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It is not appropriate to charge $90/hr. to do most the work performed. Many wrenches are working for as low as $15/hour. In 1985, shop rate was usually around $25/hr. and I was getting a starting wage of $9.50/hr. $15/hour went to the shop. Yet most incomes have not quadrupled. Owning an...

BTW, as a fellow HAM, if you do not already have a handheld, check out those Boafeng UV5R radios. Program it using Chirp. With 4 watts and a good antenna, it will open most repeaters. It is a good handheld for the price, $37 at Radiooddity.com, or elsewhere. Also look at their Anytone or Wouxun...

It might produce as much as 3 watts on the roof, but mounted like that it would not produce much. 1-2 watts? That would be good enough to run a couple of solar yard lights, or charge a cell phone, or run a small portable radio for a several hours.

Well given Fourier's Law, how come then are my ears are always warmer than my toes?  Good point...  The ceiling looks good and is probably insulated somewhat.  The ribs are conducting the heat. (I'm watching my terms!)  Filling them with foam would do little.  Using Bob's favorite foam board...

It very good to get your experience. Yes, I'm tired of the cold floor. Heat rises! I found a fan, pointed toward the opposite end of the place, circulates the heat much more evenly, therefore the stove does not have to be run as hot and is much more efficient. It might be worthwhile to try...

Very, very, nice....nice and homey.  wood is good.  It is also adds thermal mass.  As the bus, even uncomplete, can be heated with a 1500 watt heater, you've done good!  No way a motorhome could pull that off.  I need a wood stove to crank out the heat to compensate for the lack of insulation. ...

Eventually they will restrict and control everything, including the ability for one to travel freely. They have outlawed homelessness in some cities?! Yes. It is an insidious process, a creeping death of what was the United States of America. There is now more freedom and a higher standard of...

Hi Spiff, In the never ending struggle in the cold, experimenting with what one has to use can eventually lead to a more effective way for the individual. Some folks have good circulation, or are more active, so they need something different and less. Stop moving and you'll need more. Really...

Those liners will work just fine, and will hold up and not get punctured or torn if worn around the house or occasionally outside without the boot. I have down booties, and booties with a polyester type of fill, heavy felt liners, but I prefer heavy wool socks and slippers, not a shoe. If it is...

Forgot to mention. In my experience here in cold Montana, I found it is true about wool. Unlike any other material, even though damp, 100% wool still insulates. It seems to me that a wool blend does not perform nearly as well as 100% wool. This is why I stress 100% wool, and the thicker the...

I'll wear a thin polyester sock underneath a 95% to 100% heavy wool sock. That's hat I have on right now. The polyester or nylon sock helps keep the moisture out of the insulting sock. This means the foot can be slight damp, yet still warm. The outside, or insulating sock only needs to be...

Here's a map of the U.S. with the legal limits for towing a trailer or vehicle without brakes. I'll be legal in most states. The only reason I'll not have brakes is because the cost is beyond my means at this time. This means that I should keep the motorhome as light as possible. Once the...

....And If one is concerned about long term reliability, these old Honda generators, by the fact that they still run good after all these decades, have proven to be very reliable. There are of course pros and cons to consider, yet as a survivalist-guy, these are proven to be reliable, are...

If in Phoenix, and can't afford one of those really nice Honda's, this can do the job and only for $150 bucks. I have two, one for parts if need be, to back up the solar system. I suspect that they will last for years and years. If one is living with a solar system, how often do they need 1000...

It is hard for me to believe he can run all that and use only one gallon of gas. Sounds fantastical. These type of generators might be efficient as they loose no power to a transformer, but it not as good as he says. Using a 1985 Honda EM500 and a 20 amp battery charger to replace 50 amps each...

Perhaps I'm too cynical, because I know I've sold several good used vehicles at reasonable prices to a fortunate buyers. The last one I sold I tried to buy it back twice, but the price was each time higher, and I could not afford it! I should add a twelfth commandment: #12 Only an idiot sells...

After working in the desert for 2 years, I found it to be too extreme and barren for my liking. There are parts that are indeed beautiful and enchanting, and should I avoid the most barren parts, I may find it tolerable at least part of the time. I will likely gravitate toward the mountains and...

Getting it done cheap can be fun. Salvaging 18 vdc nicads battery packs is often successful as one can remove up to 4 cells and still have 12vdc battery pack. It can then be charged via a solar system charging system or even off of a fully charged 12vdc battery, albeit slowly. Lithium, AGM or...

#11 No one sells a good horse.