How to Tie Knots Like a Navy SEAL: Part 2

Posted on August 31, 2009 by The ITS Crew
Photo U.S. Navy (Released)

Photo U.S. Navy (Released)

This weeks “Knot of the Week” continues with the second of five knots taught to Navy SEAL candidates at BUD/s for their Underwater Knot Tying Test.

Students start from the shallow end of the pool, and when called swim out to a waiting instructor. The student announces themselves and which of the five knots they’ll be tying.

Once give the nod by the instructor, the student then requests permission to descend to the bottom of the 15 foot pool with a downturned thumb. Continue reading →

Posted in Bends, Knots | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Knot So Simple

Posted on August 30, 2009 by The ITS Crew

ABOKCBS Sunday Morning ran an excellent segment today titled “Knot So Simple.”

Correspondent Serena Altschul took a look at the International Guild of Knot Tyers in the United Kingdom, and interviewed  Phoebe Ashley Shardon, the daughter of Clifford Ashley.

Ashley is the writer and illustrator of the Ashley Book of Knots (1944). The ABOK is still known as the bible of knot tying today, and is a must for anyone wanting to learn more about knot tying.

We highly encourage everyone interested to pick up a copy, it’s a fantastic reference book and it’s authority still rings true after 65 years.

Check out the video from today’s CBS Sunday Morning segment here.

Posted in Knots, Reading | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Reader Appreciation Contest #2 Winner!

Posted on August 28, 2009 by The ITS Crew

zuluWe’d like to announce the winner of our second  Reader Appreciation Contest.

ITS Tactical reader “TexasAg” (#15 out of 67 entries) is the big winner of a Zulu Nylon Gear Mega Admin Pouch!

As with all our contests, we used  Random.org to choose the winner to avoid any kind of trickery.

For the details on how you can enter to win, visit our  contest rules page, and stay tuned for our next Reader Appreciation Contest!

TexasAg, if you haven’t received our email yet, please contact us to claim your prize.

Posted in ITS Information | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Fight For Your Knife Rights Now!

Posted on August 28, 2009 by The ITS Crew

2009-08-27-at-21-53-38We just received an update on the next step in the battle against the U.S. Customs and their proposal to revoke  earlier rulings that assisted opening  knives are not switchblades.

To recap, the proposal would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, but its overly broad new definition of a switchblade would also include all one-handed opening knives and most other pocket knives! Continue reading →

Posted in Knives | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Innovative Alternative to Stun Guns: Just Shoot Them

Posted on August 27, 2009 by The ITS Crew

TaserXREPA new product was recently brought to our attention by an ITS reader, the Taser XREP.

The XREP is a a self-contained, wireless electronic control device (ECD), that deploys from any 12-gauge pump-action shotgun.

It delivers a similar Neuro Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) bio-effect as the handheld TASER ® X26â„¢ ECD, but can be delivered to a maximum effective range of 100 feet (30.48 meters), combining blunt impact force.

The battery supply is fully integrated into the chassis and provides the power to drive the XREP projectile engine, while the  nose assembly of the XREP projectile contains four forward facing barbed electrodes. Continue reading →

Posted in Ammunition | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

The Best Kept Secret in Radio Communication

Posted on August 26, 2009 by The ITS Crew

ITS Tactical Handheld Radio

License free, low cost, two-way communication. What’s not to love about MURS? MURS stands for Multi User Radio Service, and is one of the best kept secrets in personal and family radio communications.

Formerly available only for business communications, the FCC has kept five MURS frequencies license-free and open for public use since 2000. Handheld radios broadcasting on MURS frequencies can experience a range of two miles to eight miles depending on terrain and obstructions, while MURS Base Stations can reach up to 20 miles.

The stipulations for MURS use provided by the FCC restrict any transmitter in excess of two watts, but any type of antenna is allowed as long as the tower height (with antenna) is no greater than 60 feet high. All communications must also yield to any emergency communication on the same channel.

Frequencies

The five MURS frequencies are listed below, The 154 MHz channels can be operated on the standard 25 kHz wide band or narrow band mode. The 151 MHz channels can only be operated in narrow band mode.

  • 151.820 MHz
  • 151.880 MHz
  • 151.940 MHz
  • 154.570 MHz
  • 154.600 MHz

Each of the five frequencies can not only transmit voice, but also data. The best example of this are the driveway alarms which transmit a signal via MURS when the IR sensor is tripped.

Can you hear me now?

Another hidden benefit of MURS frequencies are the PL codes (Private Line codes) or CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) which are sub-audible tones that allow users to operate on the same channel without hearing chatter directed to other users.

There are 38 PL codes available to each of the five MURS frequencies, which makes for a combination of 190 different MURS channels. While this is not encryption, anyone not operating with the same PL code won’t hear your conversation.

How MURS stacks up

Most everyone has seen the small hand-held walkie-talkies that operate on the FRS (Family Radio Service), the best example of this are the small Motorola Talkabout Radios marketed towards family communication.

Here are some great comparisons courtesy of PRSG.

Compared with FRS (Family Radio Service) at 460 MHz:

  • MURS (at 150 MHz) permits four times more power (2 Watts TPO instead the 0.500 Watts ERP limit for FRS).
  • At MURS frequencies, signals bend over hills better, but FRS signals are better at bouncing off of surfaces and penetrating into/escaping out of buildings.
  • You may connect a MURS radio to an external or exterior antenna. FRS radios must employ a non-detachable antenna. For vehicle-to-vehicle operation with external (roof-mount) antennas, MURS should provide three to ten (or more) times the range possible with FRS radios.

Compared with GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) at 460 MHz:

  • GMRS handheld radios have typically two to five watts transmitter power. GMRS vehicular units transmit typically with ten to 50 watts. There is no limit on the ERP of GMRS stations operating on the primary channels. GMRS stations may transmit with no more the 5 Watts ERP on the seven “interstitial” frequencies (those shared with the FRS).
  • GMRS operation requires an FCC license.
  • At MURS frequencies, signals bend over hills better, but GMRS signals are better at bouncing off of surfaces and penetrating into/escaping out of buildings.
  • For vehicle-to-vehicle operation with external (roof-mount) antennas, MURS should provide one-and-a-half to four times the range possible with GMRS handheld radios also connected to roof-mount antennas. Depending on the surrounding terrain, MURS units connected to roof-mounted antennas might even outperform full-power (50 watt) GMRS mobile units, although the GMRS units should have a greater range in open terrain.
  • Many GMRS radios can communicate through repeater stations for extended range (typically up to twenty miles or more, sometimes much more). The new FCC Rules will prohibit repeaters in MURS.

Compared with CB (Citizens Band Radio) at 27 MHz:

  • CB radios may transmit with more power than MURS units may, but communications range is highly dependent on channel congestion and atmospheric conditions. CB communications can also be significantly degraded by noise from vehicle ignition systems and from other man-made sources.
  • CB signals bend over hills and around obstacles much better than MURS (at 150 MHz) or FRS/GMRS (at 460 MHz) signals.
  • Vehicle-to-vehicle MURS communications will probably be comparable and possibly quite superior to that available in the CB service.
  • MURS communications will not suffer from the kind of long-range “skip” interference frequently encountered on CB radio at 27 MHz.

Keep in mind on all these comparisons that MURS has it’s benefits, but GMRS requires an FCC license to operate on.

Where to buy?

MURS radios can now be commonly found online at retailers such as Amazon.com and are starting to increase in popularity as more people find out what they’re missing. The great thing about MURS frequencies is that they can be programmed (with or without PL codes) into existing radios which can be a backup to licensed communication. A dedicated MURS radio also makes a good backup radio if your primary means of communication go down.

Resources

PRSG has a wonderful FAQ section where you can obtain more information pertaining to MURS.

Posted in Comms | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 59 Comments

Reader Appreciation Contest: Giveaway #2!

Posted on August 25, 2009 by The ITS Crew

zuluJust when you thought  your day couldn’t get any better, we bring you our second  Reader Appreciation Contest giveaway!

Today we’re giving away the  Zulu Nylon Gear Mega Admin Pouch we reviewed just a few short days ago! That’s right, the Mega Admin Pouch can be yours for the incredible price of FREE!

To learn how you can be eligible to win, take a look at our  contest rules. Continue reading →

Posted in ITS Information | Tagged , , | 73 Comments

How to Tie Knots Like a Navy SEAL

Posted on August 24, 2009 by The ITS Crew

For the next few weeks, we’ll depart from our usual “Knot of the Week” to bring you a series on the knots taught to Navy SEAL candidates at BUD/s (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training).

During the first phase of BUD/s, students are taught five knots which they’re required to tie one at a time underwater, each on a single breath hold.

Each knot is tied on a trunk line, or stationary rope, secured to the bottom of a 15 foot pool. We’ll have a special video presentation during the last week of the series, combining all the knots and showing them tied underwater. The first of these knots, which we’ll teach today, is the Bowline.

Bowline » Loops

(Strength: 2/Secure: 2/Stability: 4/Difficulty: 3)

Please refer to our Knot of the Week introduction post for a description of what these ratings mean.

Before we continue any further we’d like to clear the air on how to properly pronounce the Bowline. This knot comes from the need for attaching sails to the bow of a ship for stabilization, and is pronounced “bow” like a ship’s bow, not “bow” like bow and arrow.

The Bowline was originally used for the purpose intended above, but has progressed to include a host of other uses. Today, you’d most likely see a Bowline used for mooring a small boat to a pier or in rescue applications when a fixed loop is needed that won’t close around a waist or foot.

In rescue applications we highly suggest, due the somewhat unstable nature of the bowline, that a half hitch is added to the knot at the very end to further secure it. If the bowline is not kept under load, it can easily come untied which is why we recommend the extra half hitch  (We’ll explain below).

Uses:

  • Mooring a small boat to a pier
  • Emergency applications where a fixed loop is needed
  • Joining two ropes bowline to bowline (there are better ways to join ropes though)

Tying Instructions:

  1. Create a bight in the rope, forming a “q” shape
  2. Ensure that the “q” is made overlapping the standing part of the line
  3. Your working end will be wrapped around whatever you’re tying on to
  4. Create a loop and feed the working end through the underside of the “q”
  5. Bring the working end around the back of the standing line
  6. Continue passing the working end back through the “q” running parallel with the loop
  7. To tighten, pull the loop and working end with one hand, and the standing line with the other
  8. For increased security, create a overhand knot in the loop with the working end
  9. Pull the working end to tighten and finish the Bowline

View the gallery or YouTube video below and follow along with the steps above!

[flickrset id=”72157622002217133″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”]

Video

Posted in Knots, Loops | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

How to Field Strip an MRE in 12 Easy Steps

Posted on August 22, 2009 by The ITS Crew

MRE Field Strip

Field stripping an MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) is a common technique used by soldiers to reduce the weight and bulk of the standard U.S. Issue MRE.

An MRE is packaged with a lot of unnecessary things that can make trying to carry them in your pack heavy and cumbersome. The solution? Field strip them!

Field stripping is usually done just prior to a situation where you’ll be in the field for an extended amount of time and have to carry multiple meals, or in a survival situation where space savings is mandatory.

The great thing about removing the unnecessary packaging and contents is that it doesn’t compromise the expiration date of the meal, because everything is still sealed.

To field strip your MREs follow these simple steps or just follow along with the video below!

  1. Open your MRE Package and dump everything out on a table
  2. Toss the individually sealed condiment package
  3. Toss the spoon (All you need is one, so carry a reusable one with you)
  4. Toss the dairy shake if there is one
  5. Toss the heater (Is it really essential to the mission that your meal is hot?)
  6. Sort through the included extra side dishes and determine what you want to keep
  7. Open the main course meal cardboard packaging and toss the box
  8. Stack everything in space saving fashion back into the MRE plastic packaging you first opened
  9. Ensure everything is pushed to the bottom half of the packaging and fold over once
  10. Grab the lip of the MRE packaging and fold in the corners, streamlining your fold
  11. Take duct tape or riggers tape and wrap a complete turn around the packaging, tightening as you go
  12. Leave a tail on the tape and tear it off the roll (fold the end of the tape over so removal is easy)

Weight before: 1 lb. 13.7 oz. – Weight after 1 lb. 0.2 oz. While it might not seem like much, remember the old adage “An ounce in the morning weighs a pound at night.”

There you have it, how to field strip an MRE in 12 easy steps. Check out our video below showing a complete MRE field strip!

Posted in Survival | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

Magpul B.A.D Lever Update

Posted on August 21, 2009 by The ITS Crew

BADJust announced by Travis Haley in the comments of our post, “Magpul BAD vs. Phase 5 EBR,” the Magpul B.A.D Lever has officially been  listed on the Magpul Web site.

A big thanks to Travis for throwing up a link and letting our readers know about the release!

From the Magpul Web site:

Developed from the operational experience of the Magpul ®Dynamics team, the B.A.D. Leverâ„¢ (Battery Assist Device) is designed to considerably improve the speed and efficiency of the AR15/M16 bolt catch. The B.A.D. Leverâ„¢ quickly addresses reloading and malfunction clearance shortcomings of AR15/M16 platforms by extending a paddle to the right side of the weapon, allowing manipulation of the bolt stop from the fire control/ready position with the right-hand trigger finger.

Posted in Accessories | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment