Bill Hark
EF5
I have finally completed my chase logs for May 15 to May 30, 2004 including the May 29 tornado outbreak (Jamestown KS wedge etc), Bradgate tornado, Hallam tornado and damage survey, May 24 Washington Co, KS tornado, possible tornado near Topeka, other storms and the storm chaser picnic.
http://www.harkphoto.com/stormchase2004.html
While reviewing video and writing chase accounts, I thought about lessons learned during this season. Here are some in no particular order.
1. GPS is a necessity. Most roads were shown on my maps (DeLorme); however, there were no numbers or names. The roads appeared as featureless grids especially while I was in Kansas and Nebraska. I would pass road signs (ie 107th st or Rock Rd.) and there would be no listings on my maps. It was easy to get lost.
2. I am glad I obtained my HAM license. It made chasing more fun and increased my safety as I communicated with chasers from different viewpoints around storms. HAM radio can also be used to report tornadoes in areas with no cell phone service.
3. Stick with one's initial target unless there is overewhelming evidence to change. I changed my original target on a couple of days and missed some tornadoes.
4. Don't rely on Wi-Fi. I checked into hotels that advertised wireless internet and couldn't access on many occasions. Use a broadband wired connection. (And ask what type of internet access) The exceptions are truck stops. I never had a problem with wired or wireless access.
5. As above, sign up for a month of internet service with each of the two competing truck stop internet providers. One is Flying J, the other is ?truckstop net. They have wired and wireless connections. Research locations before chase season and print out maps for the road.
6. If you rent a car, make sure the seat is totally comfortable. I rented a car and thought I could "live with" a seat that was not completely comfortable. By the end of the two weeks, I had a back pain and my back doesn't usually hurt. Also, get the insurance. My hail dents and cracked windshield would have been very expensive.
What are some lessons that others learned this year?
Bill Hark
http://www.harkphoto.com
http://www.harkphoto.com/stormchase2004.html
While reviewing video and writing chase accounts, I thought about lessons learned during this season. Here are some in no particular order.
1. GPS is a necessity. Most roads were shown on my maps (DeLorme); however, there were no numbers or names. The roads appeared as featureless grids especially while I was in Kansas and Nebraska. I would pass road signs (ie 107th st or Rock Rd.) and there would be no listings on my maps. It was easy to get lost.
2. I am glad I obtained my HAM license. It made chasing more fun and increased my safety as I communicated with chasers from different viewpoints around storms. HAM radio can also be used to report tornadoes in areas with no cell phone service.
3. Stick with one's initial target unless there is overewhelming evidence to change. I changed my original target on a couple of days and missed some tornadoes.
4. Don't rely on Wi-Fi. I checked into hotels that advertised wireless internet and couldn't access on many occasions. Use a broadband wired connection. (And ask what type of internet access) The exceptions are truck stops. I never had a problem with wired or wireless access.
5. As above, sign up for a month of internet service with each of the two competing truck stop internet providers. One is Flying J, the other is ?truckstop net. They have wired and wireless connections. Research locations before chase season and print out maps for the road.
6. If you rent a car, make sure the seat is totally comfortable. I rented a car and thought I could "live with" a seat that was not completely comfortable. By the end of the two weeks, I had a back pain and my back doesn't usually hurt. Also, get the insurance. My hail dents and cracked windshield would have been very expensive.
What are some lessons that others learned this year?
Bill Hark
http://www.harkphoto.com