My cross-country GHB (Page 14 of 14)
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Good thread to not lose to archives. If OP ever reads this, thanks again for putting it together. |
“Nothing destroys the individuality of a man, a woman or a child so much as the failure to be self-reliant.”-Heber J. Grant
“Give a pig and a boy everything each wants, and you will get a good pig and a bad boy.”-Ezra Taft Benson
“Give a pig and a boy everything each wants, and you will get a good pig and a bad boy.”-Ezra Taft Benson
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I’m wondering how the electronics kit would change if this was done again now, over a decade later. The alligator clamps for batteries still applies. But maybe a lithium USB battery and all the lights and radios would be USB powered? Satellite communicator instead of a 2m radio? USB headlamp? |
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Originally Posted By JBFJ40: I’m wondering how the electronics kit would change if this was done again now, over a decade later. The alligator clamps for batteries still applies. But maybe a lithium USB battery and all the lights and radios would be USB powered? Satellite communicator instead of a 2m radio? USB headlamp? I can speak for me with regards to this. It's a good question. I avoid USB anything because it has terrible limitations with regards to power transfer. In general, the specifications for a USB 1.0 and 2.0 standard downstream port, delivers up to 500 mA or 0.5A. Also, with a USB 3.0, it can provide up to 900mA or 0.9A, which translates into 4.5 watts. These power output specifications are a rating based on the 5 volts from each standard output. However, the USB 3.0 dedicated charging and charging downstream ports provide up to 1,500 mA or 1.5A, which translates into 7.5 watts. Lithium batteries are a must, though. I still prefer 2m radios over satellite communications for a few reasons. First, if you want to talk to locals, or get local info, you need 2m. Second, the down-stream of satellite is basically standard internet, which is likely to be a dead-end in a SHTF situation. Hope this helps! |
"People don't think Cola Warrior be like it is but it do..." - George Washington
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Originally Posted By JBFJ40: This is what I was picturing. Garmin inReach Those are fantastic for hiking and stuff, but they're only as good as whoever else has them or has SMS capability. When the power/internet fails, that number goes to effectively zero. 2m repeaters will be up for a while after, I suspect. |
"People don't think Cola Warrior be like it is but it do..." - George Washington
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For the original question to a cross country GHB I think the satellite based devices might make a lot of sense. 2M radio for weather and local comma. Cell phone for local and long range and the satellite for long range. It wouldn’t make much sense if the whole nation was out of power but that’s unlikely. Seems like USB devices for the cross country GHB make sense. Including satellite based options. And they avoid the costs of a full Sat phone. |
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Originally Posted By JBFJ40: For the original question to a cross country GHB I think the satellite based devices might make a lot of sense. 2M radio for weather and local comma. Cell phone for local and long range and the satellite for long range. It wouldn’t make much sense if the whole nation was out of power but that’s unlikely. Seems like USB devices for the cross country GHB make sense. Including satellite based options. And they avoid the costs of a full Sat phone. If you've got satellite, power and cellular - you aren't walking. I cannot imagine a scenario where you have those amenities and you cannot find transportation to get home. |
"People don't think Cola Warrior be like it is but it do..." - George Washington
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Originally Posted By JBFJ40: For the original question to a cross country GHB I think the satellite based devices might make a lot of sense. 2M radio for weather and local comma. Cell phone for local and long range and the satellite for long range. It wouldn’t make much sense if the whole nation was out of power but that’s unlikely. Seems like USB devices for the cross country GHB make sense. Including satellite based options. And they avoid the costs of a full Sat phone. From a charging shit standpoint USB batteries and usb powered devices make sense. I.e. I have a lithium 18650 from streamlight I can charge with a USB plug. I use it for a flashlight. I can get a 3x 18650 holder so I can power a 12ish volt radio. Or 2x holder to power a 7V handheld like VR-5r radio. Comms, It depends on your skill, and ambient conditions. IF you have someone on the other end thats and experienced HAM with decent gear and a good comms setup for the end of the world. Then I'd get something HAMish thats multiband, i.e. F817 or similar. BUT gear isn't gonna save your ass, you need to learn how to power it, operate it, and most likely learn CW or data modes with it (not trivial), and then the person on the other end, bare minimum needs to have a good 100W+ rig (1kw recommended), a GOOD base antenna to talk to you on etc. Shit like "in reach" might work during SHTF, but the moment there is a "technical" problem, you're fucked if tech support decides to leave. Back to the power thing... Overall I do think standardizing on USB/USB-C stuff makes some sense. I'd figure how to charge a "power bank" of 12V, as well as 120VAC at a bare minimum. You can get a bunch of devices powered off USB that way, cell phone, GPS, watches, lights/fans etc. |
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I was watching a Pat Mac video on his go bag setup. He suggested carrying trail tacks for navigation at night with only a flashlight. Thought it was an interesting concept and they are cheap, multi use, and light weight. Trail tacks |
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Originally Posted By Dodge223: I was watching a Pat Mac video on his go bag setup. He suggested carrying trail tacks for navigation at night with only a flashlight. Though it was an interesting concept and they are cheap, multi use, and light weight. Trail tacks Pretty common to see those on state land around here State DEC prohibits the creation of unauthorized trails on state lands used as wildlife management use areas; if you try to create a traditional but unauthorized blazed trail on those state lands, sooner or later once the DEC guys find out about it they'll come along and deface the blazes, remove the engineer tape you used, etc. But for some reason they miss the thumbtacks. Those probably aren't this brand and are more likely just metallic-headed thumbtacks, but its pretty easy to pick out someone's unofficial trail once you notice the tacks |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
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| Good one on the trail tacks, need to put them in and find ways to lighten the load. There has to be lighter rucks made in the last 10 years. Ditto the comms gear. what about adding some tile type blue toothe trackers? Easy to tie one to a high branch and find your way back to it. |
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Originally Posted By vintovka: Good one on the trail tacks, need to put them in and find ways to lighten the load. There has to be lighter rucks made in the last 10 years. Ditto the comms gear. what about adding some tile type blue toothe trackers? Easy to tie one to a high branch and find your way back to it. Problem with rucks is the military ones are built like tanks and will survive just about any abuse. Civilian rucks are more delicate. Being older, I'd prefer to hump the Granite Gear pack and the REI tent instead of the older military stuff. But I'll be the first to admit that it isnt as durable as the old mil surp stuff. So it depends on what you intend to do with your gear. |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
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Originally Posted By tc556guy: Problem with rucks is the military ones are built like tanks and will survive just about any abuse. Civilian rucks are more delicate. Being older, I'd prefer to hump the Granite Gear pack and the REI tent instead of the older military stuff. But I'll be the first to admit that it isnt as durable as the old mil surp stuff. So it depends on what you intend to do with your gear. Yes built like a tank, and just as heavy. That matters if you are walking alot. |
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Originally Posted By tc556guy: Problem with rucks is the military ones are built like tanks and will survive just about any abuse. Civilian rucks are more delicate. Being older, I'd prefer to hump the Granite Gear pack and the REI tent instead of the older military stuff. But I'll be the first to admit that it isnt as durable as the old mil surp stuff. So it depends on what you intend to do with your gear. Military rucks are built to withstand multiple issues to abusive troopers; tossed off trucks, out of planes, stacked, ratcheted down, sat on, shoved, kicked, etc. I've found on the civilian side you can find just as robust of packs at half-or-less the weight of military packs. My Seek Outside packs with hybrid frames are designed to haul 100+pounds (not that I ever want to carry those kinds of loads every again!), and they weigh under three pounds, very close to my lightweight backpacking packs (that are only capable of loads under 30 pounds). There are newer, lighter materials that simply don't need to be heavy 1000 Cordura to handle abuse or have a pound of MOLLE webbing sewn from top to bottom. Of course, all this comes at a cost. That said... I split the cost (as a Christmas gift) of a Mystery Ranch Mountain Ruck (just under $800) with my son for his upcoming deployment this next year. I like Mystery Ranch and have a few of their packs, but their military packs are overly built. The Mountain Ruck comes in at almost 8 pounds empty. Granted, my son will be living out of it, traveling with it (Infantry gun trucks), using with plate carriers, and down the road, possibly jumping with it, but that's still a lot of weight for an empty pack. Five pounds heavier than my Seek Outside packs and that extra five pounds could provide me an additional 3-4 days of food and up to another 40-50 miles of trekking calories. To me, that's pretty significant...but it's all about one's requirements and environment and I just don't see the overly built military rucks as the best solution unless you're getting it for free or extremely cheap, or you're in your mid-20's and ruck for a living as a knuckle-dragging Neanderthal.  Oh, and bump for an epic thread! ROCK6 |
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Originally Posted By ROCK6: I split the cost (as a Christmas gift) of a Mystery Ranch Mountain Ruck (just under $800) with my son for his upcoming deployment this next year. I like Mystery Ranch and have a few of their packs, but their military packs are overly built. The Mountain Ruck comes in at almost 8 pounds empty. I was issued the MR 6500 by the northern warfare training center for the Denali climbing team; the damn pack empty weighs 9.9 lbs. my Hyperlite pack weighs under 3 so that was hard to swallow. But they do make good gear. I’ve lusted after the mountain ruck for a while but got a good deal on a high ground gear summit 5 which I’m very impressed with and weighs about half of the MR. Also like the waist belt setup because you can unbuckle the pack from the belt and retain it as a battle belt. |
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Been experimenting with primitive ultralight camping. If I have a basic tarp, I’ll need either a thermarest ground pad or a flat hammock. But considering all possible options a light weight tarp or rain fly that’s a minimum 8’x8’ and a decent insulated ground pad is essential to keep your body going for miles and miles on foot.. And foot powder, at least two non cotton socks and/or decent closed toe sandals to air the feet out… Given the size of America, you’d probably want to commandeer a bike for speed rather than attempt to hike 60+ miles to get away from whatever has ended civilization. That’s 2-3 hard marching on foot… or one long day on a bike. |
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Originally Posted By WYPete: Been experimenting with primitive ultralight camping. If I have a basic tarp, I’ll need either a thermarest ground pad or a flat hammock. But considering all possible options a light weight tarp or rain fly that’s a minimum 8’x8’ and a decent insulated ground pad is essential to keep your body going for miles and miles on foot.. And foot powder, at least two non cotton socks and/or decent closed toe sandals to air the feet out… Given the size of America, you’d probably want to commandeer a bike for speed rather than attempt to hike 60+ miles to get away from whatever has ended civilization. That’s 2-3 hard marching on foot… or one long day on a bike. Hammock tends to be lighter than sheltering on the ground. I keep my hammock and rain fly in the car. But even the hammock can need a little insulation. |
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