HVO Volunteer Program

Electronics and Carpentry Projects


PROJECT DESCRIPTION	HVO operates and maintains more than 60 seismic stations on the Big Island of Hawai`i to record hundreds to thousands of earthquakes every year. Most of these stations were installed 15 to 20 years ago. We are in the process of upgrading each seismic station with new electronics and telemetry, and installing new masonry structures to house the electronics. We are seeking volunteers to help in the upgrade of our seismic stations. See summary of recent volunteer	Seismic Station

Electronics Position

VOLUNTEER DUTIES Volunteers spend most of their time in remote areas of the Big Island installing and wiring batteries, solar panels, amplifier-VCO's, low-power FM radio transmitters and receivers, and antennas. After an instructional period, the volunteer is expected to work independently to complete the work. Depending on skill level, other projects may be included.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
REQUIRED Applicants should have basic electronic skills to do electrical wiring and installation of seismic equipment. Experience with standard wiring practice is required, but direct experience with seismic equipment is not needed. Applicants need to be able to read schematic and wiring diagrams, and be in good physical condition to carry 60 lb batteries for short distances over rough terrain. Applicants must have a valid drivers license because most of the seismic stations are in remote field locations. Experience with 4-wheel drive vehicles is preferable. Tools will be provided, but volunteers must provide their own field gear, including rain gear and sturdy hiking boots.

Assembling Solar Panels

Electrical Wiring

Carpentry

Construction Position

VOLUNTEER DUTIES Volunteers spend most of their time building and installing housing units for the seismic stations. The housing units consist of a poured concrete base with hollow-tile walls covered by a hinged composite top consisting of a 2x4 frame, plywood, and sheet-metal. Some trenching and digging is required for each site (foundations and buried conduits). Each housing unit needs to be painted. After an instructional period, the volunteer is expected to work independently to build the housing units and install them in remote areas of the Big Island.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
REQUIRED Applicants need to have experience working with hand and power tools, and be able to follow line drawings to build the seismic enclosures. Applicants should be in good physical condition to carry 60 lb bags of concrete for short distances over rough terrain and to work in hot and humid environments for extended periods of time. Applicants must have a valid drivers license because most of the seismic stations are in remote field locations. Experience with 4-wheel drive vehicles is preferable. Tools will be provided, but volunteers must provide their own field gear, including rain gear and sturdy hiking boots.

Foundation

Trenching

Building Enclosure

Submit application form

Volunteer information

The URL of this page is: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/vol
Contact: hvowebmaster@usgs.gov
Updated: January 31 2012 14:30:37

Electronics Position
VOLUNTEER DUTIES	Volunteers spend most of their time in remote areas of the Big Island installing and wiring batteries, solar panels, amplifier-VCO's, low-power FM radio transmitters and receivers, and antennas. After an instructional period, the volunteer is expected to work independently to complete the work. Depending on skill level, other projects may be included.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED	Applicants should have basic electronic skills to do electrical wiring and installation of seismic equipment. Experience with standard wiring practice is required, but direct experience with seismic equipment is not needed. Applicants need to be able to read schematic and wiring diagrams, and be in good physical condition to carry 60 lb batteries for short distances over rough terrain. Applicants must have a valid drivers license because most of the seismic stations are in remote field locations. Experience with 4-wheel drive vehicles is preferable. Tools will be provided, but volunteers must provide their own field gear, including rain gear and sturdy hiking boots.

Construction Position
VOLUNTEER DUTIES	Volunteers spend most of their time building and installing housing units for the seismic stations. The housing units consist of a poured concrete base with hollow-tile walls covered by a hinged composite top consisting of a 2x4 frame, plywood, and sheet-metal. Some trenching and digging is required for each site (foundations and buried conduits). Each housing unit needs to be painted. After an instructional period, the volunteer is expected to work independently to build the housing units and install them in remote areas of the Big Island.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED	Applicants need to have experience working with hand and power tools, and be able to follow line drawings to build the seismic enclosures. Applicants should be in good physical condition to carry 60 lb bags of concrete for short distances over rough terrain and to work in hot and humid environments for extended periods of time. Applicants must have a valid drivers license because most of the seismic stations are in remote field locations. Experience with 4-wheel drive vehicles is preferable. Tools will be provided, but volunteers must provide their own field gear, including rain gear and sturdy hiking boots.