Don't underestimate the value of stocking the necessary hardware for short, medium and long range communication. Only part of the post-apocalypse equation is c

Don't underestimate the value of stocking the necessary hardware for short, medium and long range communication. Only part of the post-apocalypse equation is continued survival of you and your family. At the next level is, how useful are you to the community of people around you? There is a deficit these days, or you could call it an advantage -- that there are far more people skilled in computer technology, and even simple farming -- than radio. Practical skill with communication technology also gets you an 'in' with those in charge of things, even if you were a nobody before. My survival plan involves - 12v systems from car batteries - VHF/UHF short range communication - HF as money permits - low power FM broadcast station - simple low current broadcast studio - legacy PCs and notebook PCs, Linux & Windows 7 (custom mods for better/convective cooling, slower clocks, long life) - massive libraries of ebooks, music, audiobooks and old radio shows - selected paper reference works (now is a great time to buy!) Note that solar panels do NOT make this list, not in any massive way. It's about available funds and priorities now.