Build ing my chaser

[K Salmans]

Hello, I am fairly new to chasing and this is my firs post on the forum... Anyway in then past I have always been the pilot and taking instruction from the passenger running all the equipment. Again I know then basics but tryin to learn as much as possible.

That said I am building out my truck to chase and want some input on what I need to equip myself with. I currently have the lights, predator radar, wind gauge, cameras and two way radio/scanner, and GPS. What else might you recommend?

Thanks

 

[Dean Baron]

LOL Is this the first mention of lightbars since '09 officially ended? Looks like its gonna be a long winter.

Looks like you've got the equipment, just need to get the knowledge. I'm sure come spring you'll be ready if you search through the threads here.

 

[K Salmans]

LOL Is this the first mention of lightbars since '09 officially ended? Looks like its gonna be a long winter.

Looks like you've got the equipment, just need to get the knowledge. I'm sure come spring you'll be ready if you search through the threads here.

I've setup then lights last spring.... I chased all spring but was very behind on info. Just trying to prep for next season.

 

[Connor McCrorey]

You don't need any equipment to chase, it's just really helpful. Knowledge is a hell of a lot more important than anything you can buy.

 

[David Wolfson]

Are you fixing to chase solo or will you have a co-pilot? Somewhat different considerations apply in each case.

What you haven't mentioned is mobile data access. There's no one answer for this, but it should be planned out in advance and taken on a dry run to see how things mesh with your own chasing style. Nowadays there're many chasers with a high level of data access; but there're also many successful chasers without mobile broadband or Baron. It all depends on what information you can assimilate on the road, your own objectives in chasing, and the experience of your own eyeballs.

I'd invest in both a good outdoor tripod and an inside window mount for your cameras if you haven't already done so.... And spare batteries/chargers.

 

[Ric Burney]

Connor gave probably the most important answer so far. Arm yourself with as much information about WX as you can put in your head. There are numerous books and on-line material that can help you plus its something to do during the off-season.
Don't depend too much on equipment. It's nice to have but don't let it take your focus off the real prize. Your knowledge will hopefully get you to the right place at the right time to catch your prey.
Welcome to ST and good luck.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

Light bars!!! Run away!!!
LOL

Just kidding. The properly dressed SKYWARN member is clad in a plastic electric orange vest to be legal when gallivanting along the roadside. His vehicle will also have REFLECTIVE tape on the rear bumper or trunk lid in a fashionable but clearly seen fashion.
Much cheaper than light bars - and it doesn't draw unwanted attention that says "Hello - I am a Storm Chaser; yes you can have my autograph!"

Your vehicle may end up sprouting feelers - but they will tun into antennas. So don't worry. Be happy. Cell phone antennas are great, and so are radio antennas. Great way to attract a lightning strike - if that is what you have in mind...

You might find your vehicle getting a bevy of passengers after a successful chase or two. Take this route with care! As you become the responsible party. For now, I do it alone and rely upon the radios and cell phones for staying in touch. Both Ham/2m and CB, as they both have their pros and cons. Two cell phones; one for data and the other to call in/receive calls.

Cameras will sprout from your front seat in one of two types of species. Still cameras are a great place to start, offering basics to photography. It is still my favorite flavor, but viddy electronics have really turned some great products out this last year. However, there is a large market and high pricers paid for the video herd.

More than anything, I take storm chasing seriously, but I take the equipment aspect with a grain of salt. Technology changes quickly, and things become obsolete way too fast. Easy come; easy go?

 

[Skip Talbot]

Yes, knowledge is good. Its not equipment though.

To be the most effective chaser you need: Navigation, Data, Recording, and Communication. With a laptop and software, GPS puck, cell phone, and digital camera, you have everything you need to really hit full potential. You could fulill these criteria the old school way too with paper maps, phone calls, film, and a cell or ham radio. I think anything else is mostly fluff, unless you need it for whatever motive you are out there for.

 

[James Langford]

I agree with everything that has been said so far. I've really only been seriously chasing for the past few years. I have a few friends that I go out with on a regular basis. When we first started, we used only paper maps and a weather radio. However, one of my friends is a very good forcaster, so we always had a decent target in mind ahead of time. We've gradually progressed to more complex forcast analysis, as well as using mobile wifi via my cell phone for radar tracking.

My best suggestion would be to just get out there and work at it. Spend some time learning to recognize storm features (skywarn training is great for that), learn the basics of modelling, how to read the radar, etc, and then just go and try. You'll learn just how much you don't know when you go out the first time.

James

 

[Lanny Dean]

Light bars!!! Run away!!!
LOL

Just kidding. The properly dressed SKYWARN member is clad in a plastic electric orange vest to be legal when gallivanting along the roadside. His vehicle will also have REFLECTIVE tape on the rear bumper or trunk lid in a fashionable but clearly seen fashion.
Much cheaper than light bars - and it doesn't draw unwanted attention that says "Hello - I am a Storm Chaser; yes you can have my autograph!"

Your vehicle may end up sprouting feelers - but they will tun into antennas. So don't worry. Be happy. Cell phone antennas are great, and so are radio antennas. Great way to attract a lightning strike - if that is what you have in mind...

You might find your vehicle getting a bevy of passengers after a successful chase or two. Take this route with care! As you become the responsible party. For now, I do it alone and rely upon the radios and cell phones for staying in touch. Both Ham/2m and CB, as they both have their pros and cons. Two cell phones; one for data and the other to call in/receive calls.

Cameras will sprout from your front seat in one of two types of species. Still cameras are a great place to start, offering basics to photography. It is still my favorite flavor, but viddy electronics have really turned some great products out this last year. However, there is a large market and high pricers paid for the video herd.

More than anything, I take storm chasing seriously, but I take the equipment aspect with a grain of salt. Technology changes quickly, and things become obsolete way too fast. Easy come; easy go?

Now thats a post!!!
Rob certainly hit the nail on the head and has explained basically all of what its like and what you will need!! Good job Rob!
Anyways, welcome to chasing and goodluck!

 

[Shane Adams]

When it comes to chasing, you're going to stink at first, and that's ok - everyone who starts out alone does. Chasing is like life itself - it's ok to make mistakes, just make sure you learn from them. Using your human instincts (aka survival mode) should be second-nature and help keep you out of trouble until you start to understand a little.

There's no quick route to consistent success if you're chasing alone or with a group of equal or less ability/experience. But if the passion's there and you want it bad enough, success will come in time. Good luck.