tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Dec 17, 2021 19:48:21 GMT 10
Actually, I’m a bit sick of reading basically the same story over and over again - generally economic collapse or emp, in a book series that’s about 3-5 books long. Sometime in the first book they have to leave their home to go somewhere safer. Usually someone is prepared. The second book is all about travelling and things get more violent. At the end (book3, 4 or 5) they are setting up a new life in their new community on someone’s property - generally owned by an older couple. The older woman cooks wonderfully including the best biscuits and gravy, but often dies near the end of so the younger female has to take on that job. The older man is a bit of a hoarder and has a shed full of pretty much everything you could need, that he stashed away even though his wife complained as he knew it would come in handy some day.
I’ve also read once about volcanoes, political persecution, the second coming, pandemics, etc.
I’d like something a bit different.
I haven’t read a series or book where there has been a nuclear attack and a family has to shelter in place for a month or more - making adjustments to their house so that it keeps them safe and working out when it was safe to come out. And then working out what was safe to touch, eat, drink, etc. I’d like to read about that.
I’ve only read one book where there was a naturally occurring pandemic, like maybe bird flu - not a virus released by evil people, and they sheltered in place for a few months then everything gradually reopened (after many people died) - so I wouldn’t mind another line that.
Any suggestions?
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Nov 12, 2021 14:11:58 GMT 10
I use a couple of insulated zip up bags for any car stores - eg a few cans of soup, coffee, etc in one along with utensils, and first aid with other random stuff on the other. I always have a couple of empty back packs there too. In summer I can lay one of those silver windshield things (about $4 from Kmart) over the top for extra insulation.
The bags are better insulation and stronger than a supermarket grocery fridge bag but prob not as good as an esky. I don’t have room for an esky permanently though.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Nov 7, 2021 17:20:13 GMT 10
I have a couple of stainless steel bottles that I leave in the car, just changing the water occasionally (rarely).
If I’m travelling far I add other bottles but put them in an esky/esky bag and add an ice brick. At the hottest time of year I just swap the ice brick out each morning. It’s a bit of a nuisance but if any of us have ever used the water on a hot day it’s very nice to have it chilled.
We also have the habit of each taking a bottle or two (stainless steel) of water with us when we go anywhere.
I also have a sawyer mini filter.
I like single walled wide mouth bottles because you can boil water in them right over a flame, but I also like good quality double walled bottles because they really do keep the water quite cool. Both are stainless steel. With any of them if the water goes in clean and it isn’t sipped from it stays good for a long time. We never use water bottles for any other drink so that helps.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Nov 3, 2021 20:34:08 GMT 10
If you can get hold of some lilly pillies they might be worth a try - they seem to be pretty hardy if you can get them going I wondered about something like that - or any sort of native edibles.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 17, 2021 21:03:52 GMT 10
For anyone that is new to the tech. and want to try out its capabilities, try KwiSDR and have a look at their receiver map, choose a location and have a listen. Thank you!
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 17, 2021 21:02:49 GMT 10
I've completed … One other key component of my setup is a Software Defined Radio or SDR which I find invaluable for quickly showing me activity across all bands and also transmission mode is evident at a glance. It basically shows which bands are dead, which are active and which are the signals of interest. IMHO these would be great for non hams to monitor what is happening on ham radio around the world. The SDR is inexpensive and the PC & screen provide great functionality. Time to start studying for the next license level or advanced I think. Can you explain a little more about the SDR please? Is it just software that I do a search for or do you have a link? Edited - actually I can see in further comments someone has supplied a link so all good. Thanks.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 17, 2021 8:55:54 GMT 10
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 17, 2021 8:42:17 GMT 10
I remember something about it being difficult to grow near gums because of them taking the nutrients.
I wonder if any Australian bush foods would grow near them.
I don’t need the space for veg beds. Just considering if there are any fruit trees or similar that may work - just to add a couple.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 15, 2021 18:35:49 GMT 10
IBCs would look ugly though🤔 If I’m going to use something that will look ugly, I’ve got a better spot to hide it!!
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 15, 2021 18:32:59 GMT 10
Plant directly in to that location and roots will suck nutrients and water away from veges and fruit trees too. Yes, that’s one of the main things I was worried about.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 15, 2021 9:55:04 GMT 10
This is the area
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 15, 2021 9:49:32 GMT 10
We have an area of land that has gums, but they’re quite spread out - like maybe 5-10 m between them and little undergrowth. I’m looking around for the best way to use our space. Can I use this area for growing anything? Are there any fruit trees or berries or anything that could possibly grow somewhere like that?
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 5, 2021 23:54:25 GMT 10
Commenting just to bump this thread because of its relevance to a current post.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Oct 3, 2021 13:12:13 GMT 10
I notice all over the net and elsewhere this whole crypto thing is being pushed really hard at every opportunity! YT now is seriously cluttered with crypto promotion and I'm thinking like what ther faark is this sicko obsession with Crypto currency? Then the penny dropped for me! The more you promote it the more valuable a commodity it becomes the more people want to buy into the illusion the more holders of Crypto can sell it on to others! Actually, perhaps you searched for it or clicked a relevant link at some time. Crypto currency doesn’t make much of an appearance on yt or anywhere for me. Maybe it will now though!!
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Sept 18, 2021 18:54:09 GMT 10
Lol either way. I haven't even CONSIDERED getting a Ham licence because I'm all kinds of stupid when it comes to facts and figures. I think anyone that can pass that test is basically a genius, even HF theory destroys my brain! I'd be happy to help you learn if you really want to. I used to teach electronic warfare to mixed classes ranging from intellos through techs & engineers to fighter pilots. Thus had to teach the principles in language that didnt make the engineers roll their eyes whilst not putting the intellos to sleep and vice versa. Ive got a box of commendations somewhere for those efforts because people seemed to like the way I taught it. Milspec, it is something I really need help with. I passed foundation course over a year ago but don’t have a clue how to get set up and actually use any of it. I was just planning on getting a handheld radio but don’t have that yet (actually I did get a couple of cheap baofengs just incase I delayed deciding what to get for too long but planned on getting a slightly better one to use). Even if a charge it all up and figure out how to turn it on, who do I speak to?? I’m completely in the dark with this stuff.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Sept 16, 2021 18:02:03 GMT 10
In Sth Aus, the new plan is to only let truck drivers in who have had the covid jabs - expecting more shortages and delays getting not just food, but general goods as well. Watch this space! A fried of mine is in transport, told has to get the jab, but only appointment he can get is late October. I have to get it for work and was told I’d be given priority. Problem is there’s nowhere when you book to say you’re a priority group! I booked anyway - initially for dec, then each day checked again and was able to move it closer by a week, then another week, then a month. Then this week the surgery contacted me to see if I wanted to go ahead this Sat! So - for your friend who can’t get an early appt - book anyway. If places get more doses they bring later bookings closer.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Sept 12, 2021 22:51:31 GMT 10
So when you have a script and the pharmacist offers you a cheaper brand, are you saying that generally you should refuse that? And the super cheap paracetamol and ibuprofen from the supermarket - is that not as good as, say, panadol brand and neurofen brand? The problem is that you don't know 100% - most generics are made in china or India. Most name brands are made in in the EU or US. Now that's a generalisation, but the broad principles are right. All generics are well tested before they are allowed on the market, and it is fair to say that when a generic hits the market in Australia it is likely to be very similar to name brand on the market. The issue is do you trust the ongoing supply lines and quality assurance for stuff manufactured in China or India? Even big electronic suppliers bin a not insignificant portion of manufactured products from the same areas because they aren't upto standard. There are spot checks, but there is not a batch by batch independent QA. It is a let the buyer beware situation. To be fair 99% of the time they are fine - but every doctor in Australia will have cases of switching patients to generics and seeing a deterioration. Thanks for your thoughts
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Sept 11, 2021 0:38:12 GMT 10
Im sure Ive said this before.... And medicines....... almost zero local production from raw ingredients. Some "mixing" and packaging in .AU but minimal production. Very little ability to ramp up. India and China significantly reduced drug exports. There are already shortages, its going to get worse. Except opiates.... Tasmania the biggest legal producer of opium in the world. So you can die of other things in comfort ! And not generics. Stock up on real meds (or at least a tried and tested generic).
Generics have to have a certain level of active meds in them, but don't have to prove that their specific recipe works (it is just assumed it does).
So when you have a script and the pharmacist offers you a cheaper brand, are you saying that generally you should refuse that? And the super cheap paracetamol and ibuprofen from the supermarket - is that not as good as, say, panadol brand and neurofen brand?
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Jun 29, 2021 21:37:42 GMT 10
I think the issue of how the masks are worn is not given enough attention. Even a small gap is a big problem. Look at the difference in effectiveness with no gap and with a gap above - and they are only talking about tiny gaps.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Jun 26, 2021 12:52:42 GMT 10
I have tried to organsie a few forum get togethers, had one in Maitland a few years back - a few people said they would be there. It ended up just two families. Preppers have too many issues with big gov = big brother, conspiracy theories.. How about a "Preparedness Expo", get speakers from SES and Rural fire services (RFS), emergency planning for fire - floods, … Yes! With everything that’s happened in the past couple of years, I think “preparedness” is a good term and doesn’t have the same negative connotations as prepper.
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