B. Dean Berry
EF4
- Joined
- May 25, 2014
- Messages
- 405
Alright, let's go! Necroeffortpoast!
Well, it's the middle of winter, and the first storm season since you've posted is only a few months away. Have you been learning, preparing, and getting acquainted?
I totally get having some of the camping equipment. Completely. If I were chasing the plains, I'd probably do some of the same. I have read concerns of "the crazy world we live in", but honestly that's what the gun is for. I think the list is a bit overkill, but I'll also offer some pointers.
- If you are not trained in at least Red Cross basic first aid (I recommend their advanced first aid), leave the medic bag. I've been an EMT for 20 years, and most untrained people don't know how to use everything in a basic plastic-boxed first aid kit, let alone a Jump Bag. For your own personal cuts and scrapes, definitely pack a small first aid kit.
- I may catch flak for this, but I understand you're chasing with a partner. Get a pack of these - https://co.factoryoutletstore.com/d...5.html?category_id=35140&catalogitemid=470362 . Whenever I chase with someone, I always plop a two-way in their lap and whenever one person is out of the car, both of them get turned on. Set your channel and code before the chase, and no one leaves the vehicle without one. People get complacent and forget that this can be a dangerous hobby. Contact is the best way to stay safe. Threats to safety might not come from the storm, as someone could split off to walk down the street a pace or two, and fall into a ditch or a hole in a field. You never know. It can also eliminate missed opportunities if one person is taking forever in a store, and you're watching radar, and they have NOAA WX alert. They come with a charging base that can be powered off the inverter, or used in a hotel room or house. Sometimes, other storm chasers also use these radios, and have their own sets of channels and codes.
- To that effect, go to WalMart and look at Midland's line of mobile GMRS radios. Using mobile radios makes a TON of difference when chatting on the go. These will come with a crappy little antenna. Don't use it. See below. A GMRS license is required to use this type of radio, but it's literally 10 minutes of work on the FCC's website and $65, and it's good for 5 years.
- Along the same lines, get a decent scanner and a CB. At this point, I recommend the Uniden BCD996P2 scanner and the Cobra 75WXST CB. The Cobra's form factor is very compact, and fits anywhere, and the scanner is capable of the newest in public safety trunking technology. By listening to public safety and ham radio frequencies, and by listening to the truckers on CB19, you'll be able to hear where things are starting to heat up locally, and select a good position. Additionally, the CB has NOAA channels (no alert), and the scanner definitely has a very loud NOAA alert, and can alarm on both tone and SAME activation.
- While I'm talking about it, don't skimp on your antennas. Let me repeat this, don't skimp on your antennas. Others here will disagree, as is their right, but as a commercial radio tech, I can tell you: If it has a magnet, mounts with a mirror bracket, or goes through-the-glass and doesn't say "Antenna Specialists" on it, it's crap and garbage, and will not help. Spending your day drilling a line of 3/4" holes through the roof meat, dropping the headliner, and mounting 3/4" NMO mounts will provide you with a much clearer receive audio and better transmit range. I recommend Tram/Browning NMO mount antennas. Drill the truck and not the cap. You need a ground plane. If you go with all 3 items mentioned, you'll need two NMO mounts with PL259 connector, one NMO mount with BNC connector, one UHF 5/8 wave gain antenna, one scanner antenna, and one base-loaded CB whip. I commonly see the CB whip listed as NMO-27B or NMO-27C.
- Keep in mind, a lot of people will poo-poo radios. Those people are wrong, and some are even disingenuous. The vast majority of chasers roll with at least a scanner.
- If you need any help with radio stuff, shoot me a PM. I will help you.
- That laptop stand is terrible. Get one from RAM, Havis Shields, or Jotto Desk instead.
- That fire extinguisher is a great idea. It's also super-adorable, and lasts for about 10 seconds. A more robust extinguisher with a better mount is in order.
- Under no circumstances are you to tell your insurance company that you storm chase with that truck.
- Drop the siren/PA/airhorn and don't ever think of it again.
- If you are considering any form of amber warning lighting, know that a single LED head decklight is likely all you'll ever need, and you'll probably never use it. They're nice to have when you need them, but they're mostly a waste of money. I started chasing in 97, and had an amber halogen light that sat in my back window, until it was replaced with strobe, which sat there until it was replaced with LED. There will be something after LED. It's just a waste.
- Either select a heavier tripod, or weight the tripod.
- Don't trifle with the chevron striping. It looks weird on anything that isn't a fire truck.
Best of luck out there. Starting is never really easy, but it doesn't have to be hard.
Well, it's the middle of winter, and the first storm season since you've posted is only a few months away. Have you been learning, preparing, and getting acquainted?
I totally get having some of the camping equipment. Completely. If I were chasing the plains, I'd probably do some of the same. I have read concerns of "the crazy world we live in", but honestly that's what the gun is for. I think the list is a bit overkill, but I'll also offer some pointers.
- If you are not trained in at least Red Cross basic first aid (I recommend their advanced first aid), leave the medic bag. I've been an EMT for 20 years, and most untrained people don't know how to use everything in a basic plastic-boxed first aid kit, let alone a Jump Bag. For your own personal cuts and scrapes, definitely pack a small first aid kit.
- I may catch flak for this, but I understand you're chasing with a partner. Get a pack of these - https://co.factoryoutletstore.com/d...5.html?category_id=35140&catalogitemid=470362 . Whenever I chase with someone, I always plop a two-way in their lap and whenever one person is out of the car, both of them get turned on. Set your channel and code before the chase, and no one leaves the vehicle without one. People get complacent and forget that this can be a dangerous hobby. Contact is the best way to stay safe. Threats to safety might not come from the storm, as someone could split off to walk down the street a pace or two, and fall into a ditch or a hole in a field. You never know. It can also eliminate missed opportunities if one person is taking forever in a store, and you're watching radar, and they have NOAA WX alert. They come with a charging base that can be powered off the inverter, or used in a hotel room or house. Sometimes, other storm chasers also use these radios, and have their own sets of channels and codes.
- To that effect, go to WalMart and look at Midland's line of mobile GMRS radios. Using mobile radios makes a TON of difference when chatting on the go. These will come with a crappy little antenna. Don't use it. See below. A GMRS license is required to use this type of radio, but it's literally 10 minutes of work on the FCC's website and $65, and it's good for 5 years.
- Along the same lines, get a decent scanner and a CB. At this point, I recommend the Uniden BCD996P2 scanner and the Cobra 75WXST CB. The Cobra's form factor is very compact, and fits anywhere, and the scanner is capable of the newest in public safety trunking technology. By listening to public safety and ham radio frequencies, and by listening to the truckers on CB19, you'll be able to hear where things are starting to heat up locally, and select a good position. Additionally, the CB has NOAA channels (no alert), and the scanner definitely has a very loud NOAA alert, and can alarm on both tone and SAME activation.
- While I'm talking about it, don't skimp on your antennas. Let me repeat this, don't skimp on your antennas. Others here will disagree, as is their right, but as a commercial radio tech, I can tell you: If it has a magnet, mounts with a mirror bracket, or goes through-the-glass and doesn't say "Antenna Specialists" on it, it's crap and garbage, and will not help. Spending your day drilling a line of 3/4" holes through the roof meat, dropping the headliner, and mounting 3/4" NMO mounts will provide you with a much clearer receive audio and better transmit range. I recommend Tram/Browning NMO mount antennas. Drill the truck and not the cap. You need a ground plane. If you go with all 3 items mentioned, you'll need two NMO mounts with PL259 connector, one NMO mount with BNC connector, one UHF 5/8 wave gain antenna, one scanner antenna, and one base-loaded CB whip. I commonly see the CB whip listed as NMO-27B or NMO-27C.
- Keep in mind, a lot of people will poo-poo radios. Those people are wrong, and some are even disingenuous. The vast majority of chasers roll with at least a scanner.
- If you need any help with radio stuff, shoot me a PM. I will help you.
- That laptop stand is terrible. Get one from RAM, Havis Shields, or Jotto Desk instead.
- That fire extinguisher is a great idea. It's also super-adorable, and lasts for about 10 seconds. A more robust extinguisher with a better mount is in order.
- Under no circumstances are you to tell your insurance company that you storm chase with that truck.
- Drop the siren/PA/airhorn and don't ever think of it again.
- If you are considering any form of amber warning lighting, know that a single LED head decklight is likely all you'll ever need, and you'll probably never use it. They're nice to have when you need them, but they're mostly a waste of money. I started chasing in 97, and had an amber halogen light that sat in my back window, until it was replaced with strobe, which sat there until it was replaced with LED. There will be something after LED. It's just a waste.
- Either select a heavier tripod, or weight the tripod.
- Don't trifle with the chevron striping. It looks weird on anything that isn't a fire truck.
Best of luck out there. Starting is never really easy, but it doesn't have to be hard.
