms of communication including ham satellites; digital or analog transmissions; FM/AM and other modes; and a choice of bands ranging from worldwide high frequency bands to more local VHF, UHF, and microwave bands. Ham operators also send TV signals, digital facsimile images, and re-transmitted signals from unmanned mountaintop and tower repeaters over long distances. There are many linked repeater systems (most having solar or generator power back-up) that connect multi-state regions throughout the U.S. These repeaters are accessible via a small walkie-talkie like this compact full featured dual band VHF/UHF handheld radio for $114 or this one for $40. The radio and repeater technology is the same as used by many police departments for wide area coverage via handheld or vehicle mounted radios.

In many cases, hams have fewer government imposed antenna restrictions than commercial radio operators. This is due to the experimental nature of the hobby and the government acknowledged concept that hams perform a public service by providing alternate communications in emergencies.

Government allowed power limits are much higher for hams than most other non-commercial and commercial radio categories. The familiar Citizen’s Band (CB) is allowed a 4 watt signal and the Family Radio Service (FRS) is limited to half a watt. Ham radio, on the other hand, is allowed 1,500 watts on most bands. Most modern state regulated cellular phones have a maximum power output well under one watt (they are allowed up to two watts) and they self-adjust to power outputs down to 20 milliwatts (20/1,000 of a watt).

One of the best characteristics of ham radio is related to privacy. It is impractical for a government snooper to easily grab data about ham communications. The state goes for the low hanging fruit. It has become so easy to snoop en masse that the government rarely monitors anything that is not connected to a grid in this country. The extent of government domestic radio monitoring is usually limited to some review of general radio frequency activity, not usually hard-targeting any individuals. It is much easier to require Google to search for key words in stored gmails. It is very easy to do the same with Verizon wireless for text messages. It is easy to require a cooperating cell phone company to tap a cell phone from a thousand miles away and cause the Electronic Serial Number (ESN) tracked device to route all of its data and communications to a central government repository. There is practically no legwork for these mass intercepts and they are required of, and facilitated by, private communications providers under laws like the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). It is near impossible to grab stored communications content through a grid for most ham radio communications.

There is no longer a logging requirement for ham radio, so there will not be the possibility of an audit of personal logs that were previously mandated regarding your historical communications. The frequencies and modes are so varied that it would require a team to try to understand the vagaries of the communications of one small group of radio operators. There is no ESN assigned to your device that allows the government to track you. The common usage of directional antennas in ham radio would require an interceptor to not only know the band, frequency, mode, and time of the transmission but, to effectively calculate angles and azimuths and place himself in the path of the signal with suitable equipment. Too close or too far from a transmitter would cause an interceptor to miss the communication entirely when ionospheric bounces are involved in international communications. Most ham communications immediately vanish into the ether after the conversation and it would require an old school recorder, a pair of headphones, and a real-time dedicated team of government operators spinning the dial to try to grab a snapshot of your specific communications. The truth of the matter is that this is cost prohibitive and is not often attempted on a domestic level. Why would law enforcement agencies bother trying to mobilize a bunch of unionized, carpal tunnel, flexitime, flexiplace, overtime-seeking, perdiem-seeking teams for one-off targeted intercepts anyway when Americans have given up gazillions of bits of data that only require a contractor-provided computer system to profile, slice, dice, sort, and spit out the desired results.

The ham operators in your region spend lots of their own money on free access equipment like repeaters and digital radio bulletin board systems (like email sent over the radio). These ventures are usually free for any ham to use. It is very much a self-organizing activity using privately procured equipment. There is a lot of plug-and-play equipment available that requires very little technical knowledge to set up. If you have very little money, it is a perfect hobby and a perfect way to talk to your family while you are on the road because you will be able to access lots of strategically placed communications equipment belonging to others with no monthly access charges. A hundred dollar handheld radio will allow you to communicate back to your family via repeaters over a large area at no cost to yourself. China produces a fantastic array of compact full frequency products. Many ham radios can be modified to operate in other bands. Google "ham radio mods" and you will see many step-by-step articles describing how to get the most out of your radios.

Another nice feature of ham radio is that it furthers the Jeffersonian ideal of friendly relations with foreign countries that are so often demonized by the state. Ham radio operators collect proofs of contact (called QSL cards) from many countries around the world. They learn that these foreigners are normal people just like they are. The government cannot simply turn off or block access to certain countries or certain individuals like they can when the internet or a cell phone is used.

A present day positive aspect of ham radio is an improvement in international signals during the peak of the 11-year solar cycle (which we are experiencing right now). Although you have heard on the main stream media about the current negative effects of these solar flares on communications, hams eagerly look forward to this predictable point in the cycle. The almost fully digitized, feeble, weak-signal world of satellite entertainment and communications dreads this 11-year atrocity. Hams love it. The ionization of the ionosphere by heavy solar activity actually improves the ability of high frequency signals to bounce ("skip") within the atmosphere to other distant parts of the earth allowing better communications with persons thousands of miles away.

Study for licensing in the U.S. is still easy. The main reason the system works so well is that it is privately operated by volunteer hams called "Voluntary Examiners." Some charge a nominal fee to administer the test but, only about $10 to recoup some of their expenses for mileage, etc. Study for the license used to require a preparation book which you can still use but, all of the question pool is now available on line at qrz.com for free. You can take as many practice tests as you desire using a test generator on qrz that creates endless numbers of tests using the real questions. The question pool stays the same for a few years, so it is a memorized multiple choice gig (in case you thought the FCC would require real learning; remember the government set this up). Nine members of my family have passed the radio theory tests and obtained their licenses, some advancing to higher license classes, usually doing so as part of their homeschooling when they get to about 10 to 14 years of age.

Reciprocal usage of your U.S. license is allowed while you are travelling in many countries with no additional licensing requirements. Many foreign countries will grant you a license if you simply show them your U.S. license and pay a fee. In reality, residents of many third world countries use modern ham radio equipment for short and long distance communication as commonly as Americans use telephones and no licenses are applied for and no fees paid.

Hope to hear you on the air. 73’s from KK6HG / CP6XZ. ]]> Freedom Living Anti Federalist http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?413367-Ham-Radio-Freedom 2-liter coke bottle, water, little bleach, powerless light source (daytime only) http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?412930-2-liter-coke-bottle-water-little-bleach-powerless-light-source-(daytime-only)&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 00:20:26 GMT Who says you can’t bottle (and distribute) genius? Developed in Brazil to address under-illuminated slums, this simple design idea has been adopted... Who says you can’t bottle (and distribute) genius? Developed in Brazil to address under-illuminated slums, this simple design idea has been adopted by MIT students and expanded to other developing areas where many low-income homes lack access to either daylight or electricity.

The physics of the concept are straightforward: the bottles are placed in roofs – half outside, half inside – and their lower portions refract light like 60-Watt light bulb but without the need for a power source. A few drops of bleach serve to keep the water clear, clean and germ-free for years to come.

In total, one of these do-it-yourself lights takes maybe an hour to install, cutting an appropriate hole, inserting a bleached-water-filled bottle, and resealing around the resulting gap. Even where clean water is rare, a little can generally be spared for a half-decade of lighting.

We take for granted our electric lights, windows and skylights to access the sun’s glow, but for those living in close-together shacks with corrugated-metal roofs, a stray ray is welcome, and something that can spread light to the darkest interior corners can be a dream come true.

Here is a short clip on how to make it, Use a 2-Liter Bottle as a 50 Watt Light Bulb::
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=_zMAWztZ6TI
Share it with others ]]> Freedom Living libertyjam http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?412930-2-liter-coke-bottle-water-little-bleach-powerless-light-source-(daytime-only) Huge Engineering Advance In Energy Technology http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?412874-Huge-Engineering-Advance-In-Energy-Technology&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:03:16 GMT This is big folks. If cold fusion remains a dud, no matter. These guys at the University of Missouri have just put that institution on the map with... This is big folks. If cold fusion remains a dud, no matter. These guys at the University of Missouri have just put that institution on the map with long-shelf plasma vortex generation in open air. I cannot emphasize the significance of this to the human race's future, to be able to generate and sustain plasma without the need for immensely powerful magnetic fields. This is the sort of thing that could end up being a very disruptive technology. It will be very interesting to see how Theye respond to this, particularly if Professor Curry is able to discover ways of sustaining the rings indefinitely. Many questions arise in my mind with this but I will not go into it here. Lets just sit back and wait a while to see whether this disappears from the radar.



Also, from http://www.redorbit.com/news/technol...ration-041713/ and

http://phys.org/news/2013-04-plasma-...-storage.html:

Quote:
"We have a world-class team at MU's Center for Physical & Power Electronics, but that team will evaporate without funding," Curry said. "Department of Defense funding for basic research led to our plasma innovation. The sequester's funding cuts threaten America's ability to compete in the future of energy technology. Not only will research not be advanced, a new generation of Americans won't be trained to take the reins of American engineering leadership.”

I do not want to sound too paranoid, but one must consider this possibility: The US Navy has funded it so far (i.e., you and I have). Now that the cat is out of the bag, I wonder whether they will pull the plug, take what now exists and spirit it away to an opaque facility for development. I also have not noticed any mention of its potential for weaponization. ]]> Freedom Living osan http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?412874-Huge-Engineering-Advance-In-Energy-Technology