Outdoor Adventure USA

Outdoor Products Made In USA

Many of us have just returned from our first OAUSA camping event that we have held in the last two years. It was a nice reminder of just how important it is to get away and enjoy the great outdoors. It was also a time to appreciate many of the great outdoor gear products that are made right here in the USA. Usually, we wait for the appropriate month to discuss topics, like National Preparedness Month, but we are making an exception here, or sort of. Past presidents have declared National “Made in America” months, but there seems to be some confusion whether it was a continuing thing. So, we at OAUSA, are ending this confusion, and we have designated October, of every year, as National “Made in America” month.

With the summer camping season coming to a close, it seems like a good time for everyone to speak up about the great “made in America” outdoor products of which you are aware, as well as those that you have recently discovered. Mentioning the well known and well used ones is always important (like Springbar tents and Coleman products,) but it is also helpful to mention the little known ones and the ones that have been recently introduced. So, we need as much input as we can get, because we learn too by the discussion during the nets. Join us!!!!

OUTDOOR PRODUCTS MADE IN THE USA

1. All American Sun Oven

This "made in the USA" product is both at home in the outdoors and as part of your emergency preps. Having just returned from our annual OAUSA outdoor event, we can report that, as usual, we have a member that uses his Sun Oven to make lunch and appetizers for this hungry group. While obviously the oven is dependent on sun light to operate, it is capable of performing cooking tasks in less than perfect sun light. And, it is equally capable of preparing meals for both the lunch and dinner crowds. It's size makes it possible to prepare food for several people, and when it's time to pack up and leave, it collapses to a convenient size for travel. Oh yes, and it's made in the USA!!!

In reasonable sun light, the oven reaches temperatures in the 360 F- 400 F range. And, it can serve to cook meals just like in a regular oven, cook meals just like in a crock pot slow cooker, and it can pasteurize various liquids, like H2O. In a disaster situation, where normal utilities are unavailable, this oven can pull duty as your sole means to prepare meals, without the need for any other form of fuel. For it's many qualities, it deserves to be part of your gear.

From the Sun Oven website (https://www.sunoven.com/product/all-american-sun-oven/):

Cook, Bake, Dehydrate or Boil with the World’s Most Universal Power Source… Free Sunshine!

Reaches Temperatures of 360 to 400 Degrees Fahrenheit!

Bake, Boil or Steam Foods — Boil or Pasteurize Water!
The most energy-efficient way to re-hydrate freeze-dried emergency preparedness foods.
Dehydrate Fruits, Vegetables or Jerky!
Slow cook or cook in comparable time to conventional stove tops or ovens!
Totally Safe — No Danger of Fire!
As Portable as a Small Suitcase — Only 23 lbs!
Ruggedly Built for Years of Trouble-Free Use!

2, Minuteman Rocket K Stove

The device known as a "rocket stove" may be new to some, so a bit of explanation is in order. The concept of the Rocket stove came about around 1982, reportedly by Dr. Larry Winiarski. The method of building the stove is quite simple, and has been used effectively by the DIY crowd as well as commercial concerns, for a number of different designs.

The Rocket Stove (RS) delivers some impressive benefits and some outstanding performance (as a stove.) The principle difference between a wood fired stove, BBQ or a normal wood fireplace and the Rocket Stove, is that a RS achieves near perfect combustion (translation - highly efficient.) Normally, when wood burns in conventional wood fired stoves or over a campfire, one of the by-products is smoke, soot or creosote, which means incomplete combustion. (Yes, yes, yes, we know that wood smoke is a highly desirable flavor in cooked food, but that is a discussion for another net.) In the case of a properly designed RS, the result is that these by-products are nearly eliminated, and the result is that you get cooking heat, and a lot of it. These stoves get the name of "Rocket Stove" by virtue of the distinctive rocket-like roar they make when operating.

The concept of a RS involves:

• a tube into which the fuel is inserted

• a combustion chamber

• a riser from which the virtually smoke free heat rushes to the cooking surface.

This diagram shows the basic concept of a rocket stove. This one is referred to as a " J-Stove", which is merely a reference to the shape of the stove itself. The other types are an "L" stove and a "K" stove, which is the brand discussed in this post. The designs differ, but the concept remains the same. (from the VEG website, https://www.veryediblegardens.com.au/):


The Minuteman "K" Rocket Stove can fill a nitch in your outdoor gear, or your emergency preps gear, for all your cooking needs. Unlike solar ovens, which require sunlight, this Rocket Stove can operate at all hours of the day or evening, with a variety of sticks, twigs, or other combustible materials that are normally found on the ground of your favorite campsite. At home, small pieces of wood can fuel this stove. Incidentally, the "K" stove name comes from the unique "K" like shape of their Rocket Stove, as seen below in the picture. And, they are made in the USA.

From the Minuteman Provision Company website (https://www.minutemanstove.com/products ... 7906890831):

The Minuteman "K " Rocket Stove is the perfect solution for the user that desires maximum cooking power and ease of use. Constructed of 1/8" steel 4" rectangular tubing, the "K" stove is large enough to generate cooking power on par with a commercial restaurant stove. You can use your typical kitchen sized cookware and up to about a 24 quart (6 gallon) pot with no difficulties.

The large cooking eye and wide base provide a stable cooking surface for the larger cookware. The angled feed tube makes the "K" stove easy to feed and holds a large amount of fuel. The Minuteman "K" Stove is perfect for a home/base camp primary cooking stove and will last many years of daily use.

In these dangerous and uncertain times, it makes sense to have a sustainable, back up method for accomplishing one of life's most important, daily task...preparing food. We always need a way to cook and a method to boil water. A long term disruption in the power supply and fuel distribution system is inevitable and will find most people unprepared and at risk. The Minuteman Rocket Stove provides your family or group the perfect cooking solution in a "lights out" situation.

Note Minuteman also makes a Rocket Stove which fits into an ordinary ammo can. This model is more "transportable" than the K stove, but still operates on the same proven principle (see: https://www.minutemanstove.com/products ... 1028476349)

The K Stove



3. Leupold Optics

The Leupold name is familiar to almost all shooters and hunters, as makers of some of the finest rifle and handgun scopes. Leupold has been making firearm scopes since 1947, with the birth of their first scope, named the "Plainsman." At that time, they boasted that this scope was "the first truly fog-proof scope built by Americans." After nearly 75 years making firearm scopes, Leupold can still claim a spot in the very, very small list of scope makers whose products are made in the USA*. To be specific, and fair, Leopold says that all of their scopes are, "designed, machined, and assembled in the USA." It is the glass that they incorporate into their scopes that are made outside the USA.

In the ever increasing market place of firearm scope makers. Leupold continues to distinguish itself by three very important things - high quality scopes at reasonable prices, made in the USA, and their warranty.

The Lifetime warranty:

Built for a lifetime of performance - if at any time your Leupold riflescope, mounts, red dot, binocular, or spotting scope doesn’t perform, we will repair or replace it for free - whether you're the original owner or not. You don’t need proof of ownership or a warranty card, and there’s no time limit. We do this because we believe in superior quality and craftsmanship, and we’re confident your Leupold won’t let you down.

While there are unquestionably high quality, but higher priced European scopes on the market, Leupold continues to make scopes that can compete head to head, with them all, in my opinion, at prices that most can afford, or are willing to pay, while still making them right here at home. For those looking for the best of the best, Leupold offers the VX-6HD, their top of the line, and a serious contender for one of the best in the market, also, in my opinion.



* At the present time, the only American company that makes scopes comparable in function to Leupold, that are sourced from 100% American components, is U.S. Optics.


4. Welder Gloves

I included this product for really just one purpose, in addition, of course, to the fact that it is made in the USA. In our constant trips to the various stores with whom we do business, I have become increasingly aware of the, "Made in xxxxx" labels (you fill in the blank), and increasingly annoyed that the simplest of things, cannot be made here. In a recent trip to the closest "home improvement" store for welder's gloves, I was annoyed to the point that I would not buy any of the cheap imported stuff, which seemed to fill most of their shelves. Of the four different welder gloves they had for sale, I could not find a single one that was made here. I know we have no shortage of cows with which to make gloves, and I know that there is no shortage of thread which is used to connect the various pieces of leather. Then why the hell am I not even given a choice to buy American.

Well, this wasn't the first time I left a store frustrated and willing to give my business to any store that at least gave me a choice. So, to the internet I went, and to my great delight, there were many (MANY) places that made and sold real welder's gloves that were right here in the USA. But, here is the interesting part of this tale..........the price for the American made gloves was a few bucks more than the cheap imported stuff. Oh yes, I should not neglect to mention the other mystery here: the factory that makes the American made gloves that I bought, is in Santa Fe Springs, not more than 20 miles from the store mentioned above, but I guess that it was better to sell gloves that had to be imported from thousands of miles away.

The moral of this story is that there are a lot of high quality products that are made in the USA, but you will have to look!!!! The good news is that our friendly mail man will be delivering my Black Stallion welding gloves, made in the USA, in a few days.

From the Black Stallion website ()https://www.blackstallion.com/products/ ... etail.html

5. Astron Power Supply

Your Ham radio goes nowhere without power. Unless you are mobile, with your radio connected to the vehicle 12 volt electrical system, you are going to need a power supply. When we do our annual Field Day, where we cannot rely on grid power, all of us need to connect our radios to a power supply of some sort (powered by generators, solar, wind, etc.) If you have a base station at home, the same thing applies.

There are a number of companies that are competing for your power supply dollar. Astron is one of them and their quality is tops. Astron power supplies are big, heavy, robust, reliable, and built to last. For the RS-35M model that I use, the e-Ham review rating is 4.6 (out of 5) with 174 reviews, (see: https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=1616.)

Note: Made in the USA, with their main facility right here in SoCal.

DX Engineering says this about Astron (https://www.dxengineering.com/search/br ... =Ascending):

At DX Engineering, we bring you only the best - Astron Power Supplies do not disappoint! When you are in need of reliable DC power supply, look no further than Astron Power Supplies. Astron DC power supplies are made of heavy-duty, high-quality materials.

6. Water Storage Tanks by WaterPrepared

Our recent net on National Preparedness Month highlighted the need to be prepared. One of the most critical survival components is, of course, water. Many options exist to store water, but the first step is to determine the period of time for which you are preparing (a few days, a week, a month, several months etc.) If one considers the very minimum needs to survive for a month, the amount needed for one person is 30 gallons. This minimum does not take into account the amounts needed for cooking, sanitation, cleaning (cooking utensils), and more. If plans include enough water for these needs, then the amount to be stored increases significantly.

The stark reality is that the case of Costco water that you have stashed away in the garage, probably won't cut it for more than a few days, if that. Today, right now, when the panic has not set in, is the best and only time to get prepared. Between bare subsistence needs, cooking, and sanitation, the daily amount of water you will need can easily double. So, IF you plan on storing enough water to make it for 15 or more days, the size of the container can get bigger. Second step - pick a container for which you have room. Sizes range from 30 gallons to over 350 gallons.

The WaterPrepared company (https://waterprepared.com/collections/s ... tank)makes 55 gal and 160 gal tanks that are unique. Specifically:

• MADE AND ASSEMBLED IN USA

• 55 Gallons

• Dimensions: 22"x28"x30"

• Large Cap For Easy Filling

• Stackable to Save Space

• BPA FREE

• FDA Food Grade Materials

• spigots that connect to a standard garden hose

7. Ham Radio Mobile Mounts by Breedlove

I discovered Breedlove Mounts some time ago while equipping the Ham radios for my vehicle, (https://www.breedlovemounts.com). If you are looking for heavy duty, solid, and well made mounts and related gear, you should consider Breedlove. If you don't find exactly what you want, he can make something to suit your needs. He designs and makes what he sells, and has been doing so for almost 20 years, right here in the USA. His products are made from either 6061 solid Aluminum or solid brass. A visit to his website is recommended.

I run a Scorpion HF antenna (6M-80M) when on the trail, and as the picture below demonstrates, the antenna is quite large. Given the brush and tree choked trails that we usually encounter, there is no way that I would be willing to run the antenna in the "up" position while traveling. The solution was to make or find a fold over mount that would allow me to run the antenna in the "down" position while traveling and make deployment easy, once we reached camp. Breedlove had the answer with their "fold-over" mount, made of solid 6061 aluminum, and it is about as heavy duty and solid as you can get.


Breedlove also makes a great selection of NMO's, ball mounts and quick disconnects, all of which are made from solid brass. Here is the NMO mount that I use (solid brass)

1. Swan Hose
https://www.swanhose.com/

From the web site:
Swan Products, LLC is a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden watering products in North America. Founded in 1927 as the Swan River Tire and Rubber Company, we are one of the original manufacturers of hoses in the industry. As a privately held company, we retain our position in the market with strategically placed manufacturing and distribution facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

We are committed to making the world’s best quality hoses. We proudly manufacturer our hoses in the U.S.A. We employ our own personnel at our facilities to ensure the standard of manufacturing meets the quality standards and safety standards expected of our consumers and the industry. We have world class facilities in Waco, TX and Sparks, NV that make all of our garden, industrial and aeration hoses in those locations.


2. Puritas Metal

https://www.puritasmetal.com/

Do you need a pintle hook?

From the web site:
Puritas Metal Products is a manufacturer of a variety of cargo tie downs, lifting rings, D rings, links, towing eyes and lunettes. All manufacturing is done in accordance and applicable to government specifications. Puritas is a supplier to major manufacturers in the defense, airframe, ground support, aerospace, missile, heavy equipment, truck and trailer industries. Starting from (2) CNC machines back in 1950, evolving into (8) CNC’s and various other manufacturing equipment, we serve you best in the areas of dependability, and quality with the ability to meet your requirements.

100% MADE IN THE USA SINCE 1950



3. C.S. Osborne 223 Revolving Leather Hole Punch, Multi-sized

https://www.csosborne.com/

From the web site:
Since 1826, C.S. Osborne & Co. has been manufacturing the finest leatherworking tools at its New Jersey factories. The company has always been family-owned and operated beginning with Charles Samuel Osborne and to this day, the Osborne family continues to operate the business making it one of the oldest family-owned companies in the United States.

• This product is manufactured in United States
• Bright Nickel plated
• Complete with six drive tubes
• Tubes are all heat treated
• Tube sizes: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6
• 8-1/2" in length
• $18.50

Please check us in.
Kevin KK6DGL
Jack KK6WXQ
John KM6FXI

Thank you

http://www.speedystitcher.com/
Sewing heavy material, by hand, in a snap. Since 1909.

The Speedy Stitcher ®Sewing Awl is a tool used by professionals and do-it yourselfers such as leather crafters, sailors, boaters, horse lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, athletes and coaches, just to mention a few. This is an all-in-one sturdy hand tool with waxed polyester thread and diamond point needles that is designed to sew a tight lock stitch, just like a sewing machine, with ease. Customers around the world call it, "indispensable."

Product Spotlight

sPod Power Distribution Systems Made in the USA, Valencia,CA

Website: https://www.4x4spod.com/

sPod has several different models, 6 circuit, 8 circuit, add-on panels, and complete systems including mounting brackets for various models of vehicles (Jeep JK's, JL/JT, etc).

6 circuit mini control box.
6 circuit distribution box.
8 circuit with touch panel, JK mounting hardware.
8 circuit with LED switch panel, JK mounting hardware.

6 circuit highlights:
• 6 circuits rated at 30 amps at 12.5 VDC per circuit
• 12-position terminal block (easily attach accessories)
• Controller cable (10 foot) for simple plug-n-play connectivity to the switch controller
• Integrated low voltage cutoff (LVCO) battery protection w/ optional override
• Self-healing fault protection circuits (from 1.5 to 30amps)
• Current-sensing MOSFETs controlled by a microprocessor (no fuses & no relays)
• 50amp auto-resetting circuit breaker
• Nylon braided battery cables are hi-strand crosslinked copper wire with a silicone jacket
• Operates on 12VDC
• Built-in Bluetooth capabilities for remote control
• Protection against: overheating, over-current, shorts, reverse polarity and field collapse
• On-demand wireless software updates/upgrades

Each switch can be programmed for:
• Dimming
• Strobe
• Flash
• Momentary
• Switch Linking
• On-Road and Off-Road mode of operation

Cons:

Not water proof

The only thing I don't like abut the unit is there is no way to dim the backlights when you turn on headlights. Backlights can be dimmed manually by holding two of the switch simultaneously. Backlights also don't turn off with ignition but they do turn off after 6 hours of non use or holding two switches again.

I needed to upgrade my old power distribution system because 4 of my 6 backlights in the rocker switches panel needed replacing. To replace the backlight bulbs you have to remove the switch and using special tools to remove the old bulb and replace it. My original system consisted of a switch panel and a fuse/relay/switch box. I custom built the wiring harness myself.

Original and new system side by side.

Please check me in.

WD6USA
Jeff, Highland, CA

Please check in KN6JIB Ted in Yorba Linda
Thanks, and 73!

I've mentioned the Kermit Chair and Red Oxx luggage before but it never hurts to bring them up again. There are also a couple additional of made in the USA products below.

Kermit Chair

https://kermitchair.com/

Made in Nashville, TN


Kermit chairs have been around since 1984 and were originally designed for motorcycle camping. They break down into a very small package. When assembled they still fold up like classic lawn chairs for easy movement from place to place.



Kermit Chair with classic oak frame




Kermit Chair disassembled in bag with optional extension legs and drink holder.


Red Oxx Luggage

https://www.redoxx.com/

Made in Billings, MT

Red Oxx was started out in 1986 by a marine and army veteran to make exercise equipment and lifting straps from military surplus webbing material. Later the company was taken over by the founder's veteran son and expanded into making many different types of bags and luggage.



Red Oxx expedition bag



Red Oxx carry-on bags


Aerostich Motorcycle Gear

https://www.aerostich.com/?utm_source=r ... stitch.com

Made in Duluth, MN

We don't cover motorcycle gear often here but motorcycling is one aspect of outdoor adventure.

Aerostich was started in 1983 and built their reputation on the Roadcrafter motorcycle suits. They have expanded to supplying multiple lines and styles of motorcycle clothing. Additionally, they carry a variety of motorcycling accessories in their catalog and on their website.



Mix-It Audio Mixer

https://www.mixitproducts.com/

Made in Kalamazoo MI(?)

The website doesn't specifically mentioned where these units are made but they do advertise that they are made in the USA. The company is based in Kalamazoo, MI.

This is another product designed for motorcycle use but it also very useful for your 4 wheeled off road vehicle. It is a pocket size audio mixer with 2 stereo channels, an electrically isolated mono input, and most usefully another isolated mono audio input that has priority over the other audio channels.

When audio is present on the priority input it mutes the other channels and only outputs the priority channel. This is particularly useful for your trail communications ham radio. When the audio stops on the priority channel the other channels are faded back in so there is no abrupt cut back to the previous audio source.



Mix-It 2 Audio Mixer



Back side with clip

Please check-in -

John - KN6VL

Bruce - KD6GCO