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| CQ
zone 5 |
ITU
zone 6 |
Grid
Loc: FN41xq |
Lat:
N 41 ° 40 ' 51
'' |
Lon:
W 70 ° 3 ' 26
'' |
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STORM CHASE VEHICLE
INSTALLATION PHOTOS


|
| ACER
Aspire 5741 Laptop (DELL out of service as of June 2010) |
|
SONY
DCR-H36 Mini Camcorder |
|
Motorola
W376G Tracfone
Cell Phone |
| ICOM
IC-706mk2g Tranceiver Remote Head |
| WXWORX
XM Satellite Weather Receiver |
| GPS
and XM Satellite Antennas |
| ICOM
IC-229H 50 watt 2 m Tranceiver |
| Radio
Shack Pro-2036 Scanner |
| Davis
Weather Monitor II |
|
Davis
Vantage Pro Weather Station (not shown) |
 |
 |
| Upper
dash.. |
WXWORX
XM Weather. Baron's Mobile Threat Net w/ GPS. |
 |
| ICOM
IC-706mk2g Remote Head and Tranceiver
under drivers seat. |

| SONY
DCR-H36 Mini Camcorder. |
XM
Weather Satellite Antenna/US GlobalSat BU-353 |
|
USB port GPS
Antenna Receiver. |
|
Antennas inside to protect them from hail damage. |
 |
| Emergency
Light Rocker Switches... |
| Upper
switch controls 2 Whelen TIR 3's mounted in the front grill. |
| Lower
switch controls Whelen 2515 amber roof LED and rear
Slimlighter. |
 |
| Whelen
TIR 3 installation. |
 |
| Whelen
Slimlighter installation. |
 |
| Two
20 amp fuses for Whelen TIR 3's, Roof 2515 and Rear
Slimlighter LED Lights. |
| Passenger
side DC Power Strip. Rewired with # 8 AWG wire. |
|
|
Davis Wind Instruments- |
Whelen
2515 Amber LED Light. |
2
NMO Roof Mount 5/8 Wave 2 meter |
|
Temp/Humidity/Dew Sensor. |
|
antennas connected
to ICOM 706 and |
|
|
ICOM 229H
tranceivers. |
|
Homemade
aluminum plate prevents insects and debris from entering
temperature sensor. |
| 30-900
MHz Scanner Antenna |
40
Meter Hamstick Antenna. Hustler Quick Disconnect |
|
mount
for easy 40-10 meter antenna change out. |

CHASE EQUIPMENT SECTION
|
Weather enthusiasts often ask, how do I become a storm chaser?
Before you chase storms, a course in meteorology is strongly
advised. Reading books and the internet are both great places
to start. When you storm chase, it is very important to be
aware of your surroundings. Safety and common sense first!
Observing an anvil top of a severe thunderstorm 50 miles away
and chasing that storm could put you in danger. Not knowing if
the storm will change course, or, you are on an unfamiliar
dead end road or the road is washed away from a flood. The
storm's rain band could obstruct a tornado, high wind or hail.
The greatest dangers to storm chasers are not just tornadoes,
wind and hail, instead, it's traffic and lightning. Night
chasing can be very dangerous. Only a few chasers pursue night
storms. But those who do, rely on RADAR and frequent lightning
to see the storm. I have researched the internet and found the
best 188 Storm Chasing Websites which are located at the lower
part of this page.
Another important tip is public safety. Never sleep at unlit
Interstate rest area's unless a caravan of tractor trailers
are present. Sleep overnights on well lighted toll roads and
turnpikes. Service Plaza parking areas near the food courts
and Truck stops like
TA Travel Centers
or
Love's Truck Stops
are your best bet. They are open 24 hours and have hot
showers.You'll be carrying expensive equipment, credit cards,
money, etc.. Always cover your equipment with a blanket when
leaving the vehicle unattended.
KOA Campground
sells a US Directory for $6.00 online. Most campgrounds are
within a few miles of most interstate highways and
charge $15-20 per night which includes a hot shower and heated
pool. Always have on hand a large Coleman cooler with plenty
of drinks/water, food/protein bars and ice for emergencies.
Your chase vehicle will be your best friend. It must be in
good working order. A complete checkup should be done each
spring, and each time before a trip. A chase can be hundreds
of miles per day depending on where severe weather occurs. An
oil change may be necessary during the trip. It is wise
not to chase alone. If you are traveling with a group in
multiple vehicles, communication is important. Most storm
chasers are amateur radio operators and they are in contact
with each other on local 2 meter simplex frequencies. Non hams
use citizens band or cell phones. Not all cell phones work in
open areas without cell service, but some cellular companies
use satellites. I use a Motorola V-170
TracFone,
a pay-as-you-go service. There are some tracfones which have
USB ports to download weather data to laptops. I prefer XM
Satellite Weather from Baron Services.
My collection of study materials... "Under The
Whirlwind" and "Essentials of Meteorology" are my favorite
study guides. "Essentials of Meteorology" is a common college
study guide. The price is about $110 new and is also available
at half the price on Ebay.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Essentials of
Meteorology |
Under The
Whirlwind |
The Ultimate
Storm |
Storm Chaser |
USA Today |
| Fifth Edition |
Second Edition |
Survival
Handbook |
By Warren
Faidley |
The Weather
Book |
| C. Donald
Ahrens |
Jerrine &
Arjen Verkaik |
By Warren
Faidley |
. |
By Jack
Williams |
The week of May 10-17, 2009 I chased storms in Illinois, Iowa,
Missouri and Kansas. I saw the Kirksville, Missouri EF 2
Tornado damage from May 13, 2009. See the photos of my trip
here.

|
I use the
WXWORX Mobile Threat Net Premium
Package
from Baron Services to access all weather data from
XM Satellite Weather.
Here is the
Data Service
that's available. The system is $899 and includes a $100
one time, 1 year activation fee, a $49 or $99 per month
service gives the customer a choice of any activation
time period (I chose May thru October). The package
includes a WXWORX 5.5" w x 5.3" d x 1.5" h receiver, 2"
magnetic mount satellite antenna, free updated software
which works with Windows 2000 and newer. A USB cable
connects the receiver to one or more laptops. Due to the
high demand of current weather data by storm chasers, XM
Weather added the Storm Prediction Center data to it's
software package in 2007. XM Radio is available at a
discount of $6.99 per month (regular $12.95 per month)
with the XM Weather Package, which is great on long
trips. GPS is available with the Mobile Threat Net
Package. The GPS Store sells the
US GlobalSat BU-353 USB port
Receiver
for $54.95 and is NMEA Compliant with the WXWORX
Software. |

COMPUTER EQUIPMENT

In June of 2010 I purchased a new ACER Aspire 5741 laptop
computer. It has 4 GB memory, 500 GB HD, DVD/CD Burner, 15.6
inch HD LED Screen, a Logiteck M310 wireless mouse and many
other features. Pentium 4 sure is fast! The old Dell 610
laptops were way too outdated and slowww. The older software
like Microsoft 2000, WxWorx software, etc. load and run just
fine on Windows 7. I'm glad I waited for Windows 7 operating
system. I like it very much compared to Vista.


WxWorx Mobile Threat Net Package


|
WXWORX Components |
|
DC-AC Power Adaptors, Software |
|
with your personal Radio ID Number. |
|
Receiver connects to the first USB port. |
| US
Global Sat BU-353 USB port GPS Receiver |
|
Includes the Antenna / 5 foot USB Cable and
Software. |
|
Connects to the second USB port. |
The old Dell 610 now a backup for the ACER 5741. |
|

COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
|
Having an Amateur Radio License is a plus. When I travel in
the Midwest, I chat with fellow hams back in New York State
and Massachusetts on the 20 meter band (14.300 MHz). I can
report severe weather to the National Weather Service
operators on local 2 meter repeaters that have an operating
range up to 50 miles. An ARRL US Repeater Guide lists
repeaters by State, Frequency and PL tones. Some repeaters are
pl toned but most are open. It is important to monitor
police activity, emergencies and National Weather Service
broadcasts with a scanner or the ICOM IC-706 mkIIg.. Have a
micro cassette recorder handy to record severe weather
bulletins while tracking storms. |
|
 |
 |
| ICOM
IC-706mkIIg HF/VHF 100 Watt All Mode Transceiver |
ICOM IC-229H
50 Watt FM 2 Meter Tranceiver |
 |
| ICOM
IC-735 HF 100 Watt All Mode Transceiver
(Backup) |
  |
| Wouxun
Model kg-uvd1p 2 meter / 440 handheld |
 |
 |
| Motorola
W376G Tracfone |
Vector 1,000
Watt 12 Volt DC to 120 Volt AC Power Inverter |
 |
 |
| SKYSCAN
Lightning Detector |
Midland
Weather Radio with S.A.M.E. Alert |

WEATHER INSTRUMENTS

(2) DAVIS Vantage Pro 6152 Weather Stations-Cabled Version
DAVIS Weather Models 7440 Weather Monitor II and Model 7425
Weather Wizard Stations.

VIDEO EQUIPMENT
|
Video equipment is of great importance. When looking for a
camcorder, use a VHS-C digital mini cassette format. Always
use new cassettes and test each tape to assure they work
properly.After recording a full tape, break the record tab and
label each tape. Keep the tape/head transport clear of
moisture, dirt and fingerprints. I suggest not using DVD
camcorders. If you forget to save (burn) your video, you'll
lose the video data. Plus, DVD's easily get scratched, tapes
are encased in plastic. I purchased my camcorder new at Best
Buy with a 3 year plus extended maintenance warranty. |
|
 |
| SONY
DCR-HC
36 Mini Digital Camcorder |
  |
|
| OLYMPUS
FE-230 7.1 Megapixel Digital Camera |
Equipment is protected in a Pelican Case.


Reflective
Magnetic Signs

Travel Check
List
|
Currency and
Credit Cards- Cash hidden from view |
2 Pelican Cases
with equipment |
|
|
Valid Drivers
License/Vehicle Registration/Spare Keys |
WxWorx Receiver,
Antenna, GPS and USB Cables |
|
|
Current AAA PLUS
Membership (up to 100 Mile towing) |
3 Dell
Laptops-Power Adaptors and the carrying case. |
|
|
AAA Membership
Maps and Road Atlases |
Laptop Desk Stand |
|
|
Chase Log Book /
Pens / Calendar / Reading Glasses |
Bring ALL
Backup CD Software |
|
|
Compasses |
ICOM 706mkII, ICOM 735 and
ICOM 229h Tranceivers |
|
|
First Aid Kit /
Medicine |
Motorola
Tracfone with at least 400 minutes and AC-DC Adaptors |
|
|
Flashlights/Tool
Kit (Soldering Gun, etc..) |
Panasonic Micro
Cassette Recorder |
|
|
Clothing, Blankets
and personal Items. |
SONY Camcorder and
accessories |
|
|
Insulated
Cooler-Non perishable Food and Bottled Water |
Olympus Cameras
and accessories |
|
|
Hardhat, Eye
Goggles, Raincoat |
2 Davis Weather
Monitor II, Weather Wizard Consoles |
|
|
Car
Fuses/Anti-freeze, Oil, Fanbelts,etc.. |
Wind, Ext. Temp
and Rain Gauge Instruments |
|
|
Car Battery Jumper
Cables |
SKYSCAN Lightning
Detector |
|
|
100' AC Extension
Cord |
Vector 1,000 Watt
Power Inverter |
|
|
Extra Batteries-
AAA, AA and 9 Volt |
Whelen Emergency
LED Strobe Amber Lights |
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STORM CHASER LINKS
Updated
APRIL 28, 2009
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