Inexpensive solar panels. Everywhere you go these days, you see road signs powered by solar panels. Stop at one of these signs and get the phone number and address of the leasing company that owns the signs. The leasing companies often swap out the panels as part of their regular maintenance. The panels they swap out often still have years of service in them. If you were to talk to the yard foreman/manager, there's a good chance they will sell the used solar panels to you for pennies on the dollar.
Just something to think about.
Those who are unwilling to defend freedom, will become unfree.
Costco also has a decent selection of solar panels, and if you're in the southern BC area and can make it to Vancouver, Polar Battery has a nice selection as well. Depending on your needs, a full setup can cost anywhere from a couple hundred to tens of thousands, and can cut out the grid completely, or simply supplement your current (haha) needs.
Another option, since we're on the topic of power, is a windmill generator. If you wind up with an old alternator, or dc generator, or starter, you can slap a set of fan blades on and generate your own power! If you even have an old water pump or air pump or any sort of pump, you can do so as well. Pumps, Motors, and Generators are all just Generators being used for different purposes. And if you're concerned by a possible EMP, not to worry. It's a simple matter to re-initialize the windings with a AA or AAA battery!
Just to add what I can to the discussion.
H
Prepare for the worst
Hope for the best
and the good ideas just keep on comin!!! dont stop now folks, lets keep this dialoge going. I want to take a minute now to say thank you.... i started this post because i wanted to have away to blurt out my thoughts and ideas. I wasnt sure how i would be recieved by all of you, i honestly figured i was going to be told to "take a hike" but that hasn't been the case thus far. So, thank you, thank you for taking what i say with a grain of salt, and letting me blurt this stuff out. i realize that i might not know alot about some of this stuff and this has been my way of expressing myself.
Im learning alot from the responses that are posted on the topics i ramble on about so thanks for all the tips and advice
If you have property with a creek running thru it, it's not that hard to set up a small hydro power plant - especially if you have a slope to your property as well, and then it's batteries, batteries, batteries for the rest! I still have much to learn as well but as any prepper will tell you have a back-up plan and then a back up for the back up. So I'm thinking solar panels, windmill and hydro power and you would be pretty much set no matter what the weather when you can bet to a stable bug-out location or a bug-in location off the grid. What I would like to learn more about is free land - squatting, homesteading - whatever it takes. Any info out there for that one?
"When you are going through Hell, keep going" W. Churchill
For power, i would use the microhydro system as the main source (Runs 24/7) and solar and wind power as backups. Then have generators to back up the backups.
Some microhydro applications are not permitted in some waterways......since the 'water' and shoreline actually belongs to a government ie. Parks Canada. I guess you have to check with the local 'government'....
Also in some areas, if a neighbour complains about your set-up, the 'powers that be' can make you take it down or worse the neighbour can sue you. No kidding! It's always best to do your homework first. And maybe move to a place with no visible neighbours!
Definitely something to look into. Just looked into homesteading and the land act of 1970 killed homesteading and preemption.
H
Prepare for the worst
Hope for the best
On the topic of squatting,
I suppose it would be very benifical to know a friend or aquintence that had a place a person could "set up shop" just in case eh!! sure am glad i've started networking with others on this very topic. all though i will add that im sure if the situation was extreme enough, it probably wouldn't matter where you decided to "set up shop" i doubt that in the event of a major crisis, the local by-law officer is not going to be coming around handing out squatting tickets!!!!
Squatting is one possibility, but one gets the sense that there would always be a certain feeling of dread that one would be thrown off the land at some point. Another possibility would be "working arrangements". I know of a guy who has a piece of land with a cabin on it, and for a nominal rent would probably be glad to have someone staying in it and fixing it up a bit. I believe there are still instances where one can lease crown land for a fixed period. Not sure about this though. There might also be instances where a family in a high risk zone could move to a smaller urban area. Rents are much cheaper, most facilities such as schools, recreation, stores, banks, hospitals etc. are in place, but the region is free of danger from earthquake and floods, not enough people live in the town to create a dangerous riot situation. A ten minute drive and you are in the middle of open country. Get to know some of the people in the open country and this arrangement could work for some.
chilcotin, we think alike!!! hey... im getting to know a guy in the open country!! some of these ideas might be fesible.
gmurphy,
Here is a site with more info about solar. http://www.solarwyse.ca/?gclid=CIT3tZDwxqUCFQoEbAodfmptYw
Mountainman.
just finished reading an article about how the alberta government is setting up an counter terrorist unit to protect the oil sands from extremist groups!!! There are over 400,000 kms of pipeline in alberta alone!!! this counter terrorist group is going to be made up of RCMP, CSIS, federal border patrol and members of the calgary and edmonton police forces. Apparently the possible threats are in our own back yard.
gmurphy,
That does not exactly bring a smile to my face. The only personnel who are qualified to deal with a `real`terrorist threat are the members of the Canadian Forces. Cops are not soldiers, and it is unlikely they can be made into soldiers. On the other hand, most soldiers can be trained to perform police functions, IMHO.
Would you mind letting us know where the article was from??
If you care to read a good book try TERROR THREAT - International & Homegrown Terrorists and Their Threat to Canada by Dwight Hamilton & Kostas Rimsa
ISBN 978-1-55002-736-5. 2007. Dundurn Press.
Way to pass that information around. Communication is so very important.
Cheers,
Mountainman.
I agree completely with your sentiments MM. I see this as just another step in the militarization of the Police Forces and taking them out of the realm of Civil Servant and Civil Power. From Wikipedia...."In 1992, Deputy Minister of Defence Robert Fowler announced he was recommending to Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn that he disband the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) and create a new military counter-terrorism group. The decision was made largely because the Canadian Forces offered better-trained recruits for the program than civilian police forces, and it stemmed the public uproar about police being taught to use primarily lethal means.[4]" The worm keeps turning....
gmurphy,
Back to your solar question. The Canadian Tire brand Blue Planet - Has solar panels on sale at Canadian Tire this week 08 June - 14 June. 15W Solar Panel Reg $139.99 on sale for $69.99 Canadian Tire Part # 11-1882-8. There is another panel with no info but price. Item #11-2001-0 Reg $19.99 on sale for $9.99. I will guess that is one of them trickle charge top up panels that go on the dash of your vehicle. That is just a guess.
Looks like a good time to stock up on solar panels!!
Mountainman.