[McIDAS #TGM-560449]: NEXRAD Composites

Hi Russ,

Last week was the User's Committee meeting here in Boulder, so
some support things slipped...

re:
> Just an update on the state of the N0Q product here at SSEC:
> 
> I switched back to the N0R product as you suggested.

Very good.

re:
> I also monitor the N0Q. Up until yesterday, the N0Q had been flowing
> into UNIDAR2-NEW consistently for the past few weeks. Yesterday, the
> images were blank again. I started looking at these this morning and
> noticed that the images did have data again, but the number of sites
> contributing to the composite was far less than the "typical" complete
> set ... and ... the sites reporting change from image to image.

We have made no effort to troubleshoot/fix the generation of the N0Q
national composite on unidata2-new.ssec.wisc.edu, so anything is
possible.

re:
> Additionally, SSEC is having problems with its Satellite broadcast
> modems (one is totally failed and the other is bordering on failure).

Satellite broadcast modems???  I think you are referring to the DVBS2
unit(s) that are used to ingest NOAAPort.

re:
> Not knowing how/where the N0Q composite is constructed, I just wanted to
> supply any possible info that might help.

I see that the only REQUEST for NEXRAD Level II data (IDD feedtype NEXRAD3)
on unidata2-new.ssec.wisc.edu is from the SSEC NOAAPort ingesters
np[12].ssec.wisc.edu.  If the Novra S300 DVBS2 unit(s) for these machines
are having problems, then it is not surprising that stations would be
missing from the N0Q national composite.

re:
> If and when you have the time, can you supply a quick overview of the
> N0Q production? I understand that this is not a supported product
> (yet)... I'm just being nosey.

A GEMPAK process that runs continuously creates new composites every
5 to 7 minutes.  The particular product, N0Q in this case, from all
stations that fall within a time window are added to the composite.
If the product gets "stale" (not updated), then it will eventually
be older than the oldest time allowed to be included in the composite.
This would be the case if stations stopped updating.

Question:

- what exactly is the problem with the Novra S300 unit(s)?

  We have not heard anyone else complain about their S300 for a LONG
  time.   When we did, problems being experienced were typically
  solved by either resetting the unit or by installing new firmware
  in the unit.  In the latter case, one will need to contact Novra
  (or visit their website) to get the latest firmware.

Cheers,

Tom
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Ticket Details
===================
Ticket ID: TGM-560449
Department: Support McIDAS
Priority: Normal
Status: Closed