Jeremy Den Hartog
I know, thats why it would have to somehow be desirable - not just a generic sticker or decal...
One could even somehow do different 'ranks' based on experience and/or knowledge...
Again these are just some ideas
I know, thats why it would have to somehow be desirable - not just a generic sticker or decal...
One could even somehow do different 'ranks' based on experience and/or knowledge...
Again these are just some ideas
Tyler Allison put together a killer review and exam last year which, when passed, would allow users of SpotterNetwork to make wx reports from the field. To me, if you are looking for verification that one person has committed more to this hobby than another, there is no better way.
I believe the test is not available right now but I'm sure it will be again before chase season.
Here is a link to the original thread. You might inquire there when the test will be available again: http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20209
Jeremy Den Hartog
Thanks for the link, I will have to check it out. If we could do something similar but more specifically for storm chasing (I know storm spotting is similar) that would be great
Then it would just be a matter of trying to make it desirable for people
David Wolfson
EF5
I think the decal approach is a seriously bad idea. While it will maybe separate the clueless lunatics from the lunatics who "know what they're doing", it will be a magnet for the clueless to follow. Empirically I think it has been the more experienced chasers who have gotten themselves in the worst trouble -- not because they're clueless, but because they're more comfortable getting close to something that can reach out and bite them.
The other group which has sadly had too many casualties are police and first responders. IMO there's where a training and certification program makes sense. They have to be out there and should know what they're doing for both their own and the public's safety.
The other group which has sadly had too many casualties are police and first responders. IMO there's where a training and certification program makes sense. They have to be out there and should know what they're doing for both their own and the public's safety.
Jeremy Den Hartog
Good point...forgot about the fact uninformed people will follow other vehicles. However, usually its not hard to spot a 'serious' storm chaser with all of their antennas and other gadgets...
Greg Campbell
EF5
Not a bad idea, BUT....
Except for the 'test,' all this already exists in one form or another. You can buy Tim Marshall's chase guide for what? 8 bucks? Mike H. has a Storm Structure video for not a lot more. Etc, etc. Too expensive? OK, try Haby's Hints and a dozen other highly informative web sites. As always (it's a universal human condition!), the most inept people
- those who most need help - are always the last to ask for it. 
As for the test itself, I think most of these people would sputter a few choice words at anyone suggesting they take such an exam. Again, only those who really don't need to take it would be remotely willing to do so.
I do agree that some informal level of 'credibility' would be very helpful for the NWS when they receive calls of a mean looking rainshaftnado that's about to erase a town. OTOH, we already have formal spotter training, and that's apparently not always working so well. I'm not sure what else can be done.
Dustin Wilcox
EF5
Plenty of what you call 'serious' chasers without antennas and other gadgets...
This whole Decal idea is a joke!
Jeremy Den Hartog
Not a bad idea, BUT....
Except for the 'test,' all this already exists in one form or another. You can buy Tim Marshall's chase guide for what? 8 bucks? Mike H. has a Storm Structure video for not a lot more. Etc, etc. Too expensive? OK, try Haby's Hints and a dozen other highly informative web sites. As always (it's a universal human condition!), the most inept people
As for the test itself, I think most of these people would sputter a few choice words at anyone suggesting they take such an exam. Again, only those who really don't need to take it would be remotely willing to do so.
I do agree that some informal level of 'credibility' would be very helpful for the NWS when they receive calls of a mean looking rainshaftnado that's about to erase a town. OTOH, we already have formal spotter training, and that's apparently not always working so well. I'm not sure what else can be done.
Yep, the information is already out there like you said. However, the idea is to try to get these people who already have proven they could care less about learning how to storm chase to actually learn how to properly storm chase. Does that mean the majority of these people would bother with being certified? Probably not, but it would maybe help with some. The other thing to consider is to keep in mind one of my reasons for being for regulating storm chasing (which I am no longer for). Basically public perception. If several people would die in an unfortunate incident involving a tornado while storm chasing, it would be in our best interest IMO if it at least looks like we are trying everything we can to make storm chasing as safe as it can be.
Jeremy Den Hartog
So what would you suggest? Just trying to come up with some ideas. Maybe the decal idea is a joke but what else could be done?
Dustin Wilcox
EF5
My suggestion is you either learn to chase in crowds of people, hone your forecasting skills to find the "not so obvious" target that often pays off, or opt to stay home...
Rich Long
I just remember what my old boss asked me once:
Do you know the definition of safety? It's the lengths we go to protect the stupid.
If some fool wants to ride a shopping cart down a hill in San Francisco into the bay that's fine with me. If he hurts or kills himself I have no pity and I certainly don't believe we then NEED a law on the books saying you can't ride a shopping cart down a hill.
I'm a believer in something Jeff foxworthy said about watching his kid pulling on the TV stand he said "He'll Learn"
People forget that is how humans learn as kids. How many times did you do something stupid and it hurt? Did you go back and do it again? Nope, and if you did YAY for natural selection!!
Do you know the definition of safety? It's the lengths we go to protect the stupid.
If some fool wants to ride a shopping cart down a hill in San Francisco into the bay that's fine with me. If he hurts or kills himself I have no pity and I certainly don't believe we then NEED a law on the books saying you can't ride a shopping cart down a hill.
I'm a believer in something Jeff foxworthy said about watching his kid pulling on the TV stand he said "He'll Learn"
People forget that is how humans learn as kids. How many times did you do something stupid and it hurt? Did you go back and do it again? Nope, and if you did YAY for natural selection!!
Jeremy Den Hartog
Lol, yay natural selection!
Don't get me wrong guys, I agree with whats being said here. Again, my fear is that we as storm chasers will get 'cracked down' on because of someones stupidity...otherwise I really couldn't care less what they do.
I agree, Dustin. I think I mentioned a good system that's already in use in noting the SpotterNetwork testing system. My question would be, how would a storm CHASING test differ from a storm SPOTTING test? You are chasing the same clouds spotters are spotting and hopefully you are taking the time to make the same reports that would be expected of a spotter.
Screw decals for a club or team or whatever you are ultimately trying to accomplish. It's silly to reinvent the wheels already set into play by established chasers with many years of knowledge behind their method or product in order to start a "club" of chasers. That's what this sounds like.
Getting respect in chasing takes proof of accomplishment; not a decal.
I will up my gas wishes to $7 now.
Jeremy Den Hartog
No I'm not trying to setup a 'club' of chasers. Have you read what I've been writing? I know that getting respect is by succeeding at what your doing - you don't have to preach to the choir but try to explain that to 'Joe Blow' who just watched the latest episode of 'Storm Chasers' and has decided he's going to drive himself into a tornado when he has absolutely no idea what he is doing.
Maybe its a bad idea to do this (like I said before, just trying to come up with ideas) but please don't insult me with your assumptions of what I'm trying to accomplish. And whats with the comment about 'experienced chasers' and not needing to reinvent the wheel? If you would have read what I wrote I said 'maybe Stormtrack could come together'...in other words those who have a lot of experience. Also, don't pretend that the exam you linked to was the first storm related exam ever created. Is it a good exam, I'm sure it is. Could it be better? Maybe - I haven't taken it so I don't know but that doesn't mean we shouldn't even try to improve on things or make them so they are more specific in regards to storm chasing.
And yes storm chasing and storm spotting are different in some regards. With each you have different expectations to consider and different responsibilities. Storm spotting you are usually in local and at least somewhat familiar areas while storm chasing you are not. Storm chasers usually have a lot more equipment then a typical storm spotter has, etc, ect. If they weren't different then why would they not just call them the same thing?
I will up my gas wishes to $8 now...
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Joey Ketcham
Nothing, because storm chasing never will be and it shouldn't be regulated. Forcing it would be impossible, I would love to see them try proving that I am a storm chaser. I have a single antenna on my vehicle for my ham radio, and ham radio isn't illegal so that rules that out. I have a laptop, I work in IT and always have a laptop and internet so that if need be I can remote into work if I need to. So that's out. I like to travel and I'm interested in photography, so you can't use that. If I'm obeying the speed limit and not breaking any other laws, then what else could they get me with?
The whole "lets regulate chasing" is stupid and I don't know why we keep having this come up.
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