|
Hundreds of hours have gone into research and development into setting everything up just right.
It's a simple fact that things will fail during a storm chase and for those who choose to undertake this activity, they must be prepared not only to protect themselves, but to possibly save others.
Many people believe the highest risk of chasing is storm interception, when it's in fact the long distance driving and fatigue.
Having the right voice communications and data feeds is of major assistance, however relying on technology to save you can only lead to serious problems when things go pear shaped.
I'm sometimes asked who built the custom hail deflector or what do I use to connect this to that.. So to assist you with these answers, here is an exhaustive list of nearly everything that is fitted in my vehicle.
I welcome any questions from other storm chasers if you need any specific advice, but firstly, I would refer you to the "Storm Chasing Handbook" written by Tim Vasquez if you are new to the scene.
 Vehicle
Toyota 2011 Rav4 Automatic / AWD
Vehicle Safety Features
Aluminium Retractable Windshield Hail Deflector – (Custom Built & Designed in Alvarado, TX) - Details
3M Safety Film / 26 Layer / 0.8mm (All windows except windscreen) Fitted in Tulsa, OK - Details
ARIES Front Grille Guard
Vehicle Safety Lighting (All Amber & Syncronised)
FRONT – 1x Tomar S200 LED Dash Mount + 2x Tomar Rect14
REAR – 2x Tomar Rect25 LED
SIDES – 4x Whelen Vertex LED
Vehicle Recovery
15 Tonne Rated Tow Rope 30 ft
Tyre Repair Kit
Tyre Inflation Device (Electronic & Manual)
Jump Start Cabling
Tyre Chains (Snow & Mud)
 Vehicle Power Supply & Distribution
Circuit #1 - Direct Battery Feed - Fused @ 15A
Constant @ 12V (Single Output / Load Protected)
Constant @ 12V (Distributed 7 Way Via Anderson Powerpole Block)
Constant @ 12V (Distributed 4 Way Via Cig Sockets) + 5V USB
Circuit #2 - Direct Battery Feed - Fused @ 15A
Constant @ 12V (Distributed 7 Way Via Anderson Powerpole Block)
Switched @ 12V (Distributed 7 Way Via Anderson Powerpole Block)
Circuit #3 - Vehicle ACC Power @ 12V - Fused @ 10A
Switched @ 12V (4 Way Cig Sockets) + 5V USB
Switched @ 12V (1x Rear Cig Socket)
Note: Anderson Powerpoles used for distribution & connections
Communications
Yaseu FT-8800R Dual Band 2M/70cm Amateur Radio (50W)
Yaesu VX-7R Waterproof Dual Band 2M/70cm Handheld Amateur Radio (5W)
Apple IPhone 4s/3Gs (Straight Talk / AT&T)
Samsung CDMA Mobile Phone (Verizon / Backup Carrier - Emergency Use Only)
Motorola Iridium Satellite Phone (Telstra)
Uniden UBCD996XT Digital Base Station Scanner
UHF 0.5W 40 Channel Portable Radio
Communication Antennas
Diamond SG7900 Dual Band Mobile Antenna 2m/70cm Gain dBi: 5.0/7.6 (FT8800R)
Diamond NR770HA Dual Band Mobile Antenna 2m/70cm Gain dBi: 3.0/5.5 (Uniden 996XT)
2x MFJ Dual Band Mobile Antenna 2M/70cm 4dbi (VX7R / Backup)
2x 9dbi Mobile Phone/Data Antenna "Blackcat" 900/1800mhz (Verizon Data Card / Wilson Phone Cradle)
XM Radio / Satellite RX Magnetic Mount (Baron Mobile ThreatNet)
Motorola Iridium / Satellite TX/RX Magnetic Mount (Sat Phone)
Internet & Data Connectivity
Verizon Data Card 3G/2G
AT&T/3G I-Phone Data via Tether (Telstra)
StraightTalk/AT&T/3G I-Phone Data Only
XM Radio Satellite / Baron Mobile ThreatNet (Radar Only)
Iridium / Satellite (Telstra) Internet TX/RX 28.8k (Optional)
GPS & Tracking
Delorme 2011 Street Mapping Software
GlobalSat USB Receiver (Primary)
GlobalSat Bluetooth GPS Receiver (Backup)
Franson GPS Gate – COM Port Emulation / Splitter Software
Navman On-Dash GPS
Rand McNally USA 2012 Paper Map
Radar Data Software / Reporting Services & Feeds
Gibson Ridge GrLevel3 Radar Analysis Software
Baron Mobile ThreatNet XM Satellite Receiver & Software
Allisonhouse Dedicated Server For NWS Radar & Satellite Image Feeds
Spotter Network (Tracking & Monitoring) Storm spotting emergency reporting service.
Radar Scope App (IPhone & IPad Radar Software) – Linked to Alisonhouse Feed.
Storm Spotter App (IPhone & IPad Radar Software)
Meteorology Tools & Measurement
Kestral 4000 Wind & Observations Meter
6" Calipers For Hail Measurement
Mounting & Camera Support
Manfrotto 241 Suction Pump Windscreen Mount
Manfrotto 155 Adjustable Bracket
RamMount Universal Laptop Housing/Bracket
2x Manfrotto Photo/Camera Tripods
Computer Equipment
Dell Precision M4600 Laptop (Win 7/64bit)
Apple I-Phone 4s/3Gs
Apple I-Pad Mini
Camera Equipment
Sony HXR-NX70 HD On Dash Rain Proof Camera (Used For Streaming)
Canon 5D MKII Digital Still Camera
Canon 5D MKIII Digital Still Camera
Go-Pro HD Motorsport Waterproof Camera
GS600 HD On Dash Cyclic Event Recorder
Other Electronics Accessories
Wilson Electronics - I-Phone Passive Cell Coverage Booster Cradle
Wilson Electronics 3W TX/RX Booster (Internet)
Netgear WG103 Wireless Access Point
CradlePoint CTR35 Mobile Wifi USB/Access Point Converter
Canopus ADVC110 Analogue to Firewire convertor for live streaming
Live Streaming
Services Hosted & Provided by www.severestudios.com
Software For Streaming - Microsoft Expression Encoder
 Medical Emergency Equipment
EMS Backpack (Trauma Management & Triage)
Adjustable Cervical Spine Collars / Sam Splints
Advanced Resuscitation / Soft Bag & Airway Management
Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
Spray Paint For Search & Rescue Marking
Personal Protection Equipment
Kevlar Fire Helmet (NSW RFS Design)
Protective Eyewear / Protective Footwear
Reflective Vest
Fire Extinguisher
LED Maglite Torch + 2x Backup Maglite Pocket Torches
|
