Field Equipment

1. The new waterproof gloves are a useful addition to the clothing issue for personnel working with immersed equipment.
2. The retrofitting of NZ1 has improved the usefulness of this wannigan but some refinements still need to be carried out. The LPG oven needs to be raised so that all heights of 9 kg bottles can be retained properly underneath. The ovens cook top needs a fixed framework to stop pots etc from falling of like on a boat. We were unsure if the oven has pizeo ignition, if not a igniting wand should be available. The newly fitted cuphooks are too small for the NZAP cups and mugs. The current microwave appears to be underpowered faulty and should be checked. Tests with generators and the voltage drop of different length cables connected to the microwave should be made as in field situations. Permanent solar panels with diode discharge page break protection should be fitted to both sides of the wannigan or on a tilting roof mount because sometimes it is not practical to orientate NZ1 for wind protection and to make the best use of midday sunlight. A permanent 230VAC - 12VDC charger/discharger should be installed for both the permanent radios (VHF and SSB) and handheld radio batteries. We had to connect our event 50 Ahr sealed battery to the radio system this season when the solar panel charging was insufficient.
3. A manual start Yanmar YDG 3000 diesel generator was used this season without breakdown but it is difficult to start. The electric start version of this generator is superior and would be preferred. A Honda EM650 was also used connected to low computer load. This generator was rechecked at Scott Base and performed with a moderate load but continued to stop under light loadings.

ICI Powergel SX explosive was used by Mr Pyne to blast and clear sea ice holes. The powergel was placed in sea water (−1.8°C) and initiated with red cord but often did not detonate completely and certainly did not have the force of AN 60 gelignite used in previous seasons. This was reported during the Scott Base debrief and the Operations Manager was expected to arrange with the McMurdo Master Blaster to test the explosive. The ICI data sheets on powergel SX state that the explosive is reliable to −20°C and can be stored in excess of 12 months but can be desensitised with rough handling. Perhaps prolonged storage at temperatures below −20°C during the winter may also desensitise the product. The use of detonating cords (red cord) is also not the preffered means of initiation but is used with No.8 plain detonators for convience and saftey reasons in Antarctica. In McMurdo ICI Powerfrac is now used instead of Powergell which was found to have low yields in the past. I suggest that Scott Base also adopt this explosive in place of their present stock of Powergell SX.