Who Am I? ROOT!

CommsPrep Blog (among other things)

  • Here’s a 4/5 star review of the Old Hickory 7-inch Butcher Knife, focusing on its utility for bushcraft and survival:

    Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 Stars)

    Old Hickory 7-inch Butcher Knife: A Bushcraft Workhorse

    The Old Hickory 7-inch Butcher Knife, while perhaps not initially designed for the rigors of the wilderness, has earned its stripes as a surprisingly capable and incredibly budget-friendly option for bushcraft and survival enthusiasts. Its simple, robust construction makes it a true workhorse, ready for modification and hard use.

    The Good:

    • Exceptional Value: For the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more versatile and durable full-tang carbon steel blade. It’s a fantastic entry point for those looking to experiment with a larger fixed blade without breaking the bank.
    • Carbon Steel Performance: The high-carbon steel takes and holds a fantastic edge, making it excellent for carving, batoning (within reason for its thickness), and general camp tasks. It sparks a ferro rod beautifully, which is a huge plus for fire starting in a survival scenario. Patina develops quickly, which helps with corrosion resistance and adds character.
    • Simple, Strong Design: There’s no fluff here. It’s a sturdy piece of steel with a wooden handle, meaning fewer points of failure in the field. The full tang provides confidence for tougher tasks.
    • Moddable Potential: This knife is a blank canvas. Its inherent simplicity means it’s ripe for customization, from handle shaping to blade modifications, allowing you to tailor it precisely to your needs.

    The Not-So-Good (and why it’s still 4/5 stars):

    • No Sheath Included: This is arguably the biggest oversight. For a knife intended for outdoor use, the lack of any form of safe carry solution out of the box is a significant drawback. You’ll need to immediately factor in the cost and effort of acquiring or making a custom kydex or leather sheath. Carrying it safely is paramount, and without one, it’s not field-ready.
    • Blocky Handle Scales: While the wooden scales are durable, they arrive quite square and unrefined. For extended use, especially with tasks like carving or chopping, the ergonomics aren’t ideal and can lead to hot spots. A bit of sanding and shaping to round off the edges transforms the handle into something much more comfortable and usable, but this extra step is necessary for optimal performance.
    Pictured: The old hickory Butcher knife.

    Conclusion:

    Despite its minor shortcomings – which are easily remedied with a little DIY effort and an aftermarket sheath – the Old Hickory 7-inch Butcher Knife is an outstanding choice for bushcraft and survival. Its robust build, excellent carbon steel, and incredible value make it a compelling option for anyone willing to invest a small amount of time and money into making it truly field-ready. It’s a knife that encourages hands-on modification and rewards the user with a reliable, high-performing tool.

  • Baofeng AR-5RM: A Powerhouse for the Price-Conscious Ham Operator

    Pictured above: Baofeng AR-5RM radio and some accessories.

    Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 Stars)

    The Baofeng AR-5RM handheld radio stands out as an excellent value proposition, particularly for amateur radio enthusiasts. While it comes with certain limitations, its robust feature set and impressive performance for its price point make it a highly competitive option in the market.

    Strengths:

    • Exceptional Value: The AR-5RM offers an incredible array of features at a price that’s hard to beat, making it an accessible entry point for new ham radio operators or a reliable backup radio for experienced users.
    • Solid Build and Power: This radio feels sturdy in hand, more so than some of its predecessors. It boasts a true 10W high power output across multiple bands (VHF, 220, UHF), ensuring strong and clear transmissions over considerable distances. Many users report excellent audio quality, even at range.
    • Wide Frequency Coverage: The AR-5RM provides extensive receive capabilities, including FM radio (68-108 MHz), AM airband (108-136 MHz), VHF (136-174 MHz), 220-260 MHz, and UHF (350-520 MHz). Its ability to receive airband frequencies in AM is a significant plus.
    • Modern Conveniences: The inclusion of USB-C charging is a welcome upgrade, allowing for flexible charging options with standard mobile chargers, power banks, or laptops. It also features a larger 1.77-inch color screen and 999 memory channels, offering ample space for programming.
    • User-Friendly Programming: While the factory software has some quirks, the AR-5RM is largely compatible with CHIRP software, which simplifies programming and channel management. The one-key frequency copy function is also a handy feature for quickly grabbing frequencies from other radios.
    • Long-Lasting Battery: Equipped with a 2500mAh battery, the radio offers decent battery life, with options for larger capacity batteries that can be charged while still in use.

    Considerations:

    • Licensing and Legal Use: A crucial point for potential buyers is that transmitting on FRS, GMRS, or MURS frequencies with this radio is generally illegal without the appropriate type acceptance and licensing (e.g., an Amateur Radio License for ham bands). It’s primarily designed and best suited for licensed amateur radio operation.
    • Screen Readability: Some users have noted that the color screen can be challenging to read in bright sunlight, particularly menu settings displayed in red.
    • Software Nuances: While CHIRP compatibility is a strong point, the native factory software can be less intuitive, especially for programming airband channels directly.
    • Spurious Emissions: As with many budget-friendly radios, there can be discussions around spurious emissions, though many users find its performance to be surprisingly clean for its price point.

    Conclusion:

    The Baofeng AR-5RM is an outstanding choice for anyone seeking a feature-rich, high-power handheld radio without breaking the bank. Its broad receive capabilities, including airband, and modern conveniences like USB-C charging, make it a versatile tool. While users must be mindful of proper licensing for transmission, the AR-5RM delivers exceptional performance and value, easily earning its 4-star rating.