My New H3

[Storm Chaser]

Since I am new to this forum, I thought that I would include some pics of my new H3. I just installed my CB and will be installing a Nav System and a 2m/70cm dual-band radio this coming month. I am very proud of this vehicle and delighted to be a part of this forum.

[ictH3]

Nice lookin rig! I'll probably be seeing you in Kansas when yor're chasing them storms!

[Storm Chaser]

Originally Posted by ictH3

Nice lookin rig! I'll probably be seeing you in Kansas when yor're chasing them storms!

Thanks very much for the complement. Got lots more to do to it. Since storm chasing is a very new hobby for me and I am going into it as a strict amateur, I will probably concentrate on the Texas panhandle initially since it is closer to home. But I agree that Kansas is a good target.

[K9sH3]

I think your crazier than Shiat!!!

But I like your 3. How is the CB mounted??

[Storm Chaser]

There is a couple of pics attached. I used a lowboy ez swivel mount from http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/EzSwivel.html It tapes with 3M and can be removed from the dash without damage. Since it was a temp/perm installation, I used wiring tubing to run the coax and power under the I/P, through the firewall and to the antenna. I will be mounting other radios and navigation, so needed the room on the dash. It turned out to be a pretty clean installation. Thanks.

[raptorman53]

Sharp lookn' truck. Nice install on the cb

[H3PAC]

Nice ...hey don't forget that amber beacon on your roof like all those professional loonytoons..oh, sorry..that we see chasing twisters on TV have. And make sure to post lots of pictures of your H3 in the vortex....that would be really cool...you know, flying cows and so forth. Guess we have to wait until spring. Be careful out there. But post lots of pictures!

[Storm Chaser]

Thanks raptorman! I liked the way it turned out. We'll just see how cluttered it gets with Navigation and another radio.

As a matter of fact, I am looking at some sort of small profile yellow strobes for the top. Any recommendations? I've seen a couple on the board that I like but will have to do a search to pinpoint them again.

I do hope to take some decent video and images, H3PAC, but kind of doubt I will be able to catch an airborne cow LOL. I can see however, bunches of thunderhead and lightning images and would consider myself lucky to actually chase and get footage of a tornado.

[HummBob]

Nice Rig!!

Storm Chasing EH? Me and the wife want to come down south and do that one day (in the back seat of a pros vehicle!)

[Crash ?]

For what you've got going on, you might look at some of the Nav stuff with Sirius or XM built in.. I know there are several of those now that give you the option to have doplar radar overlays on your nav screen.. You know about all that stuff though right..???

Not sure if those nav/weather units tie well into a laptop, but there's a great RAM laptop mount available for the H3...
http://www.ram-mount.com/laptop_moun...aptop_desk.htm

Saw some other interesting stuff on the RAM page for Tablet PCs..
http://www.ram-mount.com/mount/mobil...anel_flash.htm

Rob

[Storm Chaser]

Originally Posted by HummBob

Nice Rig!!

Storm Chasing EH? Me and the wife want to come down south and do that one day (in the back seat of a pros vehicle!)

People (pros ) currently sponsor commercial storm chasing excursions throughout the mid-west US and I am sure you would be able to find a suitable package for you and your wife if you are serious. Even the experienced storm chaser has to get extremely lucky to catch a tornado in action but the thrill seems to be in the hunt. For me, this is basically another reason for excursions in my H3 and I have always been facinated and intriged by weather and mother nature. I have always enjoyed the technical side of emergency communications as well.

Trust me.. I don't intend on taking any undue risks but this is something I have always wanted to do and since my early retirement, I can't really think of a more fun vehicle to do it in.

Thanks for the compliment on my H3. Have lots more customization to do to get it ready.

[Storm Chaser]

Originally Posted by Crash ?

For what you've got going on, you might look at some of the Nav stuff with Sirius or XM built in.. I know there are several of those now that give you the option to have doplar radar overlays on your nav screen.. You know about all that stuff though right..???

Not sure if those nav/weather units tie well into a laptop, but there's a great RAM laptop mount available for the H3...
http://www.ram-mount.com/laptop_moun...aptop_desk.htm

Saw some other interesting stuff on the RAM page for Tablet PCs..
http://www.ram-mount.com/mount/mobil...anel_flash.htm

Rob

Hey Rob.. Well, actually, I was planning on installing that RAM laptop mount that you are speaking of after the radios are installed. I like this method because it is a no-drill installation and seems durable. It seems to serve the purpose better than anything I've seen or think of so far. You are correct that I can aquire doppler from the laptop and with the new broadband networks online, it should give me a lot more options such as synchronization with my amateur radio, monitoring radio nets, immediate posting of vids and photos to a web site, instant messaging, access to NOAA etc..

I haven't gotten this down to a science and have lots to learn such as what to look for using doppler radar. Currently, I just know the basics. By the time spring arrives, I should have enough knowledge to give it a shot.

Thanks for your tips Dew