Mobile communications

[Bill Hamilton]

I was curious what mobile communication equipment each of you use for chasing and information while out on a chase. Do you use a HAM radio, scanner, GMRS/FRS radio, cell phone, laptop or something else? I use scanners and cell phones mostly but also use my laptop when I have a chance to stop and get data acquisition.
There are so many different mediums for communications and data that I would like to know what works best for you in a mobile situation.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I've always used cell phone for reporting, that's basically all I've used since I began storm spotting and for storm chasing and has worked well for the most part - but have lost signal every now and then. But I'm going to start studying very soon to take my technican exam to become a licensed ham.

 

[KMcCallister]

I always use 2M/70cm ham. I use FRS for car-to-car with non-hams rarely. I use my cellphone where it works, and of course anything I can attach to my laptop. I use a scanner for rapidly scanning ham bands, or to monitor police to try to avoid traffic accidents, storm damage, or flooded areas during travel.

The single communications most useful thing (other than a cellphone and internet) is the ham radio. I encourage chasers to be hams. It's an easy test and an inexpensive radio these days. It allows several options including car-to-car and chaser-to-NWS types of communications. Also, "chaser simplex" freqs are often interesting places to meet other chasers.

(strangely enough, I still meet "real chasers" with CB radios in their vehicles...I still can't figure that one out. )

 

[Bill Hamilton]

I am taking my HAM exam next week. They had to schedule it then to allow the other VE's to be there. I am really looking forward to getting my license.

 

[John Diel]

Communications

Right now, it's a scanner for information, Ham Radio for information and a Cell Phone for reporting. Between myself and another reporter, there's generally too much distance between us for FRS/GMRS. Neither of us has a Tech License for 2M Ham yet, but we're working on that.

Haven't done any Wi-Fi work yet, as there isn't really a whole lot out in this neck of the woods. If we can talk our General Manager into it, Cingular has an option that appears pretty good for mobile internet access. I know the Channel Five spotters are using it and it seems to be a decent option. Still a bit pricey for the single chaser though.

John

 

[Todd Rittinger]

I have considered the HAM approach, but don't have the time at the moment. Currently cell phone and laptop are my two preferred (and only available) methods. Many folks don't RTFM on their wireless routers, so I can quickly stop in most neighbourhoods and "borrow" the connection. I'm not sure if this is an ethical approach, however, I'm not using the connection for any length of time, abusing the pipe, or using it for illegal activity, so I'm still sleeping at nite...

Be well, TR

 

[Sheila_Ward]

Scanner, laptop (w/Sprint data connection and truckstop.net account) and cell phone. I will probably try to get my Ham license in the next few months.

 

[Ben Cotton]

In the past it has just been cell phone and FRS for car-to-car comm. However, I recently got my ham license, so in the future I'll have 2m/70cm and I hope to get cellular internet sometime in the future.


Ben

 

[Mike Gulley]

2meter, Cell Phone, Laptop (getting the cell link adapter in the next couple of months)...Not a licensed ham yet, but plan on getting it in the next couple of months.... Next year will be a full swing year for me as I am starting to save now for next years budget.... 3 times out this year, and went bust....!!!
Hopefully Wichita will get some storms over the 9th-11th weekend as I will be down there showing the chase truck at Automobilia.....

 

[Laura Duchesne]

Right now... cell phone for reporting and getting nowcast updates, scanner to listen to local nets and wx radio, and... don't laugh... but we do keep a CB radio in the van, although we ever seldom use it. I am starting to study for my ham license, though!

 

[Patrick Ware]

Ham Radio..........2M/70cm bands w/ APRS for packet info.
I also send out GPS packets so my location and current WX can be tracked through the WWW wherever I am (as long as I turn on my GPS :wink: )

VHF/UHF Digital trunked scanner RS Pro 96

Cell Phone

Borrowed wireless connections.

Next year I will also have WxWorx.


Bear
KE5BAU

 

[Gaetan Cormier]

Right now... cell phone for reporting and getting nowcast updates, scanner to listen to local nets and wx radio, and... don't laugh... but we do keep a CB radio in the van, although we ever seldom use it. I am starting to study for my ham license, though!

Laura, personnally CB's are fine! Just last june 24th we were 6 chasers in 3 seperate cars and our method of communication is through CB's. It's cheap, there's no monthly fees like cell's and it works good!

I use cell phone only for reporting and getting some nowcast. The CB I use is the Uniden PRO538W with a Wilson "Lil Wil" antenna.

 

[Dan Robinson]

CB, scanner and cell phone. CB has been handy when travelling in caravans and channel 19 is helpful for avoiding traffic jams.

The only reason I haven't gone to Ham yet is because after spending thousands this year on WxWorx, new cameras, gas money, and vehicle repairs, I'm having a hard time swallowing another couple hundred or more on a ham setup. I'll eventually get around to it, possibly by next season.

 

[David Schuttler]

Radio,wx Radio, scanner, cell phone and tv.

Likely add laptop soon to help more at nighttime chasing. It's very un-nerving when you see you might be a little too close at 1 am

Too Close

 

[Ben Prusia]

Right now I have just a cell phone, a weather radio, and a T-Mobile wireless card for my laptop (get around 4KB/sec). I plan to get a scanner down the road, I'm saving up to get a APOC digital scanner (since everything is going digital in the future), and I have been studying for my HAM license.