xmlns:og='http://ogp.me/ns#' The Prepared Guy

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Now on Substack!

I have migrated all of my content over to Stubstack and will no longer be publishing here. Follow me here: https://thepreparedguy.substack.com/

Monday, February 6, 2023

Reboot - PTR 3.0

As of March 2022 we have started podcasting again.  Prepper Talk Radio (PTR) version 3.0.  Scott Stallings and I did a weekly live broadcast AM radio show from October 2015 until December of 2018.  We recorded 163 episodes which are available on your favorite podcasting service including iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, Google podcasts, etc.   You can find us on most of the social media platforms as well as our website.  We are now up to over 240 podcast eposides.  We broadcast our podcast live every Wednesday at around 6PM on YouTube and Facebook.  You can also watch/listen on Rumble if you prefer.

https://preppertalkradio.com

Paris Cluff is a financial expert and fellow prepper as well as good friend.  He has joined us on the podcast   You can find him at Financial Self Reliance on YouTube.    

https://www.youtube.com/c/FinancialSelfReliance

You can also follow me on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/thepreparedguy/  and @preparedguy on Instagram.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Prepper Talk Radio

I love writing!  I wish I had more time to publish more to this blog.  Full time work and full time family make that difficult.  In addition to this blog I am a co-host, along with the founder of the preparedness and survival expo PrepperCon, Scott Stallings, of a weekly live broadcast radio show. 

I publish most of our weekly live broadcasts as podcasts.  You can listen to our podcasts on many of your favorite apps including spreaker, iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, Podbean, YouTube, etc.  We have published 150+ episodes of our live broadcasts back to when we started in 2015.  We continue to get good feedback from our listeners and sincerely hope that you enjoy our conversations as well. 

You can also listen to our podcasts on our own website  http://preppertalkradio.com/listen/



You can also listen live with the K-Talk Radio app or online at www.ktalkmedia.com  We broadcast live on Fridays at 2PM MST.  That's 1640 AM in Salt Lake City, Utah.   You can listen live on the "Tune In" radio app.

I am on Facebook as "Prepper Talk Radio" and "Prepared Guy".

Thanks for listening.
 


Friday, December 1, 2017

What is GMAG?

Let me just start out by saying; "It really works!"  I'm not saying I'm surprised that it works but honestly I am a little surprised at how well it works.

The GMAG is a saltwater powered battery charger.  It is a fuel cell that uses magnesium and salt water to create an electrical charge.  This little device not only looks like a typical battery charger and holds up to 6 rechargeable batteries but also about a half a cup of water, two teaspoons of salt, and on the back two magnesium "pucks" clip in.  The reaction between the salt water and magnesium creates an electrical charge enough to charge six 1.2v AA 2000 mAh batteries in about 6 hours.  I don't know exactly how long it took me because I forgot about my experiment and let them charge overnight.     


I discharged the rechargeable batteries that came with my unit down until they would no longer run an led flashlight.  The charge on each of the batteries was between .7 volts and 1 volt when I started charging them.  They came with a charge of about 1.25 volts.  A fully charged AA battery will have a charge of 1.35+ volts.

A battery tester like the one pictured above is a must have to go along with this product.  I actually recommend that you have a digital multi-meter.  First of all they are an essential tool for any prepared person but also you just can't know or see that this simple battery charging device is working without one.     


My first attempt at using the charger did not work properly.  I'm not sure why.  I used a pre-measured salt packet that came with the "Disaster Pack" that I received and followed the instructions filling the unit to the recommended level with tap water.  After a few hours I was only getting 1.05 volts reading on my meter.  This, of course, only charged the batteries up to 1.05 volts, which is still considered fully drained.  So I started over.  I rinsed out the unit and noticed very little "corrosion" on the GMAG magnesium pucks.  This time I added 2 teaspoons of sea salt from my cupboard instead of one of the pre-measured packets.  Within about 15 minutes I measured 1.19 volts, then 1.2v, 1.223v, and up to 1.345 volts about three hours later.   


Then I went to bed and forgot about it.  By about 6:30 AM the next morning in a bit of a panic remembered what I had started the night before.  The batteries all had a charge of around 1.37 volts, which means the charge had reached at least that voltage. 

"Wow!" is what I wrote down on my notes that morning.  Yes, I had left them in for more than twice as long as I should have, but the results were very positive.  The picture below is the result of the excessive time in the charger.  The magnesium pucks had worn down considerably.  On the left are the new pucks and on the right are the used pucks.  


The manufacturer says that I should be able to charge these 2000 mAh batteries about 100 times before the magnesium is gone.  I'm sure I shortened the life of these considerably by letting them charge for two long.  When one set of pucks wears out then just insert another set and charge some more batteries.

Here is what I should have done, and will do the next time.  First of all, I won't start so late in the day or I'll time it right with when I wake up.  After the salt and water is mixed in the unit I'll make sure that the voltage is rising nicely by checking with my meter, then wait the recommended time for the batteries to charge.  It should take about 2 hours for 2 - 2000 mAh batteries to charge, 4 hours for 4 AA, and 6 hours for six AA.  Then I'll use my meter or tester to check the current battery charge.  If they are at 1.35 volts I'll consider them fully charged.  At a minimum the batteries should be checked with a simple battery tester like the one in the photo above to make sure the charge is high in the "Good" range.  

These testers are inexpensive so it's a good idea to have a few of them if you don't have a meter.  I check all of my batteries because when they no longer work in a particular device because their voltage is too low they will still work in other devices.  Also, many times I find that if there are two batteries in a device and one of them is too low to operate the other one still has plenty of charge.  I use the battery tester to match similarly charged used batteries and do not throw them away until they are below the LOW indicator on the tester.  You can save a lot of money on batteries this way. 

After the batteries are fully charged, empty the solution and rinse out the unit.  Let it dry and then you can put it away.  The magnesium pucks have an indefinite storage life so whenever I need to charge batteries I can add salt water, put the pucks in the unit and charge some batteries.  Pretty darn cool if you ask me!  

Some of the most important things we need to be adequately prepared require power.  Flashlights and radios are on the top of my list.  Typical AA batteries have a fairly long shelf life of about 10+ years.  Rotating them can be easy but what happens when you run out and are not able to get any more?  

Yes solar works very well for charging batteries too.  Can you think of a situation when you need to charge batteries but don't have adequate sunlight?  Ya, me too.  Having multiple ways to charge batteries and generate power is always a good idea.  Also, think of the weight savings between carrying 100 batteries or one GMAG battery charger, some salt, and 6 AA rechargeable batteries.

If you value my opinion I say that it's a good idea to add one of these units and an extra set of the GMAG pucks to your preps.  Stick em on the shelf next to your food storage and Survival Medical first aid kits and they'll be ready for you when needed.  



Use discount code UTAH18 for a 12% discount at https://www.greenivative.com/products/



Thursday, November 16, 2017

PTR Ep. 124 Re-evolution

If you use YouTube, like I do, to listen to podcasts you can listen to our show there as well.   Here is one of our recent broadcasts.  You can also listen on iheart radio and  www.preppertalkradio.com





Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Prepper Talk Radio now on iHeart

You can now listen to each of our podcasts on either iHeart Radio or on www.preppertalkradio.com

It has been quite a while since I have uploaded one of our broadcasts to my blog but we continue to broadcast live each Friday at 10AM.  You can listen live with the ktalk radio app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.viastreaming.KTalkRadio  or on

www.ktalkmedia.com 

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/prepper-talk-radio-28286881/



You can also listen to them on our YouTube channel 

www.ktalkmedia.com  - This is where we broadcast live each week.  1640 AM every Friday at 10AM in Salt Lake City, Utah.  All of our broadcasts can also be found on the archive page. 

Our primary show sponsor is Survival Medical.  www.survival-medical.com  First aid kits designed for long term storage. 



Thanks for listening!

Monday, April 17, 2017

Prepper Talk Radio Episode 84, 03 08,17 Doomsday scenarios with Jake Garn

Our friend, local talk show host of "Stand up commentary", and professional photographer Jake "The Snake" Garn agreed to be our guest this week.



We thought it would be fun to discuss a serious topic with a very not so serious guy.  It was lots of fun!  Listen in.





www.standupcommentary.com - with Jake Garn

www.preppertalkradio.com - We broadcast live each Friday at 10AM MST from the KTalk Media sutdios

www.ktalkmedia.com - 1640 AM KTKK, (Formerly AM 630)

www.preppercon.com - The largest preparedness and survival expo in the country.  And the most fun.

www.survival-medical.com -  First aid kits designed to last of to 20 years.





Prepper Talk Radio Episode 71 KNRS, 01 22 17 Alan Kay and Nicole Apelian...

Alan Kay and Nicole Apelian are our guests for two episodes of Prepper Talk Radio while we spent a few months at our local iHeart radio station KNRS 105.9 FM and 570 AM in SLC, UT., in additional to our show at K-Talk Media on AM 630 and now 1640 AM in SLC, UT.

Alan was the season #1 winner of ALONE staying 57 days alone in the wild.   Nicole placed in the top five of her season surviving 56 days alone. They have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to share.  Listen in to our excellent conversation.

Both Alan and Nicole will be at PrepperCon 2017 April 21st and 22nd at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.









Click here for the second episode (73).   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT_gInRUJ7Q


www.preppertalkradio.com

www.preppercon.com

www.humless.com  - Off grid power systems.  Show sponsor

Prepper Talk Radio Episode 88, 03 22 17 Silver is awesome! I hope you ...

There are so, so many uses for silver!  Silver is not only real money but also an essential prepper item is many different ways.

Josh Krogue of Silver Support joins us today to talk all things silver.  In my opinion Silver Support make the best colloidal silver available. Check them out at www.silversupport.com 




www.preppertalkradio.com  - We broadcast live every Friday at 10 AM MST from the K-Talk media studios in Sandy, Utah.

www.ktalkmedia.com  1640 AM,  SLC, UT.  Live, local, two way.

www.preppercon.com   Upcoming expo April 21st and 22nd, 2017 in SLC, UT.

www.survival-medical.com  Our show sponsor.  First Aid Evolved.


Prepper Talk Radio Episode 80, 02 22 17 The toughest questions of prepping

Do you ask yourself the hard questions?  Do you know the right questions to ask?  Do you know how to answer them?

Well, to start, if you don't ask them you'll never know how to answer them or how to respond when you actually have to.

Josh Wiscomb of Survivalogics, creator of Conflicted the game is our guest today.  If you are not familiar with them check them out at www.conflictedthegame.com






www.preppertalkradio.com - Our weekly live radio broadcast each Friday at 10 AM MST on AM 1640 KTALK.

www.ktalkmedia.com  - KTKK,  1640 AM, SLC, Utah.  (Formerly AM 630).

www.preppercon.com - The largest preparedness and survival expo in the nation

www.survival-medical.com - Our show sponsor


Prepper Talk Radio Episode 95, 04 11 17 - 72 hour kits suck! with JeffKirkham

Would you trust your life to one of these?  Not me!  Listen in to find out why not and how Mr. PrepperCon and the Prepared Guy approach preparedness.  Hint:  Everyday! 

 Our regular guest Jeff Kirkham of Readyman and RATS Tourniquets discusses this topic with us.







This is my go bag.  The Maxpedition Riftcore

www.preppertalkradio.com

www.preppercon.com

www.readyman.com

www.survival-medical.com

www.maxpedition.com

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Prepper Talk Radio Episode 76, 02 08 17 Why we don't prep.

An old friend once told me "Excuses are a sign of a weak mind."  We may all have reasons why we don't take steps to become better prepared but in reality they are just excuses.  What are your excuses and how are you going to move past them?






www.preppertalkradio.com  Our new site... currently under construction.

www.preppercon.com  Tickets are available now to PrepperCon 2017 April 21st and 22nd at the South Town Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.

www.survival-medical.com  First aid kits tougher than nature.

www.ktalkmedia.com  Listen live each Wednesday at 9AM MST on AM 630 in SLC, UT.  You can also listen online or with the ktalk radio app.  All broadcasts are also available on the ktalkmedia.com archives.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Prepper Talk Radio Episode 74, 02 01 17 Real food and natural medicine.

Our sponsor and good friend JR of Survival-Medical.com joined us again this week.  A spontaneous discussion about real food and natural medicine started up.  It wasn't what we had planned to talk about but it was an excellent conversation.
 


Check out Survival Medical's awesome products at survival-medical.com.  It's what we use.





www.preppertalkradio.com -  Our new site.  Currently under construction.

www.survival-medical.com

www.preppercon.com   PrepperCon2017 April 21st and 22nd in SLC, UT.

www.ktalkmedia.com  - Talk radio AM 630 in SLC, Utah.  The third oldest talk radio station in the USA.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Prepper Talk Radio Episode 72, 01 25 17 Situational Awareness and Self Defence

Our guest this week was Stan Prueitt of Urban Survivors.com.  Stan is a black belt in several disciplines and has a resume much to long to list.  If you're a fan of 4 Wheel Drive Magazine and the Tough Truck Challenge you may recognize him.  



Listen in.  I think you'll enjoy the conversation.



www.urbansurvivors.com - Martial arts training and much more.

www.preppertalkradio.com - Our new site... currently under construction.

www.ktalkmedia.com - We broadcast live each Wednesday at 9AM MST on AM 630 in SLC.  Listen online or with the ktalk radio app.

www.preppercon.com - The largest preparedness and survival expo in the nation and probably the world.  PrepperCon 2017 is April 21st and 22nd at the South Town Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.

www.survival-medical.com - First aid Evolved.  First aid kits designed to last up to 20 years.


Monday, February 20, 2017

Prepper Talk Radio Episode 69, 01 15 17 The Survival Rules of 3 - KNRS

As part of our introductory course for our new listeners at KNRS 105.9 FM and 570 AM in SLC, UT. we needed to talk about the survival rules of three.  These are essential to know when acquiring your prepping supplies and of course if you find yourself in an emergency situation.






You can listen every Sunday at 8PM MST on iHeart Radio KNRS in SLC, UT.  105.9 FM and 570 AM of of course on the iHeart Radio app.  Podcasts are coming soon.

www.preppertalkradio.com

www.knrs.com

www.tntfirstaid.com

Follow us on our social media pages including Facebook, Instagram and twitter.

Also check out www.preppedapp.com  It's like instagram and twitter for preppers.


Prepper Talk Radio Episode 68, 01 11 17 Prepping 101; Plan, Prepare and Practice

Every Wednesday at 9AM MST we broadcast live from the K-Talk Media studios in SLC, UT.  That's AM 630, KTKK.  We are the only live AM or FM broadcast show of it's kind, that I know of.  Go to www.ktalkmedia.com to listen live or download the k-talk radio app to listen most anywhere from your smart phone.



We are in our third calendar year and really enjoy doing the show live.  I look forward to it every week!  K-Talk is the only independent talk radio station in Utah.  It is the third oldest talk radio station in the country at over 50 years old.  Other channel have gone away from two-way talk, not K-Talk radio.  We are happy to a part of the family!

There are many other shows worth listening to every day.  Check them out.  Ours is the best of course.

You can listen to all of our previous broadcasts, as well as those of the other talk show hosts, on the K-Talk Media archive page here:  http://ktalkmedia.com/ktalk-radio/





www.preppertalkradio.com

www.ktalkmedia.com

Don't forget to like our facebook pages and check us out on all of your favorite social media sites.

Please support our most excellent sponsor:   www.survival-medical.com


The best first aid kits on the planet!  Designed for long term storage.


Prepper Talk Radio Episode 67 KNRS, 01 08 17 Intro to Prepping

This is our first broadcast on our new station iHeart Radio KNRS 105.9 FM and 570 AM in SLC, Utah.  Keep an eye open for our podcasts on iHeart Radio.
This being our first show with this new audience we decided to talk about prepping 101.  Keeping it simple and introducing the basics.



www.preppertalkradio.com

www.knrs.com

One of first sponsors for the show:
www.tntfirstaid.com
Check out their app on the app store.
Virtual Medic

Prepper Talk Radio Episode 66, 01 04 17 Prepping 101 - Survival rules of 3


What are the survival rules of three you ask?  Well, if you don't already know then you probably haven't been in a survival situation...yet.

Three minutes without air.

Three hours without shelter.

Three days without water.

Three weeks without food.

We preppers base all of our preps around these basic rules when it comes to priority in acquiring what we need for survival.  We also apply these rules when we find ourselves in an emergency situation.

If we are breathing fine but in harsh weather we need to find shelter.  If we are breathing fine, have adequate shelter we then find a water source.  If we are breathing fine, have adequate shelter and a clean water source we then look for a source of food.

Listen in...




www.preppertalkradio.com

www.preppercon.com

www.survival-medical.com

Don't forget to follow us on social media too.  We'd appreciate it.

The Prepared Guy - Facebook and Twitter

Prepared Guy - Instagram

Prepper Talk Radio - Facebook, instagram and twitter,


Sunday, January 1, 2017

Prepper Talk Radio Episode 65, 12 28 16 What to prepare for in 2017 - Pt. 2

Our last broadcast of 2016 and we will then find ourselves in our third calendar year broadcasting the Prepper Talk Radio show.  Happy New Year everyone!  Thanks for listening!  We love what we do!

We feel very lucky to be at the K-Talk Media station broadcasting live every Wednesday at 9AM  MST on AM 630 in SLC, UT.  Great people and one of the oldest independently owned stations in America!  You can listen online at www.ktalkmedia.com or with the ktalk radio app.


What are your biggest concerns for this new year?  What are you preparing for in 2017?  Like, comment and subscribe to our YouTube channel(s) and post your questions there. We love interacting with our callers on live radio as well as on social media.  We hope you'll want to be a part of our show!



In 2017 you'll be able to find us not only on K-Talk Media but also KNRS 105.9 and 570 AM iheart radio.  We hope to expand from there to many more stations by the end of 2017.

www.preppertalkradio.com

www.preppercon.com  April 21-22, 2017 at the South Towne Expo Center will be our 3rd year of PrepperCon.   We hope you'll join us!

www.knrs.com 


Prepper Talk Radio Episode 64, 12 21 16 Possible disaster in 2017 - Pt. 1

Part one of two discussions concerning the potential upcoming events in 2017.  We hope you are not sitting back taking it easy because Trump won the presidential election.  This should be the time when you are doubling up on your preps.  We think we know what to expect next year but the truth is that we really don't know exactly what the future brings.  We should expect the best but be prepared for the worst.


 Hopefully the Donald will bring good things for us in 2017 but about many different possible disasters there isn't a thing he can do.  We must be ready to take care of ourselves.  Listen in and comment on YouTube.  We'd love it if you subscribed to our channel!



www.preppertalkradio.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQJDX1jE_p9xtGh8jPkh8tQ

www.preppercon.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYcdCEt-ujpZZHQE7MHXIvg

www.ktalkmedia.com  Wednesdays at 9AM MST on AM 630 in SLC, UT.  Or listen on the k-talk radio app. or online.

www.knrs.com   Sundays at 8PM MST on 105.9 FM and 570 AM.  Or listen on the iheart radio app.



The purpose of this site is to provide you with information about what I have learned, my experience, and what my motivations are as a Prepared Guy. I have always felt driven to be ready for any situation by something powerful deep inside me. Being prepared has always served me well. I feel compelled to help others do the same.
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