What Happened?

This will probably have been the longest gap between blog post since I started back in 2010.  What Happened?

Ten days ago we were seated in the front room watching the heavy spring rain fall when the was a simultaneously loud clap of thunder and lightening bolt.  The room lit up and a long brown streak shot across the room as a very frightened Molly headed for somewhere to hide.  I commented “That was close!”

Several hours later Jan noticed we had no internet coverage.  I suspect our cable connection had temporarily dropped out.  The physical infrastructure is provided by the National Broadband Network (NBN).  When the network has previously failed it usually takes 2-3 hours to come back online.  I waited 24 hours (this is Australia with [according to our politicians] the best internet in the world) and when the connection was still offline I phoned our internet provider to report the issue.  “Your call is important to us….. You are advancing the queue…. all our customer support staff are busy…. we are experiencing high demand…… you may be interest in the following products.. etc, etc”  You get the idea.  Eventually I was able to speak with someone who spent 30 minutes talking me through the fault finding method… which I previously done!  Yes… they would lodge a fault with the NBN.  I was advised it would likely take 2-3 days for a technician to contact us (best internet in the world).

The next day Jan had a call from the NBN Technician.  He was in the area and was it convenient to visit in the next hour.  This was such a shock Jan needed to sit down and let her heart settle.

The technician arrived within 40 minutes and immediately tested the cable connection.  An electric spike had “fried” the NBN modem.  It’s NBN equipment and was replaced at no cost to us.  He did mention it was the fourth modem he had replaced in the neighbourhood that morning and he had a further four local premises to attend.

Unfortunately whilst the cable connection was restored we still didn’t have the internet.  Our router had also been “fried” and required replacing.  The router model is now obsolete requiring me to purchase a different model with a different configuration system.  Eventually that was done and the internet restored.

However Jan then complained she couldn’t stream any of her videos from the media server over our local network.   After some fault finding I identified the problem as a “fried” ethernet port on the media server motherboard.   Not wanting to go to the expense of replacing the motherboard I purchased a cheap PCI-E ethernet card for the computer and inserted it into a spare slot on the motherboard.  We again had a local network connection between the media server and the rest of the local network.   Well for 48 hours and then the media server motherboard failed.

Of course the motherboard was obsolete meaning I had to replace both it and the cpu.  More expense! 

After rebuilding the media server I discovered it wouldn’t connect to the local network.  Seven days later; after much cursing and loss of hair the media server is streaming video.  It’s not fully functional, but as I am due to head away from home in two days for three weeks I’ve decided to leave the setup functioning as is.  I’ll do the final sorting on my return. 

A long explanation why there haven’t been any posts.

The original motherboard with red arrow pointing to fried ethernet port

New motherboard and cpu

Testing the new motherboard and cpu before going to the effort to install them in the case

Installed, but second test before installing the power supply

Aussie Butt Cream

No doubt you are wondering why the need for Aussie Butt Cream.

A hint is provided by the icon formed by the letter “i” in the word “aussie”.  NO!  I don’t use it for that.  Nothing to do with the toilet or haemorrhoids.  It’s to reduce chaffing when cycling…..  and do I need it!  

Never having use the stuff before, today there was some experimenting about the quantity to be applied.  Obviously I used too much as initially I fell off the saddle (twice) trying to mount the bike.  However I noticed the difference once mounted and pedalling.  I’ll write no more on the subject.

Meanwhile there has been further progress on the boat navigation unit.  I’m now only waiting on two components.  One is an adapter for the connection between the USB TV stick antenna output port and the coaxial cable.  This is due to be delivered any day.  The second is somewhat more difficult.  I need a Raspberry Pi 4 and there is currently a worldwide shortage.  One may not be available until early next year. 

Externally the unit looks like this…….

 

Front.  Volt/Amp meter,  On’Off switch and Fuse holder

Rear.  Two USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, 5 pin weather sensor socket, Coaxial port for AIS antenna and 12V power supply socket

 

Right.  12V to 5V DC converter rated at 10A

Left.  HDMI port and 3.5mm stereo output socket

I’ve drilled a matrix of 2mm holes on both sides of the case to improve  ventilation.

Spring Has Arrived

Looking out the kitchen window it was apparent spring has arrived.  The daffodils Jan planted under the three fruit trees beside the pool have flowered.

On the southern boundary garden the first hibiscus has also flowered.

The same has happened on the northern boundary garden

Out the front, the apricot tree we planted three weeks ago has buds and new leaves.

And the adjacent avocado tree is showing signs

The mulberry has lost some early fruit to the recent storms

The lemon tree looks positive

Whilst the orange tree has signs of new growth it’s development hasn’t been nearly as good as the lime and lemon.

The small garden Jan created after I remove the old Peppergum tree is looking healthy.

Jan is the one with the green fingers.  The only plants that thrive under my ministrations are the weeds!

The one tree we now have that doesn’t produce something edible is the Frangipani.  And we couldn’t find a relative who would take it!   I suspect by the time these trees are big enough to provide a good quantity of produce we will be compost….. probably around the base!

The Old Mill

A 25km ride confirmed the new bike trailer tows rather well.  I just need to remember the combined length is longer when going around bends or obstacles. 

Today the trailer was left at home whilst I went of a 70km ride.  It was supposed to be a 60km ride but I missed a turn eventually realising I was almost at the Port of Fremantle on the coast.  Turning south eventually saw me reach the north bank of the Swan River. 

I made my way back east to the ‘Narrows Bridge’ crossing to the south side of the river.  It was here at ‘Mill Point’ that I realised there was a windmill.

Wikipedia states the mill was built in 1835.  At it’s peak the mill produced 680kg of flour daily.  However it ceased production after less than 25 years due to it’s poor location and unprofitability.  Subsequently it was used as a house, dance hall, hotel and chicken run…. Not all at the same time!  

 

On my return home I discovered the post had delivered the combination 3 axis gyro and temperature module for the boat navigation project.  The pins have been soldered onto the module and cables connected.

It will be mounted inside the case where it will measure roll, pitch and direction.  The gps module will measure speed.  I probably won’t enable the temperature and barometric part of the module as it will be inside the case where the heat from the computer and other components will give false readings.