Previously, Al drove the bottom section of the flagstaff into the ground. Now, while Al works with Houston to try to fix the broken TV camera, Pete has the top section with the flag already attached and is trying to raise the crossbar and get it to latch into place.

116:16:17 Conrad: Hey, Al?

116:16:19 Bean: Yes, sir.

116:16:20 Conrad: That part has already sheared this thing.

[Bean - "It's the pin that holds up the horizontal member."]

[Conrad - "That's why our flag's hanging down."]

[Bean - "It went up and it never snapped in place."]

116:16:25 Bean: Never touched it.

116:16:27 Conrad: Okay.

116:17:05 Conrad: Oh, lord. (Pause) Need to jury rig (garbled under Gibson)...

116:17:43 Conrad: Al?

116:17:44 Bean: Yes, sir.

116:17:45 Conrad: What I need is a piece of (duct) tape.

116:17:48 Bean: Good luck.

[The J-mission crews had rolls of gray duct tape on the Rover, which came in very handy for repairs of this sort.]

The reference is to a flag hanging limply on a vessel traveling at a very modest speed of one knot.