The Mag

[lineman]

As most of you know we are always loooking for good content for the magazine.

I have been thinking that a lot of good stuff can come from this forum and the pictures section.

If you have a good idea for an article or if you see something interesting on these forums please let us know here. It is your magazine and we do want to provide good content as best we can.

We are always interested to hear from you. Tell us what you want to see.

Byron

[loodvig]

Well, how about a story on the portable defibs, that the guys have been talking about?
http://ww3.powerlineman.com/lforum/showthread.php?t=2887

[LostArt]

Well, how about a story on the portable defibs, that the guys have been talking about?
http://ww3.powerlineman.com/lforum/showthread.php?t=2887

I agree with that Loo. Would you be willing to write it?

[TexasNightTrain]

As most of you know we are always loooking for good content for the magazine.

I have been thinking that a lot of good stuff can come from this forum and the pictures section.

If you have a good idea for an article or if you see something interesting on these forums please let us know here. It is your magazine and we do want to provide good content as best we can.

We are always interested to hear from you. Tell us what you want to see.

Byron

Defibs would be a good one. Thought about invitin you down for a Hurricane party. Looks like that aint gonna happen any time soon now. Would have been some good action shots for ya.

[BigClive]

I've already written a short article on the subject of Defibs with a view to submitting it to Byron. I just need to get a co-worker to proof read it to make sure it's not too technical and not too dumb either.

Maybe some defib manufacturers would like to promote their products in the magazine too. It would be good to get their take on the subject too.

[CHICAGO HAND.]

We witnessed a car wreck a few weeks back and we were some of the first on scene.
One safety concern that came up was the first aid kit that was bolted to the truck. At a time like that one thing that was needed was for that kit to come out and be brought to the scene.
That was not happening.
i would like to tie the defibulator to the subject of having safety items easily accessible. Things like bucket rescue kits, first aid kits,cpr kits, fire extinguishers which by the way was used in this wreck due to the car which caught fire about 5 minutes after the wreck and about 4 minutes before the fire dept arrived.It seems that the way things are going in our work place that we need to as always put proactive safety back where it belongs.
At this place the moral about work and the sense that no'one cares about our safety is at the top of the complaint pile.It is frustrating to talk about how we need a job to go safely to supervisors who have never done the work and those who have but are under more pressure to get us to do the job.
I dont know i think general safety is the topic i would want people to get back to.
Thanks for listening to me *****.

[lineman]

We will be doing a piece on the defibs. If several of you send in your take on an article maybe we can put them all together and make a real good article.

We are contacting some of the manufacturers to see if they might like to sponsor the thing.....

As a sidebar to that article we can address the idea of keeping things handy and limber, charged up and ready to go in case you need them.

Now.....what else?

The articles don't really have to be directly about linework either. It could be about some of the things linemen like to do for fun...................be nice!

[LEAFMAN]

Hey just wondering if you send your magazine to Ontario Canada? I've registered twice and still haven't received an issue or a reason why one hasn't arrived. thanks

[WCLR]

Wouldnt mind seeing various rodeo stories:D

[doug]

A Story On Aed On The Truck Would Be A Good One We Carry Them On Our Trucks.
Different Rodeo Across The Us Would Be Good.there Is Enough Of Them To Do Stories On.
I Like The Stories On The Different Light Companies Out There.they Always Great.
A Story On Personal Voltage Detector May Be Good.
Also There Also One On All Those New Products Coming Out.could Do A Rating Poll On Them.

[Pootnaigle]

If you really wanna do sumpin interestin go wayyyyyy back n compare linework 75 yrs ago with what we do today. Every hole usta be hand dug and every pole set manually by hand or with teams of mules.was no hydraulics no buckets and no Capstain hoists. EVERYTHING was done the hardest way imaginable. Hot sticks was the order of the day n Brain Buckets were felt hats that doubled as a flashgard. Big wire was 1/0 and a 2400 jumper could be fanned to lite a smoke . N when ya getter done be sure n send me a copy

[LostArt]

If you really wanna do sumpin interestin go wayyyyyy back n compare linework 75 yrs ago with what we do today. Every hole usta be hand dug and every pole set manually by hand or with teams of mules.was no hydraulics no buckets and no Capstain hoists. EVERYTHING was done the hardest way imaginable. Hot sticks was the order of the day n Brain Buckets were felt hats that doubled as a flashgard. Big wire was 1/0 and a 2400 jumper could be fanned to lite a smoke . N when ya getter done be sure n send me a copy

Great idea Scooter! And I remember seeing some great old photos on the IBEW site years ago that SBatts sent me. And I know some of the guys here have posted some old photos back then. Wonderful idea.

[polemonkey]

Just as they want to see the old stuff my company is starting to dab with "green " trucks. That being hybrid or electric buckets. Is that the way things are headed in linework.

[Hemingray Insulators]

how bout a story on some of the young guys wanting in the trade, and how they found out they wanted in the trade? lol.

[doug]

How About A Stories On The 1 St Rodeo That Started The International Rodeo.i Think It Was In St.louis In 1981.maybe You Could List The Winners And See How Many Of Those Lineman Are In The Business Or Still Doing Rodeo.

[BigClive]

I Like The Stories On The Different Light Companies Out There.they Always Great.
A Story On Personal Voltage Detector May Be Good.
Also There Also One On All Those New Products Coming Out.could Do A Rating Poll On Them.

I take it the personal voltage detector is just a small unit that can detect the field from an energised line? The standard "Volt Stick" devices used by electricians will readily light up when held at ground level in the vicinity of an energised line. They are designed to detect the voltage gradient when placed next to live secondary voltage wiring, so they are quite sensitive.

Obviously they are just a guide though and proper tests should be done to ascertain if a wire is live or not. Perhaps useful as a rough and ready check though.

[Koga]

D Brown use to put on the forum were intresting and make ya think. Something along those lines about how would you........?????? And then a detailed explaination of the process. Also a terminology translation page. You spend anytime on here you realize real quick, there different names for things we all use. Also Hemi could enlighten us on the insulator collector page as to all the money we've been throwing at the alligators and snappers for years.:eek:

Koga

[US & CA Tramp]

What about an article about electrical generation from wind turbines in the US and Canada?

[JPSURF]

Don't mean to thread jack but the 75yr ago linework sounds interesting. Does anyone know where to pick up a Digital remastered version of "Slim The Lineman"?

Jason

[WCLR]

I dont think its digitally remastered but Bighead will send you a free DVD of Slim that I think was a TV rip (with no commercials of course). Just follow the link and email him and you'll get it generally within the week.

Did I mention he's also a great guy to boot?

http://www.bigheadsstuff.com/FreeDVD.html

[BigClive]

Yeah, but just remember that Bighead ain't made of money, so I'm sure he'd probably appreciate a gift in return...

[loodvig]

Yup, very well written, for sure.

[BigClive]

Wish I'd known that defibrillators were originally invented specifically to save the lives of linemen when I wrote that article. It would have been a bit different....

Maybe the power industry needs a reminder that it originally funded the research into the prototypes of these machines in the first place.

[WCLR]

Was a great article. Wished I could write that well:D

[BigClive]

Was a great article. Wished I could write that well:D

And yet ironically.... I was looking at joining the Merchant Navy recently and failed at the first hurdle. O-level English. I've got maths, arithmetic, Tech Drawing, woodwork and higher Physics, but somehow managed to fail "English" twice to the absolute disbelief of my English teachers. This is probably because "English" at that time involved the analysis of Shakespearean drama and dreadful high-brow poems that didn't actually rhyme.

Even more surprising is that they weren't interested in the fact that after school I excelled at college during my apprenticeship and got 8 distinctions and three credits in electrical distribution, installation and associated electronics. It's just that O-level "English" that has come back to haunt me from 27 years ago.

What's even more disturbing is the sheer number of people I know who also failed "English" despite being highly literate. Suddenly you realise that some individuals were prevented from pursuing a technical career because the British education system was a bit full of itself.

[Orgnizdlbr]

And yet ironically.... I was looking at joining the Merchant Navy recently and failed at the first hurdle. O-level English. I've got maths, arithmetic, Tech Drawing, woodwork and higher Physics, but somehow managed to fail "English" twice to the absolute disbelief of my English teachers. This is probably because "English" at that time involved the analysis of Shakespearean drama and dreadful high-brow poems that didn't actually rhyme.

Even more surprising is that they weren't interested in the fact that after school I excelled at college during my apprenticeship and got 8 distinctions and three credits in electrical distribution, installation and associated electronics. It's just that O-level "English" that has come back to haunt me from 27 years ago.

What's even more disturbing is the sheer number of people I know who also failed "English" despite being highly literate. Suddenly you realise that some individuals were prevented from pursuing a technical career because the British education system was a bit full of itself.

Apparently "The Merchant of Venice" "Othello" and "Romeo and Juliet" werent your thing.....mine either Clivehttp://ww3.powerlineman.com/lforum/images/icons/icon12.gif If you were not successful in your effort to become a Merchant Seaman because of your "English" shortfall, it's their loss Clive.

[BigClive]

I've not given up yet. I like the idea of re-training in the mechanical side of things. The opportunity to brush up on my welding skills, learn how to use a lathe properly and fix huge engines is strangely appealing for some reason.

It's also the perfect job for a single man, since I'd get fed. ;)

Up to this point Maersk reckon I could even fit it in round the Edinburgh Tattoo power work I do every year.

[Orgnizdlbr]

I've not given up yet. I like the idea of re-training in the mechanical side of things. The opportunity to brush up on my welding skills, learn how to use a lathe properly and fix huge engines is strangely appealing for some reason.

It's also the perfect job for a single man, since I'd get fed. ;)

Up to this point Maersk reckon I could even fit it in round the Edinburgh Tattoo power work I do every year.

Good luck then Clive, hope it works out!!

[WCLR]

I've not given up yet. I like the idea of re-training in the mechanical side of things. The opportunity to brush up on my welding skills, learn how to use a lathe properly and fix huge engines is strangely appealing for some reason.

It's also the perfect job for a single man, since I'd get fed. ;)

Up to this point Maersk reckon I could even fit it in round the Edinburgh Tattoo power work I do every year.

I used to be able to weld great, was first in my class in trade school. I still miss it at times. I have the shakes from too many meds to do it anymore. Almost had a job in the Bahamas doing some welding back in the day but it fell through:(

[Hemingray Insulators]

Another Great Issue this month!:cool:

Really enjoyed the article on Jason Townsend and his 1939 Hotstick trailer.

Hope Brian (Hemingway) gets the mag. He ought to get intouch with this guy about his insulator collection. This guys got over 3000 pieces in his collection Brian!!!

I think it's cool how he has put it in his will that if anything happens to him, his collection goes to the Linemans Museum. Pretty cool. THIS man's DEFINATELY in LOVE with the GREAT Trade of Linework!:cool:

Also enjoyed the article on "Who will keep the lights on". That's Sure a real "Thinkpiece" article. AND, the Lady who wrote it....her husband IS a Lineman.

Good Stuff Byron.

ya swamp, i get the magazine, and yes i know about jason lol. talked to him quite a few times and got a few insulators. he hosts and insulator show in chicago in april every year.

[CHICAGO HAND.]

insulator show in chicago





tell me more.

[Hemingray Insulators]

insulator show in chicago
tell me more.

hhm looks like its not in chicago this year but in Wheaton, i just looked it up on the show calendar. but i think Wheaton isn't too far from ChiTown is it? looks like show location has moved from where its been in the past, but here the info for it:

When: March 28 - 29 (Friday - Saturday)
Where: Wheaton, IL
Description: Antique Insulators and Lightning Rod Ball Show, (Formerly the Collectors’ Jubilee), Two Day Show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton, IL. 8 ft. tables $25. Friday, March 28, 6 - 9 pm. Saturday, March 29, 7 am - 4 pm. CONTACT: JASON TOWNSEND, 720 North Dekalb St. Sandwich, IL 60548, (630) 667- 3357.

[CPOPE]

what a great thing the mag is. I suggest if you are ever looking for filler space you insert a tribute to electrical line mechanic killed in the line od duty. Example:

PECO, the Boroughs of Trappe & Collegeville and organizers from KaBOOM!, will host a Design Day for children on March 11. Area children will draw their dream playgrounds. Elements from the children's drawings will be incorporated into the final design for the new community playground to be built in May at the Water Works Park that is shared by the boroughs. Design Day will also be the first meeting of the playground planning committee that will work for the next 10 weeks to plan and prepare for the construction of the new playground. PECO is funding a majority of the nearly $60,000 project as a lasting tribute to Michael J. Killian, former nearby Limerick native and 18-year first class lineman killed in the line of duty in January 2006.

[WCLR]

I thought the story on the WCLR was great:D Dont ask me why:cool:

[loodvig]

Did anyone notice the man on the front cover working in leather gloves?

[Hemingray Insulators]

Did anyone notice the man on the front cover working in leather gloves?


i did see that...........but before we jump to conclusions......in the story they were talking about storm eork so it could be that they were rebuilding new and had it killed out and grounded, which would allow them to work in leathers would it not??

[Special ED]

Depends on who they work for Hemi.. I seen crews on the ice storm last year that open, tested, and grounded and still had to wear gloves and sleeves.

Not too crazy if you ask me. I've seen on storms where they pile crews on top of one another in areas and theres lines getting energized all around you.

[WCLR]

i did see that...........but before we jump to conclusions......in the story they were talking about storm eork so it could be that they were rebuilding new and had it killed out and grounded, which would allow them to work in leathers would it not??

Killed out and grounded can still get you killed. But it could have been "new" construction where nothing was around and everything was new so there was no threat of backfeed, etc. I'm not sure I've seen the pic right off hand so I dont know, just a thought.

Good job with the mag Byron, it was great shooting the **** with ya in Kansas City and Shreveport;)

[Trbl639]

Killed out and grounded can still get you killed. But it could have been "new" construction where nothing was around and everything was new so there was no threat of backfeed, etc. I'm not sure I've seen the pic right off hand so I dont know, just a thought.

Good job with the mag Byron, it was great shooting the **** with ya in Kansas City and Shreveport;)

It's a close shot.....so you really can't tell..but he might be working it Dead and grounded!
Ditto on the great job on the magazine Byron, and like Willy, I enjoyed meeting you and BS'n at the Rodeo in Shreveport!!