VORTEX2

[Charles Kuster]

Joel brings up a good point. Almost no one will be happy if they have to move from a good vantage point especially if they got there first. However, in the end, science must take precedence. This is a huge undertaking that could provide vital information for forecasting in the future. It could save lives someday and the rest of us must therefore give them the right of way.

This event has happened to me before. We found a good spot and were watching a storm when a D.O.W pulled in behind us. It was a small turnout and there was not enough room for both of us, so I told my dad we had to move. We left the spot and found another one. In the end, what they were doing was far more important than our pictures.

I personally hope to see V2 out there at least once this summer. It will be crowded, but I at least want to see this historic project in practice. Good luck to all involved in VORTEX2 and all other chasers as well!

 

[Andrew Stoller]

http://www.vortex2.org/instruments/

It's only 35 vehicles according to their website, and they won't all be in the same place at the same time.

What's that other university group with the huge armada? Is it Texas Tech, with I believe Dodge trucks?

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Another problem VORTEX and other portable radar units have in the past (although I doubt anyone still uses them) are mobile marine radars. As silly as it sounds, a few chasers used the marine radars up until cell phones and laptops made them even more silly to chase with. I'm not sure if RF is a problem? e.g., ham radios. Someone else can advise.

My skimming doesn't see any post addressing this one. I was just wondering about that whole deal. How exactly do you run 10 radar trucks then? Won't they mess with each other at least as much as anyone driving a marine radar around? Or do they "light them up" at different times? Guessing some differing bands don't mess with others. Just wondering on that whole deal.

 

[Mike Smith]

They must be licensed by the F.C.C.

TV radars work in the C-band and are separated (if I recall correctly) by 10hz in their frequency.

So, in Wichita, KWCH's radar would be on one frequency and KSNW's would be on another, but both within the C-band. Those frequencies are coordinated by the F.C.C. with TUL, OKC, TOP, KC, Pittsburg and other areas with devices on similar frequencies to keep them from interfering with each other.

I would imagine Vortex has handled all this.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I would imagine Vortex has handled all this.

I would too, just was wondering how all that worked, as concerned with marine radars as they seemed to be in the past. Thanks for the info.

 

[Glen Romine]

Most of the radars have the ability to adjust slightly the operating frequencies a bit, and by shifting them from that used by others they don't step on each other too much. Could be there will be some problems, particularly in the X-band which will be a little more crowded, but I think the teams are well prepared to address this as needed.

 

[joel ewing]

What is this "WE ALL" need to move over in the name of science? Is this the third reich? I'm glad science ain't my god. Personal liberty is.
Funny how different people can be, isn't it?

 

[Scott Nelson]

What is this "WE ALL" need to move over in the name of science? Is this the third reich? I'm glad science ain't my god. Personal liberty is.
Funny how different people can be, isn't it?

I'm personally very supportive of what chasers and spotters do. All of my posts/threads to date have been as such. My concern though is that some viewpoints seem to suggest that V2 will be in the way of chasers. I can see if during V1 they restricted or manhandled others from an area but I've never heard accounts of such. So my thinking (maybe right -maybe wrong) is during the time they are out there... their efforts are simply more important then any cool picture or observation phone call I'd ever make. Plus what they are finding out today will help me chase better tommorow.

 

[Jason Foster]

What is this "WE ALL" need to move over in the name of science? Is this the third reich? I'm glad science ain't my god. Personal liberty is.
Funny how different people can be, isn't it?

No one is saying you have to. But I would think that a storm chaser, who owes everything it gets in the way of radar, forecasting, etc to make chasing a viability would have the RESPECT to offer to move out of the way when an important operation such as this is taking place. I agree with personal liberty too....but I respect and honor those who do this in order to further the science which in the end is about saving lives and property. I think many should take a higher road and act professionally and courteously while out there. At least that was how it was when I started chasing.

Joel, I might be a little harsh on my response after quoting you directly, but I know there are already many chasers (here on ST and off) that feel Vortex2 is going to be in the way of their chasing. They often forget that the roads are not theirs, the pull offs and other spots are not theirs, and that no one, absolutely no one has to abide by their selfish rules in order for them to have a successful chase.

Vortex2 is going to be out there...DEAL WITH IT!

 

[Brandon Goforth]

No one is saying you have to. But I would think that a storm chaser, who owes everything it gets in the way of radar, forecasting, etc to make chasing a viability would have the RESPECT to offer to move out of the way when an important operation such as this is taking place.

I'm all about acting responsibly and respectfully on a chase, but LOL to this!!! Why do I, or anyone for that matter, owe anything that would make me feel obligated to "get out of the way" of vortex2?? Doesn't my tax dollars pay for these public forecasting tools, radar, etc anyways??!!

 

[Chris C Sanner]

Actually, unless I missed something, we all have the right to be out storm chasing, no matter how irresponsible and crazy some people are. I'm one of the first to bash people for being absolute idiots out on the road, but they do have the right to be there. I just don't want them to end up getting hurt, simple as that. So as far as Vortex 2 goes, I hope they accomplish what they are looking to accomplish and lives are saved, but I seriously doubt they are going to have respect for me as a photographer and videographer to stay out of a shot, which I wouldn't expect mind you.

It's the same thing as with reporting. I just don't do it because I'm out there to photograph and video storms and nowadays the guys who usually report are out in full force every time. I have no other higher purpose or meaning for being out except to get the shot. And I will continue to do that so long as this country allows me to do just that. I'm not concerned about the science or anything, and if that makes me selfish then I guess I could care less, I do what I do for myself, not to help save lives. I wish Vortex 2 the best of luck, and I'll continue to chase as responsibly as I always have to 'help' with things. But I won't be bending over backwards to help them while sacrificing a shot in the meantime.

EDIT: I also want to add I honestly don't foresee any of this being a problem. If you pull off the road all the way like you are supposed to, drive responsibly and don't sit your tripods up on a busy road, I honestly don't think myself/anyone else and Vortex 2 (or anyone else) will get in each others way. I think they'll have a lot more general trouble simply due to the amount of chaser convergence there will be and people who won't do these simple things. However, if the situation did happen and if I was doing what I should be doing (as far as being off the road and such) I'm not going to move my car or anything for them...if I have to deal with chaser convergence they're going to have to as well

 

[Jason A.C. Brock]

I wonder if Vortex 2 will have a way so people who want to sit at home and track them will be able to. I know TWC will be covering it live but if ya want to track them from your work I wonder if they will have something on chaser tv or tornadovideos.net or someting similiar. It would be a helpful tool for those of us who might want to avoid them or pick another storm to not get in their way. I know for one I will stay out of their way. This is a scientific endeavor that will help to gather important information that may some day save the lives of someone like my grandkids. I think their mission is a little more important than me wanting to show some videos on youtube or gettin the highest bidder on my pics and video. I think its awesome they are using so many different organizations etc. to do this. NSSL OU TTU DOW TWC. Good to see the scientific community actually coming together to do what science should do. Help improve our understanding of the world we live in. This is what the media should be doing. Showing these projects and help bringing the wow factor so people get interested in wanting to be scientists and not rock stars.
Ill be chasing like always but would be a good heads up on what areas these guys will be chasing as I will give them a little wider path around me than I would some guy drivin 100 mph to get ahead of me cuz Im not speeding and following the law and hes scared to death Im gonna get his shot.

 

[Stuart Robinson]

According to the vortex 2 website they will not be transmitting "live" data from the field - I am assuming this also means GPS locations ??

 

[Jason Young]

Something I have been thinking about , how many stormtrack members are part of Vortex2 ? There plenty of OU student's on here .

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

or pick another storm to not get in their way. I know for one I will stay out of their way. This is a scientific endeavor that will help to gather important information that may some day save the lives of someone like my grandkids.

If only everyone else had this philosophy, then I'd only have to deal with the vortex crew, which in and of itself would be no big deal. The thought of missing a tornado because I was worried about getting in Vortex 2 operations way, is really quite laughable.