Noob Chasing

[Wes Carter]

Chris, the only thing I know about HAM is K west, and W east of the river. That and it tastes pretty good in navy beans. Steve might be able to help.

Well, that applies to TV and radio call signs, for HAM's, we've got A,N,K, and W call signs. The first letter of the call is not geographically specific, but rather by tradition they are assigned according to operator class. HAM calls have a number which is assigned according to geographic area. Unless you get a vanity call, then you can pick your number.

But if you cook a pot of ham and beans, I'll bring the cornbread.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

Pfft...you people and your fancy gadgets. The guy wants to know how to have a successful chase on the minimum.

1)Internet connection at home.
2)Make a forecast.
3)Jump in a car, filled up with gas. Take a map if you got it, but not necessary.
4)Go to target area and wait.

Anything else on top of that is just gravy

 

[Chris Lott]

Pfft...you people and your fancy gadgets. The guy wants to know how to have a successful chase on the minimum.

1)Internet connection at home.
2)Make a forecast.
3)Jump in a car, filled up with gas. Take a map if you got it, but not necessary.
4)Go to target area and wait.

Anything else on top of that is just gravy

That's me right there! I don't have the laptop, gps, or any of that stuff. I look at maps the morning of a possible event, decide on a target, grab the road atlas and take off. From there I rely on my ham radio with weather radio, and my eyes. That's it. I might by some cool gadgets in the future but not right now. I have a cell phone to look up some stuff if I absolutely need to.

 

[David Drummond]

I guess I am getting old. I remember when all we needed to chase was a map, a car, and a full tank of gas.

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

I guess I am getting old. I remember when all we needed to chase was a map, a car, and a full tank of gas.

You are getting old! But, I remember it too. It was high-tech when we got the battery operated B/W TV to take along.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

You are getting old! But, I remember it too. It was high-tech when we got the battery operated B/W TV to take along.

Hahaha! I was lucky enough to start right when Wi-Fi was really starting to come on, but that still didn't mean much for me. My equipment starting out was an old used weather radio I found in the attic, a Roads of Oklahoma atlas, a mini-dv video camera I bought for $140, and eventually I upgraded to a laptop...after about 2 years of chasing, which gave me internet where the sporadic wi-fi was available. Now I don't ever LOSE the internet while on the road...CRAZY!

So in all honesty (and in all seriousness) the term successful is such a loose term with chasing. Are you saying successful compared to the guys who score quite often? Or are you saying successful for a beginner? Or are you saying successful just in a tornado or two this year?

These guys have some great advice as far as equipment and such, just remember nothing replaces good sound weather knowledge, common sense, and a good set of eyes. Technology will only get you so far. Have fun and BE SAFE!

 

[Wes Carter]

For me, a successful chase is one I enjoy. Even when it is bust, I'm in the company of good people who happen to share similar interests but are from different walks of life. Just getting out on the road and seeing things I've never seen is great.

I got in the rat race when I was in my twenties. There was a t-shirt that said "He who dies with the most toys wins." I lived that for about 14 years. A couple of years ago I realized I was living a lie. Now I believe that the ultimate goal should be that we go to our graves with the fewest regrets and the most memories possible. And that's why I started chasing.

 

[Clarence Bennett]

For me, a successful chase is one I enjoy. Even when it is bust, I'm in the company of good people who happen to share similar interests but are from different walks of life. Just getting out on the road and seeing things I've never seen is great.

I got in the rat race when I was in my twenties. There was a t-shirt that said "He who dies with the most toys wins." I lived that for about 14 years. A couple of years ago I realized I was living a lie. Now I believe that the ultimate goal should be that we go to our graves with the fewest regrets and the most memories possible. And that's why I started chasing.

Amen to that! I know personally, I need to look at it more this way.

 

[David Drummond]

chasing success = being able to consistently get whatever your after when you chase.

Be it lightning, great structure, or tornado. Not everyone has the same priorities, but whatever they are, when you get to where you can consistently find those on a regular basis, then you have achieved chasing success.

I personally consider a chase a success as long as I don't clear sky bust. The tornado is not my only goal, so I am satisfied with a much wider range of weather activity. I know some people that get royally pissed if they don't see a tornado.

 

[mikedeason]

I guess I am getting old. I remember when all we needed to chase was a map, a car, and a full tank of gas.

lol, reminds me of my sig.

 

[Rob Sermon]

Well, that applies to TV and radio call signs, for HAM's, we've got A,N,K, and W call signs. But if you cook a pot of ham and beans, I'll bring the cornbread.

Shows how much I know about HAM. I'll be chasing the end of May, beginning of June. If I can find a hot plate in a motel, you best be bringin' some cornbread.

 

[Rob Sermon]

So in all honesty (and in all seriousness) the term successful is such a loose term with chasing. Are you saying successful compared to the guys who score quite often? Or are you saying successful for a beginner? Or are you saying successful just in a tornado or two this year?

These guys have some great advice as far as equipment and such, just remember nothing replaces good sound weather knowledge, common sense, and a good set of eyes. Technology will only get you so far. Have fun and BE SAFE!

Being a noob, I would love to shoot a tornado. Who wouldn't? "Successful" is rather ambiguous.

I've got, at least, the minimal gear. I would guess, in my estimation, that success would be defined as taking a vacation; it will be.

Everyone I have PM'd have been a great source of info.