Jason Boggs
I think the equipment section would be your best bet. For simplicity, just make 1 thread for all your equipment questions, and I think you"ll be covered.
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New to the site, looking for a little info
- Thread starter Ken Bayard
- Start date
I think the equipment section would be your best bet. For simplicity, just make 1 thread for all your equipment questions, and I think you"ll be covered.
Ken Bayard
EF0
I ordered Tims book this morning.
Ken
Ken
Ben Holcomb
EF5
I'm from Lansing, made the trek a bunch of times to the plains this year, including this past weekend for the National Weather Festival. Get yourself an I-PASS and probably a pikepass in OK if you plan on being there often 
I know I-69 and I-94 to and through Chicago like the back of my hand.
With that said, learn all you can. Ingham County's skywarn, while not published yet, is March 6th. Come to it. You'll learn something there
I know I-69 and I-94 to and through Chicago like the back of my hand.With that said, learn all you can. Ingham County's skywarn, while not published yet, is March 6th. Come to it. You'll learn something there
Elinor McLennon
Welcome aboard ken. Good job on getting Tim's books. Sounds like everybody has done a good job answering your questions. I agree with the post about deciding what your wanting to get out of your trip. What would make it enjoyable and successful for you. As far as picking a location, time will tell. Hopefully, it will be a more active season this year in Oklahoma. Good luck and don't worry about being behind in technology: I am right there with you.
Ken Bayard
EF0
What I want to get out of it?
I just want to get out, I'll be honest, I'd love to have that EF5 form right in front of me, but I know chances are I'd be doing good to see a wall cloud with my limited knowledge on forecasting.
I just want to get out and try. If I catch nothing but sun rays, thats ok, I will get to see the country side. My mother passed away yesterday, I have basically been by her side for the past 2 years of her battle. Any type of vacation right now or the coming year will be great.
Thanks to all of you for the help, I look forward to learning from all of you.
Ken
I just want to get out, I'll be honest, I'd love to have that EF5 form right in front of me, but I know chances are I'd be doing good to see a wall cloud with my limited knowledge on forecasting.
I just want to get out and try. If I catch nothing but sun rays, thats ok, I will get to see the country side. My mother passed away yesterday, I have basically been by her side for the past 2 years of her battle. Any type of vacation right now or the coming year will be great.
Thanks to all of you for the help, I look forward to learning from all of you.
Ken
Jerry Prsha
EF4
Sorry to hear about your mom. There's something deep about being in the Plains, especially on a road where there's no one else and feeling the wind.
Don't plan too much your first time. Just find a place to drive to. The education will come.. Just don't put a lot of pressure on yourself. I think part of your healing will become part of your learning.
Ken Bayard
EF0
Tim's book showed up today... I'm suprised at the amount of info in it. Thanks for turning me on to it, I hope I learn something new.
Ken
Ken
craig buchanan
EF0
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2008
- Messages
- 27
Ken,
I have read a borrowed a copy of Tim's book and will definitely be adding it and some of his other books to my library this winter. The resources section is really helpful even for veteran chasers.
As for a base camp, I would personally second Wichita. I live a bit south of there and take off the first couple of weeks in May simply because of the great chasing opportunities within easy driving distance. You can make it to Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, or anything in between by early afternoon. In Wichita there are also some good hotels available for reasonable rates and fuel in the Oklahoma southern Kansas area is often some of the best prices in the nation.
Another thing I would second is GPS software and perhaps a USB adapter. After years of using a hand held, I finally went this route and love it. If you want to go low ball, Google Earth now will accept many GPS devices as an input and if this works you can then overlay software like Spotter Network or NWS products.
A last tip that I have found helpful is using a data connection in the vehicle. There are other threads on the board about this. I personally use Verizon and it is OK except there are some holes when you get out west of about I35. In general however this works good and allows you to get real time updates and perhaps more importantly, use a web site like GasBuddy.com to find the cheapest (or at least cheaper) gas price which can come in handy when you are putting on hundreds of miles a day.
I have read a borrowed a copy of Tim's book and will definitely be adding it and some of his other books to my library this winter. The resources section is really helpful even for veteran chasers.
As for a base camp, I would personally second Wichita. I live a bit south of there and take off the first couple of weeks in May simply because of the great chasing opportunities within easy driving distance. You can make it to Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, or anything in between by early afternoon. In Wichita there are also some good hotels available for reasonable rates and fuel in the Oklahoma southern Kansas area is often some of the best prices in the nation.
Another thing I would second is GPS software and perhaps a USB adapter. After years of using a hand held, I finally went this route and love it. If you want to go low ball, Google Earth now will accept many GPS devices as an input and if this works you can then overlay software like Spotter Network or NWS products.
A last tip that I have found helpful is using a data connection in the vehicle. There are other threads on the board about this. I personally use Verizon and it is OK except there are some holes when you get out west of about I35. In general however this works good and allows you to get real time updates and perhaps more importantly, use a web site like GasBuddy.com to find the cheapest (or at least cheaper) gas price which can come in handy when you are putting on hundreds of miles a day.
Ken Bayard
EF0
Oh, I've been busy.
Been reading the book, searching for info, buying some items...
First, I knew my wife would beat me if I took my brand new laptop into the wild, so I had to breath life back in to my Compaq Presario R4000. Since it died early this fall, I picked up a new harddrive and another gig of ram... gotta love "Cyber Monday"
I also bought MS Streets & Trips 10 w/gps. It should be here tomorrow.
I also picked up a 1200/3200 watt inverter... I know, toooo big. I plan on using for other applications (28' SeaRay)... I just need to pick up the 4 gauge wiring. The truck is due for a new battery, so I will pick up a new one as well. I dont think I will need to upgrade the alternator, I doubt I'll operate more then a laptop, small tv and maybe charge some batteries. I have time to play with it.
Im still thinking about buying another car (not just for chasing), it may become the chase car/truck/van.
I am interested, how many of you get a hotel and how many seek other means (camping, sleep in your car, ect...) Those that dont travel far enough from your home, need not answer this part...
Ken
Been reading the book, searching for info, buying some items...
First, I knew my wife would beat me if I took my brand new laptop into the wild, so I had to breath life back in to my Compaq Presario R4000. Since it died early this fall, I picked up a new harddrive and another gig of ram... gotta love "Cyber Monday"
I also bought MS Streets & Trips 10 w/gps. It should be here tomorrow.
I also picked up a 1200/3200 watt inverter... I know, toooo big. I plan on using for other applications (28' SeaRay)... I just need to pick up the 4 gauge wiring. The truck is due for a new battery, so I will pick up a new one as well. I dont think I will need to upgrade the alternator, I doubt I'll operate more then a laptop, small tv and maybe charge some batteries. I have time to play with it.
Im still thinking about buying another car (not just for chasing), it may become the chase car/truck/van.
I am interested, how many of you get a hotel and how many seek other means (camping, sleep in your car, ect...) Those that dont travel far enough from your home, need not answer this part...
Ken
Jason Boggs
Not saying that I'm too good to sleep in my car, but I'll never do it unless I absolutely have to. I prefer Holiday Inn Express motels or even a Comfort Inn.
David Wolfson
EF5
Re motels, it all depends on your budget and whether you have particular needs, e.g. free WiFi. Most towns of over medium size have at least one motel that's not nationally rated or a chain, and that cater to construction workers, etc. You find these through searching town information sites on-line (recommended method), or just driving the main drag. You may not get WiFi, but you can usually find significantly cheaper rooms -- $20 or more less -- than the national chains, and use your own aircard. They're usually very accommodating if you call ahead for late arrival. As far as quality, I've stayed at national chain motels that are dumps with inaccessible WiFi, and Mom & Pop motels that are quite delightful with great WiFi. FWIW.
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