Author: Rick Squires

10-4 Good Buddy – Why a CB Radio Still Deserves a Seat in Your Ride

Posted on by Rick Squires

Back in the day, my buddies and I thought we were living in the Smokey and the Bandit era. Everybody and their cousin had a CB radio. Truckers were the celebrities of the interstate, “breaker, breaker” was our opening line, and if you didn’t know your lingo, well… you just weren’t cool.

Fast forward a few years (okay, more than a few), and life handed me a cross-country mission: helping my son move from Michigan to Texas. I was in the U-Haul packed with all the “dad muscle” items, and he was driving a car stuffed with everything else—including the dog.

Now, this was before cell phones were glued to our hands. Out on the open road, keeping track of two vehicles wasn’t exactly easy. Enter my old reliable CB radios. I mounted one in the U-Haul, handed him the other, and suddenly we were in business. We cruised down the highway like a convoy, keeping each other posted on fuel stops, exits, and—most importantly—bathroom breaks for the dog (yeah, him, too). And let me tell you, those friendly truckers up ahead gave us lifesaving road reports that no GPS app could ever dream of.

Here we are today, planning another road trip. Sure, cell phones are everywhere now, but when you’re in the middle of nowhere and service is “one bar if you hold it at the perfect angle,” that CB starts looking like your best friend again. My Boy Scout brain says, “Be prepared,” so I grabbed a new portable setup. Magnetic antenna, no drilling, no hassle—just plug it in and you’re good to roll.

And when it’s not riding shotgun on a road trip? It’s sitting at home, ready as an emergency weather radio. Storm coming? Power out? That little box could be the difference between “What’s going on?” and “10-4, we’re all clear.”So, if you’re thinking of hitting the road, or just want some peace of mind at home, do yourself a favor: put the pedal to the metal and check out this setup. It’s the easiest upgrade you’ll ever make. Click here to learn more https://amzn.to/4ntmKac

Why Solar Power Is a Smart Move for Nonprofits, Churches & Public Buildings

Posted on by Rick Squires

Picture this: it’s a bright Monday morning and the treasurer of your church—or city hall or library—opens the monthly utility bill with a smile. Instead of another painful surprise, the cost is steady, predictable, and a fraction of what it used to be. That’s the power of solar energy, and it’s transforming how nonprofits and public facilities manage their budgets.

A Budget Breakthrough

Electricity is often one of the largest expenses for nonprofit organizations. Every dollar spent on kilowatt-hours is a dollar not spent on outreach, staff, or new programs. Solar panels generate clean, predictable energy that can trim thousands off annual utility bills and protect budgets from sudden rate hikes. A church in Greenville, SC, recently reported saving enough on electricity to fund a new children’s summer program—proof that energy savings can quickly ripple into community impact.

Leadership That Inspires

A roof covered with solar panels sends a message. Members, donors, and residents see that you care about the planet and the community. That kind of leadership often attracts grants, sponsorships, and new donations. Imagine walking past a library that proudly displays its solar production on a digital sign—it not only powers the lights but sparks conversations and civic pride.

Incentives Designed for Nonprofits

Even if you don’t pay taxes, programs such as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and state incentives let you benefit from federal tax credits and reduced energy rates with little or no upfront cost. Partnering with a solar company like BV Power can unlock these savings without straining your budget.

A Living Classroom

A community arts center in Columbia partnered with a local utility to install rooftop panels and now hosts monthly “Solar Tours,” where visitors learn about renewable energy while attending art exhibits—turning their building into both a cultural and educational hub.

For more information, click on ricksq.live/bvpower-solar.

The Pressure’s On … Finally

Posted on by Rick Squires

When I was a kid, riding my bike was pure freedom—until it wasn’t. You know, that moment when the tires looked more like pancakes than wheels. That’s when the fun stopped, and the work began.

Back then, “pumping up your tires” meant dragging out Dad’s old, greasy hand pump. You remember the one—the pump that squeaked, wobbled, and gave you a full upper-body workout before you even got on the bike. If you were lucky, you could also find Dad’s rusty pressure gauge buried somewhere in the bottom of his toolbox. If you weren’t lucky, you just guessed … and usually guessed wrong.

Fast forward a few years and I “upgraded” to the electric pump. Oh yes, the one that plugged into the car’s cigarette lighter. You’d spend five minutes unknotting the 25-foot cord (which somehow tied itself in a sailor’s knot every time it went back in the trunk). Then came the grand moment—flipping the switch. Instantly, the pump would roar to life, making that unmistakable gravel-crunching noise loud enough to alert the whole neighborhood: “Hey everyone, I’ve got a flat!”

Now we are in the digital age, and let me tell you—the future of pumping is here, and it’s glorious. I just discovered this new cordless, portable air pump. No wires, no dragging cords across the driveway, no ear-splitting noise. Just sleek, quiet, and smart. It’s got a built-in digital pressure gauge, works on everything—bike tires, car tires, pool floats, sports balls—and it fits right in your hand.

Honestly, it makes me wonder how many calories I wasted in my youth just pumping up tires. But hey, now I’ve got stories to share with the grandkids while they fill up their own bike tires: “I remember back when I was your age, we had to…” (cue eye roll).Want to save your arms, your time, and maybe your dignity? Check it out here 👉 The Portable Pump That Does It All

What Boy Scouts, Cold Cases, and Drowning Cars Taught Me About a Very Small Tool

Posted on by Rick Squires

Confession time: thanks to my Boy Scout days, I’ve been quietly rehearsing worst-case scenarios in my head since forever. “Be Prepared” isn’t just a motto — it’s a hobby. Lately my imagination got a shove from a few TV documentaries about search-and-rescue teams who hunt cold-case cars in rivers and lakes. They dive, they dredge, they find things you’d rather not think about.

Naturally, my brain immediately jumped to: What if I drove off the road? Or got caught in a flash flood? What then?

Here’s what I’d always heard: when a car goes into the water, you wait for it to sink enough so the inside and outside pressures equalize, and then you can open the door. Sounds neat in theory — terrible in practice if panic is involved or if electric windows decide now is a great time to die (spoiler: modern cars have plenty of electrics). Those crank windows are long gone, and if water fries the electronics, you’re not rolling anything down.

So I solved it like any rational, mildly paranoid Boy Scout would: I bought the tool the pros use — a compact window breaker — and put one within arm’s reach in my driver’s seat and one in my wife’s car. Essential placement tip: don’t lock it in the glove box. If you’re the only one sinking, you’ll be very glad you didn’t make yourself do yoga to get it.

Why I like this plan:

  • Fast: breaks a side window in seconds.
  • Simple: no heroics or complicated physics needed.
  • Practical: small, cheap, and it gives me peace of mind (and a delightful urge to narrate my own heroic recap later).

Am I guaranteeing you’ll never drive into a lake? Of course not — I’m not that powerful. But does having a tool like this within reach feel like carrying a tiny, pointy insurance policy? Absolutely. PS: it has a built-in seat belt cutter, too !

Want to see the exact ones I grabbed? Click the link and take a look — maybe add one to your vehicle of common sense.
👉 https://amzn.to/45ZrFcH