Satellite images: why 4/hr? (fwd)

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Robb Kambic                                Unidata Program Center
Software Engineer III                      Univ. Corp for Atmospheric Research
address@hidden             WWW: http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 14:30:43 -0500 (EST)
From: Gilbert Sebenste <address@hidden>
To: Dan Vietor <address@hidden>
Subject: Satellite images: why 4/hr?

On Mon, 28 Dec 1998, Dan Vietor wrote:

> Most of the NOAAPORT satellite images are relatively small in size
> (1.6MB) and could be sent over IDD. The problem child is the 1km visible
> which cannot be sent over IDD.  What I've done here is to resample the
> image back to 4 km (1.6MB) and use this image.   I have a program to do
> the resample.  The potential of 4 images an hour at 4km is better than
> nothing at all.
> 
> I would send to all sites:

(snip)
 
> You could also argue that the McIDAS area files already provide most of
> this so why send other than to get the time resolution.

That's just it. To get a good loop of images, the 15 minute imagery is
simply beyond comparison to a loop with 60 minute increments. But for
those who can handle the 1KM feed, why NOT make it available to those who
want it? I mean, with the increasing technology (heck, even at NIU now
we're on a T3!), the bandwidth and costs will go up/down respectively and
I suspect every UNIDATA member will eventually be on the VBNS or multiple
T3's to handle it in the next few years. In the last 3 years, we've gone
from a 9600 baud feed from a bird for McIDAS sat pix, to a feed as fast as
the Internet can go.

Just my $.02. Gee, can you tell I want those 1 KM pix? :-)

Gilbert

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Gilbert Sebenste                                                     ********
Internet: address@hidden    (My opinions only!)                     ******
Staff Meteorologist, Northern Illinois University                      ****
Work phone: 815-753-5492                                                ***
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