581st Radio Relay Co.
in North Korea (1950)

We Build a Power Shed on Jade Relay 2

North Korea is very cold place in the winter. Temperatures often fall to 30-40 below zero (F) with wind chills far below that. For those who had tried to start your lawn mower on a cold morning can appreciate that it can be difficult. The viscosity of engine oil is like glue at that cold. For that reason we are building a shed for the power units before the real cold comes. I went into town and hired a local contractor to help us build a shed. He supplies the material and some labor. Understand that the exchange rate for American money is one US dollar to 6000 South Korean dollars. In North Korea there is no inflation here because we are the only soldiers for a many miles. There are no other soldiers for at least 40-50 miles.

So the bill for the two sheds came to 9000 Won. $1.50 US was the total cost and they were very happy to get the work. I should add that that also included a mile road up the hill. And of course we fed them each day they worked. We also worked on the construction of the sheds to speed it along. It took about 2 days. You can see the power units already inside. The unit that is running keeps the ones not running somewhat warm. The arrow points to Paul Noll. When we complete the frame it will be covered with thick woven rice mats held in place with wire.