2011 Stormchase Chat & Banter

[TornadoJo]

I bought myself a new camera, its a slr type point n shoot , but a good one! ... The New Lumix Fz-100 ( With full HD Recording ) . Can take up to 11 shots per second at full quality (14mp )

Tempted to get a labtop...should i???????????????????

Do you have one?

Most people last year took one as we were filling memory cards up everyday and transferring everything from those to our laptops or hard drives in the evening clearing the card for use again the next day.

We are also updating netweather/facebook and chatting on skype to our families as all the hotels have free wi-fi.

That said I'm sure you could share if you needed to.

I just hope my laptop survives the next 100 days. It's definatly tired and old and SLOW.... If not I'm getting a net book. You can get these for about £80 if you look hard enough. They're good enough for moving files around and internet.

So depends how much you'd use the laptop after the trip I guess.

Does that help?

Edited January 11, 2011 by TornadoJo

[Dorsetbred]

I bought myself a new camera, its a slr type point n shoot , but a good one! ... The New Lumix Fz-100 ( With full HD Recording ) . Can take up to 11 shots per second at full quality (14mp )

Tempted to get a labtop...should i???????????????????

For those only using the laptop to hold all their data from the cameras, there's a great alternative and cheaper than a PC.

Check out: http://www.cbadigital.co.uk/photobank.htm

I bought one of these, they are good, very good. They are fast, and when you get back home you can use them as extra PC storage if needed. And they have support being a British organisation.

Can well recommend for those taking lots of shots, just like "Pat (the) Lightning Timmer" when he's in burst mode

Certainly cuts down on the anount of camera cards you need to buy and carry.

Edited January 11, 2011 by Dorsetbred

[Supercell]

By Intercept do you mean A La TIV Or Red Shoe ??

If so the Aurora Tornado on the 29th May 2008 was Rated EF2 (136mph Winds) And that was a pretty bad experience, the RFD Winds were as strong as the 1/2 Mile Wide EF2 itself, So I would not be happy with that. Getting within 1/4 Mile is good enough for me and you get to see a lot more of the Structure of the Storm, What Reed and Sean are doing gives you No aspect of the beauty of the Storm.

I 100% agree with Nathan about the EF5, Seeing as Most EF5's hit Populous Areas it really is not nice to see Kids rag dolls dangling from Trees and people standing by their belongings. Something over the Prairies churning away is much better.

Paul S

Lol. Those guys are complete head cases. Was watching some highlights on Discovery last night. They parked up and got hit by powerful winds that smashed through the windows. The glass was blown in to their faces and they got a bit cut up. Madness.

I'm looking more for the photo opportunities too. Although I do admit, I'm looking forward to maybe getting ahead of a storm and parking up for abit as the tornado bore down on us. Nothing like holding up for as long as possible before making a run for it !

[Dorsetbred]

Quentin knows Im pulling his leg as he does with me.

I wish every one the best truly...BUT F5 for my tour...cant get fairer than that

who ever the Gods favour

Quentin you have a new camera?

anyone else got any thing new?

I havent,but could do with a new laptop...but will have to wait

Aye commander Timmer, I purchased a Panasonic SD600, was going for the SD700 but thought better of it as some of the things that can do I would never ever use. Still good for 50frames/second

So some good timelapse is the order of the day this year.

Only downside is they absolutely chew memory with it at full wack a 16Gb card will last a mere 1hour 20mins

All this talk is making me, go hunt my gear bag down and start the trip shakedown, to make sure I've got all the cables, cards lenses everything tried tested and ready to perform.

Got to get going before Paul hits the 100day klaxon

[Dorsetbred]

In preparation for tomorrow's count down, here you go:

http://www.policeinterceptor.com/sounds/Iroquois_Class_Action_Alarm.mp3

[duckeyh]

I bought myself a new camera, its a slr type point n shoot , but a good one! ... The New Lumix Fz-100 ( With full HD Recording ) . Can take up to 11 shots per second at full quality (14mp )

Tempted to get a labtop...should i???????????????????

Yes. I went without one last year and ended up running around Walmart to get a Memory Stick as someone had very kindly offered to let me download my pics (about 4000+) to their laptop ,

[dogs32]

I bought myself a new camera, its a slr type point n shoot , but a good one! ... The New Lumix Fz-100 ( With full HD Recording ) . Can take up to 11 shots per second at full quality (14mp )

Tempted to get a labtop...should i???????????????????

nice...14 per second..luvely juvely

yes get a laptop....with a decent harddrive

MR Q..nice 50 per sec!!!!!!!!

cant go wrong with that

lol..Jo...yes I do get carried away with my burst mode option...example 2009 I used 65gig around about :w00t:

Though this was also movies

Edited January 11, 2011 by dogs32

[DubWeatherAddict]

nice...14 per second..luvely juvely

yes get a laptop....with a decent harddrive

MR Q..nice 50 per sec!!!!!!!!

cant go wrong with that

THe bro has a labtop that i could bring once i got it fixed , but its quite a hefty piece of hardware. Should i go look for a small handy to carry one?

50 per sec?, dam , mine only goes up to 40 per/sec on low res. BUt hey, high speed video recording another good option .

heres a link to a video of the high speed in action.

( sorry it being off topic)

[dogs32]

THe bro has a labtop that i could bring once i got it fixed , but its quite a hefty piece of hardware. Should i go look for a small handy to carry one?

50 per sec?, dam , mine only goes up to 40 per/sec on low res. BUt hey, high speed video recording another good option .

heres a link to a video of the high speed in action.

( sorry it being off topic)

nice quality...

your competing against me..lol

checking specs out

should come very handy

.................................

Quentin...love the CAMERA :smiliz19:

night light is good

your competing against me...lol

checking specs out

Min Illumination 1.6 lux

Edited January 11, 2011 by dogs32

[John Hanrahan]

Going to check my flight to see if I can change it....but dont get your hopes up....I will enquire tonight on phone..with AA

if THERE IS A BETTER DEAL

No pressure Pat. But if its possible to sort something that be great for all involved. If its just for the sake of £60 i'll carry the cost. Trouble is a 9:30 am airport drop off on June 1st makes May 31 st a travel day, so a 10 day chase becomes a 9 day chase. I thought you were doing this the last 2 years With that said we might be lucky and get a Texas chase on the 31st.

[dogs32]

No pressure Pat. But if its possible to sort something that be great for all involved. If its just for the sake of £60 i'll carry the cost. Trouble is a 9:30 am airport drop off on June 1st makes May 31 st a travel day, so a 10 day chase becomes a 9 day chase. I thought you were doing this the last 2 years With that said we might be lucky and get a Texas chase on the 31st.

things were chopping and changing frequently with times of flights and prices..

So at the time went with the best option available..

Ive been looking tonight and I think??????

you can not change flight times unless you apply for refund(which) I think ???

is straight forward..THINK..lol

But then I have to hope for a straight forward refund without any probs..

And then the task of looking for another flight...

Im hoping or wishing to get Sue to speak to the agent at AA...BECAUSE SHE IS A EXPERT WITH THESE THINGS...

Either tonight or tomorrow...

will let you know any updates

EDIT..

UPDATE...AA closed at 7pm...

will try to ring tomorrow at 6.30pm

John what time is your last flight from DFW

Edited January 11, 2011 by dogs32

[John Hanrahan]

I'm about 21:15 mate. Tried to get the usual BA one we get at just after 17:00 but didn't and to be honest cant remember why.

No worries, worth a try with them and if they say no... not a big deal. We could always do an all nighter hehe.

[Supercell 89]

Thanks for posting that Tom

At 3Mins on the Clip it shows just what an EF5 Can do with sustained Inflow winds of 50-60mph getting sucked into the Supercell and they were Hot Winds with temps at 80f, we were to the East of it and it was like a Discoteque with the Lightning constant.

Lol

Hard man to please it seems, the average is about 2-3 years to see your first picturesque Tornado, Just ask Nathan (Gorky) with 2 Barren years in 2008 & 2009, I have known people that went 4-5 years without even seeing even a brief rain glimpsed Tornado.

Not every year is like 2003,2004 & 2010 so you might have to be a little bit more realistic, but rest assured like all other years if the Storms are there we will be on the best ones and it's up to the Atmosphere wether they drop Tornadoes not Me or Netweather :lol: God that sounded like a disclaimer

I do think this year will be similar to 2008 though which will favour quite a few Outbreaks

Paul S

I think if what i've heard others say about La Nina and its frequency is true, (which i for one think its very likely) we could see more bouts of La Nina in the future and more persistent than we have over the last decade or so, which will certainly be interesting. Also with our Jet Stream being more on a southerly track than normal over the last couple of years do you think that has an impact on the amount of tornadoes seen across the states?

I'm loving all these videos and pictures that everybody has posted, its amazing to see what has happened on previous tours! Here's to more

Edited January 11, 2011 by Supercell 89

[dogs32]

I'm about 21:15 mate. Tried to get the usual BA one we get at just after 17:00 but didn't and to be honest cant remember why.

No worries, worth a try with them and if they say no... not a big deal. We could always do an all nighter hehe.

Just seen your flight..

Many flights from 6,7 and 9 ish..

so plenty of flights back..

Sue ringing tomorrow to speak to advisor..so fingers crossed with no come backs...

ps cant cancel flights unless I loose 435.00 :smiliz21:

try my best tomorrow..

will post update tomorrow night as im playing in the evening..

will be back by 10,30,ish with update....or tomorrow afternoon

I will ring tomorrow and Sue will try tomorrow night if I dont get any luck...trying my best

John your PM is full...

Edited January 11, 2011 by dogs32

[craig1uk]

nice...14 per second..luvely juvely

yes get a laptop....with a decent harddrive

MR Q..nice 50 per sec!!!!!!!!

cant go wrong with that

lol..Jo...yes I do get carried away with my burst mode option...example 2009 I used 65gig around about :w00t:

Though this was also movies

Lots of people with new toys

Got meself a new canon 550d to play with and am thinking of getting a netbook to take along as well, as this thing refused to connect in the hotels last year

Really hoping for an MCS fest this year, lots of lightning please !!!!

[dogs32]

Lots of people with new toys

Got meself a new canon 550d to play with and am thinking of getting a netbook to take along as well, as this thing refused to connect in the hotels last year

Really hoping for an MCS fest this year, lots of lightning please !!!!

its going to be a laugh Craig....you on T2

Edited January 11, 2011 by dogs32

[duckeyh]

Lots of people with new toys

Got meself a new canon 550d to play with and am thinking of getting a netbook to take along as well, as this thing refused to connect in the hotels last year

Really hoping for an MCS fest this year, lots of lightning please !!!!

I second that ! Somehow I managed to miss 3 huge T-Storms in 3 different States last year

[craig1uk]

its going to be a laugh Craig....you on T2

Na mate on T1 this time, catch up with you on the 10th at DFW , I'll be the one in tears, having a tantrum and not wanting to go home !!!!!!!

[dogs32]

Na mate on T1 this time, catch up with you on the 10th at DFW , I'll be the one in tears, having a tantrum and not wanting to go home !!!!!!!

good luck Craig...Im sure your see some fantastic lightning...and hopefully some Twisters....

never forget when you got off the plane and saw that ma mouth Supercell :smiliz19:

The day we could of got sucked up into the Twin Sisters(tornados)..lol

Edited January 11, 2011 by dogs32

[craig1uk]

Yea, not gonna forget that day in a hurry !

Also, I've got it as 106 days to go, am I gonna be a week late?

[dogs32]

Yea, not gonna forget that day in a hurry !

Also, I've got it as 106 days to go, am I gonna be a week late?

Craig when I got back I rushed to put up the videos...In doing so I have found lots of stuff I didnt realise I had..

uploasding them now to YouTube

videos all the way to take off day

unseen footage :ph34r:

[

Edited January 12, 2011 by dogs32

[Gorky]

More storm porn for you guys

[Paul Sherman]

Yea, not gonna forget that day in a hurry !

Also, I've got it as 106 days to go, am I gonna be a week late?

Oops

No you are right 15 weeks and 1 day tomorrow so (106) Days Must of been getting excited.

Craig you are right 1 thing that was lacking last year was the Obligetory MCS Slamming the Hotels in the Evenings after the Supercell Chasing, lets hope that corrects itself this year :lol:

[Tom Lynch]

As for my flight home I will be on the same as Ian 17.35 BA flight. As you know I will be on the flight BA flight as a few on the others.

Tom

[Arron]

Yeehaa! Finally booked my tickets It actually worked out cheaper for me to book through expedia.com and pay in $ for my flights than to go through the uk flight companies. Just missed the £430 odd BA ones a few days ago and were now over £500 through usual sources Got them for $691 in the end (~£440)

Now I can start looking for new toys to buy to take