Spotter Equipment Checklist Part 2

wesleykey · #1 12-09-2009, 01:27 PM

All,

The spotter equipment checklist has been around a while and has over 100 posts on it. I thought we might consolidate and offer a good list for new spotters to have on hand. I am posting here a list of 48 items that I got from the 110+ posts in the checklist topic. Some are very useful, but some may not be. Keep in mind this is a list for spotters, not firefighters, EMTs, chasers, etc.

Now, here is your task: Send me a PM (do not post here) with the top 5 things you want to see ON the final list. Also, you may suggest up to 5 things you think are a waste and need to be removed from the final list. I will accept your PMs until the end of December 2009, and then I will tally the totals and have Dave post the list of the site. The reason I ask you PM me and do not post here is I want this to remain 100% on topic and not enter debate over whether a car mounted NEXRAD is good or bad, etc.

wesleykey · #2 12-09-2009, 01:28 PM

1. rain coat
2. compass
3. hand-held anemometer
4. hand-held or vehicle mounted g.p.s.
5.basic spotter's manual
6. county or state maps
7. noaa all hazard radio
8. Scanner
9. cell phone
10.spare battery or car charger
11. hard hat
12. flashlight
13. roll of duct tape, electrical tape, spare wire
14. 1/2 drive socket set
15. pliers or needle nose
16. pocket knife
17. pair of leather gloves
18. first aid kit-with latex gloves and c.p.r. mask
19. traffic vest
20. clipboard, paper, pens/pencils with book light
21. food / drinks
22. Mobile and handheld 2 way radio
23. personal medications
24. roadside hazard markers
25. good boots, extra clothes, dry socks
26. Laptop with Gr Level X software
27. Portable am/fm radio with extra batteries
28. Extra pair of glasses
29. Binoculars
30. Wireless Internet
32. Good spare, lug wrench, and jack
33. Extra fuses
34. Can of Fix-a-Flat
35. Tarpaulin
36. Bag of sand or kitty litter
37. Jumper cables
38. Board for Traction
39. Camera
40. hail card and #for NWS reports
41. Winch
42. Fold up Trenching tool
43. 4-wheeler
44. Video Camera
45. Chain
46. CB radio or GMRS
47. Gun
48. small chain saw

Here are the choices - Send me your PM with your ideas.

edgar spore · #3 12-10-2009, 12:09 PM

wesley, look up to the top of the page, up, up, it's getting updated daily,

edgar

wesleykey · #4 12-10-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgar spore

wesley, look up to the top of the page, up, up, it's getting updated daily,

edgar

Yes, but a beginner is not likely to wade through tons and tons of suggestions. We need a consolidated good list to offer to a beginner. PM me with your list.

KF6NFW · #5 12-12-2009, 07:41 PM

What if I dont want to bother with a PM and wish to make any post more public and post here? Will you ignore or not accept my contribution?

To send a PM seems a bit to personal for most things especially for a conversation so public.

KC0UWF K9 Cop · #6 12-13-2009, 02:36 AM

I think newbies need to read the thread and give and take what they want from it. what works in MN won't work in FL or NM. and other way around. this is kind of redundant as we already have a very detailed thread about this.
and I"ll state here too. the most important thing to bring is your common sence and a communication device used by your local area.

KF6NFW · #7 12-13-2009, 10:19 AM

Well seems as we have identified every other radio service to take along with you, please dont forget the amateur radio and FRS.

Hey Wesley, if you go through and categorize your list you may find it easier to keep tabs on things, like puting the scanner and NOAA radio with the GMRS and CB. then again, a person could probably drop the NOAA radio if they have a CB or Scanner with this function.

Also, are we going on an expedition or a chase/storm spotting adventure.
I cant quiet figure out the need for some of the stuff like the extra AM/FM radio. If I am in a situation that needs an AM/FM portable radio, I am going to grab the microphone on the ham radio and call for sanity more specifically come get my dumb *** for getting stuck in the situation to begin with!

I do think a list of items to take along is a good thing, but lets be reasonable, I know I dont carry nearly as much as is on the list and I am sure others dont either.

Like our friendly neighborhood Officer said, what works in one state may not work in others!

If you cant use the common sense you were born with, then having a list of items isnt going to save your butt in the middle of hell. I think this should just be a list of items that we may desire to take along but in no way are imperative to the job.

Another note, If you do insist on making such a list anyways, maybe a little less bias would be a good thing.
To assume that everyone likes GR level whatever is funny.
Personally I am not a big fan of it, but I dont knock it o bad for those who do like it.
Just suggest maybe using more generic wording to include radar software if desired but not an absolute. Not to mention for the bots that crawl on everything, sometimes this could be seen as a promotion of such software.

Oh and one more thing about the list, the use of a board for traction is a very bad idea. I dont know about any y'll but I prefer to keep items that can be launched clear of the vehicle. I dont know how many remember shop class or safety common sense but put anything into the path of a spinning object and chances are that object will return with much greater force then expected, including the possibility to kill. Now what fun is it to chase the storm get stuck see the mother of all storms and then have your head cut off before you could even take a picture let alone report it? Who's life was saved?

If we dont look out for number one( ourselves) we can never look out for anyone else, take your personal safety seriously.

SKYWARN IL-227 · #8 12-13-2009, 12:34 PM

I have to agree with everyone else. The list is there. Take what you want from it. Also, let's remember, most of the people here are spotters, not chasers. If I am spotting, I have only basic equipment on board. Ham, scanner, laptop, CB, and cell with a first aid kit and car repair equipment. If I am chasing, I tend to take a few items more from the list due to it being outside the local area.

stormshooter · #9 12-13-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KF6NFW

What if I dont want to bother with a PM and wish to make any post more public and post here? Will you ignore or not accept my contribution?

To send a PM seems a bit to personal for most things especially for a conversation so public.

My guess is that if you don't want o PM him your top 5 will not be counted. I think PMing this is appropriate. The final list will be a suggestion anyway. Don't be a curmudgeon. Unless you really have to be.

wesleykey · #10 12-14-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KF6NFW

What if I dont want to bother with a PM and wish to make any post more public and post here? Will you ignore or not accept my contribution?

To send a PM seems a bit to personal for most things especially for a conversation so public.

Yes, if you try to make your own rules you will indeed be ignored.