Practical Prepping Protocol even if Poor

Just got done moving a large woodpile from point 'A' to point 'B'.


My back hurts LOL.

Nice video, I have a Coleman stove that I picked up for $5 at a yard sale and and couple of gallons of Coleman fuel that I got when they were on sale.

He's very right about propane being undependable at cold temperatures. I had to do some soldering on my copper pipes this winter so I grabbed my propane torch from the unheated garage... had to let it warm up for a half hour before it would light.

77501891, asked you a few questions yesterday or the night before - did you happen to catch them? About the radios.

Have you tried out your stove yet? We all need to be using what we have, to be certain it will work when needed, and to see if we need other parts, a new one, an adaptation, etc. I haven't done well with this yet, but have marvelous intentions.

I have to test a Coleman camp stove but it has the butane bottles, got a case. I just want to test it, I want to make sure it works and I have everything. My worst fear is not having everything for something to work. Like a Flashlight without batteries or an extra bulb for the older ones.

Years ago when camping and using a propane stove, we would put a propane tank in the foot of our sleeping bag when going to bed. That way, the tank was warm in the morning and ready to cook breakfast.

Ugh! I feel you! Just the bending over to do the bottom parts of painting has my back in a rage, as well. But it's done - that's what you and I both can say - we hurt, but we got the job done! Good on us!

I cannot imagine that big old cold thing anywhere near my already freezing feetses! Torture!

Does butane not have this cold weather habit?

Is it the one-burner (Iwatani style)?

I just gotone as well, and a case of butane. I tested it, works great!

So nice of you to cook and deliver! Hope they appreciate your kindness! Is it to neighbors?

Day has been very good, other than sleeping in chair again, so not enough rest. Went through a pile of paperwork and a bit more to do. Painted the pallet - happy happy, as rain returns tomorrow.

They aren't that big. I used itas sort of a footrest. They warm up quickly to body heat.

You ordered one like mine, as I recall. Glad to know it works great! I need more butane, have like five or seven cans. A dozen wouldn't hurt my feelings.

The case for it all is impressive, isn't it? Keeping it all together and undamaged - I liked that. One burner is adequate for just one person, especially since my planned meals mostly take hot water - from that spiffy new old tea kettle with the copper bottom, of which I am still ever so proud! LOL

So cold does affect butane as well as propane?

I would assume cold temps would affect any compressed gas canister by reducing the output pressure.

The old Coleman stoves like the one in the video were nice because you manually pump up the pressure, but finicky to operate and prone to breaking down.

That kind scared me - I chose not to own or operate one because I feared explosion. The little butane burner seems so much safer and easier. Even self-lighting!

still in the box, I will look at the specific model this week

it is a two-burner Amazon.com: Coleman Classic Propane Stove: Sports & Outdoors

[link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

Yes, the same type. They marketed under a myriad of brand names. Some do have different BTU ratings.I think the one I got is 7500 BTU, but it seems I have seen them up to 10000 BTU.

I like the compact size and light weight.

One warning - there have been several documented cases of these stoves exploding. Many are linked to using too large a pan on the stove, which traps heat next to the butanetank.

This site has a few examples.

[link to www.chemaxx.com (secure)]

That one is propane, not butane. Different canisters.

Hi Pooka, is this the question that I overlooked?

The answer is that you can build a perfectly good antenna out out of any wire that you have laying around. I've made antennas from house wires, copper pipe, tv antenna lead and metal conduit.

You are correct in wondering what needs to go between the antenna and your radio, the answer is coax cable which is a cable that has a center conductor and an outer woven metal shield to keep your signal going up that center conductor - I go to hamfests and pickup RG-58 then solder whatever connectors I need. There are smaller coax cables out there, I can't read what I have on my Moxon rectangle but what you need to look for is coax with a 50 Ohm impedance. Cable TV coax is 75 Ohm and is labeled RG-6. It has aluminum shields usually so you can't solder to it. But if you understand the theory, it can be used. You can also buy 25 and 50 foot runs of coax with connectors already installed but where's the fun in that? :) Coax is widely sold online too.

Now for the issue of connectors. I generally use PL-259 male connectors on the ends of my coax and SO-239 female connectors on the antenna, they don't cost much and you can get them off of Amazon or Ebay. Those connectors aren't ideal if you are operating on 70 cm but the number of antennas that use them anyways is telling that it isn't a terrible performance.

One more thing - you'll need an adapter. Specifically, a SO-239 to SMA female adapter. That acts as the bridge between your radio and the antenna. Oh, and you'll need something to seal the coax connection that is exposed to the elements. Electrical tape is the old standby although I prefer the silicon tape that is self sealing.

According to that site, it would appear there was funny business on the part of the woman doing the cooking, not with the stove itself. Her husband died as a result - when I read what was and was not residue on the stove, it all becomes very interesting, as the inspector indicated.

Last Edited by Pooka on 04/21/2019 07:33 PM

They had a lot to go wrong, and required a lot of maintenance. The cup in the pump would dry out (early ones were leather) and then it wouldn't pump. There is a part called the 'generator' that would get all crudded up an not work. the gasket on the fuel cap would dry out and leak pressure, etc.

I still have a few gas lanterns and some fuel. I do have to admit I love the roaring sound they make when running.

I did try to run it on unleaded gasoline when I first got it without any joy. That's when I knew it was a white gas model only. Now that I have the fuel you are correct that I need to put it through it's paces.

Thank you for all that - holy smoke what a job! Not sure I will get to that!

No, there were other questions, one specifically regarding your response about getting a license, to do or not to do and some possible scenarios.

I don't remember the other question but feel sure there was one.

Are you ready to register a name and be upgraded?

That would scare the pee out of me! I would be afraid to use gasoline for anything but inside the running parts of a vehicle. I don't even want to carry a can of gas five miles.

There are more examples on that site (left menu). Most are user error, but one was due to an improperly-manufactured butane canister.

Crunch, your post of that link scared me - stating a pan must be ten inches diameter or less for our butane stoves - so I had to go measure ye olde tea kettle. Whew! Eight and one half inches! We're golden!

Last Edited by Pooka on 04/21/2019 07:38 PM

yep, interesting to see and learn about the other system, good video.

Since we are on the subject, this is the camp tent stove I am looking at [link to www.silverfire.us (secure)]

Yeah, a tea kettle or percolator wouldn't be a problem.

I don't think would use anything larger than an 8" skillet or small saucepan on it, though.

We are exclusively cast iron skillets here. Everything from 4" to 14". The bigger ones don't get used much since the kids are grown and gone.

yep, interesting to see and learn about the other system, good video.

Since we are on the subject, this is the camp tent stove I am looking at [link to www.silverfire.us (secure)]


Let's try to cut away as much of repetitive posts as possible in order not to present them over and over - one or two sentences, if any, are enough to explain the reason for the response.

This is a lovely stove! You plan on carrying it with your backpack? What if your vehicle no longer runs or no fuel can be found for it? What do you do with your beautiful new stove?

Wow. NICE stove. It even heats water.

I hope its a big tent.