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Sturmjaeger (the German translation of "stormchaser") is the K5RFD stormchasing/jeep/ham homepage. I began photographing storms in 1986 and actively spotting/chasing in 1997. My amateur radio license is currently General class. I am also secretary treasurer of the AMS/NWS Arkansas Chapter and a Red Cross Disaster Action Team member.
My chase vehicle is a 1978 Jeep J-10 (the Mighty Jeep) which has died in the middle of at least one major chase. While this is a great truck, it is a bit hard to keep up with modern, high-mileage vehicles. The AMC 360 2bbl engine has a love affair with filling stations - it just can't seem to pass one without stopping.
The Mighty Jeep is outfitted with a Yaesu FT 2600M 2m transceiver with 5/8 wave antenna and Kenwood TX-V7 dualbander. The Kenwood handheld TH-G71 allows for crossband repeating when away from the truck (important in the Arkansas hills). For Skywarn activities I prefer to opperate at 60w and 50w respectively. When traveling through central Arkansas, look for me at 146.625 Mhz or 146.940Mhz. There are also some 440Mhz repeaters in this area, but they have thusfar proven unsatisfactory for regular QSO. External speakers let me hear transmissions even over the roar of AT tires and the engine.
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Chasing, Jeeps, and ham radios do not come cheap - my woodwork pays for most of this, and even some of the bills. Check my link below if your into woodwork. For the Truly Bored, check out Riders on the Storm my quasi-satirical take on stormchasing.
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Good Hunting to one and all!
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