COPYRIGHT (C) 1989 by Live Free, Inc., Chicago, IL. All rights reserved. Excerpts from DIRECTIONS: A MAGAZINE FOR THE SURVIVALIST. March, 1989 issue. If you enjoy the articles below, you'll LOVE DIRECTIONS: each issue has 12 pages of information on self- sufficiency and survival. For information on subscribing to this newsletter and/or becoming a member of Live Free, see notice at the end of this document. ************************************************************** SURVIVAL GEAR By Jeffrey Benner, KA9QMH When loading up the survival gear, be sure to throw a phone book or two into your duffle bag. Dial A Survivalist, at (312) 821-LIVE, is now on line in Chicago and ready to serve the public--and you the survivalist. Dial A Survivalist was inspired by the success of Dial A Prayer, Dial A Joke, (even the notorious Dial An Atheist) and other such telephone services. Most American cities have them. We felt that in a city of over a million telephones, Dial A Survivalist White and Yellow Page listings were the best mass advertising that we could afford. In fact, this is the first really mass public advertising Live Free has EVER had. The first tape in our series was installed January 9th. As the number becomes more widely known, the tape will be changed once or twice a week (call volume at the time of this writing has been too low to justify that yet); our tapes run two to five minutes long. The machine for our line, the Takachiho AT-500, registers the number of calls received. We are able to monitor call volume very closely and can thereby gauge the success of this advertising much better than with print advertising listing only our P. O. Box. We will be in the Chicago White Pages in the July, 1989 printing and in the Yellow Pages only in the January, 1990 (listed as "Dial A Survivalist"). Because we will have to wait so long for the number to appear in the phone book, we are spreading the word through newspaper ads, flyers, and printed adhesive labels, as well as press releases to local newspapers, radio, and TV. Until July, this is the only way any members of the public will learn about Dial A Survivalist and we will be pushing it hard until then. Our tapes cover, in an easy manner, the whole gamut of survivalism; most of it will be "old hat" to our membership. We will, however, announce last-minute changes in LFI operations and scheduled events on Dial A Survivalist (though not in enough detail to let non-members guess from the tape alone where the event will be). We will give our thoughts on recent events, locally and in the world (we cannot do this in a timely fashion with DIRECTIONS which suffers from the unavoidable long delay between writing a piece, printing it, and postal delivery to LFI members). Finally, during an emergency or preceding a likely emergency, Dial A Survivalist will broadcast survival instructions to all callers, at least as long as telephone service is up. JOIN US LFI members who like the Dial A Survivalist idea can help in any of three ways. First, you can pop a couple of bucks in the mail to to help us pay our phone bill and advertising. Second, you can produce tapes which, as long as they meet minimum standards, we will "air" on Chicago's Dial A Survivalist (giving you credit if you want it). Third, you can set up a Dial A Survivalist in your own home town, suburb, or city. It's about the cheapest mass advertising you can buy, and is a great way to build the size of your local survival group. Over the course of a year, hundreds or even thousands of people will take the trouble--out of curiosity--to call your number. Many of them will find in you a kindred soul. If you are interested in helping Dial A Survivalist, we have prepared a Survivalist Paper giving full details on the service. For a copy, send SASE to Dial A Survivalist, c/o LFI, P. O. Box 1743, Harvey, IL 60426. THANK YOU! (Note: LFI has applied for a 1989 copyright on the term "Dial A Survivalist" and is the author of the concept. Any individual or group, Live Free member or not, who opens a Dial A Survivalist line without express permission of LFI is open to a lawsuit. Copycat groups, beware.) LIVE FREE RADIO I'll bet many of you were wondering whatever happened to the LFI Radio Network. I apologize for not answering some of my mail and being very late on the rest. But I was bogged down during much of 1988 with much overtime on my job, a broken thumb, family, and other LFI staff responsibilities. The big discovery was that my Chicago station, with random-wire antenna and 35-watt CW transceiver, was just about never heard, at least by other LFI stations. I never made, from Chicago, a single LFI contact. Also, I believe from my mail that only a few LFI hams tried to make the schedule at all, and none regularly. Because of these problems, I have to dissolve the Net, at least as it was. At the same time, I am starting something new. LFI will be publishing a coded directory of all members interested in communi- cations and power technology. Your name, address, and other unique identifiers will be omitted. You will be assigned a code name, your technical inter- ests/capabilities will be described, and your rough location will be given (e.g., "Northern Kansas", "San Francisco area", etc.). This will protect your identity, but give enough detail for others to know if they would like to try radio or computer contact, or just writing. You will send letters to other technology group members to the code name, c/o LFI. Anyone interested, who has not already written to me about their interest in LFI radio to get onto my mailing list, please send an SASE to the Technology Group, c/o LFI, P. O. Box 1743, Harvey, IL 60426. All paid LFI members on my mailing list will be receiving a mailing on the get-together directory this month. BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEMS Below is a list of Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's) on survivalist topics, thanks to Missouri Coordinator Ken Seger. If you have any problems with, or comments about, the BBS's on this list, please let me or Ken know. Ken's Survivalist BBS (official LFI-approved): (314) 821-2815 (Mode TBBS); Survival Communications Forum: (707) 545-0746 (Mode: FIDO); Pinecliff (304) 444-7073 (Mode: OPUS); The John Galt Line (817) 244-4258 (Mode TBBS); Bullet N' Board (703) 971-4491 (Mode RBBS); NorthCoast Survival BBS (216) 291-2616. Advertisement rates CLASSIFIED AD RATES: 20 cents per word; $5 minimum. No billing. DISPLAY AD RATES: full page ads: $150; |-page, $75; 2/3 page, $100; 1/3 page, $50; 1/6 page, $25; and 1/12, $12. Ads run in two consecutive editions will get third ad free. Advertisers who give 10% discounts to Live Free members will receive 10% discount on ads. DIRECTIONS reserves the right to refuse advertising that is inappropriate. Classified NEW BOOK CATALOG!--50 pages describes over 300 titles. New books published every two months. Get the best books on weaponry, revenge and dozens of other subjects! Send $1.00 to: Paladin Press, P. O. Box 1307-LF, Boulder, CO 80306 (303) 443-7250. LOW-COST SHELTERS and simple comforts easily improvised anywhere: city, farm, mountains, traveling. Photocopies plans 10 cents and up or 95 pages on microfiche, $1 postpaid. Send SASE for catalog. Light Living Library, POB 190-DR, Philomath, OR 97370. SURVIVAL COMMUNICATIONS and ENERGY INDEPENDENCE newsletter: Our purpose is to teach both of these fields to survivalists. We review and advertise equipment, give many hands-on tips, review books, have a Q&A column an a classified ads section. EMP up dates as well as special feature articles on radios, accessories, solar panels, wind and hydrosources, batteries, and the whole 12-volt life style are covered. Special emphasis on ham radio and the latest energy equipment available. SAMPLE issues are $3; a subscription is $18. Cash or money order preferred. The Light Spectrum, Box 215-Ds, Kootenai, ID 83840. SOLAR MODULES for 12-volt battery charging: SOVONICS #P-201 is a 23-watt module, charging at 1.4 amp/hours. Portable, unbreakable design, $170 + 6 UPS each. ARCO #M-75 is a 47-watt module, charging at 3 amp/hours. Good for fixed arrays, large or small, $315 + 8 UPS. Money orders or bank checks only, quantity discounts and other 12 volt equipment available. Full info packet $3 cash. Include phone number if you have detailed questions. LIGHT SPECTRUM, Box 215-Ds, Kootenai, ID 83840. AUSTRALASIAN SURVIVOR--Australia's own survival magazine. Six issues per year, 48+ pages: $18.00. US Sea Mail. AUSTRALASIAN SURVIVOR, P. O. Box 11, Dickson A.C.T. 2602 AUSTRALIA. NUCLEAR WAR SURVIVAL SKILLS, second edition, by Cresson Kearny. The best book available on making and living in expedited fallout/blast shelters with related information. $8.50 post paid to Live Free, c/o K. Sarabok, P. O. Box 33399, Dayton, OH 45433-0399. FREE CATALOG--Survival books, concealed weapons, shoulder bags. Send #10 SASE to: All Source Systems, P. O. Box 596--DD, Morton WA 98356. SURVIVAL GARDEN SEED PACKS contain 29 non-hybrid, short season varieties from around the world, carefully selected for productivity, disease resistance, nutrition, taste, cold-heartiness, and storage ability. Many of these plants are hearty enough to over-winter in the northern latitudes, thus insuring large quantities of vitamin-rich food in spite of adverse growing conditions. Sealed in #10 cans with 21-page planting guide only $39.95. Order from Emigrant Farms, Box 208, Emigrant, MT 59027. For more information, send a large SASE. CHRISTIAN SURVIVALIST in Missouri Ozarks looking for like-minded individuals to buy part of my farm. I have two parcels: sixty acres (forty wooded, twenty permanent pasture), two ponds, two springs, prime deer and turkey hunting, $24,000. Second parcel is a one-acre homestead with two bedroom mobile home with central air and heat, wood furnace, deep well, chicken house, large garage, fruit trees, garden, $15,000. Call (417) 277-5784 evenings. NEW CONCEPT IN SURVIVAL PREPAREDNESS. Hardwood Hills Homestead is leasing inexpensive survival campsites on its large, self-suf- ficient farm located in the midst of the Shawnee National forest. Survivalists with motor homes, campers, and tents use site in a multitude of year around recreational activities and facilities during "good times." Professionally staffed, self-sufficient farming operation is kept in constant readiness to support survival needs of all if and when a crisis situation dictates the need to occupy the camp on a survival basis. Many on-going self-sufficiency seminars and demonstrations available. We've thought of everything! Send 50 cents in postage stamps to receive our brochures and complete detailed information. Hardwood Hills Homestead, RR 1, Box 31, Herod, IL 62947. SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN LIVE FREE (REGION 12) will have a survival exercise on March 11, 1989. Those interested should write or call Tony Grant, 213 Moss St., York, SC 29745 (803) 684-6556. THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER: THE SURVIVAL INITIATIVE By James C. Jones The fact that this report is being written six months after the conference (Sept., 1988) should give some indication of how overloaded and behind schedule we are. Our first National Leadership Conference in five years was conducted at Tippicanoe River State Park in Indiana on the weekend of Sept. 24th and 25th. The park was a fitting location since it was the site of Live Free's founding conferences twenty-seven years ago and has been the location of over fifty Live Free weekend seminars since then. Over the past twenty-seven years, we have built a solid, responsible and reputable organization with members throughout the United States, Canada, and over a dozen other countries; we have much to take pride in. However, the secret to survival is the ability to adapt to change and the time had come for Live Free to make some changes. The changes made at the National Conference were substantial ones directed at revitalizing the organization, mobilizing members into goal-oriented action, and attracting more members. The changes, policies, and programs initiated at the National Conference will be implemented in 1989 and will make Live Free a more effective and exciting organization. There is no way we could hope to publish all the details of the conference and its documents here, so what follows is a very brief outline of the major actions. REORGANIZATION An extensive overhaul of Live Free's organizational structure and operating methods was adopted. This action was to streamline the system and make a more task-oriented and efficient organization. Some new departments were created and the roles and obligations of officers were clarified. AFFILIATIONS The affiliation procedures were simplified and the priv- ileges/obligations of affiliated groups was clarified in more detail. AWARDS A new, comprehensive award program was initiated including an annual "Life and Freedom Award", an "Outstanding Officer's Award", an "Outstanding Member's Award" and other special service awards. FLAGS, SLOGANS, OATHS, PLEDGES, AND NAMES "For Life and Freedom" was adopted as the official Live Free slogan. Membership and officers oaths were added to the operating procedures. The Survivalist Pledge (copyright, Live Free) was adopted and guidelines for the use of the Live Free insignia were established. It was decided that "Live Free" should become "Live Free International." PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS In general, Live Free has functioned as a data source, support force, and educational organization and we intend to continue those services. However, it was concluded that they were not effective enough to win the long-term survival/life and freedom battle. Some of our new programs are more public-oriented and will be directly addressing survival-related issues more closely than we have in the past. We need people, we need funds, we need to wake up the public, we need to make changes and build a more effective organization. All this is not going to come to us, so we are going to have to go get it! Members can expect to be requested to help with active recruitment, fund raising, and public information programs in the near future. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION Our growing international membership combined with the fact that the threats to life and freedom recognize no borders has brought about the formulation of plans for international organization and alliances. DUES Additional levels of membership and new dues rates were established for implementation in the near future. The basic Individual Annual dues will not be changed, but Life Membership and other categories will be increased. RESOLUTIONS The following resolutions were passed at the conference: 1) To adopt the Life and Freedom Declaration (copyright, Live Free) as the official policy statement of Live Free. 2) Resolution supporting the right to possess, distribute, and have access to information required for the protection of individual life and freedom (e.g., books, video tapes, etc.). 3) Resolution supporting the HUMAN RIGHT to possess the means to defend individual life and liberty (e.g., firearms, martial arts equipment, etc.). 4) Resolution supporting the concept of responsible civilian "militias" or "home guards" (under specific conditions). 5) Resolution supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency and all civil defense organizations. 6) Adoption of the "Survivalist Manifesto" (Directions, Sept., 1987) as an official program of Live Free for the United States. These resolutions all contain new and dynamic ideas together with specific proposals for action. SURVIVAL BASE Live Free has no office, no building, no land, and very, very limited funds, but we have now established--as an official goal--the future acquisition of land for a survival education area research center. We are now considering funding ideas. DOCUMENTS All Live Free officers will be provided with a complete document of the 1988 Live Free National Leadership Conference at no cost. Members may get a copy of the documents for $3 postpaid. The documents should be available by June, 1989. Action takes priority over words, so the reorganization, the development of new literature based on new policies, and the implementation of new programs will proceed as quickly as our resources permit even before the official documents are available. FROM BACK ISSUES: THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER: Mr. Jones: I have often noted that survivalists rarely think about the unthinkable. For instance: If neutron bombs, biological weapons and doomsday devices were used in WWIII; if an ecological catastrophe occurred (the buildup of nonbiodegradable chemical and nuclear toxins); if the Greenhouse Effect made the Earth like Venus; if freedom and privacy became so rare that life on Earth wasn't worth living. In these instances and given the means (and they are becoming available), surely some survivalist writer has thought of survi- val, say, in orbit or on the moon. I can't be the first who has thought of this possibility. If so, could you please search your network for some contacts or sources with whom I might engage in dialogue? Also, I would like to know if there are any survivalists inter- ested in the life extension movement? Thank you, Jason Solomon, Senior Partner, Heuristics Associates Dear Mr. Solomon: I found your first statement a bit puzzling. You say that you "have noted that survivalists rarely think about the unthinkable" and you list neutron bombs, etc., as unthinkables they don't think about. The potential disasters that you listed are, in fact, precisely what most survivalist I know do think about. Live Free just recently conducted an operation that included training for protection against Chemical and Biological Weapons and, as our name implies, we are as concerned about the pro- tection of freedom and privacy as we are about saving life. Your second statement about whether any survivalist writers have thought about survival in orbit, etc., is very interesting. My boyhood heroes were Arthur C. Clark, Willy Ley, and Werner von Braun and I was a member of a rocket club for a few years. So, of course, I have thought about such possibilities. Back in 1978, I wrote two articles titled, "Survival in Space" that were published in our newsletter. My reasons for writing the articles were to stir the imaginations of readers and start some dialogue but, at that time, the "hole-in-the-ground" philosophy was too strong so nothing happened. Realistically, a good shelter with plenty of food, water, and equipment is going to be a lot more help to a survivalist than a dream about some space colony. I am convinced that in the long run, the only real hope of human survival with true freedom is independent space exploration and colonization and I would like to see survivalists take part in that development. BUT there doesn't seem to be any way of realizing that dream in the near future and, meanwhile, we must address ourselves to the problems of staying alive and free here on Earth. Finally, you want to know if there are any survivalists in- terested in the life extension movement? I am not sure what the "life extension movement" is all about but if its about surviving the effects of aging and living longer, that sounds like survival to me and I would think we would be interested in knowing more. I hope our readers will communicate with you and perhaps engage in an open dialogue through our newsletter to explore these frontiers of survivalist thinking. For life and freedom, James C. Jones FROM BACK ISSUES: BIKING BY AL FRY While there are many motorcycles on today's market place that are labeled "dirt bikes", many are not really that suitable for a person who wants reliable wheels in the back country. Let's look at some of the options and problems in this situation. First, we want something that is going to hold up. It's one thing running around a dirt track and spending hours tuning up a bike later... and quite another having a bike that holds up month after month with very little care. Two-cycle bikes, for example, are often popular as dirt bikes because of their lightweight power. Such bikes simply don't hold up over the long haul, however. The 2-cycle motors rev away at very fast RPMs and wear themselves away quickly. I once had a Bultaco that seldom went more than a few hundred miles before a tune up or other work was needed. Most tow-cycle bikes are lucky to get 10 or 15 thousand miles on them before a major overhaul is needed. As the mid-80s rolled around, there began to be some longer-last- ing 4-cycle bikes on the market, and these should be the choice of anyone concerned with reliability. Such trail bikes had splendid, beefy frames and a ride that was perfect for long periods in the saddle over rough back country. Because durability changed constantly in brands and years, it was usually best to ask mechanics about which bikes held up the best. (Riders usually tried to sell others on the bike that either had and such bikes could be "junkers" to any knowing mechanic.) Probably the greatest classic ever put out for back country trails was the Honda 90 with low ratio gearing. These could go just about anywhere and were light enough to lift over logs and major obstructions. (I only got in one situation that was too much for a Honda 90. Going down a shale slide in one, I found the trail was blocked below with a landslide. That little Trail 90 is still resting on that remote mountain trail!) The tiny little Honda 50s and 70s were also great little trail bikes when they had big sprockets put on them. Their only fault was they could burn up from excess heat in prolonged hill climbing in the summer. Today, you can often make a great trail bike up from similar small bikes through the use of large rear chain sprockets. In going up extremely steep hills, you simply walk to the side of the bike and let the bike pull you up as you keep its spinning wheels pointed skyward. You would be surprised at what you can go up once you work out this technique. Dirt bikes with more power can usually blast up such inclines, but the first really bad obstruction will stop them if they aren't light enough to lift over. It's probably a toss up as to your choices. Dirt bikes have soft ride springing that will glide over miles of back country with ease, but their larger engines require you to haul around more gas and their weight is a little too much for one person to haul up small cliffs and serious obstacles. On the other hand, they will pack a heavier load and head down a highway at a decent clip in a pinch. The little 4-cycle lightweights don't have the springing but ride all day on a sip of gas and can be carried to an area on your car if a rear frame is made up. Just last week, I had to carry home my little Trail 90 on the back of my car when a battery gave out in the local back country. Larger bikes present larger hauling problems. Larger bikes are also very limited in their versatility. I ride a large BMW 750CC over a lot of back country, but I don't dare get on narrow, steep trails with it. It frequently goes down and it is all I can do to get it right side up on mild trails. Large bikes simply have too much weight. The lighter your bike the better as far as I'm concerned. One good log on your trail will stop you on the usual bike. If you can put together a tiny little trail bike from current street bike, great. Many times the only thing really necessary is a large rear sprocket. The one thing becoming a hindrance these days to trail riding is the crack down by the worlds "elite" and their governments. To discourage self sufficient types, the primitive country across our nation is being closed off fast. Permits are increasingly needed to enter wilder areas and it appears that the trend will get worse. I see to it that my bikes have spark arrestors on them and I don't abuse the land I go into legally--or illegally. (I figure my actions are between me and my maker--who made the land--not some state that only holds the land through holding some pieces of paper.) Anyway, to see that your bike holds up, be sure to use a good oil like Valvoline. Pennsylvania and certain other oils can shorten your bike's life. Ask a local bike mechanic about what oils to use. The situations changes. I always carry a few tools and tire changing kit. On longer trips, I carry the usual extra fuel, water, and sleeping gear. Biking the back country is a joy for those who will make the effort. DIRECTIONS is published by Live Free, Inc., 11123 St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60628. Live Free is a nonprofit, tax-deductible corporation. All general correspondence and subscription information should be directed to: Live Free, P. O. Box 1743, Harvey, IL 60426. LIVE FREE DUES are $15 for an annual individual membership ($20 for annual overseas) and $80 for a life individual membership. MEMBERSHIP MAILING LISTS are held COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL and are NOT made available to anyone at any time for any price. CONTRIBUTIONS of manuscripts and photographs are made at the contributor's risk; manuscripts should include a return envelope with sufficient postage. Manuscripts should be typed and double spaced (no xerox copies, please). Photos should have captions. Contributors' names will be pub- lished unless otherwise requested. All material accepted for publication is subject to revision as necessary to meet editorial requirements. MANUSCRIPTS and other material for publication should be mailed to: Live Free, Attn: Duncan Long, Managing Editor, 11123 St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60628 Back issues as available at $1 per copy or $10 per 12 issues. DIRECTIONS STAFF executive editor JAMES C. JONES managing editor DUNCAN LONG production and mailing MARIE JONES