Re: AFOS (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: 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