On the move again....

[RWD]

Hi all... Been awhile since I posted. Been in Pakistan for 3 years and it's time to move on.... Sitting now at the airport in Dubai. Next stop, Haiti. I'll try to post more often and send photo's less BS and untruths surrounding Haiti so it should be easier... Later all...

[duckhunter]

Well, you'll be in a closer time zone now. Be blessed in your new challenge!

[Old Line Dog]

Good to hear from ya Bob! Glad you're out of there.....
Lookin forward to hear what you're gonna be doin in Haiti.

[Pootnaigle]

Dont they ever send you sumplace nice?

[reppy007]

Dont they ever send you sumplace nice?

Boy isnt that true...hes sent to the worst places that a man can be sent....kind of like getting all the scraps,like a vulture.When he dies he will go to heaven,cause hell wont be $hit to him :D

[Old Line Dog]

Dont they ever send you sumplace nice?
He's not "sent". I'm pretty
sure Bob "decides" where he wants to go. He's a hell of a man....doing the things he does and has done. More than some of you guys probably know.

[RWD]

Yep... But there have to be more than one job to choose from.... And, you really think they need a lot of help in nice places? Right now it's PK or Haiti... Tanzania, Liberia, Ghana, South Sudan... Should open up soon. I'd really hoped Philippines would be a choice but it's anyone's guess.... :) made it stateside this morning. Packing and headed to Haiti Sunday via Ft Lauderdale. Gonna be a new adventure! Later all!

[Orgnizdlbr]

Good luck RWD!!

[RWD]

Been here a week now. I think I've taken one photo that was not of a burned up transformer bushing. It' sheen a long week. I'll get sorted and post something. Internet is real spotty at the hotel and there is little time to play on the office internet because I am out with the crews.... Updates soon though!

rwd

[Old Line Dog]

Been here a week now. I think I've taken one photo that was not of a burned up transformer bushing. It' sheen a long week. I'll get sorted and post something. Internet is real spotty at the hotel and there is little time to play on the office internet because I am out with the crews.... Updates soon though!

rwd

Good Luck RWD! Stay safe man and send us some pictures!

[RWD]

Still getting settled here but starting to get a handle on things. Thanks for the good wishes and comments. Last week end I went to the Dominican Republic to buy some supplies. I also looked at a few boats. I put money down on a 37' Alberg Sloop.... I think I will enjoy this place. :) It needs some work but it's a good boat. Later all! RWD

[RWD]

It's been a lot of hours and little sleep getting on board here in Haiti. The crews are good but need seasoning. One minute I am amazed at the things they know and the next minute they do something that shows they still have a long way to go. Rigging and tool care are an issue. I've got to teach splices and knots as well as how to clean, wax and store hot sticks.
Bucket work is another issue. Three buckets that range from an old Pitman Pelican, a Terex with no outriggers and an Altec with a material handler. None have harnesses or rescue gear. I've got it on order at this point but the show must go on.
What we have here is an experiment. Two villages we electrified that have meters and pay thier bills... About 500 customers.. And three towns we recently took over from the national power company. There were a few meters installed and the rest of the "customers" hooked up using pieces and parts of #12 copper. One wire to a hot leg and another to a ground rod (read rebar) for a neutral. Some of the services a over 1000' of #12 serving 40 to 70 clients. Our task.... To normalize the customer base by expanding the secondary grid where possible, and installing meters. We estimate about 7000 customers that require meters and service drops. This is going to be a fun challenge to do while training them to actually pay for electricity.... Wish me luck!

rwd

[Old Line Dog]

"You're a better man than I Gunga Din." Best of Luck Bob.
Stay Safe man.

[neil macgregor]

hey give me a wave im in Jamaica we,re next door to each other
I know where your coming from regarding bucket trucks its the same here and don't get me started on the state of the network

hope you got your shots before you left

[RWD]

Neil, I've worked in a lot worse places over the years. This is a joy compared to South Sudan or Pakistan. I don't think there are any more shots they can give me at this point. We are rebuilding the systems to US standard RUS design. 23Kv Wye with a running neutral. Pouring rain and storms of the last few days have not caused any outages.... Knock on wood... Flooding is an issue right now and the long range forecast is for heavy rain through the 12th of November.... then one semi dry day and then another day of rain. I can only hope the forecast is wrong. This morning the rain cut the earth away from a newly installed pole with a primary metering bank that was installed next to a ditch. In a few minutes I'll go out and drop an anchor to guy the pole until this rain goes away and we can build an abutment. Come visit Caracol! I hope to have my sailboat here in a month or so. :) 37' Alberg Sloop, currently moored in Luperon for up-fitting. I'll post photo's when its here. ;)