bob mcgeeney

Rules And Tips For Truckers

[Sun Nov 12 4:43:09 PM CST 2023] A good place to start is here The Department of Transportation. Peterbilt

Heaven only knows todays rules and regulations for commercial carriers are numerous. Much of the information can be found at The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. But wait, there is much more. Some things any good driver knows. You should mark in your logbook a 15 minute vehicle inspection every day. I put this at the bottom line 'on duty not driving.' Atleast once a day you should do a walk around of your tractor trailer looking for anything broken. Inspect your tires, use a tire bat found at any truck stop. I used a meat hook. Thump each tire, if you hear a dead thump the tire is probably flat. As for wheels, Budd wheels are the de facto choice, they are a one piece wheel, on dual wheel setups the inner wheel is tightend by a stud with left hand threads. The outer wheel butts against the inner wheel over the stud and tightened with right handed threads. The wheels to avoid are dayton and Webb wheels. The main thing to watch for is rust working it's way out from behind loose lugs nuts. They are easy to spot. Due to water getting behind and between the nut and wheel small rust trails a few inches long created by centrifugal force means one or both lug nuts are loose. The rust streaks will be in a radial pattern. Last but not least is do not make U-turns, it's murder on your tires, make 3-point turns. Thats it for now. Happy trails.

Halloween And Truckers

[Sat Oct 28 3:29:09 PM CDT 2023]

Halloween happens to be the most dangerous night of the year for truckers and passenger vehicles but trucks are the favorite targets. You may ask yourself why? The holiday is celebrated on Tue, Oct 31 and it's been my experience kids love to toss pumpkins off overpasses at night attempting to hit vehicles as they drive underneath. You may see police cars sitting on these overpasses to keep this from happening.

About all you can do as you approach these these overpasses is look for kids hiding on top of the overpass and look for pumpkin fragments on the road. What I do is switch lanes at the last possible second and hope they miss you. I've never been hit but I've seen the debris and police cars on top and below these overpasses. If you're hauling swinging beef DO NOT switch lanes too fast, or you will flip over.

American Labor Day

[Mon Sep 4 11:47:44 AM CDT 2023] Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. The previous text was copied/pasted due to a issue with my eyes. Hopefully that will be corrected soon.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

[Thu Aug 17 10:43:30 AM CDT 2023] What is going on with America's economy? I am no expert, nor am I a conspiracy theorist but our economy is failing and has been for years. First of all this country is 32 trillion dollars in debt. We still continue to borrow more, this can't go on. People think that as long as the stock market is reasonably stable we must be okay. We are far from okay, President Biden says inflation is under control, it is not. The Federal Reserve and the world banks just buy up debt to make the markets seem okay. This debt-based system is by nature, inflationary. So how can our economy be solvent? It can't, but the Preident says everything is under control. Impossable, we import nearly everything and hardly export anything.

The USA has enough oil to meet our needs but we cannot drill for it nor run a pipeline from northern areas of the country, the Keystone Pipeline is a good example. Instead we buy foreign oil and ship it 8,000 miles to feed out energy needs. There are thousands of underground eight inch pipes carrying gas and oil from refineries all over the country, but we cannot pump our own oil? Why not? It is far more dangerous shipping it 8,000 miles, WTF this is a untenable situation. Among other poor decisions the government made is cutting the defense budget while China builds up their nevy, in my opinion China is preparing for war. All of these issues will come crashing down on us. Next stop, Socialism, but that's just my opinion. Peace.

Debian Linux

debian [Thu Jul 27 07:44:54 PM CDT 2023] Debian, also known as GNU Linux Debian Debian GNU/Linux, is a Linux distribution composed of free and open-source software, developed by the community-supported Debian Project, which was established by Ian Murdock on August 16, 1993. Source: Wikipedia. To be clear Linux it is just a kernel around which a distrobution runs on. Linux and it's approximately 500 to 600 different distrobution, Many of which are based of Debian Linux, the distro I use exclusively. So what makes Linux special? For one thing it's free and open-source software. You can install tons of programs very easily. All programs in each distrobution are cryptographically signed. Debian has roughly 60,000 programs you can choose and install as you wish.

I admit Linux has a rather steep learning curve, but it is worth the effort. Virus software is virtually not needed. It has software that Microsoft does not have, it would cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars to have on Windows. Linux is extremely stable, reboots are rarely needed. Books are written about Linux and what it can do, the best advice I got in my earlier days was Be careful what you type, you just might get it. The overall feeling from Windows users is you have to learn a million commands, while that may be true there are GUI apps that can do pretty much anything you may need to do. So if you are sick of MicroSoft, give a Linux distro a try. There are tons of tutorials out there and with Debian there is a entire community out there to help you out. If you want something more new user friendly try Ubuntu Linux.

Chicago Winter Of 1978-79

Propane Molecule [Sun 28 May 2023 10:43:20 AM CDT] It was early in my trucking career when I bought a 1978 R Model Mack truck. I only had 2+ years of driving semi-trucks at the time for Freymiller Trucking running west coast as second seat driver, I was only 19 years old at the time.. After a couple years and purchasing the Mack, I left Freymiller and leased it to Kaney Fuel Transport, Rockford Illinois, which took some convincing that being only 22 years old now they took me on. This brings me to the winter of 1978 which was nasty.

In wintertime, propane orders really stack up. Propane which is the molecule in the graphic (H₃C₈). So I had been hauling propane on short runs between Chicago and Rockford Illinois for weeks. Illinois Highway Patrol was shutting down highways by 5pm due to drifting snow and extreme cold. It was mid-afternoon on a Friday, the company fleet had shut down due to weather. I asked my dispatcher if he has anything left. He told me of a TV station on a gravel road that was heating with propane and was about to shutdown because thet were nearly out of propane and none of the company trucks didn't want to attempt to reach them. I accepted the challenge to reach them so I loaded up about 8,000 gallons. When I got to the TV station I had to blind side back the trailer into their parking lot, back it around a dozen cars, then up hill around the back of the building then try to get close enought to their tank for my hoses to reach.

I made it by a few inches. Their tank was down to 1 per cent, hardly enough for a day before they would run out and shutdown. I filled that tank to 100 per cent which you are not supposed to do. You are supposed to leave vapor credit in case it warms up, If the liquid propane expands a relief valve opens, spewing highly flammable propane. Needless to say they were extremely happy to be rescued, thanking me and signing my paperwork. I was a bit worried about filling them to 100 per cent so I called dispatch and informed him, but he said not to worry, the temperature was supposed to drop and the station was going to use a few per cent right away, not to worry. End of story, that topped off a very profitable week for me. Read about that winter. Chicago Winter 78-79

Pro Stock Racers

[Wed Dec 27 4:56:18 PM CST 2023] As a long time NHRA National Hot Rod Association fan, my favorite team was Reher-Morrison. As 2024 racing season approaches I'm looking forward to watching drag racing. While the Reher-Morrison Pro Stock team may have retired after 50 years of racing I had the opportunity to meet them in the 80's. Here is the short story.

I met Buddy Morrison, and David Reher and their current driver at the time, Lee Shepherd in Ohio. I was coming back from a trip to New York City, as I hauled ass across pennsylvania I passed a race car hauler, waved and kept going. Turns out I stopped at a rest area just across the Ohio border for a quick 10-100 and vending machine junk food when I bumped into a couple big guys wearing Reher-Morrison t-shirts along with a smaller man. The short guy turned out to be Lee Shepherd, Pro Stock NHRA driver.

I asked the guys if that was their race trailer I passed in Pennsylvania, they said yes. Turns out they were headed to the Norwalk Ohio track, having just raced at English Town, New Jersey. This was so cool! I shook their hands, wished them luck at the race, mentioned I was a fan of theirs. Really great guys. Sadly, some weeks or months later I heard Lee Shepherd was killed making 60 foot practice passes at some track which I forget. Needless to say, I was stunned, he was a championship driver. I've always wondered what went wrong, so sad. On the bright side Reher and Morrison have a great business going and they build killer engines. R.I.P. Lee.

The Last Of The Chevrolet Camaro

[Tue Dec 19 04:01:44 PM CST 2023] Apparently the 2024 ZL1 will be the last Camaro to roll off the line. In honor of the sixth-generation Camaro's production run in 2024, Chevrolet is offering a final unique Collector's Edition on the LT/RS, LT1, SS, and ZL1 versions in North America. What a pity, the "Poor Man's Corvette" has come to it's end after it's 6th generation. I was lucky enough to own a 2nd generation 1970 z28. I've always been a Chevrolet fan. I guess it's demise is due to the demand for SUV's for soccer mom's etc.

The 2024 Chevy Camaro Collector’s Edition sports a 6.2 Liter V8 making 650 horsepower. The El Dorado Edition is limited to 350 units, MSRP of $78,000 dollars USD. Ouch, higher versions sell for much more. Order one now right! Yeah, sure. Click on the picture to see the full size picture of this beauty.

Immaculate 1946 Ford

[Mon Dec 4 11:14:05 AM CST 2023] 46Ford

As a long time Chevrolet fan I do not see restored modified Chevrolets that compare to this 1946 Ford, not around here anyway. There is a reason I suppose, that reason being the car is too expensive to roam the streets. So I was very surprised to see this car up close. This Ford came off the assembly line a very long time before I was born.

So, as far as the car. All the factory badges are gone, the door handles have been shaved in true hot rodder fashion. The body sheet metal is flawless, being a base coat black paint, the sheet metal MUST be perfect. Black is the most difficult color to paint, the reason is black paint will reveal any imperfections in the body metal. Wait, there's more, in the shade, meaning no direct sunlight on it, the car is super gloss black, when sunlight hits the paint you'll see the red underneath. You can see the red reveal itself in the picture. We are talking thousands of dollars just in the paint job. Tack on fifty hours of body work prior to paint atleast.

I happen to have seen this in a parking lot, no owner around. Inside the building I spotted who must have been the owner. I had a few minutes to talk to him about the car. It so happens I was expecting a flat head ford but he said he tried, but it wouldn't fit so it got a small block Chevy engine. I'm not a fan of the white wall tires, but they are period correct. I never got to see the interior due to tinted windows, but it's one sweet Ford.

Halloween And Truckers

[Sat Oct 28 3:29:09 PM CDT 2023]

American Labor Day

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Debian Linux

Chicago Winter Of 1978-79

Big Trucks And Tourists

[Sat 28 Aug 2021 08:59:31 PM UTC -0500] Now I have nothing against tourists on the highways in particular, except for the fact trucks are out there on business, not pleasure. We basicaly live on highways, tourists are often taking the longest and seldom taken trips. Apparently they follow trucks to avoid cops. Maybe they think we know where they are, or they just follow (too closely). As a trucker, or the tourist this is dangerous for a few reasons. 1) They cannot see what is in front of that truck and decide to pass precisely when I need to. That's a problem, they suddenly see why I slowed down and stay in the left lane along side me, then I'm locked in the right lane. This is inherently dangerous. 2) By following trucks too closely, the car is getting their paint and windshield hammered with dust and rocks or whatever the draft from the truck is stirring up or heaven forbid, get a blown tire off the truck through their windshield. 3) It's just a stupid thing to do. If you have a radio, at least talk to the trucker so he or she knows whats up. In my experience a great majority of accidents happen from following too closely. Just don't do it. If you do, keep your distance.

Afghanistan - 20 Years For What?

[Tue 17 Aug 2021 04:01:59 PM UTC -0500] It's my belief that the U.S.A. has left Afghanistan in better shape than we found it, but it was an exercise in futility. I don't blame President Biden for pulling out. It only took the Taliban two weeks to take Kabul and Kandahar which means they essentially own the country. Women and children are in hiding for fear of their lives. The U.S. Air Force is flying out hundreds per day in C-17 cargo planes. The 82nd Airborne is protecting what civilians we still have there. In summation, it's a fucking mess. My heart goes out to the Afghans that want nothing but freedom to go to school etc. The Taliban are radical maniacs, we will have to see what happens. The U.S. can't be country building, we did what we could, we had reason to be there, twenty years is enough.

Combustion versus Explosion

[Wed 04 Aug 2021 05:06:51 PM UTC -0500] I write this article because I am hearing too many engine builders, racers, et cetera call what happens inside a gasoline engines' combustion chamber an explosion. It is NOT an explosion, it is a carefully designed and fast moving flame ignited by a spark plug which ignites an air/fuel mixture and travels evenly across the piston and combustion chamber causing the expansion of gases to force a piston into it's bore. This flame travels at approximately 88 feet per second (ft/sec). This is relatively slow combustion compared to actual explosives.

Lets compare 88 ft/sec to an actual explosion, take TNT for example (Trinitrotoluene), it expands at 8800 ft/sec. Pretty big difference right! So it irritates me when these professionals call combustion an explosion. Semantics perhaps, but a huge difference. Being a gearhead and having built engines myself and tuned many there is a stark difference in the two. Just wanted to clear the air on the subject.

Covid Delta Variant

Covid Delta [Fri 23 Jul 2021 05:01:57 PM UTC -0500] There are currently 4 Covid variants in the United States, as defined by the CDC - Center for Disease Control. They are as follows:
B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.617.2 (Delta). The Delta variant is 50% more infectious than the original Covid-19. This is no joke, Delta is spreading at a phenomenal rate. Get Vaccinated - NOW. This shit is no joke. The vaccines contain no covid whatsever. They merely use messenger RNA, mRNA to instruct your immune system to fight the virus. None of the vaccines give you the virus. This country is going to go into another lockdown if people keep spreading the virus to non-vaccinated people even though they themselves are vaccinated. A virus is a living organism, it's prime directive is to survive, it is mutating to accomplish just that. The side effects of the shots are typically mild, for me, none. Getting the actual virus is sometimes mild, but often critical.
A brief summary of Post Covid Conditions

Trucking Hazardous Materials

HazMat Placard [Sun 18 Jul 2021 04:03:34 PM UTC -0500] During my trucking career I usually pulled refrigerated trailers hauling meat, produce etc., which I've previously mentioned. During my years trucking I spent approximately five years pulling tankers. Albeit extremely dangerous, it paid very well. Among the products hauled consisted of gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, toluene, anhydrous ammonia among others. Without going into boring detail I will say anhydrous ammonia (NH₃) is argueably the most dangerous. Although the stuff isn't flammable it will burn the hell out of you despite it being -200f below 0 degrees. The vapors alone will kill you, one whiff of vaporized anhydrous and your lungs literally lock up, you cannot breath it.

If you can't escape the white cloud it turns into when it's exposed to atmospheric pressure, you will die. Propane also pays well but as with all hazardous materials extreme caution must be taken or you die and probably others also. So if you're thinking of getting into that business, be prepared for a steep learning curve. Also I failed to mention with gasoline and diesel fuel the driver is resposible for loading and unloading product. With compressed gases and chemicals, the place you load at is done by the plant operators, unloading is up to the driver alone. Your hoses cannot leak, you can't over fill any tank, and must calculate the expansion of the product due to temperatures. Any mistake at this point can be deadly.

Total Disaster

[Wed 14 Jul 2021 10:54:05 PM UTC -0500] So, a couple weeks ago, I trashed my system and didn't have a backup snapshot to restore the system so I rebuilt everything. The backup files I had were a bit dated so I lost some articles. Good lesson for me to keep better backups. Anyway, that said I'll try to get writing when I finish ironing out the final touches on this machine. I still have some fine tuning to do. Mostly security stuff. It's amazing when you see the system logs of all the script kiddies trying to hack the box. That's what they do after all. More to come.

Memorial Day

[Mon 31 May 2021 11:55:30 AM CDT] In the United States of America today we honor the men and woman who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I personally thank all those who have died in the defense of life, liberty, and justice. There are no words that adequately describe the bravery and fortitude in which our fallen heroes have given so much with firmness of mind and will in the face of danger and difficulty. They will not be forgotten.

The Freenode Debacle

[Mon 24 May 2021 15:50:22 AM CDT] As I have mentioned in a previous article I have been a 16 year member of the Freenode IRC network. Last Wednesday, the 19th of May it was made known that a hostile takeover had occurred. Many of the Freenode volunteers handed in their resignations. Apparently the network and it's user database was transferred to Andrew Lee, a Crown Prince of Korea. Lee has created Libera.Chat. This has been a debacle since it was announced. There has been much disinformation, Freenode volunteer operators have quit en masse. At this very moment there are 71,790 users on Freenode, on Libera.chat there are only 15,737, a number that has climbed drastically in the last few days.

No one has any idea how long Freenode will continue to exist. It may go down any day, nobody knows. Meanwhile, Libera.chat is growing daily. Many people are not happy with this hostile takeover. I will miss Freenode as will many others. The name Libera happens to be the Roman Godess of Fertility in mytholgy. Both networks endorse FOSS. which stands for Free and open-source software. At the moment I am on both networks, we will see what happens. IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat.

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