Palmer Station SitRep for Period Ending 25 April 79
- Fuel Consumption: 1108 /Tank one 78,868/Tank two 85,187/ Total DFM on hand (less day
tanks) 164,055/Day tanks 6,000.
- Station population 10/Hero 3
- Power Readings: High 97.8 VA/Low 52.8 KVA/ Avg 76.3 KVA.
- Weather: High temp 3C(23,24,25)/Low temp -8C(21)/Avg temp 1C/High pressure .1001.2 MB
(18)/ Low pressure 968.2 MB (21) / Avg pressure 986.5 MB/peak wind 20 m/s at 20 deg (20)/
Avg wind 12 m/s prevailing wind dir 20 deg/avg cld cvr 10/10 nmbr of clear days 0/ nmbr
prtly cldy days .35 / nmber cldy days 6.65 / nmbr days visibility less then 400 mtrs 0.
- A week of unpleasant, rainy weather accompanied by heavy winds has robbed us of most of
our hard earned snow. The glacier behind the station has been transformed into an enormous
chuck of naked blue-green ice by the wet weather. Inventory and programming of resupply
occupied much of the week indoors. Dry food stores in the Biolab building was reorganized
and inventoried by Allen and Jerry. Plumbing supplies in General Supply were arranged,
inventoried and put onto Kardex. Duane generated parts lists for the Palmer rolling stock
and performed preventative maintenance on all the heating and air handling equipment in
the front building. He has incorporated some new procedures for that system onto the PM
check-list. Jerry continues his organization of USARP Supply and Biosupply with noticeable
improvements in both locations. Pat again had to retreive one of the submersible salt
water pumps from the floor of Arthur Harbor after ice and galvanic action separated a pipe
coupling. He was able to machine a new fitting and reconnect the pump. Suggestions for
reengineering of the salt water pumping system will be forthcoming. Jon Wells again
preformed major surgery on one of the 10 kw transmitters, the mainstay in our
communications thru McMurdo. A blown filter capacitor turned out to be the culprit and was
replaced. Word was received of Jerry’s promotion to Senior Chief and a surprise party
was held to celebrate with liberal application of whipped cream to keep it from going to
his head.
Warm regards, Konecki