Chasers for Weather Radios

[David Drummond]

It's time we started promoting these more as chasers!

I mentioned this in the comments of a post last night on Facebook. I'm challenging all the storm chasers out this year to buy 5 weather radios, and carry them with you when you chase.

We all meet people while we are chasing, some are scared or worried about the weather, and most often do not have a weather radio when asked. Hand them out free to someone you feel is deserving. I'll be doing this!

As many of us that are out there, we could put quite a bit of these life saving devices in some folks hands! These are cheap, you can get a decent one for around $30 just about anywhere. I'm sure we can put off one chase toy for a little while, or skip chasing one of those marginal events if you have to, to purchase 5 of these.

Chasers are always talking up about how they are chasing to help save lives, here is one real direct way to accomplish that goal, it's time to put up or shut up! Who's with me? Spread the word!

 

[Joey Ketcham]

David, I think that's a great idea. I've been doing something on the same line for the past 4 years, but at work. Each year right at the start of March I give away 4 NOAA Weather Radios in a drawing at work. If I had the extra money, I'd love to buy a lot more than 4.

 

[rdale]

Might be better to wait until they can be programmed for their location, otherwise they'll just get unplugged after the first 2am warning for the other side of the county...

 

[David Drummond]

Hey if someone can do more than 5 that is great. I thought that was a nice round number that pretty much anyone who chases could round up. As Steve Miller AMA commented, that's a small part of the cost of an average chase. Ideally, I like to see each chaser each do 5.

 

[David Drummond]

They have great instructions, or you could do a quick a dirt how to program whichever radio your handing out flyer, and stick it in the box. Can we keep this a positive effort rather that focus on what negative stuff may or may not happen? Sure, people pull the batteries out of smoke detectors too, but they sure has heck save a lot of lives as well.

 

[David Drummond]

As someone on FB mentioned, keep a list of SAME codes and program it for them on the spot if you have time!

 

[rdale]

Can we keep this a positive effort rather that focus on what negative stuff may or may not happen? Sure, people pull the batteries out of smoke detectors too, but they sure has heck save a lot of lives as well.

I'm positive most people who don't have one now will unplug it after the first few false alarms. But I'm sure this can give some good PR to chasing so don't let that dissuade you...

 

[Clarence Bennett]

I'm positive most people who don't have one now will unplug it after the first few false alarms. But I'm sure this can give some good PR to chasing so don't let that dissuade you...

With all due respect, I don't think David is trying to drum up good PR for "chasers". I would much rather hand out weather radios in my community than depend on our local TV meteorologists who spend more time trying to find circulations on a smoothed composite reflectivity image than to alert everyone within a warning polygon.

 

[rdale]

I didn't say that was his intent, I said it could be good PR. If you have the money and the desire, then jump on it!

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

I think this is a fabulous idea, David!!!

I bought my parents one last year (they kept telling me "we're going to get one I promise") and they love it!

 

[Lee Smith-Whaley]

I'm positive most people who don't have one now will unplug it after the first few false alarms. But I'm sure this can give some good PR to chasing so don't let that dissuade you...

I would say, that if you have the time, explain to them the differences between alerts (watch and warning), SAME codes, that some tornadoes might be a near miss, how tornado myths are myths, ect...Maybe even leave a printed pamplet with it about some of that.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Discussion about SAME Codes and warning polygons has been moved to a new thread so as not to derail this one:
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?28596-SAME-Codes

This is a great idea, David. If we could get that price down a bit I think we'd have more participation too. Lots of chasers are collecting change under the couch cushions for gas money. If we could get a sponsor or a stash of surplus, or outdated yet fully functional radios for something more along the lines of $5, people would probably go in for a few.

 

[Jeff Duda]

I would say, that if you have the time, explain to them the differences between alerts (watch and warning), SAME codes, that some tornadoes might be a near miss, how tornado myths are myths, ect...Maybe even leave a printed pamplet with it about some of that.

I like the printed pamphlet idea. Would save on the time required for you to take and explain to them.

 

[Lee Smith-Whaley]

I would suggest both, just a quick, here let me show you how to set it up, and explain it, and how watches/warnings work. Then leave the pamphlet with the other info, and what you already told them in case they forget. From my experience at work, explaining/showing it to them as an example combined with printed info will usually help them to at least get the basic info, and if they have more questions, they can look at the print out. Keep in mind, that's my opinion, based on my experiences, and is not the be all, end all.

I like the printed pamphlet idea. Would save on the time required for you to take and explain to them.

 

[Matt Tottle]

I agree, the simpler you make it for them, the more likely they are to actually use it.

I'm in for this if my stupid money tree would just hurry up and bloom.. Even more so if they could be had at a deep enough discount.