Matt Handley
EF0
Hello all!
I've been a Skywarn spotter for my local FD for 9 years now. Spotted several tornadoes and severe storms over the years here in central Iowa with the basic Skywarn training made available to our local fire departments. You could say I caught the bug and recently I've decided I want to move up to chasing. I've always had a passion and respect for weather and even picked up a minor in atmospheric science in college in hopes of moving on to meteorology one day soon. So I saved up about $4,000 in a special chaser fund and here is how it's coming along. Did all the work myself (not that there was much to do, just wiring and mounting mostly)
First I had to find a decent 4x4 that's not horrible on gas, after months of looking, test driving, and kicking tires I went with a '99 Isuzu Rodeo (Honda Passport). Great little suv for 2k plus $500 for the new tires I put on after I bought it.
I had always wanted mobile threatnet so I pulled the trigger on that, (satellite version, big thanks to Cliff Windham) $1,100 plus $99 a month for service(responder package).
After that I got the little stuff, el cheap-o scanner (to hear HAM bands, and will be upgrading soon), el cheap-o CB, RAM mount, power inverter etc. (no amber strobes
)
Already had 2 lap tops (one for backup) have Verizon iPhone 4 for my hot spot (I'm not including those costs as I had them before the project)
Went just a hair over my goal of 4k and rang in at $4,250.
It's not totally done, working on my HAM license and hope to get a HAM radio in there soon.
Had tons of fun on the build and look forward seeing you guys and getting to know you out there! I may not have the most classy chaser out there but hey the way I see it, at least I'm out there!
I would welcome suggestions, demands, etc. as I'm new to the actual chasing and understand I have a lot to learn.
Took it on a chase in Nebraska, turned in for the night in a local motel and woke up to find this outside, honestly I found it interesting, hadn't seen it in person before.
I've been a Skywarn spotter for my local FD for 9 years now. Spotted several tornadoes and severe storms over the years here in central Iowa with the basic Skywarn training made available to our local fire departments. You could say I caught the bug and recently I've decided I want to move up to chasing. I've always had a passion and respect for weather and even picked up a minor in atmospheric science in college in hopes of moving on to meteorology one day soon. So I saved up about $4,000 in a special chaser fund and here is how it's coming along. Did all the work myself (not that there was much to do, just wiring and mounting mostly)
First I had to find a decent 4x4 that's not horrible on gas, after months of looking, test driving, and kicking tires I went with a '99 Isuzu Rodeo (Honda Passport). Great little suv for 2k plus $500 for the new tires I put on after I bought it.
I had always wanted mobile threatnet so I pulled the trigger on that, (satellite version, big thanks to Cliff Windham) $1,100 plus $99 a month for service(responder package).
After that I got the little stuff, el cheap-o scanner (to hear HAM bands, and will be upgrading soon), el cheap-o CB, RAM mount, power inverter etc. (no amber strobes

Already had 2 lap tops (one for backup) have Verizon iPhone 4 for my hot spot (I'm not including those costs as I had them before the project)
Went just a hair over my goal of 4k and rang in at $4,250.
It's not totally done, working on my HAM license and hope to get a HAM radio in there soon.
Had tons of fun on the build and look forward seeing you guys and getting to know you out there! I may not have the most classy chaser out there but hey the way I see it, at least I'm out there!
I would welcome suggestions, demands, etc. as I'm new to the actual chasing and understand I have a lot to learn.




Took it on a chase in Nebraska, turned in for the night in a local motel and woke up to find this outside, honestly I found it interesting, hadn't seen it in person before.
