Machinery Infatuation

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I bought my first NEW piece of farm machinery. I am not sure if this is a failure or a success, but it is different. I picked up a NEW Rotary Cutter (bush hog, brush hog, mower, etc) from a dealer. It cost me almost as much as the tractor did with its bits of hardware and options. It seems to work well on the CNH Boomer 33. I planned on getting up to NY in the next couple of days, but Gracie has been sick.. she has been up and down. The steroid treatment and a change in diet seem to be helping at this point. Besides hauling the tractor and mower up to NY I have numerous events planned over the next month. I will be in Charlotte for a conference as well as Tucson Arizona and of course other events and activities. I started installing radio equipment in the Humvee. It now has a telescoping 30 foot antenna, a 24 volt to 12 volt converter, a removable SDR radio and some other stuff to be sure. I'd like to get it to the Stone Mountain Hamfest -- thats what i am shooting for. I thr...
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Trying to Reacclimatize in Upstate NY Winter right after return from Antarctica

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Today here in NY it was -12 F with a pretty good wind. It didn't feel very cold to me. The cold air as it comes into the lungs is quite familiar. The air is much more damp here and the snow is not as crisp as it would be at the same temperature in Antarctica. Even at -12 it feels damp. I do have to get some better winter clothes though. I respect the cold more than I used to. I see folks around here not preparing for the cold at all before they go out into it. I understand that the car will be warm in a few minutes and all that and it it is only a short walk between buildings. I guess the question is why suffer? Not dressing and getting cold even for brief periods is self imposed. If you get cold and you don't want to be cold something is wrong.

I wish I could summarize the last 4 months on the ice but that just won't be happening. I guess it was too big of a deal, too much to summarize. I will be trying.

I am off concentrating on some financial plans, aviation plans, and generally trying to get back to normal.

This picture is a self portrait crossing over to the ice pier. The windows on vehicles and building in Antarctica often crack from the cold and the sun heating them at the same time.

Comments

Anonymous said…
What kind of vehicle are you in? And why is the heat/vent all off?
1:42 PM
Charles said…
Dear Mr. KC2DXZ,

With a name like that I ma not suprised you have such technical questions. Is that a Dutch name?

The vehicle is an Airpoter Van with super gumbo monnster mudder tires that are prefered in Antarctica. There is a big heater in the back. All the people in there you probably don't need a heater. You will also notice the tuning knob has been removed from the radio since there are only two radio stations at McMurdo. No commercials.
10:16 AM
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