The New Van

We are proud to introduce Tour Director Roger Hill's brand new factory-built touring van. This wonder machine is a 7.3 Liter displacement V8 355 horsepower power-stroke diesel engine with dual alternators and batteries. It has running boards for easy access to the van's interior. In addition, it is being customized with:

• An in-motion satellite tracking system for DirecTV; this will allow people in the van to watch satellite television programming while in motion.

• High-resolution LCD monitors in front and back. This will allow each person in the van to watch TV, a DVD or video, see the data that we're examining on the onboard computer.

• Davis weather station installed and roof-mounted to continuously and accurately monitor external weather conditions.

• CB-enabled Ham radio unit with multiple bands dedicated to continuous National Weather Service broadcasts.

• Power outlets at each seat, enabling each person to recharge video camera and laptop batteries on the go!

• A full-blown satellite internet data system interfaced with a dedicated onboard 2.5 GHz, 180 gigabyte, 1.024 GB RAM desktop computer with onboard TV card and 17" LCD panel mounted between driver and passenger seats!

VAN PHOTOS

• The rear dish is the Motosat 2-way satellite internet dish. Once stationary, the automated computer-driven system erects the dish into the standing mode (shown in these images), locks onto the communications satellites and provides a true broadband download signal (we have found that the tested speed is consistent 800 kbps). This entire process takes about 5 minutes on average. We will use this fast internet access to generate the complete Day 1 and Day 2 forecasts in the morning and night from our hotel rooms using a wireless access point and wireless LAN cards. We will also use this signal while stationary in our target area for updates.

• The forward "bubble" encloses the DirecTV satellite dish that access and maintains satellite television coverage while stationary or mobile.