purchased brand new Chevy 4x4 trucks with
Sweeeet!
Each truck carries the following items:
26ft extension ladder
We carry 30 ft ext as standard.
80% of the residential jobs can be done with the 30ft, but the others
require the full 40 footer :-(
Usually, we'll go back with the 40 ft, as needed.
12ft ladder
By default we carry two smaller ladders... 6 foot for indoor use. Gorilla
Ladder (I think up to 24 ft).
The Gorilla ladders are awesome, and also collapsable to shorter height.
Many of our homes require two ladders at once, one from the ground, one to
the second roof.
We load our 12ft A Frame up only when we know we need it, for taller ceiling
warehouse type sites.
socket set
Lets not forget the dual kits. Two sets, so a two man crew can both have the
tool they need. Wrenches for both sides of a Bolt/nut. Not all nuts are
accessable via sockets, so wrench set. Then different complete quick cases
for specific purposes. When running CAT5 in an office suite it need
different tools than the tools needed for a outdoor flat roof install. So
take the lighter kit designed for the job. Can't forget the crimp kits for
CAT5, special CAT5 Shielded jack, Fiber tools, COAX RG6, COAX LMR400-500,
for both outer casing and conductive PINs. Soldering Kit.
Add test tools, Volt meter, Fox and Hound, Cat5 Tester.
And don't forget the tool belt, loaded with everything needed.
cordless drill, regular hammer drill
We add a Sawzaw as well for cutting allthread and stuff.
Dremel for cable sheithing and fine cutting.
And can't forget the thousand different type of drill bits, masonry 1/2",
18" longs, 2" hole, masonry for screws, 1/2" wood, etc.
We also got the ammo nail gun, for going into the concrete ceilings.
Also the various chargers.
power inverter
battery pack for signal tests
That was a big time saver for us, once we got the portable power packs.
lag screws, J-mounts, staple gun, silicone, etc.
Space requirements add up quicker than you think. Each van has three
portable large screw organizer cases, to handle all the major types of
fasteners needed. Screws, nuts, ibeam clamps, ground wire clamps, anchors
(wood, masonry, brick, floor), etc. Can't forget brackets to mount conduit,
(ceiling hang or wall mount). Also spray Paint, several colors (white, sky,
red brick, grey).
Then you add mounts, Chimney, J-mount, M-mount, M-mount offset,
Non-penetrating 5 ft (frm), non-penetrating 10ft (jrm)
Can't forget surface mount boxes and wall plates, varying colors, varying
number of holes, plastic, metal,
(2) of every kind of radio (900mhz, 2.4ghz, 5.3ghz, 5.8ghz)
But can't forget the external antennas. M2 Yagis, DSSS dish, on occasion
room for two parabolics (ether 2-3-4 ft models).
Can't forget the Mikrotik/StarOS stock. 1 rootena model, 1 standalone case.
Spare 7"panel, 19-23" panel 5.8Ghz, window 2.4Ghz antenna.
Then you can't foget Wifi Home routers, up to 5 Linksys-G, 1 Belkin Pre-N,
1 wired only, 1 VPN router. Maybe also two set of HomePlug kit, a CPE and
Gateway for TelkoNet.
box of cable
Make that 8 spools. 1 spool Outdoor Direct Burial Commercial Flat roof
grade (Superior Essex). 1 spool Outdoor sheilded residential (ARC Wireless),
2 spool CAT5 Plenum (often pull two runs at once), 1 spool Shielded Plenum
Cat5 (expensive so don't always use it, but sometimes neeed it). 1 spool #6
Guage Ground (long runs, cell site), 1 spool #8 ground (residential, short
runs) , 1 spool #10 Ground (tiing in Lightning Protector). Leave adequate
room for occasional small spool of BX 3-wire 12AWG AC Electrical. Can't
forget spare patch cords of various sizes, we always leave one as a
courtesy. Snake rods for easy cable fishing. Bucket of Pull String. Leave
room for Shop Vacume, if need to suck pull string through conduit, where
cable needs to get run through.
You can't forget the grounding rod, and the big ass Hammer to hammer it in.
tripod and a couple 10ft poles
laptop with GPS
Can't forget the climbing harnesses, and buckets used with it. or other
safety gear, Red Cones, Yellow Vests, Hardhats.
We can't forget to leave room, to load up the 8-16 cinder blocks required
for each Non-Penetrating mount install. Preferrable like to ahve room to
load 36, so we can make one trip to HomeDepot per two installs, instead of
every one. Can't forget the additional cinder blocks needed every 15 feet to
fastens cable to for commercial flat roofs. Can't forget the flat cart (it
takes forever to haul up the cinder blocks through the lobby and elevators
without it.) Can't got get method of carrying blocks up ladders. (either
rope or large shoulder bag). With an extension ladder, its angled so you can
just go one handed with the block on your shoulder. But with Penthouse roof
ladders, they are 100% verticle, not safe to climb one handed.
Now you need to leave a trash bin area, for the no longer needed cardboard
boxes, and finished water bottles. Some of the guys carry a case of water
bottles or small cooler, so don't need to stop every hour for a drink.
laptop with GPS
Along with Wifi Card, Serial Cable, Power adapter, Ethernet cable
Cross/straight, Digital Camera, Binoculars, Cell Phone, Local MAP book, and
Paper Organizers for job pre-printed maps and directions, work orders,
notes, and invoices.
> That's about it. We also have a "backup" Chevy Astro AWD van that we
used to use... and everything fit perfectly inside that as well.
I finally learned to create my own work truck. The techs always left theirs
to disorganized for me to find anything. But since I rarely ever go i nthe
field, I use my work VAN as the back up, if one of the tech VANs need
maintenance. But that allows me to take control and do a repair quickly if
techs aren't around.
surge power strips
We also carry two UPS types, 1 wall mount strip type ($50), sometimes 1
floor type 500VA w/Voltage regulation ($100).
dust pan and brush
We also carry box of disposable booties for working inside homes, when its
muddy out.
Also if got old used VANs like us, can't forget basic VAN maintenance
stuff... Oil, Transmission Fluid, Rag, Anti-freeze/water, paper towel, etc.
My conclusion is... If you seperate residential versus Commercial MTU, its
easy. Less variation and needs for cable spools, ladders, and mounting. But
when you need to be prepared to do both, the inventory starts to grow quick.
Tom DeReggi
RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc
IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband
----- Original Message -----
From: "Travis Johnson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: [WISPA] gas prices
Tom,
We recently just upgraded our entire fleet... purchased brand new Chevy
4x4 trucks with automatic, air, cruise. We then installed 3 tool boxes in
each truck bed and a single ladder rack. The trucks get 15mpg and are
great in the snow. We also now have a "fixed" expense on the trucks,
having them under warranty and not having any down-time due to vehicles
being in the shop.
Each truck carries the following items:
26ft extension ladder
12ft ladder
socket set
cordless drill, regular hammer drill
power inverter
lag screws, J-mounts, staple gun, silicone, etc.
(2) of every kind of radio (900mhz, 2.4ghz, 5.3ghz, 5.8ghz)
box of cable
tripod and a couple 10ft poles
battery pack for signal tests
laptop with GPS
That's about it. We also have a "backup" Chevy Astro AWD van that we used
to use... and everything fit perfectly inside that as well.
Travis
Microserv
Tom DeReggi wrote:
I don't know guys... Whats more costly, GAS or TECHNICIAN's Time?
Let expand that more.... What is the real cost of technician's time. Lost
technician time is really lost revenue. That technican is required to
generate revenues which are mutiples of his direct income/cost. To cover
the various overheads of the company. The problem can't just be solved
by hiring more techs, every tech needs to be managed, sales generated for
him, etc.
A trip to DC and Back from offices. 1.5 hours (60 miles round trip)
Tech time cost @ $20 per hour = $30. ($15 per hour + factoring in
Taxes, Benefits, Paid Holidays and such)
Gas Cost @ 10 miles per gallon, @ $3 per gallon = $18.
So in conclusion, technician time is almost twice as costly as gas.
So the big question is, whats required to optimize a technician's time?
How much more efficiency can be acheived by being more organized? What
allows better organization? Do you buy the 8 mpg commercial size VAN to
gain more room, or the smaller 20 mpg Station wagon / Family VAN ?
I chose the Family VAN 5 years ago, and bought two of them. How much
space do you really need? Well I pay the consequences daily.
I am confident that I am loosing because of that decission. There is
just not enough room in that VAN. My techs spend more time cleaning their
Vans than they do doing installs, and they are still Pig Steyes. I NEED
A BIGGER VAN! Or I need a more organized way of using it. I started to
make a list of all the components that we needed in the VAN, the list was
getting so large, I ran out of paper. Is it management or space?
Those that support the idea that a smaller vehichle is acceptable, I'd be
interested in hearing what you carry with you, and what product you chose
to do with out. I just haven't found a way to make it all fit.
Get answers at this years ISPCON. #A8
Truck Roll Tricks: Installations that Maximize Time and Money
Tom DeReggi
RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc
IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband
----- Original Message ----- From: "Carl A Jeptha" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 7:51 AM
Subject: Re: [WISPA] gas prices
Hey, leave my Taurus wagon alone. I would like to go back to an AWD
Astro/Safari, but the cost of gas is the problem, but the height, the
space and the AWD makes all the difference.
the difference in mileage between the two is double. $25.00CDN and
$45.00CDN for the same distance. Can't argue with the wife (Accounting
Dept.) with those figures. :-D
You have a Good Day now,
Carl A Jeptha
http://www.airnet.ca
office 905 349-2084
Emergency only Pager 905 377-6900
skype cajeptha
Marlon K. Schafer (509) 982-2181 wrote:
I thought of that too. But if I get an extra 5, even 10 mpg it still
won't make up for the payment on the rig.
I love these uses Taurus wagons. I've had two of them go 230,000 miles
now with nothing major. Oh yeah, one got an engine at 220,000 or so
but that was my fault for running it low on oil.
Pick them up used with 75,000 to 100,000 all day long. Usually for
less than $8k too. Cheap insurance, decent mileage, easy to get the
ladder on etc. My only problem now is that I have too many towers up
in the sticks and can't get to them without whacking the bottom of the
car all of the time on the rocks. (I DO know that changing an oil pan
in one runs $500!)
I'm gonna have to find an suv for my next rig. Probably a Cherokee or
Durango. Not sure yet. I want a QUIET rig this time. That's the
worst thing about the Taurus around here. The roads are rough and the
car is awful.
laters,
Marlon
(509) 982-2181 Equipment sales
(408) 907-6910 (Vonage) Consulting services
42846865 (icq) And I run my own
wisp!
64.146.146.12 (net meeting)
www.odessaoffice.com/wireless
www.odessaoffice.com/marlon/cam
----- Original Message ----- From: "George Rogato"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 6:22 AM
Subject: Re: [WISPA] gas prices
I don't believe the gas prices will come back down to below 2.00 any
time soon.
So we're shopping for new high gas mileage vehicles.
George
Marlon K. Schafer (509) 982-2181 wrote:
Hi All,
Just got our $700 gas bill for last month. That's just MY driving.
No employees. And I don't even drive an suv!
I'm thinking of a $20 per install fuel surcharge. Kinda like what
the concrete company did to me last year at this time.
What are people that have large spread out networks doing?
If we slow down on the installs it'll not be a big deal. But if it
kicks into overdrive again in a month or so (pretty normal for us)
this summer is gonna be ugly.
thoughts?
Marlon
(509) 982-2181 Equipment sales
(408) 907-6910 (Vonage) Consulting services
42846865 (icq) And I run my own
wisp!
64.146.146.12 (net meeting)
www.odessaoffice.com/wireless
www.odessaoffice.com/marlon/cam
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