To Skimp Or Not To Skimp, That Was Our Question

[Ken K7KBJ]

This week's Northern Nevada Preppers Group Net has been posted.
To Skimp Or Not To Skimp, That Was Our Question.

Here's your link:   http://www.nnpg.net/032719_radio.shtml

[Jerry D Young]

Thank you, Ken!


Here are some links to some of the items I mentioned during the net:


Mini Swamp Coolers (I have the Arctic Air model):
https://www.amazon.com/AA-MC4-Arctic-Personal-Portable-Cooler/dp/B0787DD3RX/ref=sr_1_3?crid=4Z3KFBDKAT8H&keywords=arctic+air+portable+air+conditioner&qid=1553918511&s=gateway&sprefix=arctic+air%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-3


https://www.amazon.com/Fitfirst-Portable-Conditioner-Personal-Humidifier/dp/B07CKQSNSQ/ref=pd_bxgy_201_img_3/138-2927986-3214352?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07CKQSNSQ&pd_rd_r=9617ae95-52a0-11e9-abc6-4338a415eec6&pd_rd_w=tMjt9&pd_rd_wg=sQnFs&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=0B195C5N44F7ED48AZFN&psc=1&refRID=0B195C5N44F7ED48AZFN


There are many more available. Always shop around for best pricing and best value. Do not forget to get some extra filter cartridges. I got the Arctic Air at Walmart on deep sale last spring just to check it out. Well worth it. I used it at last year's Amateur Radio Field Day and it was a big help.


Here is a Yahoo! search for the DIY bucket swamp cooler. There are a bunch of variations. I came up with my own (of course) in which the fan blows down into the bucket rather than pulls out to keep the moisture out of the fan as much as possible. I also made a band to go around the bucket where the holes are to direct the air flow out one point instead of out each individual hole.
https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=bucket+swamp+cooler&fr=ymyy-t-999&fr2=p%3Amy%2Cm%3Asb


Here is an Amazon search for countertop clear ice makers. I believe using the clear ice has many advantages, though the makers cost more. I have both. Both from Walmart. The regular one I paid $100 for. The clear ice model I picked up just recently for $130, also from Walmart. So far they are holding up okay. They require ~400 watts of 120vAC to operate. Water is poured into the top, kind of like a coffee maker. The ice accumulates in a bin, but needs to be transferred to an insulated cooler so more space is available to be able to make more ice. It is best to start with purified water, and the cooler the better. So, having an evaporative cooler to keep water below ambient temperature would be a help.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=countertop+clear+ice+cube+maker&ref=nb_sb_noss_1


The Cammenga US GI Lensatic compass with tritium markings:
https://www.amazon.com/Official-Military-Tritium-Lensatic-Compass/dp/B001W2CJX6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1VOL0Y97M6OOF&keywords=cammenga+3h+tritium+military+compass&qid=1553919318&s=gateway&sprefix=cammenga%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-3
Always shop around!


My main water purifier is a Go Berkey single element unit. Ouch. They have really gone up, as have replacement elements. I paid $150 for each of mine, and $107 for two elements both times. This is the smallest Berkey. It will fit in a 10"x4" water bottle pouch, and accessories will fit in the side pouch of the Maxpedition style pouches.
https://www.amazon.com/Berkey-Stainless-Portable-included-Carrying/dp/B002YRPY94/ref=sr_1_9?crid=31POG0GWGDLHU&keywords=berkey+water+filter&qid=1553919432&s=gateway&sprefix=Berkey+%2Caps%2C235&sr=8-9


Do get the primer kit:
https://www.amazon.com/Berkey-COMINHKPR69752-Black-Primer/dp/B00KY605W8/ref=sr_1_33?crid=31POG0GWGDLHU&keywords=berkey+water+filter&qid=1553919644&s=gateway&sprefix=Berkey+%2Caps%2C235&sr=8-33


If you do not feel the need to have stainless steel containers, you can get the black elements and use food grade plastic buckets to make your own system.


The Berkeys are not the only purifiers I have, but they are my primary units. And the Go Berkey, in the water bottle pouch makes it field usable. You will need to have some prefilter options so you do not plug up the element with silt and such. If anyone is interested, reply and I will send you the information on what I use, as well as other purification options.


Here is a link to the Mission brand multi form cooling unit that is my primary cooling method. It is rather expensive, and there are lots of variations, so shop around. And Walmart and many other stores carry much cheaper neck towels that work on the same principle, but cannot be configured the way the particular Mission version can.
https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Multi-Cool-Multifunctional-Gaiter-Headwear/dp/B00UR4HHC8/ref=sr_1_6?crid=PCW71GSZS3SV&keywords=cooling+neck+wrap&qid=1553919896&s=gateway&sprefix=cooling+neck%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-6


If anyone has any questions about any of the other suggestions or comments I made during the net feel free to ask. Or any type of question, too.


Just my opinion.