As of 2010, certain Chevy fleet vehicles (including the PPV Tahoe) are available for purchase by individual police officers through fleet dealerships. Ask me how I know. ;-)
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As of 2010, certain Chevy fleet vehicles (including the PPV Tahoe) are available for purchase by individual police officers through fleet dealerships. Ask me how I know. ;-)
PTR-Jason
Member
True, but the dealer can still get in trouble, but it happens. I wish I had the funds to get a new vehicle, because I would love a Tahoe SSV. But I had to settle for a 2005 Expedition SSV. It had 53k on it, not it has 60k. Not bad for a 7 year old truck. It was former federal.
And the ask me what to do question is standard on Windows XP.
For the camera, I believe he already has one on the dash. That he uses to stream the video. Which I would love to see also. I am also going to put one in mine, but mine will be for work, making contacts, stops, etc.
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And the ask me what to do question is standard on Windows XP.
For the camera, I believe he already has one on the dash. That he uses to stream the video. Which I would love to see also. I am also going to put one in mine, but mine will be for work, making contacts, stops, etc.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk 2
KarNutt
Member
I'm just curious about whether WX4EMT had the panels installed after purchase or if they were already installed prior to his purchase. For instance, is there something about storm chasing that might warrant installing those panels? I would hope it was not related to his EMT role (though I've been in a few neighborhoods where that would be warranted for an EMT, so I wouldn't completely rule it out).
KarNutt
Member
Not to split hairs here, but for what it's worth it's been my experience it is possible under some circumstances for individuals with credentials to purchase new. The process depends on a number of factors, including who is the manufacturer (i.e. Chrysler/GM/Ford each have different processes), the dealer, etc.
KD0LDK
Member
In a perfect storm chasing world, no there isn't much that warrants it. Realistically debris is a killer, depending what kind of situation you may find yourself in any extra protection is exactly that, extra protection. Keith is a forethinking mastermind, little extra protection is always welcome.
The ability of a tornado to drive a 2x4 through a concrete block wall is well documented. As mentioned above, wind-driven debris can be a killer. I've driven through areas immediately after a tornado passed and sh*t-storm is about the only way to describe it. Debris every where, some of it still falling from the sky.
That said, ballistic panels in the doors are just a start. You need ballistic panels in the roof and bullet-resistant glass in all locations, as well.
The best defense is to not get caught in the storm. The adrenaline junkies you see on the storm chase TV shows are putting themselves in danger just to satisfy their addiction or to get some video that they can sell. Smart storm chasers and storm spotters try to avoid getting caught in a tornado.
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The dealership I'm going through is a major fleet dealer for Chevrolet and Ford. According to them, since 2010, Chevrolet has allowed individual officers to purchase new fleet vehicles. The Caprice is not included in this program yet. I have about 6-7 friends who have done this within the past year and all are very pleased with their vehicles. If you'd like more information, feel free to PM me.
ScannaMan9
Member
Last time I heard you can buy a caprice used if you are lucky enough to find one
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Not trying to speak for WX4EMT but I know he purchased that vehicle brand new from Chevy with all the options such as panels on it. I won't get into details as it is not my place , but I drove him to Chevy dealer to pick it up so I know it was brand spanking new !!
This should clear up some things:
The vehicle was new, the panels where already on it. A city government ordered the truck but didn't order it through the state dealership program, therefore it wasn't eligible for the state matching funds. Rather than do the honorable thing and cough up the additional $14,000 for the truck the city simply rejected the truck. Though anyone else in the right place at the right time could have purchased the vehicle, I lucked out. The dealer expressed that he was glad to sell me the vehicle because of my credentials as that would help him avoid the "grey area" that we have discussed before.
The ballistic panels where installed by Kerr in the second builder phase and is clearly indicated on the build sheet. The Ballistic Panel signage was in the glove compartment, so I stuck 'em on the door. It generates a LOT of speculation and conversation but the answer is an absolute NO it is NOT for protection from firearms (even though a couple of places in my district would warrant it) and it is absolutely NOT for protection from a storm, that would be foolish.
I currently live stream my chases and storm spotting via ChaserTV.com as do many of my associates. Another fine streaming service is SevereStudios.com. My contract is up in March 2013 and I am not sure who I will stream with this season but I will gladly post links on this thread with whatever service I decide to stream with, or... I may just record and post it on YouTube, who knows.
The vehicle was new, the panels where already on it. A city government ordered the truck but didn't order it through the state dealership program, therefore it wasn't eligible for the state matching funds. Rather than do the honorable thing and cough up the additional $14,000 for the truck the city simply rejected the truck. Though anyone else in the right place at the right time could have purchased the vehicle, I lucked out. The dealer expressed that he was glad to sell me the vehicle because of my credentials as that would help him avoid the "grey area" that we have discussed before.
The ballistic panels where installed by Kerr in the second builder phase and is clearly indicated on the build sheet. The Ballistic Panel signage was in the glove compartment, so I stuck 'em on the door. It generates a LOT of speculation and conversation but the answer is an absolute NO it is NOT for protection from firearms (even though a couple of places in my district would warrant it) and it is absolutely NOT for protection from a storm, that would be foolish.
I currently live stream my chases and storm spotting via ChaserTV.com as do many of my associates. Another fine streaming service is SevereStudios.com. My contract is up in March 2013 and I am not sure who I will stream with this season but I will gladly post links on this thread with whatever service I decide to stream with, or... I may just record and post it on YouTube, who knows.
KarNutt
Member
True!
KarNutt
Member
Reminds me... I did not realize TN got many bad storms. Forgive my ignorance on the subject, but do you live in 'tornado alley' or just near it???
And btw, thanks for sharing your videos and your service.
West TN / East AR / North MS is the number one place in the country for tornado related death and injury. Even more than tornado alley. The reasons are varied, mostly folks here do not take storms seriously because tornadoes only happen in tornado alley "right"? Second most of our storms are at night and or wrapped in rain and therefore much harder to spot. Third most people won't take action until they actually see the tornado. See problem number 2 above.
This is the reason Tim KF4DNA and I formed the Dixie Alley Storm Chase Team. We have provided Skywarn Spotter Training and even a HAM radio class to get new spotters up and running so we can provide more "ground truth" for the National Weather Service. We are also deeply involved in public education to stop the stupid... Having done several presentations at local schools and events about storm safety, I can tell you the reaction is universal.... You mean we have tornadoes in Tennessee?
It's all right here: Annual Fatal Tornado Summaries
56 years of Tornado Tracks as compiled by NWS shows a higher concentration of tornadoes over the mid south (AKA Dixie Alley) than the famed "Tornado Alley".
Somewhere in my files is a graphic showing concentrations of tornado fatalities it is centered very close to Memphis. I will load it if I can find it. Another complication is that Dixie Alley has 2 storm seasons. I call it Second Season and it runs from October through late November so we have twice the chances for severe weather. PLUS there is another phenomenon called hurricanes that often spawn tornadoes in the myriad of thunderstorms that they create. I bring a separate skillset to the table in that I grew up in TX & OK and was privileged to be part of the Woodward Oklahoma Severe Storm Center. A group of HAMs that took an old surplus RADAR and turned it into one of the first RADAR co-ordinated storm spotting and study systems in the country. LONG before there where WSR-88D, there was the Woodward RADAR a C-Band Doppler standing sentinel over NW OK. The facility now stands abandoned at: 36°26'28.63"N 99°22'17.28"W
I am privileged to chase storms it is therefore my responsibility to share my data and warn the public.
This is the reason Tim KF4DNA and I formed the Dixie Alley Storm Chase Team. We have provided Skywarn Spotter Training and even a HAM radio class to get new spotters up and running so we can provide more "ground truth" for the National Weather Service. We are also deeply involved in public education to stop the stupid... Having done several presentations at local schools and events about storm safety, I can tell you the reaction is universal.... You mean we have tornadoes in Tennessee?
It's all right here: Annual Fatal Tornado Summaries
56 years of Tornado Tracks as compiled by NWS shows a higher concentration of tornadoes over the mid south (AKA Dixie Alley) than the famed "Tornado Alley".
Somewhere in my files is a graphic showing concentrations of tornado fatalities it is centered very close to Memphis. I will load it if I can find it. Another complication is that Dixie Alley has 2 storm seasons. I call it Second Season and it runs from October through late November so we have twice the chances for severe weather. PLUS there is another phenomenon called hurricanes that often spawn tornadoes in the myriad of thunderstorms that they create. I bring a separate skillset to the table in that I grew up in TX & OK and was privileged to be part of the Woodward Oklahoma Severe Storm Center. A group of HAMs that took an old surplus RADAR and turned it into one of the first RADAR co-ordinated storm spotting and study systems in the country. LONG before there where WSR-88D, there was the Woodward RADAR a C-Band Doppler standing sentinel over NW OK. The facility now stands abandoned at: 36°26'28.63"N 99°22'17.28"W
I am privileged to chase storms it is therefore my responsibility to share my data and warn the public.
Any updates on the project? Or new images from the road?
9-1-12 Greene County AR. The remnants of Hurricane Isaac had triggered several storms across the mid south and while SPC / NWS didn't have the area listed as much of a threat the CAPE values where telling a different story. I staged with some fellow chasers of the Greene County Skywarn as we watched a line of developing storms approach from the SW.
Once the line initiated it strengthened very quickly and began rotating.
This storm did produce a small tornado near the Utility Trailer plant North of Paragould, AR but quickly dissipated. This storm became cyclical dropping several more tornadoes across AR & MO before nightfall.
Team mate Chris DeAngelo took most of the pictures after rotation initiated and I'll get some of his pics to post here. I have yet to fully download my camera, so more pics to come.
Once the line initiated it strengthened very quickly and began rotating.
This storm did produce a small tornado near the Utility Trailer plant North of Paragould, AR but quickly dissipated. This storm became cyclical dropping several more tornadoes across AR & MO before nightfall.
Team mate Chris DeAngelo took most of the pictures after rotation initiated and I'll get some of his pics to post here. I have yet to fully download my camera, so more pics to come.
WX4EMT,
I must say, I have been following your posts for some time & you have done a great job. I just picked up our 2013 Tahoe 4x4. It's the Special Service Package-5W4. It will be used as my Chiefs car for Fire/Rescue/EMS/Command/Ect.
If you wouldn't mind sharing any manuals on wiring, things you would have done different, other thoughts, please do. Also, another question I had was on your antennas. I will be installing several & I noticed some people had mentioned having issues damaging equipment due to over powering & having antennas to close.
Here is what we are planning to install;
-Jotto Desk center console
-Kenwood dual head TK5710 -- 100 watt (one up front, one in the rear command box)
-Icom F5021 in the rear command box
-Unknown 2 meter ham radio
-Unknown scanner
-Eventually we will be getting Motorola STL/APX Dual Band VHF 700/800 from the state to access the MOSWIN / MOSCAP system. I will possibly need one up front & one in rear command box & these require 2 antennas.
Any thoughts or comments are more than welcome. I plan to start my own post on here so everyone can follow as well.
I must say, I have been following your posts for some time & you have done a great job. I just picked up our 2013 Tahoe 4x4. It's the Special Service Package-5W4. It will be used as my Chiefs car for Fire/Rescue/EMS/Command/Ect.
If you wouldn't mind sharing any manuals on wiring, things you would have done different, other thoughts, please do. Also, another question I had was on your antennas. I will be installing several & I noticed some people had mentioned having issues damaging equipment due to over powering & having antennas to close.
Here is what we are planning to install;
-Jotto Desk center console
-Kenwood dual head TK5710 -- 100 watt (one up front, one in the rear command box)
-Icom F5021 in the rear command box
-Unknown 2 meter ham radio
-Unknown scanner
-Eventually we will be getting Motorola STL/APX Dual Band VHF 700/800 from the state to access the MOSWIN / MOSCAP system. I will possibly need one up front & one in rear command box & these require 2 antennas.
Any thoughts or comments are more than welcome. I plan to start my own post on here so everyone can follow as well.
First off here is the manual for the special additions:
http://www.gmfleet.com/content/dam/...Shared_Resources/PDFs/2012_Tahoe_PPV_ 5W4.pdf
Second, do NOT let the manual fool you it states that the dash wiring pigtail comes out behind the grille, IT DOES NOT! The front wiring terminal is behind the brake master cylinder.
Third the BEST thing I did to my truck was to add insulation (aluminized bubble wrap) above the headliner, the difference was incredible. This means you have to drop the headliner, which is the best decision for multiple antenna installation.
This brings me to the part that will spark debates in an empty radio shack. Antenna location: I have lots of problems with front end overload on my scanner whenever anything VHF keys up in my truck, UHF - not so much. I have also noted a decrease in overall sensitivity on my scanner in the VHF mode over the years as well. This is all anecdotal on my part but if at all possible I would locate the 2 Meter and the powerhouse Kenwood antennas as far from the scanner antenna as possible.
We are anxiously awaiting some pics of your new delivery!!
http://www.gmfleet.com/content/dam/...Shared_Resources/PDFs/2012_Tahoe_PPV_ 5W4.pdf
Second, do NOT let the manual fool you it states that the dash wiring pigtail comes out behind the grille, IT DOES NOT! The front wiring terminal is behind the brake master cylinder.
Third the BEST thing I did to my truck was to add insulation (aluminized bubble wrap) above the headliner, the difference was incredible. This means you have to drop the headliner, which is the best decision for multiple antenna installation.
This brings me to the part that will spark debates in an empty radio shack. Antenna location: I have lots of problems with front end overload on my scanner whenever anything VHF keys up in my truck, UHF - not so much. I have also noted a decrease in overall sensitivity on my scanner in the VHF mode over the years as well. This is all anecdotal on my part but if at all possible I would locate the 2 Meter and the powerhouse Kenwood antennas as far from the scanner antenna as possible.
We are anxiously awaiting some pics of your new delivery!!
Regarding the factory options...
It seems as though all the Tahoes ordered by my fleet dealership have the WX7 option. The documentation from Chevrolet says, "WX7--For customer connection to front door speakers. Front speakers are not connected to the radio; radio audio is sent to the rear speakers." That having been said, I don't think my dealership is selling Tahoes with front speakers that don't play audio from the good time radio. Can you elaborate on your experiences with the WX7 option?
It seems as though all the Tahoes ordered by my fleet dealership have the WX7 option. The documentation from Chevrolet says, "WX7--For customer connection to front door speakers. Front speakers are not connected to the radio; radio audio is sent to the rear speakers." That having been said, I don't think my dealership is selling Tahoes with front speakers that don't play audio from the good time radio. Can you elaborate on your experiences with the WX7 option?
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