IPB

( Log In ) Log In is for TREC Teachers & Researchers only

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
> June 11, 2006 - Practicing Satellite Uploads
Misty_Nikula_Ohlsen
post Jun 12 2006, 08:42 PM
Post #1


Advanced Member
***

Group: TREC Team
Posts: 134
Joined: 18-April 06
Member No.: 31



I’m sitting here on my deck, listening to the birds in the trees and wooded areas around our house on a warm, but overcast, Pacific Northwest afternoon. In this post I will practice using my satellite phone to upload the post and give you an update on preparations for my trip.

IPB Image
The view from my deck – I wonder how the vegetation in the Kurils will compare?

I am now exactly 30 days away from leaving for the Kuril Islands. It seems like a long time, but when I think about all that needs to still be done – it’s NOT VERY LONG! Here are a couple of the more intriguing items from my to-do list:

Finish getting immunizations –
I have gotten my updated Tetatus/Diptheria, a TB test, a Typhoid immunization, a Polio booster and the first Hepatitis A and B shots. I have also had my initial Japanese Enchephalitis shot. I have a second Japanese Enchepalitis shot this week, then a second Hep A/B and third JE shot the week before I leave. It’s a good thing that I am not averse to needles!

Finish getting necessary toiletries and OTC medications to take to unknown and isolated parts of the world for 7 weeks –
This includes stocking up on all of the usual toiletries a person would want while traveling – soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lens solutions, shampoo, etc – but in 7 week supplies AND ensuring that I have the typical items that one might need while camping – bug spray, flashlight, sunscreen, first aid items, sunglasses, etc. However, while traveling to unknown parts of the world and particularly for long periods of time, one also needs to be sure to bring such delightful things as laxatives, anti-diarrheal medication, antihistamines, hydrocortisone, extra toilet paper, sore throat lozenges, and seasickness medications. So I am beginning to collect these as well.

Then, in addition to the packing and procuring considerations, there are the technical and electrical issues:
First off, the Russian ship that we will be working from has different plugs and voltage than the United States. So while the computer and camera chargers have their own transformers to switch from 220V to 110V, we have to bring plug converters and surge protectors. ARUCS will supply me with these things so this is not a problem.

Second, since we will be an a part of the world where there is not only no WiFi, but there is also not even dial-up connectivity, I will need to send all of my Journal posts and responses to “Ask the Teacher” questions via email and satellite phone. This endeavor is complicated, however, by the fact that it is illegal to bring a satellite phone or GPS into Russia, so we will have to share satellite phones that the Russian researchers have purchased. These phones are not the same type that I practiced with or that my computer was set up for in Fairbanks, so ARCUS has leased one locally for me to try out. Unfortunately, while the phone works great and if you are reading this post, then I have successfully used it to email both the text and pictures to ARCUS, the card for the serial port tends to make my computer crash unpredictably.

IPB Image
Here I am at my impromptu satellite uploading station – it is the only place that I can get decent satellite coverage at my house!

While I am accustomed to these sorts of temperamental computer issues, the gracious and tremendously supportive folks at ARCUS have decided that this is “NO good” and have ordered a new computer laptop for me with a serial port to should solve the problem. So I will be shipping this computer back to them in Fairbanks next week and receiving my brand new sparkly computer a few days after that. Cool! biggrin.gif

In the meantime, I will be sending the sat phone down to Seattle for Ben and Jody, my researchers at the University of Washington, to try out with their computers. Then, they will send it back to me to try out with my new computer. So many logistics and we haven’t even left yet! blink.gif

Next week I will be doing short presentations to other classes at my school. In some classes, we will talk about where I am going and what I might do and in others the students will also learn how to get on to the TREC Virtual Base Camp to follow my trip and to post questions. More about that in my next post!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
2 User(s) are reading this topic (2 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 



- NSF Acknowledgment & Disclaimer Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 04:27 PM