What electronic gear is essential for chasing?

[Rockwell Schrock]

What electronic gear is essential (or optional) for chasing? (i.e. radioes, data access, GPS, etc.)

[John Diel]

Most of the "electronic gear" is going to be the computer you have at home prior to the 'chase'.

Getting the informatio to make a reasonable forecast and then planning to act on that forecast. Once you have an "action" plan getting to the point you believe tp be "the spot" is the other side.

Essentials? AM/FM Radio is a big one. NOAA weather radio is another. Once your in your "spot" you will most likely need to adjust it to the local weather conditions. Radio will help you do this.

GPS is a nice thing to have, but area maps will work as well. real low tech. I know.

A camera is almost essential. You can relive the whole episode and relate it in words to your friends and remember it to your grave. But it's alwasy been said "A picture is worth a thousand words". Expanding, a video camera will give you the motion that stills don't.

Cell phone. Though not absolutely essential, it is very handy.

The rest of the stuff? Eye candy or gadget mania. Take your pick.

[KMcCallister]

You need the electonic systems that make your vehicle function. That's it...everything else is optional.

[Mike Sharp]

Probably the alarm clock to get you up to go and check the pc before you leave. :lol:

[David Wolfson]

Some sort of audio playback device, such as an in-car AM/FM radio, and/or CD-player, and/or mpeg player to occupy the long hours on the road and drown out the snores of sleeping passengers.... :lol:

[Tim Vasquez]

I am a fairly minimalist chaser, and have found these items to be the only requisites for me:

- GPS. I'm a bit of a map freak,and I can't possibly leave my Garmin III at home. But get paper maps or StreetAtlas, as a GPS is useless for planning out routes and side excursions.

- Scanner. When curiosity or strategy dictates, you may want to tune in NOAA Weather Radio or spotter nets. You'll need a good exterior antenna to pick up anything out in the sticks though.

- The obligatory camera or videocamera. However I've found a bit of irony in that my least-photographed chases are the most enjoyable ones. That's why I've backed a little from all the photography/videography. While I'd regret not getting video of "the big one", sometimes it's just great to be out there and not worry so much about babysitting a camera.

Tim

[Tony Laubach]

Tim has a very good point with the video cameras, however, I enjoy waay too much watching some of the stuff that goes on, in not only the chase itself, but behind the scenes, so yes, although it does take away from distractions, its vital for me!

HAM radio has also been beyond valuable! That's tops on my list behind the film.. I haven't played with GPS yet.. but I think it'll be on the equip list this coming season. The laptop has also been an incredible asset.. albeit, expensive, it's worth the investment, not only for the WiFi (and general data), but for a bordom killer (The Sims, baby)!

[Rockwell Schrock]

What kind of information can you get from a HAM radio? And how do you know what frequencies to listen on?

[Tony Laubach]

Originally posted by Rockwell Schrock
What kind of information can you get from a HAM radio? And how do you know what frequencies to listen on?

KBrews has a large list of frequencies of Plain-area repeaters (including other states as well), mainly listing Skywarn Freqs and Weather nets.

As for info, communication, reporting, and scanning. I had a HAM before having my license, and even as I never talked, I could listen to conversations among chasers in the area and get a real-time idea of what was going on. After getting my license, it was nice to converse with other chasers during chasing. i.e. - on May 24, Amos Magliocco and I pulled out of a core punch because we were hearing talks over the HAM of a possible rain-wrapped tornado. Even as no tornado was confirmed at that time, we were able to know what was going on a couple miles down the road and make a decision based upon that (even as we shouldn't be punching cores in the first place).

The HAM really is hard to share its worth without actually using it in battle. After this season, I was amazed I ever chased without it. Many people don't have them, and it works just fine for them, but I've found it to be invaluable. It's also nice cause it gets better range than a CB, so you at least have the ability to have long conversations on the road! :)

[Chris Sokol]

However I've found a bit of irony in that my least-photographed chases are the most enjoyable ones. That's why I've backed a little from all the photography/videography. While I'd regret not getting video of \"the big one\", sometimes it's just great to be out there and not worry so much about babysitting a camera.

Very true, but lord knows I get tons of grief over doing that. Some chasers don't understand that videotaping or photographing the storm is not a priority for everybody.

As for what gear is essential...none, really. But man, do I love to carry gadgets out into the field.

[David Schuttler]

Originally posted by Chris Sokol
However I've found a bit of irony in that my least-photographed chases are the most enjoyable ones. That's why I've backed a little from all the photography/videography. While I'd regret not getting video of \"the big one\", sometimes it's just great to be out there and not worry so much about babysitting a camera.

Very true, but lord knows I get tons of grief over doing that. Some chasers don't understand that videotaping or photographing the storm is not a priority for everybody.

As for what gear is essential...none, really. But man, do I love to carry gadgets out into the field.


One reason I don't want more than my point and shoot camera. I don't want to worry about looking at the camera.

[B Ozanne]

I prefer to keep it real simple. I have a great computer road atlas (MS Streets & Trips), but I find paper maps much more useful during the real action. I have a nice collection of state road atlases.

Of course, AM/FM and weather radio too.

That's it, besides the essentials like a car, gasoline, partner, water, food....

[Tony Laubach]

MAPS!!! I forgot about those (thanks Bill) *LOL* Yes.. regular ol' maps! Two sets I use.. the Roads of (State) map books and the plastic covered Rand McNally (sp?) state maps... God don't forget the maps!!!!! *LOL*

Yeah.. good point.. I do a lot of map quest to find distances so I know approximate times it takes to get from one place to another.. this is especially useful on multi-day trips or marathon trips!

[David Schuttler]

When I decide what area I am going to , I hit Mapquest and/or yahoo maps and print off different ranges. Then take certain ones and mark criteria lines and other points to remeber on them

[Rockwell Schrock]

I was expecting for people to respond with comments relating to something like: a GPS receiver hooked up to a laptop that superimposes live dopplar radar images on road maps, or somesuch. I'd even begun to plan out programming such an application. That was the picture I'd gotten in my head of modern chasing, but I guess I was mistaken. I realize that regular road maps and common sense are vital, but I had expected techonolgy to have taken a larger role... After reading these responses, now my thoughts seem like overkill. Is this an accurate deduction?

[Steve Peterson]

Originally posted by Rockwell Schrock
I was expecting for people to respond with comments relating to something like: a GPS receiver hooked up to a laptop that superimposes live dopplar radar images on road maps, or somesuch. I'd even begun to plan out programming such an application. That was the picture I'd gotten in my head of modern chasing, but I guess I was mistaken. I realize that regular road maps and common sense are vital, but I had expected techonolgy to have taken a larger role... After reading these responses, now my thoughts seem like overkill. Is this an accurate deduction?

I think you will get various responses from chasers depending on how much they chase, how much they can afford, how far they chase, if they chase with others and how many electronics they can handle at one time while chasing, bascially what they want out of chasing. For me, I started out with absolutely nothing but my car, the AM/FM radio and a simple camera. As the years passed I would gradually add and even remove various electronic devices.

I bought a camcorder and am now on my forth one, each being an upgrade. To me camcorders are pretty high on my "need" list. The great thing about camcorders now vs when I started was how much improvement has been made with battery technololgy, it's great! I think a still camera is pretty essential as well. Two years ago I finally upgraded to a digital camera. Although my digital camera is not top of the line and I do plan to upgrade shortly, it may be my best electronic purchase for chasing to date. I take so many more pictures now with my digital camera because I now have no worries of wasting film which gets costly fast. It's also nice to be able to get pics up on the net instantly instead of waiting for them to be developed.

I have also been using a laptop with cellphone connection for 3 years now. To me this is important as well. To be able to grab radar scans while on the road has improved my success dramatically. It's also great to be able to get sat images, sfc maps, spc products, etc as well. Many people are now upgrading the XM systems to get radar data as well. I do not have one but would really like to. At this point, I am not sure I chase enough to make the cost worth while for me, but it's definately on my wish list.

I do not have GPS, still using the old maps. I would get GPS but my laptop is too old to have two things connected at once. For the most part, everything I have heard is pretty good about GPS. Once in a while you will hear people tell stories about how a road was not on a GPS map, but for the most part they say it makes navigating much easier.

A couple of things I no longer use is a scanner and a portable tv. The portable tv was great to get radar but I didn't really need it anymore since I get my data with the laptop now. My AM/FM radio has the NOAA radio frequencies built in so I no longer need to use the scanner for that. I used to use the scanner to listen to spotters give reports about the storms as well but again with the laptop I can pretty much figure out what is going on myself. I was also getting to the point of information overload with the scanner chatting continously during storms. It's actually been nice not having to listen to that the last few years. Also, I don't use my portable weather station any more. The only reason I ever used it was for dewpoint, nothing like overshooting the dryline while in the air conditioned car and not even knowing it! Again, the laptop with the ability to download sfc maps and radar images to find boundries has let me get rid of this.

Many people also use HAM radios to communicate with local spotter groups and with others they may be chasing with. I do not have one and don't plan to get one but I know many think highly of them. For me, I just use my cell phone to communicate with others.

That's pretty much all I use now. The advancement of technology has helped me and let me get rid of some gadgets in recent years and it has definately made my chasing more enjoyable. Again as I said earlier, it's all about what suits your needs. I am sure you will find others that have much more or less then I do. One thing I have tried to do over the years was try to make one major purchase per year and try to gradually build up to what you think you need. Of course once you do, then some camera or something else better comes out and you think you've got to have it. That's the way it goes with electronics I guess.

Hope that helps

[John Diel]

Rockwell,

I think your going to find that technology gadgets help a chaser in getting to the target area more than anything else. Once a chaser is on the storm of choosing, the old fashioned calibrated eyeball is going to reveal more about a storms behavior than a techno marvel will.

Data input is good, but once the storm is in site, looking at it and seeing what the storm's structure says about it will be key in how the chaser pursues the storm. If I'm close enough to see the base of the storm, I won't need a radar to tell me what it's doing.

I'm lucky though, I have a crew that will give me radar observations and guide me into the most potential storms. Nowcasters provide this same function to a lot of chasers on the plains. There are a couple of folks who offer some pretty darn good nowcasting services for a reasonable price as well.

[Joe Nield]

If you can, get the "*state name* Atlas and Gazeteers." Very highly detailed, even if they are a little pricey. I believe Delorme makes them.

[Rockwell Schrock]

Just to clarify, the AM/FM radio you're referring to is the radio in your car, correct (as opposed to a portable radio)?

What are some common data sources people use for imagery and the like? I know that bandwidth is in high demand and low supply when you're trying to download images over a cell phone.

Thanks to everyone for your feedback so far; it's great reading these replies.

[Zach Bailey]

Originally posted by Rockwell Schrock
Just to clarify, the AM/FM radio you're referring to is the radio in your car, correct (as opposed to a portable radio)?

What are some common data sources people use for imagery and the like? I know that bandwidth is in high demand and low supply when you're trying to download images over a cell phone.

Thanks to everyone for your feedback so far; it's great reading these replies.

I don't chase myself, but I know many chasers rely on WiFi hotspots across the plains. I've seen some pretty good maps produced (with GPS coords and all) that contain resutls from WarDriving (looking for accessible WiFi access points), and it seems to me that there's usually one or two that are "chaser-friendly" in most towns. Also, there's truckstop.net which offers WiFi for about 10 bucks a month...however at the moment it looks like it's fallen into some legal trouble, so that might not be available anymore.

With the abundance of Wireless networking and broadband internet connectivity these days, it's not uncommon to drive through a subdivision and be able to connect to the internet via someone's wireless access point that they've left unsecured and have a quick, speedy connection to the internet. Of course the legality of this is probably not sound...however, it is not an unfrequent occurance.

To that end, I'd say that a laptop with good battery life and wireless (802.11b/g) connectivity would be a great investment for the field.

[Joe Nield]

Originally posted by Joe Nield
If you can, get the \"*state name* Atlas and Gazeteers.\" Very highly detailed, even if they are a little pricey. I believe Delorme makes them.

Of course, were I smart, I would have realized that this thread was about ELECTRONIC gear. :oops: :lol:

[George Flickinger]

For me, a GPS is my #1 equipment choice!

All other equipment is secondary as I make my forecast before I leave town, and after I hit the road, the chase is all visual. A scanner is nice to have, though it tells you what you already know.

I run a $100 Delorme GPS on my old laptop as I have a larger screen to view it as opposed to a handheld unit.

With the GPS, I can pick out dirt roads on the run, and be more aggresive in cheating death!

[Mike Hollingshead]

If I had to pick one thing to take electronics wise(other then camera equipment as there is no way I'd even go then, lol) I would take the GPS and laptop. I'd rather have it then any scanning device, any weather radio, anyway to connect to the internet. GPS and Libraries and I'm a happy camper. That is all I really ever use. Next year will be different as I will at least have a second USB to Serial converter so I don't have to restart GPS anytime I want to try to connect digitally.

[Rockwell Schrock]

We have a Garmin iQue (http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/) and it has worked unbelievably well for planning out road trips. Every attempt to stray from its directions have only proven the driver wrong. :) It sounds like that is going to be my companion, but I'm afraid that the small screen will leave out some small details (as compared to a full laptop screen).

[George Flickinger]

And I will add that the growing WiFi popularity makes mobile Internet access possible on the laptop. You can drive to your target area and hopefully be able to pull up a visible image, model run or whatever you need.

[Mike Sharp]

My other thoughts include spare batteries for enything that needs to have then replaced - the alternator and lighter socket can only take so much load. I am unfortunate that my transport has those tiny japanese terminal posts on the battery so have to be careful about connecting extras direct to it. I already have my ham tranceiver hard wired and am thinking about running wires thro from the Mains inverter but that will be the lot. Every thing else must take its chance and if the battery dies on the motor you don't get home or out of trouble. The motor comes first that is your lifeline.

[Rockwell Schrock]

By "spare batteries" do you mean a spare car battery? I've played music (with my 150 watt subwoofer wired directly to the battery) for two straight hours with no problems, though I guess that doesn't mean it won't die at the worst opportune time.

I've read that it's actually better to leave the car running when stopping for photo/video opportunities. I'm sure it depends on the situation, but is this true for the majority of the time?

[John Diel]

I have a surprising amount of equipment wired via the bettery. So far I haven't had any issues. Possibly a plus is that I have one large cable running from the battery to a power distribution block behind my seat. From this, I run a three outlet lighter plug, a 1000/1800 watt inverter, 50 watt HAM Radio. Maybe not too much then.

As far as not shutting down my truck for photos, well that depends on what I'm doing. If I'm outside the truck getting the photos, the truck stays running. If I'm inside the truck and using it window or door to help stabilize the camera, the truck gets shut down. Everything else, It stays running.

[Mike Sharp]

No - I was thinking Camera, GPS, etc.
As my motor is an Auto, I tend to err on the side of caution, plus I don't like leaving the motor running when parked up. especially if I get out. Have seen an Auto get knocked into drive as it's owner got out. Damage was quite extensive- BTW the car in question was a Merc.

[Morgan Palmer]

GPS is quite valuable, however for some chases in the past (when my laptop was on the fritz)... The Roads Of Texas (with handy county maps) did the job just the same.

That made me think that GPS being one of the most important things isn't quite the case. It's handy, but not essential. In event of failure, use you brain.

A scanner is also handy, but it seems like as my chasing skills grew, the more I doubted some of the reports I heard over volunteer fire departments and the like.

That leads to Ham Radio. I have been licensed since the early 90s when I was in high school and about to get my drivers license. I listened before I got my ham license (back then it was six months from passage of the ham test to getting the ticket in the mail. That was the chase season of 1993. :x ).

Anyway, Ham radio is most valuable in the field. From the RACES and ARES spotter networks in the larger cities, to the Skywarn nets in smaller counties to... most importantly... the informal simplex (car-to-car) communications within the spotter caravan, having Ham radio is a tool that can really pay off. It's also never been easier to pass the test to get a license, and the basic equipment to get started has never been more space-efficient and cheaper.

MP

[Mike Hollingshead]

If you chase alone and you don't stick to main highways GPS is actually quite valuable and perhaps needed. One really doesn't require anything anyway right? So saying something isn't needed is of course true. I would much rather have a gps running then have to keep my finger or thumb on one page of a delorme map showing what gravel road I'm on while trying to chase and video/take stills(yeah it can be done though). I've chased since 99 now and I can say I've NEVER listend to HAM on any chase. I can go without anything, but the thing I'd like to go without least is certainly a GPS...cept that rare occasion that map is out to lunch....grumble......

[Kurt Hulst]

With all this talk about high power output for diffrent Gadgets the best thing to look into or see if you already got it is a high output alternator. something over 140 volts.

Im on my 6th year chasing now. even in 2004 all i used was a Laptop for internet access on the raod and a every now and then A GPS. I just recently got a HAM radio. which does come in handy when you searching for good ole chaser friends that you have meet in the field as well as other sky warn spotter reports. the years before this last 2004 all i used was ME my Car and Camera. The question you gotta ask will these's things i got help me chase safer. I believe they do. instead of looking and squinting at a paper map I can look at a map that in a sense is back lit and I can zoom in on.

[Craig Maire II]

One of the pieces of equippment I bring with me while chasing is a portable color TV, here in Iowa I can usually get some pretty good reception and stations here break in for tornado warnings etc. Nothing like having live radar etc. while tracking a storm!

[Jeff Snyder]

With all this talk about high power output for diffrent Gadgets the best thing to look into or see if you already got it is a high output alternator. something over 140 volts.


And by 140 volts, I think he means 140 amps. Most vehicles still run from 13-15 volts when the engine is on, though some hybrids and such run upwards of 400 volts. That said, I certainly agree that, for one who runs many electronics, a high-output alternator is pretty important. Otherwise, you'll really bog down your electrical system, which could spell early retirement for some of the more sensitive electronics. I upgraded my alternator to one that is 160 amps, mostly due to car audio stuff, though it now comes in handy with the storm chasing gadgets and relative equipment.

[carey libby]

what about the cars battery?i know that upgrading the alternator is mandatory to run a heavy payload,but do some of you still keep the vehicles battery or upgrade it to?

[Christopher Madairy]

Good day everyone. I'm not a chaser, but am a Skywarn spottter. One of the things that I use for our safety & for addtional info, is my text pager. I subscribe to a service from www.stormnow.com that forwards NWS warnings, watches, etc to my text pager. This has come in quite handy when hiking in the wilderness when the Oregon Scientific is out of range - especially when camping. I'm not sure if it would be helpful in your bag of tools for chasing, but it's kept me out of harms way more than a few times. Everyone have a great weekend. Take care & 73.

Christopher, N3QXX

[Kurt Hulst]

Jeff Amps is what i meant thanks. i have 120 in mine, but stays steady b/w 13-15 volts. I was looking for something for my car of about 140 amps but cant find anything aftermarket. but thanks for clarifying for me.

[Jeff Wear]

Besides my cameras and NOAA Weather Radio the electronic device I could not do without is my portable clock that receives signals from the atomic clock. Comes in very handy when documenting the exact time of severe weather events I witnessed.

[Geoff Boyle]

What are some common data sources people use for imagery and the like?

Yeah, I was wondering that too. I find it hard to get anything significantly related to Canadian meteorology on the web. There is the option of getting one-on-one direct info from Environment Canada, but that is quite pricey.

Got any links, recommendations or pointers?

[Damon Poole]

My standard gear includes...

1. Scanner for NWR, SKYWARN, and Public Safety reception.
2. AM-FM radio, tuned to the EAS LP-1's in the target area.
3. Cell Phone, cord, and spare batteries.
4. GPS reciever, and paper maps as backup.
5. Digital Camera and Batteries.
6. Auto emergency gear, including flashlights, fuses, spark plugs, spare cords, and spare batteries.