East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637

One of the greatest benefits to a road trip is seeing old friends. If you spend any time working in radio, you will have a lot of friends all over the country. Even better when they live in East Tennessee. Good thing about friends you went to high school with? They really know you. In East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637.

Two Different Paths Same Industry

John Holland and I took different paths in the radio business. When we get together, we compare notes. Naturally radio is going to come up in any conversation. Join us in East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637.

Local Radio

Holland appears to be obsessed with the potential of local radio. Specifically a radio station in Taos, New Mexico. I just don’t want to do another political podcast. So, a hot mess of random topics is on the menu in East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637.

Taos New Mexico’s Number One

In fact, my friend talked so much about this radio station in Taos, New Mexico I had a vivid dream about working for that perfect radio station somewhere, only to realize it doesn’t exist, and especially not these days. John says it does. In Taos. New Mexico.

Radio’s Fade And The Rise of Digital Media

Radio is fading as a medium and as a business these days. It seems like the part of the reason is a decrease in local radio’s ability to remain relevant to local communities. At least that’s John’s position. I believe much of the fading relevance is due to the fact that people have a vast array of choice on the Internet. Podcasts. Music services. Social Media. E-Books. You name it.

Work Until You’re Dead

The older you get, the more you hear contemporaries talk about retirement. Nether one of us can understand why. My feeling is one should work until they drop. It keeps you engaged and relevant. Finally, what’s so great about Tennessee.

Sponsored by X Government Cars

East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637

Storm Chaser Valhalla-National Weather Service Norman-Podcast 636

Blue skies and sunshine on this Storm Chasing Trip. With no storms, it’s a good time to visit the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center at Norman, Oklahoma. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center is where where all severe weather predictions and updates originate. We’ll go in inside, In Storm Chaser Valhalla-National Weather Service Norman-Podcast 636.

Storm Chaser Valhalla

Storm Chasers use information that originates at Norman. Why? Doppler Radar was developed here. Scientists in Kansas City spent springs here back in the day, to research storms. There was a naval air station here. So, there was plenty of room to locate a brand new radar system.

NEXRAD

Doppler Radar has been a game changer since its inception in the 1990’s. NEXRAD changed and continues to change how the world learns about severe weather. In Storm Chaser Valhalla-National Weather Service Norman-Podcast 636.

Secure Facility

The radar control center is in a secure building shared by several government agencies. One of those agencies is the department of defense. Needless to say, I could not get into this facility. Persistence pays off and after a few calls, NOAA Public Affairs Specialist Keli Pirtle invited me to come over to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. Storm Chaser Valhalla-National Weather Service Norman-Podcast 636.

Weather Geek Out

It’s all about weather geeks. Thanks to Keli Pirtle for inviting me in on short notice and for the history lesson. How did the radar system get built at Norman? Finally, Warning Coordination Meteorologist Patrick Marsh gives us complete rundown of how the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center works. Plus some stories about what it is like in this center when major weather is breaking.

Storm Chasers

The idea behind tax payer funded NEXRAD is data products should be available to everyone, and this is one of the reasons we get radar and other NWS products on our smartphones. However, severe weather can be unpredictable. A town, person or chaser can be right under a tornado and not be able to to see it until it’s too late. While the National Weather Service does not have an official position on Storm Chasing Even the National Weather Service is not immune as you will hear. Be Safe.

Sponsored by Brush Studio in The West End, Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

Storm Chaser Valhalla-National Weather Service Norman-Podcast 636

 

Dad Dog And Son Road Trip Meet Up-Podcast 635

Father and Son have taken many trips together over the years. We’ve crisscrossed the nation. Taken the train to ski out west. Gone to China and hit the highways out east. Father is storm chasing in North Eastern Oklahoma. Son is heading North East from California to New York, hauling an oversized U-Haul trailer with a little jeep. There’s a dog in the story too. In Dad Dog And Son Road Trip Meet Up-Podcast 635.

Two Different Road Trips Meet Up In Kansas

Used to ‘red balling’ it from the campaign trail, it’s a hop, skip and a jump from Miami, Oklahoma to Wichita Kansas. Taking a run across highway 133 all the way to 35 North, onto the Kansas left exit rest stops. I spent the night at Belle Plaine service plaza. Later in the day we figured out my son was emerging onto 35 from Kansas 400, about twenty miles north.

Meeting Up Ain’t So Easy

No problem! Back on the highway. Hauling ass for the next service area, north of Wichita. Towanda! This is where we met up in Dad Dog And Son Road Trip Meet Up-Podcast 635. Obviously when father and son get together there will be a podcast involved. And a dog. And some fast food.

Relaxed and Calm On The Road

Don’t worry I’m not missing any storms. Blue skies and sunshine out here in Kansas. Not a cloud in the sky. Being On The Road for any length of time changes my energy. I am much more relaxed and calm. More at home out here on the highways and interstates than when at home. A little bit of an energy mis-match between Andrew Davis and his father Bob Davis.

Lots of Content in This Podcast

Yes, he wants to talk about politics. We cover traveling with a dog that weighs about as much as me, and a giant U-Haul full of other people’s stuff. China’s history also comes up. The desire people seem to have these days to tear it all down. Andrew has concerns about losing our stability. That’s all it takes for dad to engage. And we’re off!

Son and Father Enjoy A Deep Connection

Discussions between us have always been this way, since he was a little kid. My favorite moment is when I ask him, “So you’ve traveled from California to Kansas and all you noticed is there are more trees?!”. We also talk about rural America’s trials and tribulations, how geographically large the United States actually is, and a lot more.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and X Government Cars.

Dad Dog And Son Road Trip Meet Up-Podcast 635