FUEL SUPPLIES

I needed to fuel my vehicle today so I rotated my stored gas supplies by putting that in my vehicle and then refilling my supplies at the pump. This way my stored supplies will last longer and be usable if needed.

How much fuel do you need to store? That is something only you can decide. Why are you storing fuel, how many contaners do you have and can you safely store it?  How many days do you need to store it for? Power outage verses end of the world? If you have a generator, then how long will you need to run your generator and how much gas does it take to run it for that time? Do a test, run your generator for 4 hours, under a load, and see how much fuel is used.

If you are using your generoatr ofr your refrigerator and to charge cell phones, etc, then you might not need as much as you think. Refrigerators will keep cold for about 4 hours if you don't open the door, if you freezer is full, food should stay frozen for about 8 hours. So you can run the generator for the refrigerator about every 2 to 3 hours.

I tend to store about 20 to 30 gallons for the generators. It is a good idea to also use a fuel stabilizer when storing fuel for longer than 30 days. There are a few places on Oahu that sells fuel without ethanol, which is bad on hoses and carburetors and tends to last longer when stored.

Don't forget 2 cycle oil if needed for generators or other tools. 

Store gasoline in approved containers and well away from ignition sources and where children can't reach it. Add a fuel stabilizer as well.

Store the container:

• At least 50 ft. away from pilot lights and ignition sources such as the heat, sparks and flames from a water heater, space heater or furnace.
• On the floor in a place where children can't reach it.
• In a garage or shed rather than in the house, out of direct sunlight.
• On concrete, place a piece of plywood under the container.

When you buy gasoline to store for your generator, always add a fuel stabilizer right away. Stabilizers contain antioxidants and biocides to prevent compounds and microbial growth from forming on the gas.

You need to think about storage security. If your neighbors know you store gas and they can't get it at the gas pumps because the power is out, then they are coming to knock on your door. If you put some aside for that then that would be great. Help people out if you can.

I recommend getting an extra replacemnt spout or two for your fuel cans. The one that come with the cans have cracked on me several times. Here is a link to one that seems to be good. 

 

Remember,  a generator without gas is like a rifle without ammunition. 

 

Be Ready, Be Prepared!

This is going to produce a near miss for the Earth.

LONG DURATION FLARE AND EARTH-DIRECTED CME: Earlier today, the magnetic canopy of sunspot AR2158 erupted, producing an explosion that lasted more than 6 hours. The flare peaked on Sept. 9th at 00:30 UT with a classification of M4 on the Richter Scale of Solar Flares. Long-duration flares tend to produce bright CMEs, and this one was no exception. Coronagraphs onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory observed a CME racing out of the blast site at nearly 1,000 km/s (2.2 million mph).


Spaceweather
http://spaceweather.com/images2014/09sep14/cme_anim.gif?PHPSESSID=p53l5peri47sfkdj4eluspdki4

Communications

What is the best option for off-grid communication. There is only one answer to this question that makes sense to me and that is the wonderful world of amateur radio or ham radio.

The reason is quite simple—ham radio is the only legal form of two-way radio that you can get involved in that will provide you with all levels of communication ability. If local communications are all you are interested in, ham radio has it. If you want to expand your capability to a more regional level, ham radio provides that as well. But if you would also like to open the entire world to your communications ability, then ham radio is your only answer for reliable off-grid communications.

You can use amateur radio to send email, receive weather faxes, send messages via digital modes and Morse Code.

No other radio service can provide all of this to you, and it’s very simple to get involved in ham radio today. There have been many books published on this subject and I am not going to try to re-invent the wheel here. I am simply going to share some ways for you to consider beginning your journey into the wonderful world of ham radio. Ham radio has something to offer everyone and it takes a big book to cover all the different modes that ham radio operators can use. What we are going to focus on is reliable off-grid communications and how you can get started on the path to reach whatever goal you set for yourself.

You can contact me for ways to get started or find Local Ham Radio Clubs. Most offer testing monthly or quarterly so you can get a license. You can study on-line with the actual test questions they will use on the exam. In Hawaii you can go to EARC HI Ham Radio Club Website to get testing information.

There is no longer a requirement to know Morse Code to pass the exam. 

Be Prepared, Be Ready!

As I write this the Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks is a few days away.  According to news reports chatter has picked up the last few weeks. I just read an article about a film maker sneaking into the US from Canada with a "fake" Ebola Infested Terrorist. He had just did the same thing in August dressed as Osama Bin Laden and that time he came into the US from Mexico. He was never stopped on either try. Scary right!

Our Boarders are not secure. Hawaii has very unsecured water ways. Yes the Coast Guard is doing a good job but we have a lot of Ocean and a small vessel could get through without being detected. A sick person on an airplane with a virus or what appears to be a virus could cause people to panic. One thing about Hawaii, people will panic and run for the stores and gas stations.

As September 11th approaches "Be Prepared, Be Ready"!

Water

You need at least one gallon of water per person per day. This takes into account that you will need to drink at least 2 quarts and will use the rest for hygiene and cooking.

Water, water purification chemicals, and/or purifying filter. Enough to provide one gallon per person per day.

Three gallons per person is heavy (24 lbs), so I strongly suggest that you include a water filter and water treatment chemicals.

I suggest pump type back country filters, such as those made by Katadyn or MSR, that are rated to filter out all bacteria and have a carbon core to remove toxic chemicals, bad tastes and odors.

Boiling kills all bacteria and viruses but is not always an option and does nothing to remove toxic chemicals, bad tastes and odors.

Also, supplement your filter(s) with purifying iodine crystals (or other chemicals), such as a “Polar Pure” water purification kit, to kill all viruses that may not be removed by filters.

Pump filters that are rated for virus removal have tiny pore sizes and tend to clog quickly (a clogged filter is worthless).

At Ready.gov/water it is recommended that "To determine your water needs, take the following into account:
One gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation.
Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water.
A medical emergency might require additional water.
If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary. In very hot temperatures, water needs can double.
Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person."

From the Red Cross:
Having an ample supply of clean water is a top priority in an emergency. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts (half gallon) of water each day. People in hot environments, children, nursing mothers, and ill people will require even more.
You will also need water for food preparation and hygiene. Store at least one gallon per person, per day. Consider storing at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. If you are unable to store this quantity, store as much as you can.
If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.
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There is a container called a WaterBob. It can store up to 100 Gallons of water in your bathtub. It takes about 20 minutes and includes a pump so you can fill other containers with it. If you don't store water this might be the way to go, but you need to do it before the electric goes out or the disaster hits.

Alternate Power

I think everyone should have some type of alternate power. I understand that most people will not have an alternate source and will want to use yours or take yours. When energy fails, you want have access to gas stations, ATM stations, and your water will eventually stop as they use pumps to send it to your home.

Here are some examples:

1. Batteries. They want last long unless you have a lot of them or can recharge them. To recharge them you need an alternate source. A source may be solar yard lights. It is slow but you can charge them on a sunny day. Try to have devices that take the same type of batteries. AA or AAA's I use a volt meter to check my batteries before I dispose of them.
2. Generator. Generators are great, they can be loud, they use gas, oil or a mixture of gas/oil, which means you have to have extra gas and oil on hand. 2 Cycle oil as well. If you store gas you should use a fuel additive to ensure it last longer. You can fill you vehicle up with the gas cans and then fill the cans up again so as to rotate it. Remember that in most cases you can't get gas if the power is out. 
3. Solar Panels. You can create a fairly cheap Solar Generator with one panel and a few batteries and a solar controller. Unlimited power in a sunny environment like Hawaii. You need to monitor the drain on the batteries and only use items sparingly.
4. Solar powered Radio. Have a solar power and or hand crank AM / FM radio. Most come with a built in Cell phone charger which can be helpful. Remember the cell towers, if they have back up power, they will eventually fail and the cells will get overcrowded.  This will also be one less thing you need batteries for and generator power.

Remember, the best thing to do is to have a plan. It might be one of the items above or several of the items. You may even have your own plan, but have a plan and test it out. Spend a day or a weekend using your alternate engery source. This will tell you have long you can go with your alternate source and what weaknesses it may present.

Be prepared, Be Ready!

Aloha all;

Is anyone out there?

A few things are happening in the world that we should be watching.

A threat to the US form Terrorist as September the 11th is coming up. BE VIGILANT!

Be-headings of US Citizens by Muslim Extremists. The Ebola virus seems to be spreading and it is just one flight away from a spread to even more countires.

Look up some Ebola Prevention Supplies to protect yourself and your family.

CDC Director: Ebola Outbreak ‘Is Spiraling Out Of Control’.

Be prepared, be ready!