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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/ =============================================================================== ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: 10 Mar 1999 11:12:58 -0500 From: Walter Rogers <address@hidden> To: address@hidden Subject: Re: AFOS >Walter, >Why do you use the AFOS feed? Because, Center Weather Service Units (CWSUs) still receive their NWS connection to our parent offices through an AFOS feed. I am trying to upgrade our link to my home office so that we maintain the AFOS type data sets and also have access to the home office LAN (which contains other data sets). The plan is to go to an IP link using a dedicated line forward AFOS feeds to us via LDM. Unfortunately, NWS does not have a plan to upgrade us to AWIPS. So, each of us is coming up with their own solutions. I expect that the AFOS feed from the AFOS equipment will not last longer than about 6months. Then, rumors are, that AWIPS will provide us with a similiar feed via the LDAD component of AWIPS. There is also a possibility within a year or two that we will have some variant of AWIPS itself. >Isn't NOAAport a super set? It may well be. I am not sure of the differences between the headers and trailers separating messages of the two feeds. >Also what branch of noaa do you work? This is often confusing to a lot of people. CWSUs are part of NWS which is of course under NOAA. My boss is the Meteorologist in Charge of WFO Oxnard/Los Angeles. We are a satellite office that is embedded within the FAAs Air Route Traffice Control Centers. Four meteorologists (2 shifts per day) support FAA Air Traffic operations under a reimbursable agreeement (i.e. - we are like contractors to the FAA). All equipment and facilities are provided by FAA, NWS provides the bodies. There are 21 ARTCCs in the U.S. and each has a CWSU. Well, almost all equipment is provided and supported by FAA. The link to our satellite offices is through AFOS and antiquated PCs/software. That is what I'm trying to upgrade. Our main meteorologist workstation is provided by FAA through a leased system via Harris Coroporation. It is called Weather and Radar Processor (WARP). Unfortunately, this system is very limited in what it can provide. Walter Rogers Meteorologist