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  • Category: Weather
  • Founded: Mar 17, 2005
  • Language: English
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#4878 From: "Mark Wyman" <mark@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 3:44 pm
Subject: RE: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
markrwyman
Send Email Send Email
 

“It all makes perfect sense, expressed in dollars and cents, pounds, shillings and pence.”

-Rodger Waters.

 


From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Alan Steremberg
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 10:40 AM
To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.

 

I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can trigger with an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the sonos people about integrating it into their system, but they didn't really understand the emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to automatically switch from pretty music to weather radio.

Alan

On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@markwyman.com> wrote:

I always wondered about having telephones linked into the Emergency network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during local emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the telephone company, who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days everyone has a phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an ideal solution. Of course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for this service.

 

-Mark

 


From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroup s.com [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of wuhu_software
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.

 

I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados that swept
through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least one was
an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept through the
area in the middle of the night (so the news says).

Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite spots in
Flordia, been there many times visting family).

On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios to wake
people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.

Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and running. I
am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am guessing
that they were.

It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the desktop.

Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could still get
a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
activating alert devices (say X10 devices).




--
Alan Steremberg
Weather Underground
415-543-5022 x 103
http://www.wunderground.com


#4879 From: "Alan Steremberg" <alans@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 3:50 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Guages
alans2
Send Email Send Email
 

We have a different API where you can get rapidfire updates.. Let me know if you are interested in using it.  What guages do people want, why can't we recreate them in flash and then host them in a way where you can put them on your own webpage, and/or pop open in another web window.

Please send me screenshots.

Alan

On 2/1/07, Mark Wyman <mark@...> wrote:

Uh, really good, if you don't mind getting the data back from WeatherUnderground. I just have it working right now, though it took some effort. I also added a few functionality changes that I think help manage the desktop better. I have a few more things to add and also limit refresh frequency from WU so they don't get beat up.

-Mark

 


From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroup s.com [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of markhkelley
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 8:31 PM
To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [wuhu_software_group] Re: Guages

 

Mark,
I know a thousand folks have likely asked....
BUT, what's the chance of spawning guages from our weather station
data in a near future update??
Mark+


--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.17.18/662 - Release Date: 1/31/2007


--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.17.18/662 - Release Date: 1/31/2007




--
Alan Steremberg
Weather Underground
415-543-5022 x 103
http://www.wunderground.com

#4880 From: "wuhu_software" <wuhu_software@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 4:25 pm
Subject: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
wuhu_software
Send Email Send Email
 
Alan,

A few weeks ago I was attempting to find various real-time NWS feeds
that are available to the general public. I found three feeds that
are available to the pulic. One is free, the other requires a one
time $75 fee, and I am not sure about the 3rd (I heard that it is
expensive). I am not sure which feeds you guys are subscribed to.

In any case, I was exchanging emails with Art Kraus looking for some
simple method to receive all SAME alerts that are active throughout
the U.S. Apparently there is no such mechanism at the moment. He
thought this might be something that is developed over the next few
years.

The SAME alerts may be fed over the EMWIN network, although it is
difficult to find protocol information. They might also be sent over
the NWS Wire Service or NOAAPORT, I am not sure. That might require
some parsing to decode the SAME alerts from the other data.

If you guys at WU could parse the NWS streams to decode alerts, you
could develop an efficient polling and dissemination protocol, this
could open up many possibilities. The key to any such system would be
responsiveness without wasting a ton of bandwidth.

As an example, if a client application could send WU a poll packet
that contains a list of FIP and event codes, WU could repond with a
packet that describes a list of matching FIP codes and event codes if
those events are active.

These packets could be kept small and fast with the use of UDP
packets. Perhaps the clients register themselves one time with WU and
WU will send out alerts when they become active. A simple watchdog
packet could be used to detect Internet failures on the client side.

On the client side, once the client receives a packet from WU and
sees matching FIP and alert codes, that is all it really needs to
begin alerting operations. It could then perform audio alerting,
reading and displaying the NWS XML based warning information (based
on the active FIP code), and possibily take other user defined
actions including prompting the user to stream live audio.

If such a service were open to developers, any number of client
applications could be developed to take advantage of such a system.
You could have stand alone applications (perhaps on the toolbar), or
integration with existing appications (weather apps, home automation
systems, email and pager alert systems).

So basically, it seems that all of the pieces could be put together
easily. The main problem seems to be finding a real-time stream that
contains all SAME alerts (or that can be parsed from the stream), and
a central server to disseminate that data in real-time using an
efficient mecahnism to deliver the encoded data.


---

Here is a breakdown of the SAME alerts:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding

Here are the Internet feeds that I found.

1) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. It is available to
the public. I am still trying to dig up information on the protocol.
It is not well documented. This data is sent several ways, satellite,
VHF radio, and the Internet. This data contains text and graphics
mixed together. There are 3 software packages for sale that
understand how to process the protocol, none are free.

2) NOAA Weather Wire Service. Although the stream of data is
controlled by one company, there is one time $75 registration fee.
Since you can telnet in to it, I am assuming it is just text. It
might be different using the satellite links, I am not sure. This
might be used to capture the events as they are put out on the wire
but it may be more work as the alerts/warnings are not encoded.

3) The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast
communication of NOAA environmental data and information in near-real
time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast is implemented by a
commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-band.
It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications within
the National Weather Service and for providing forecasts, warnings
and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio stations, TV,
etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather services.


--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Steremberg"
<alans@...> wrote:
>
> I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can
trigger with
> an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the sonos
people about
> integrating it into their system, but they didn't really understand
the
> emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to
automatically
> switch from pretty music to weather radio.
>
> Alan
>
> On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@...> wrote:
> >
> >    I always wondered about having telephones linked into the
Emergency
> > network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during local
> > emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the
telephone company,
> > who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days
everyone has a
> > phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an ideal
solution. Of
> > course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for this
service.
> >
> >
> >
> > -Mark
> >
> >
> >  ------------------------------
> >
> > *From:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
> > wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] *On Behalf Of *wuhu_software
> > *Sent:* Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
> > *To:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> > *Subject:* [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through central
Florida in
> > the middle of the night.
> >
> >
> >
> > I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados that
swept
> > through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least
one was
> > an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept through
the
> > area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
> >
> > Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite
spots in
> > Flordia, been there many times visting family).
> >
> > On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios to
wake
> > people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
> >
> > Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and
running. I
> > am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am
guessing
> > that they were.
> >
> > It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the desktop.
> >
> > Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could
still get
> > a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
> > activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Alan Steremberg
> Weather Underground
> 415-543-5022 x 103
> http://www.wunderground.com
>

#4881 From: "wuhu_software" <wuhu_software@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 5:44 pm
Subject: Broadband verus Weather Radios in homes.
wuhu_software
Send Email Send Email
 
The numbers....

With 6% of homes having a weather radio, and nearly 58% of homes with
broadband access (projected for end of 2007), it seems pretty clear
which method would have the best odds of alerting the public in case of
emergencies (weather and otherwise).

With a 25% growth rate, well, the gap only widens.

---

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/all-haz/all-haz-appendix.htm

Despite ample evidence that warnings save lives, only 1 in every 10
homes (6 percent) now has receivers.

http://gigaom.com/2006/12/15/2007-broadband-forecasts/

They say that would add up to 58% total US household penetration, and
about 74% of the total home Internet connections. Pike & Fischer has
forecasted that there will be 54 million broadband subscribers in the
US at the end of 2006. The 2007 boost is about 29.6%. In comparison,
there were 42.9 million subscribers at the end of 2005, and the 2005-to-
2006 growth was 25.6%.

#4882 From: "Alan Steremberg" <alans@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 6:06 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
alans2
Send Email Send Email
 
Hi,

We have an email alert product right now that you can sign up for by zipcode ($10/year or free to weather station owners).

Ed at AmbientWeather has a desktop app that alerts you in the tray, but I don't think it is quite what we want. 

We have all the data, we are just missing a scalable way to deliver the alerts, and the small client application to start playing the local NWS weather feed, as well as putting up some alert data (plus it could optionally run an external program that could fire off x-10, etc).

If someone wants to build the client application, we will be happy to do the heavy lifting in the back end.

Using UDP is tricky - it is unreliable (TCP doesn't have that much overhead if we implement it carefully with custom software) and we can't really easily send UDP packets from wunderground to anyone's computer at home since 99% of them are behind a firewall router.  We could use UPNP from the client and try to open a hole in the firewall (like MSN messenger and others) but it doesn't work on all the routers I have.. Just some of them. My bellsouth modem doesn't support it. my linksys router does.

I was hoping to send alerts of IM but I haven't built it yet, seems like that might be easy / good.


Alan

On 2/2/07, wuhu_software <wuhu_software@...> wrote:

Alan,

A few weeks ago I was attempting to find various real-time NWS feeds
that are available to the general public. I found three feeds that
are available to the pulic. One is free, the other requires a one
time $75 fee, and I am not sure about the 3rd (I heard that it is
expensive). I am not sure which feeds you guys are subscribed to.

In any case, I was exchanging emails with Art Kraus looking for some
simple method to receive all SAME alerts that are active throughout
the U.S. Apparently there is no such mechanism at the moment. He
thought this might be something that is developed over the next few
years.

The SAME alerts may be fed over the EMWIN network, although it is
difficult to find protocol information. They might also be sent over
the NWS Wire Service or NOAAPORT, I am not sure. That might require
some parsing to decode the SAME alerts from the other data.

If you guys at WU could parse the NWS streams to decode alerts, you
could develop an efficient polling and dissemination protocol, this
could open up many possibilities. The key to any such system would be
responsiveness without wasting a ton of bandwidth.

As an example, if a client application could send WU a poll packet
that contains a list of FIP and event codes, WU could repond with a
packet that describes a list of matching FIP codes and event codes if
those events are active.

These packets could be kept small and fast with the use of UDP
packets. Perhaps the clients register themselves one time with WU and
WU will send out alerts when they become active. A simple watchdog
packet could be used to detect Internet failures on the client side.

On the client side, once the client receives a packet from WU and
sees matching FIP and alert codes, that is all it really needs to
begin alerting operations. It could then perform audio alerting,
reading and displaying the NWS XML based warning information (based
on the active FIP code), and possibily take other user defined
actions including prompting the user to stream live audio.

If such a service were open to developers, any number of client
applications could be developed to take advantage of such a system.
You could have stand alone applications (perhaps on the toolbar), or
integration with existing appications (weather apps, home automation
systems, email and pager alert systems).

So basically, it seems that all of the pieces could be put together
easily. The main problem seems to be finding a real-time stream that
contains all SAME alerts (or that can be parsed from the stream), and
a central server to disseminate that data in real-time using an
efficient mecahnism to deliver the encoded data.

---

Here is a breakdown of the SAME alerts:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding

Here are the Internet feeds that I found.

1) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. It is available to
the public. I am still trying to dig up information on the protocol.
It is not well documented. This data is sent several ways, satellite,
VHF radio, and the Internet. This data contains text and graphics
mixed together. There are 3 software packages for sale that
understand how to process the protocol, none are free.

2) NOAA Weather Wire Service. Although the stream of data is
controlled by one company, there is one time $75 registration fee.
Since you can telnet in to it, I am assuming it is just text. It
might be different using the satellite links, I am not sure. This
might be used to capture the events as they are put out on the wire
but it may be more work as the alerts/warnings are not encoded.

3) The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast
communication of NOAA environmental data and information in near-real
time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast is implemented by a
commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-band.
It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications within
the National Weather Service and for providing forecasts, warnings
and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio stations, TV,
etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather services.

--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Steremberg"
<alans@...> wrote:
>
> I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can
trigger with
> an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the sonos
people about
> integrating it into their system, but they didn't really understand
the
> emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to
automatically
> switch from pretty music to weather radio.
>
> Alan
>
> On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@...> wrote:
> >
> > I always wondered about having telephones linked into the
Emergency
> > network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during local
> > emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the
telephone company,
> > who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days
everyone has a
> > phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an ideal
solution. Of
> > course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for this
service.
> >
> >
> >
> > -Mark
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > *From:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
> > wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] *On Behalf Of *wuhu_software


> > *Sent:* Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
> > *To:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> > *Subject:* [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through central
Florida in
> > the middle of the night.
> >
> >
> >
> > I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados that
swept
> > through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least
one was
> > an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept through
the
> > area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
> >
> > Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite
spots in
> > Flordia, been there many times visting family).
> >
> > On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios to
wake
> > people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
> >
> > Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and
running. I
> > am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am
guessing
> > that they were.
> >
> > It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the desktop.
> >
> > Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could
still get
> > a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
> > activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Alan Steremberg
> Weather Underground
> 415-543-5022 x 103
> http://www.wunderground.com
>




--
Alan Steremberg
Weather Underground
415-543-5022 x 103
http://www.wunderground.com

#4883 From: DKee <debkee@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 6:21 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
debkee58
Send Email Send Email
 
I don't understand most of the technical stuff you guys are discussing (although for some weird reason, I find it interesting!) but can easily say that Ambient as well as the Weather Channel desktop software aren't that great. First negative I personally find is the clutter, or excessive stuff that is not optional to get rid of. It would be really great to have a straight-forward, no nonsense program. If a person wants extra bells and whistles, it should be a users choice.

Just my 2 cents worth  :-)

~ Deborah


On 2/2/07, Alan Steremberg <alans@... > wrote:

Hi,

We have an email alert product right now that you can sign up for by zipcode ($10/year or free to weather station owners).

Ed at AmbientWeather has a desktop app that alerts you in the tray, but I don't think it is quite what we want. 

We have all the data, we are just missing a scalable way to deliver the alerts, and the small client application to start playing the local NWS weather feed, as well as putting up some alert data (plus it could optionally run an external program that could fire off x-10, etc).

If someone wants to build the client application, we will be happy to do the heavy lifting in the back end.

Using UDP is tricky - it is unreliable (TCP doesn't have that much overhead if we implement it carefully with custom software) and we can't really easily send UDP packets from wunderground to anyone's computer at home since 99% of them are behind a firewall router.  We could use UPNP from the client and try to open a hole in the firewall (like MSN messenger and others) but it doesn't work on all the routers I have.. Just some of them. My bellsouth modem doesn't support it. my linksys router does.

I was hoping to send alerts of IM but I haven't built it yet, seems like that might be easy / good.


Alan

On 2/2/07, wuhu_software <wuhu_software@...> wrote:

Alan,

A few weeks ago I was attempting to find various real-time NWS feeds
that are available to the general public. I found three feeds that
are available to the pulic. One is free, the other requires a one
time $75 fee, and I am not sure about the 3rd (I heard that it is
expensive). I am not sure which feeds you guys are subscribed to.

In any case, I was exchanging emails with Art Kraus looking for some
simple method to receive all SAME alerts that are active throughout
the U.S. Apparently there is no such mechanism at the moment. He
thought this might be something that is developed over the next few
years.

The SAME alerts may be fed over the EMWIN network, although it is
difficult to find protocol information. They might also be sent over
the NWS Wire Service or NOAAPORT, I am not sure. That might require
some parsing to decode the SAME alerts from the other data.

If you guys at WU could parse the NWS streams to decode alerts, you
could develop an efficient polling and dissemination protocol, this
could open up many possibilities. The key to any such system would be
responsiveness without wasting a ton of bandwidth.

As an example, if a client application could send WU a poll packet
that contains a list of FIP and event codes, WU could repond with a
packet that describes a list of matching FIP codes and event codes if
those events are active.

These packets could be kept small and fast with the use of UDP
packets. Perhaps the clients register themselves one time with WU and
WU will send out alerts when they become active. A simple watchdog
packet could be used to detect Internet failures on the client side.

On the client side, once the client receives a packet from WU and
sees matching FIP and alert codes, that is all it really needs to
begin alerting operations. It could then perform audio alerting,
reading and displaying the NWS XML based warning information (based
on the active FIP code), and possibily take other user defined
actions including prompting the user to stream live audio.

If such a service were open to developers, any number of client
applications could be developed to take advantage of such a system.
You could have stand alone applications (perhaps on the toolbar), or
integration with existing appications (weather apps, home automation
systems, email and pager alert systems).

So basically, it seems that all of the pieces could be put together
easily. The main problem seems to be finding a real-time stream that
contains all SAME alerts (or that can be parsed from the stream), and
a central server to disseminate that data in real-time using an
efficient mecahnism to deliver the encoded data.

---

Here is a breakdown of the SAME alerts:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding

Here are the Internet feeds that I found.

1) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. It is available to
the public. I am still trying to dig up information on the protocol.
It is not well documented. This data is sent several ways, satellite,
VHF radio, and the Internet. This data contains text and graphics
mixed together. There are 3 software packages for sale that
understand how to process the protocol, none are free.

2) NOAA Weather Wire Service. Although the stream of data is
controlled by one company, there is one time $75 registration fee.
Since you can telnet in to it, I am assuming it is just text. It
might be different using the satellite links, I am not sure. This
might be used to capture the events as they are put out on the wire
but it may be more work as the alerts/warnings are not encoded.

3) The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast
communication of NOAA environmental data and information in near-real
time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast is implemented by a
commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-band.
It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications within
the National Weather Service and for providing forecasts, warnings
and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio stations, TV,
etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather services.

--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Steremberg"
<alans@...> wrote:
>
> I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can
trigger with
> an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the sonos
people about
> integrating it into their system, but they didn't really understand
the
> emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to
automatically
> switch from pretty music to weather radio.
>
> Alan
>
> On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@...> wrote:
> >
> > I always wondered about having telephones linked into the
Emergency
> > network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during local
> > emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the
telephone company,
> > who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days
everyone has a
> > phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an ideal
solution. Of
> > course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for this
service.
> >
> >
> >
> > -Mark
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > *From:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
> > wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] *On Behalf Of *wuhu_software


> > *Sent:* Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
> > *To:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> > *Subject:* [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through central
Florida in
> > the middle of the night.
> >
> >
> >
> > I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados that
swept
> > through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least
one was
> > an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept through
the
> > area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
> >
> > Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite
spots in
> > Flordia, been there many times visting family).
> >
> > On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios to
wake
> > people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
> >
> > Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and
running. I
> > am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am
guessing
> > that they were.
> >
> > It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the desktop.
> >
> > Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could
still get
> > a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
> > activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Alan Steremberg
> Weather Underground
> 415-543-5022 x 103
> http://www.wunderground.com
>




--
Alan Steremberg
Weather Underground
415-543-5022 x 103
http://www.wunderground.com



#4884 From: "Mark Wyman" <mark@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 7:04 pm
Subject: RE: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
markrwyman
Send Email Send Email
 

It would be all fine and dandy if everyone left their computers running. The problem is most people turn it on to check Email, do a few things, and turn it off again. People like us who have weather stations and PC enthusiasts are about the only ones who do leave things running. Not to mention if I know I will have thunderstorms, I yank all cables to the PC. I still think phone alerts are very practical as the phone service is usually last to go with land-lines. The tough part would be how to regulate when an alert event was to occur, when a storm is right on the doorstep, or still 15 minutes away. Always the problem when dealing with people who will be ticked off when they are awoken in the night and then the storm fizzles. They unplug the phone and go back to sleep.

 

-Mark

 


From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Alan Steremberg
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 1:06 PM
To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [wuhu_software_group] Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.

 

Hi,

We have an email alert product right now that you can sign up for by zipcode ($10/year or free to weather station owners).

Ed at AmbientWeather has a desktop app that alerts you in the tray, but I don't think it is quite what we want. 

We have all the data, we are just missing a scalable way to deliver the alerts, and the small client application to start playing the local NWS weather feed, as well as putting up some alert data (plus it could optionally run an external program that could fire off x-10, etc).

If someone wants to build the client application, we will be happy to do the heavy lifting in the back end.

Using UDP is tricky - it is unreliable (TCP doesn't have that much overhead if we implement it carefully with custom software) and we can't really easily send UDP packets from wunderground to anyone's computer at home since 99% of them are behind a firewall router.  We could use UPNP from the client and try to open a hole in the firewall (like MSN messenger and others) but it doesn't work on all the routers I have.. Just some of them. My bellsouth modem doesn't support it. my linksys router does.

I was hoping to send alerts of IM but I haven't built it yet, seems like that might be easy / good.


Alan

On 2/2/07, wuhu_software <wuhu_software@yahoo.com> wrote:

Alan,

A few weeks ago I was attempting to find various real-time NWS feeds
that are available to the general public. I found three feeds that
are available to the pulic. One is free, the other requires a one
time $75 fee, and I am not sure about the 3rd (I heard that it is
expensive). I am not sure which feeds you guys are subscribed to.

In any case, I was exchanging emails with Art Kraus looking for some
simple method to receive all SAME alerts that are active throughout
the U.S. Apparently there is no such mechanism at the moment. He
thought this might be something that is developed over the next few
years.

The SAME alerts may be fed over the EMWIN network, although it is
difficult to find protocol information. They might also be sent over
the NWS Wire Service or NOAAPORT, I am not sure. That might require
some parsing to decode the SAME alerts from the other data.

If you guys at WU could parse the NWS streams to decode alerts, you
could develop an efficient polling and dissemination protocol, this
could open up many possibilities. The key to any such system would be
responsiveness without wasting a ton of bandwidth.

As an example, if a client application could send WU a poll packet
that contains a list of FIP and event codes, WU could repond with a
packet that describes a list of matching FIP codes and event codes if
those events are active.

These packets could be kept small and fast with the use of UDP
packets. Perhaps the clients register themselves one time with WU and
WU will send out alerts when they become active. A simple watchdog
packet could be used to detect Internet failures on the client side.

On the client side, once the client receives a packet from WU and
sees matching FIP and alert codes, that is all it really needs to
begin alerting operations. It could then perform audio alerting,
reading and displaying the NWS XML based warning information (based
on the active FIP code), and possibily take other user defined
actions including prompting the user to stream live audio.

If such a service were open to developers, any number of client
applications could be developed to take advantage of such a system.
You could have stand alone applications (perhaps on the toolbar), or
integration with existing appications (weather apps, home automation
systems, email and pager alert systems).

So basically, it seems that all of the pieces could be put together
easily. The main problem seems to be finding a real-time stream that
contains all SAME alerts (or that can be parsed from the stream), and
a central server to disseminate that data in real-time using an
efficient mecahnism to deliver the encoded data.

---

Here is a breakdown of the SAME alerts:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding

Here are the Internet feeds that I found.

1) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. It is available to
the public. I am still trying to dig up information on the protocol.
It is not well documented. This data is sent several ways, satellite,
VHF radio, and the Internet. This data contains text and graphics
mixed together. There are 3 software packages for sale that
understand how to process the protocol, none are free.

2) NOAA Weather Wire Service. Although the stream of data is
controlled by one company, there is one time $75 registration fee.
Since you can telnet in to it, I am assuming it is just text. It
might be different using the satellite links, I am not sure. This
might be used to capture the events as they are put out on the wire
but it may be more work as the alerts/warnings are not encoded.

3) The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast
communication of NOAA environmental data and information in near-real
time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast is implemented by a
commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-band.
It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications within
the National Weather Service and for providing forecasts, warnings
and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio stations, TV,
etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather services.

--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Steremberg"
<alans@...> wrote:
>
> I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can
trigger with
> an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the sonos
people about
> integrating it into their system, but they didn't really understand
the
> emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to
automatically
> switch from pretty music to weather radio.
>
> Alan
>
> On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@...> wrote:
> >
> > I always wondered about having telephones linked into the
Emergency
> > network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during local
> > emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the
telephone company,
> > who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days
everyone has a
> > phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an ideal
solution. Of
> > course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for this
service.
> >
> >
> >
> > -Mark
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > *From:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
> > wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] *On Behalf Of *wuhu_software


> > *Sent:* Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
> > *To:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> > *Subject:* [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through central
Florida in
> > the middle of the night.
> >
> >
> >
> > I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados that
swept
> > through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least
one was
> > an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept through
the
> > area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
> >
> > Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite
spots in
> > Flordia, been there many times visting family).
> >
> > On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios to
wake
> > people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
> >
> > Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and
running. I
> > am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am
guessing
> > that they were.
> >
> > It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the desktop.
> >
> > Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could
still get
> > a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
> > activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>

> --
> Alan Steremberg
> Weather Underground
> 415-543-5022 x 103
> http://www.wunderground.com
>




--
Alan Steremberg
Weather Underground
415-543-5022 x 103
http://www.wunderground.com


#4885 From: "schaka1" <blkguy@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 7:28 pm
Subject: upload error
schaka1
Send Email Send Email
 
Fri Feb 02 13:17:50 2007 > Weather Underground Response: <?xml
version="1.0"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0
Transitional//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">\n<html
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">\n  <head>\n    <meta
http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />\n
<title>Broadband Link - Error</title>\n    <link rel="stylesheet"
type="text/css" title="Hurl" href="/css/hurl.css" />\n  </head>\n
<body>\n    <div class="topbar">\n      <img alt="Header Logo"
src="/images/masthead.gif" />\n    </div>\n    <div
class="container">\n      <div class="pagetitle">Success</div>\n
<noscript>\n        <div class="mainwarningtopbox">\n          <div
class="indented19"><div class="subtitle">WARNING</div>To use this page
to customize the features of your 2701HG-B Gateway, you must have
JavaScript enabled. JavaScript is currently disabled in your
browser or by the security software on your PC. To enable
JavaScript in your browser, please read the documentation associated
with your browser. SBC help on how to
<end>

At 10:22 a.m. today I started getting this error on my uploads to
Weather Underground.

I'm not sure what it's telling me. Javascript IS enable. The system
had made 1416 uploads at 6 minute intervals then I started getting
this error. While this message posts, I'll reboot to see if that is
the problem

I'm using the latest version of WUHU214_32

Chuck

#4886 From: "wuhu_software" <wuhu_software@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 7:30 pm
Subject: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
wuhu_software
Send Email Send Email
 
Alan,

I would be interested in developing an application for the tray.

Let me know when you guys have a protocol/scheme to work with.

I can throw applications together pretty quickly.

Thanks.



--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Steremberg"
<alans@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> We have an email alert product right now that you can sign up for
by zipcode
> ($10/year or free to weather station owners).
>
> Ed at AmbientWeather has a desktop app that alerts you in the tray,
but I
> don't think it is quite what we want.
>
> We have all the data, we are just missing a scalable way to deliver
the
> alerts, and the small client application to start playing the local
NWS
> weather feed, as well as putting up some alert data (plus it could
> optionally run an external program that could fire off x-10, etc).
>
> If someone wants to build the client application, we will be happy
to do the
> heavy lifting in the back end.
>
> Using UDP is tricky - it is unreliable (TCP doesn't have that much
overhead
> if we implement it carefully with custom software) and we can't
really
> easily send UDP packets from wunderground to anyone's computer at
home since
> 99% of them are behind a firewall router.  We could use UPNP from
the client
> and try to open a hole in the firewall (like MSN messenger and
others) but
> it doesn't work on all the routers I have.. Just some of them. My
bellsouth
> modem doesn't support it. my linksys router does.
>
> I was hoping to send alerts of IM but I haven't built it yet, seems
like
> that might be easy / good.
>
>
> Alan
>
> On 2/2/07, wuhu_software <wuhu_software@...> wrote:
> >
> >   Alan,
> >
> > A few weeks ago I was attempting to find various real-time NWS
feeds
> > that are available to the general public. I found three feeds that
> > are available to the pulic. One is free, the other requires a one
> > time $75 fee, and I am not sure about the 3rd (I heard that it is
> > expensive). I am not sure which feeds you guys are subscribed to.
> >
> > In any case, I was exchanging emails with Art Kraus looking for
some
> > simple method to receive all SAME alerts that are active
throughout
> > the U.S. Apparently there is no such mechanism at the moment. He
> > thought this might be something that is developed over the next
few
> > years.
> >
> > The SAME alerts may be fed over the EMWIN network, although it is
> > difficult to find protocol information. They might also be sent
over
> > the NWS Wire Service or NOAAPORT, I am not sure. That might
require
> > some parsing to decode the SAME alerts from the other data.
> >
> > If you guys at WU could parse the NWS streams to decode alerts,
you
> > could develop an efficient polling and dissemination protocol,
this
> > could open up many possibilities. The key to any such system
would be
> > responsiveness without wasting a ton of bandwidth.
> >
> > As an example, if a client application could send WU a poll packet
> > that contains a list of FIP and event codes, WU could repond with
a
> > packet that describes a list of matching FIP codes and event
codes if
> > those events are active.
> >
> > These packets could be kept small and fast with the use of UDP
> > packets. Perhaps the clients register themselves one time with WU
and
> > WU will send out alerts when they become active. A simple watchdog
> > packet could be used to detect Internet failures on the client
side.
> >
> > On the client side, once the client receives a packet from WU and
> > sees matching FIP and alert codes, that is all it really needs to
> > begin alerting operations. It could then perform audio alerting,
> > reading and displaying the NWS XML based warning information
(based
> > on the active FIP code), and possibily take other user defined
> > actions including prompting the user to stream live audio.
> >
> > If such a service were open to developers, any number of client
> > applications could be developed to take advantage of such a
system.
> > You could have stand alone applications (perhaps on the toolbar),
or
> > integration with existing appications (weather apps, home
automation
> > systems, email and pager alert systems).
> >
> > So basically, it seems that all of the pieces could be put
together
> > easily. The main problem seems to be finding a real-time stream
that
> > contains all SAME alerts (or that can be parsed from the stream),
and
> > a central server to disseminate that data in real-time using an
> > efficient mecahnism to deliver the encoded data.
> >
> > ---
> >
> > Here is a breakdown of the SAME alerts:
> >
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding
> >
> > Here are the Internet feeds that I found.
> >
> > 1) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. It is
available to
> > the public. I am still trying to dig up information on the
protocol.
> > It is not well documented. This data is sent several ways,
satellite,
> > VHF radio, and the Internet. This data contains text and graphics
> > mixed together. There are 3 software packages for sale that
> > understand how to process the protocol, none are free.
> >
> > 2) NOAA Weather Wire Service. Although the stream of data is
> > controlled by one company, there is one time $75 registration fee.
> > Since you can telnet in to it, I am assuming it is just text. It
> > might be different using the satellite links, I am not sure. This
> > might be used to capture the events as they are put out on the
wire
> > but it may be more work as the alerts/warnings are not encoded.
> >
> > 3) The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast
> > communication of NOAA environmental data and information in near-
real
> > time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast is implemented by
a
> > commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-
band.
> > It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications
within
> > the National Weather Service and for providing forecasts, warnings
> > and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio stations,
TV,
> > etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather
services.
> >
> > --- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>,
> > "Alan Steremberg"
> > <alans@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can
> > trigger with
> > > an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the sonos
> > people about
> > > integrating it into their system, but they didn't really
understand
> > the
> > > emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to
> > automatically
> > > switch from pretty music to weather radio.
> > >
> > > Alan
> > >
> > > On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I always wondered about having telephones linked into the
> > Emergency
> > > > network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during
local
> > > > emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the
> > telephone company,
> > > > who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days
> > everyone has a
> > > > phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an ideal
> > solution. Of
> > > > course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for this
> > service.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -Mark
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > *From:*
wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>[mailto:
> > > > wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>]
> > *On Behalf Of *wuhu_software
> >
> > > > *Sent:* Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
> > > > *To:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > *Subject:* [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through
central
> > Florida in
> > > > the middle of the night.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados
that
> > swept
> > > > through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least
> > one was
> > > > an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept
through
> > the
> > > > area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
> > > >
> > > > Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite
> > spots in
> > > > Flordia, been there many times visting family).
> > > >
> > > > On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios
to
> > wake
> > > > people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
> > > >
> > > > Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and
> > running. I
> > > > am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am
> > guessing
> > > > that they were.
> > > >
> > > > It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the
desktop.
> > > >
> > > > Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could
> > still get
> > > > a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
> > > > activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Alan Steremberg
> > > Weather Underground
> > > 415-543-5022 x 103
> > > http://www.wunderground.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Alan Steremberg
> Weather Underground
> 415-543-5022 x 103
> http://www.wunderground.com
>

#4887 From: "schaka1" <blkguy@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 7:40 pm
Subject: upload errors
schaka1
Send Email Send Email
 
I just finished the reboot and my machine and the software appear to be
working fine!

Sorry for the false alarm!!

Chuck
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?
ID=KILGLENW1

#4888 From: "wuhu_software" <wuhu_software@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 7:51 pm
Subject: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
wuhu_software
Send Email Send Email
 
Mark,

Most of the people I know that have Broadband leave their computers
on 24/7. I tried breaking my girlfriend of the habbit, she refuses to
power it down at night.

If you are one of those people that always shuts down at night, if
you know that you have a weather application that might alert you
when a tornado is on the ground because bad weather might be
approaching, that might be an incentive to leave it on.

In the future, it seems to me that most homes will have a central
computer that will be running 24x7. That is the case already for many
people.

I like the telephone scheme as well. The distinctive ring feature
offered by some carriers seems like an ideal way to do this. It seems
that there must be issues with investment or infrastructure otherwise
communities would have already done it.

Or perhaps it is a patent issue...

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20050013418.html


--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Wyman" <mark@...>
wrote:
>
> It would be all fine and dandy if everyone left their computers
running. The
> problem is most people turn it on to check Email, do a few things,
and turn
> it off again. People like us who have weather stations and PC
enthusiasts
> are about the only ones who do leave things running. Not to mention
if I
> know I will have thunderstorms, I yank all cables to the PC. I
still think
> phone alerts are very practical as the phone service is usually
last to go
> with land-lines. The tough part would be how to regulate when an
alert event
> was to occur, when a storm is right on the doorstep, or still 15
minutes
> away. Always the problem when dealing with people who will be
ticked off
> when they are awoken in the night and then the storm fizzles. They
unplug
> the phone and go back to sleep.
>
>
>
> -Mark
>
>
>
>   _____
>
> From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Alan
Steremberg
> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 1:06 PM
> To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [wuhu_software_group] Re: Tornados sweep through
central
> Florida in the middle of the night.
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> We have an email alert product right now that you can sign up for
by zipcode
> ($10/year or free to weather station owners).
>
> Ed at AmbientWeather has a desktop app that alerts you in the tray,
but I
> don't think it is quite what we want.
>
> We have all the data, we are just missing a scalable way to deliver
the
> alerts, and the small client application to start playing the local
NWS
> weather feed, as well as putting up some alert data (plus it could
> optionally run an external program that could fire off x-10, etc).
>
> If someone wants to build the client application, we will be happy
to do the
> heavy lifting in the back end.
>
> Using UDP is tricky - it is unreliable (TCP doesn't have that much
overhead
> if we implement it carefully with custom software) and we can't
really
> easily send UDP packets from wunderground to anyone's computer at
home since
> 99% of them are behind a firewall router.  We could use UPNP from
the client
> and try to open a hole in the firewall (like MSN messenger and
others) but
> it doesn't work on all the routers I have.. Just some of them. My
bellsouth
> modem doesn't support it. my linksys router does.
>
> I was hoping to send alerts of IM but I haven't built it yet, seems
like
> that might be easy / good.
>
>
> Alan
>
> On 2/2/07, wuhu_software <wuhu_software@ <mailto:wuhu_software@...>
> yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Alan,
>
> A few weeks ago I was attempting to find various real-time NWS
feeds
> that are available to the general public. I found three feeds that
> are available to the pulic. One is free, the other requires a one
> time $75 fee, and I am not sure about the 3rd (I heard that it is
> expensive). I am not sure which feeds you guys are subscribed to.
>
> In any case, I was exchanging emails with Art Kraus looking for
some
> simple method to receive all SAME alerts that are active throughout
> the U.S. Apparently there is no such mechanism at the moment. He
> thought this might be something that is developed over the next few
> years.
>
> The SAME alerts may be fed over the EMWIN network, although it is
> difficult to find protocol information. They might also be sent
over
> the NWS Wire Service or NOAAPORT, I am not sure. That might require
> some parsing to decode the SAME alerts from the other data.
>
> If you guys at WU could parse the NWS streams to decode alerts, you
> could develop an efficient polling and dissemination protocol, this
> could open up many possibilities. The key to any such system would
be
> responsiveness without wasting a ton of bandwidth.
>
> As an example, if a client application could send WU a poll packet
> that contains a list of FIP and event codes, WU could repond with a
> packet that describes a list of matching FIP codes and event codes
if
> those events are active.
>
> These packets could be kept small and fast with the use of UDP
> packets. Perhaps the clients register themselves one time with WU
and
> WU will send out alerts when they become active. A simple watchdog
> packet could be used to detect Internet failures on the client side.
>
> On the client side, once the client receives a packet from WU and
> sees matching FIP and alert codes, that is all it really needs to
> begin alerting operations. It could then perform audio alerting,
> reading and displaying the NWS XML based warning information (based
> on the active FIP code), and possibily take other user defined
> actions including prompting the user to stream live audio.
>
> If such a service were open to developers, any number of client
> applications could be developed to take advantage of such a system.
> You could have stand alone applications (perhaps on the toolbar),
or
> integration with existing appications (weather apps, home
automation
> systems, email and pager alert systems).
>
> So basically, it seems that all of the pieces could be put together
> easily. The main problem seems to be finding a real-time stream
that
> contains all SAME alerts (or that can be parsed from the stream),
and
> a central server to disseminate that data in real-time using an
> efficient mecahnism to deliver the encoded data.
>
> ---
>
> Here is a breakdown of the SAME alerts:
>
> http://en.wikipedia
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding>
> .org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding
>
> Here are the Internet feeds that I found.
>
> 1) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. It is available
to
> the public. I am still trying to dig up information on the
protocol.
> It is not well documented. This data is sent several ways,
satellite,
> VHF radio, and the Internet. This data contains text and graphics
> mixed together. There are 3 software packages for sale that
> understand how to process the protocol, none are free.
>
> 2) NOAA Weather Wire Service. Although the stream of data is
> controlled by one company, there is one time $75 registration fee.
> Since you can telnet in to it, I am assuming it is just text. It
> might be different using the satellite links, I am not sure. This
> might be used to capture the events as they are put out on the wire
> but it may be more work as the alerts/warnings are not encoded.
>
> 3) The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast
> communication of NOAA environmental data and information in near-
real
> time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast is implemented by a
> commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-
band.
> It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications
within
> the National Weather Service and for providing forecasts, warnings
> and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio stations,
TV,
> etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather services.
>
> --- In wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Steremberg"
> <alans@> wrote:
> >
> > I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can
> trigger with
> > an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the sonos
> people about
> > integrating it into their system, but they didn't really
understand
> the
> > emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to
> automatically
> > switch from pretty music to weather radio.
> >
> > Alan
> >
> > On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I always wondered about having telephones linked into the
> Emergency
> > > network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during
local
> > > emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the
> telephone company,
> > > who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days
> everyone has a
> > > phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an ideal
> solution. Of
> > > course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for this
> service.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -Mark
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > *From:* wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
> > > wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com] *On Behalf Of *wuhu_software
>
>
> > > *Sent:* Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
> > > *To:* wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com
> > > *Subject:* [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through central
> Florida in
> > > the middle of the night.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados
that
> swept
> > > through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least
> one was
> > > an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept through
> the
> > > area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
> > >
> > > Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite
> spots in
> > > Flordia, been there many times visting family).
> > >
> > > On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios to
> wake
> > > people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
> > >
> > > Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and
> running. I
> > > am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am
> guessing
> > > that they were.
> > >
> > > It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the desktop.
> > >
> > > Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could
> still get
> > > a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
> > > activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> > --
> > Alan Steremberg
> > Weather Underground
> > 415-543-5022 x 103
> > http://www.wundergr <http://www.wunderground.com> ound.com
> >
>
>
>
>
> --
> Alan Steremberg
> Weather Underground
> 415-543-5022 x 103
> http://www.wundergr <http://www.wunderground.com> ound.com
>

#4889 From: "wuhu_software" <wuhu_software@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 7:52 pm
Subject: Re: upload errors
wuhu_software
Send Email Send Email
 
schaka,

Always fun to see weird error messages.

Thanks.


--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "schaka1" <blkguy@...>
wrote:
>
> I just finished the reboot and my machine and the software appear
to be
> working fine!
>
> Sorry for the false alarm!!
>
> Chuck
> http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?
> ID=KILGLENW1
>

#4890 From: "Mark Wyman" <mark@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 7:59 pm
Subject: RE: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
markrwyman
Send Email Send Email
 

Interesting, this would be a nice piece of information to place in the XML dial program. The client periodically asks for an update from the host server based on timing information in the XML file. The timing information can be modified by the server to dynamically speed up reports during severe weather outbreaks. Then there could be special fields in the XML for web links, severity level, and what to do about it. For example launch a sound player for the live feed, play an alarm sound, automatically pop open some windows with direct information, etc.

 

Having developed a few sockets programs in the past has resulted in mixed emotions about the viability of such utilities unless doing very data-intensive streams which requires that sort of effort (like the live audio streams). Either that or you want to keep the data proprietary. Firewalls are the #1 nemesis, #2 is client compatibility. It becomes difficult to have multiple-platform software on custom socket protocols. You can’t leave the Mac users out! (Well, I know a few Windows guys that would argue that point). If XML is part of rapid-fire requests, the additional specialized fields can do a heck of a lot for you as long as the client program is aware of them. For example additional fields would be something like:

 

<pickupRate>5</pickupRate>
<wathces>Tornado Watch</watches>
<watchLink>http://watchlink.com</watchLink>
<warnings>Severe Thunderstorm Warning</warnings>
<warningLink>http://whatever.com</warningLink>
<severityLevel>9</severityLevel>
<playAlarm>True</playAlarm>
<playLiveFeed>True</playLiveFeed>
<liveFeedLink>http://whatever.com/liveFeed</liveFeedLink>

 

p.s. Note the field formatting ;-)

 

XML defines that these do not always need to be present in the file, so during boring days, the data does not need to be transmitted to save overhead. The key would be to have the pickup rate vary according to severity level (10 being a nuclear bomb is about to detonate under your bed).

 

Then this is a documentable method that Perl, Java, .NET etc can all access for web interfaces or utilities without writing custom software except for the live audio stream player.

 

Just some ideas.

 

-Mark Wyman

 


From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of wuhu_software
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 2:31 PM
To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [wuhu_software_group] Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.

 

Alan,

I would be interested in developing an application for the tray.

Let me know when you guys have a protocol/scheme to work with.

I can throw applications together pretty quickly.

Thanks.

--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Steremberg"
<alans@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> We have an email alert product right now that you can sign up for
by zipcode
> ($10/year or free to weather station owners).
>
> Ed at AmbientWeather has a desktop app that alerts you in the tray,
but I
> don't think it is quite what we want.
>
> We have all the data, we are just missing a scalable way to deliver
the
> alerts, and the small client application to start playing the local
NWS
> weather feed, as well as putting up some alert data (plus it could
> optionally run an external program that could fire off x-10, etc).
>
> If someone wants to build the client application, we will be happy
to do the
> heavy lifting in the back end.
>
> Using UDP is tricky - it is unreliable (TCP doesn't have that much
overhead
> if we implement it carefully with custom software) and we can't
really
> easily send UDP packets from wunderground to anyone's computer at
home since
> 99% of them are behind a firewall router. We could use UPNP from
the client
> and try to open a hole in the firewall (like MSN messenger and
others) but
> it doesn't work on all the routers I have.. Just some of them. My
bellsouth
> modem doesn't support it. my linksys router does.
>
> I was hoping to send alerts of IM but I haven't built it yet, seems
like
> that might be easy / good.
>
>
> Alan
>
> On 2/2/07, wuhu_software <wuhu_software@...> wrote:
> >
> > Alan,
> >
> > A few weeks ago I was attempting to find various real-time NWS
feeds
> > that are available to the general public. I found three feeds that
> > are available to the pulic. One is free, the other requires a one
> > time $75 fee, and I am not sure about the 3rd (I heard that it is
> > expensive). I am not sure which feeds you guys are subscribed to.
> >
> > In any case, I was exchanging emails with Art Kraus looking for
some
> > simple method to receive all SAME alerts that are active
throughout
> > the U.S. Apparently there is no such mechanism at the moment. He
> > thought this might be something that is developed over the next
few
> > years.
> >
> > The SAME alerts may be fed over the EMWIN network, although it is
> > difficult to find protocol information. They might also be sent
over
> > the NWS Wire Service or NOAAPORT, I am not sure. That might
require
> > some parsing to decode the SAME alerts from the other data.
> >
> > If you guys at WU could parse the NWS streams to decode alerts,
you
> > could develop an efficient polling and dissemination protocol,
this
> > could open up many possibilities. The key to any such system
would be
> > responsiveness without wasting a ton of bandwidth.
> >
> > As an example, if a client application could send WU a poll packet
> > that contains a list of FIP and event codes, WU could repond with
a
> > packet that describes a list of matching FIP codes and event
codes if
> > those events are active.
> >
> > These packets could be kept small and fast with the use of UDP
> > packets. Perhaps the clients register themselves one time with WU
and
> > WU will send out alerts when they become active. A simple watchdog
> > packet could be used to detect Internet failures on the client
side.
> >
> > On the client side, once the client receives a packet from WU and
> > sees matching FIP and alert codes, that is all it really needs to
> > begin alerting operations. It could then perform audio alerting,
> > reading and displaying the NWS XML based warning information
(based
> > on the active FIP code), and possibily take other user defined
> > actions including prompting the user to stream live audio.
> >
> > If such a service were open to developers, any number of client
> > applications could be developed to take advantage of such a
system.
> > You could have stand alone applications (perhaps on the toolbar),
or
> > integration with existing appications (weather apps, home
automation
> > systems, email and pager alert systems).
> >
> > So basically, it seems that all of the pieces could be put
together
> > easily. The main problem seems to be finding a real-time stream
that
> > contains all SAME alerts (or that can be parsed from the stream),
and
> > a central server to disseminate that data in real-time using an
> > efficient mecahnism to deliver the encoded data.
> >
> > ---
> >
> > Here is a breakdown of the SAME alerts:
> >
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding
> >
> > Here are the Internet feeds that I found.
> >
> > 1) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. It is
available to
> > the public. I am still trying to dig up information on the
protocol.
> > It is not well documented. This data is sent several ways,
satellite,
> > VHF radio, and the Internet. This data contains text and graphics
> > mixed together. There are 3 software packages for sale that
> > understand how to process the protocol, none are free.
> >
> > 2) NOAA Weather Wire Service. Although the stream of data is
> > controlled by one company, there is one time $75 registration fee.
> > Since you can telnet in to it, I am assuming it is just text. It
> > might be different using the satellite links, I am not sure. This
> > might be used to capture the events as they are put out on the
wire
> > but it may be more work as the alerts/warnings are not encoded.
> >
> > 3) The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast
> > communication of NOAA environmental data and information in near-
real
> > time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast is implemented by
a
> > commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-
band.
> > It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications
within
> > the National Weather Service and for providing forecasts, warnings
> > and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio stations,
TV,
> > etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather
services.
> >
> > --- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>,
> > "Alan Steremberg"
> > <alans@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can
> > trigger with
> > > an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the sonos
> > people about
> > > integrating it into their system, but they didn't really
understand
> > the
> > > emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to
> > automatically
> > > switch from pretty music to weather radio.
> > >
> > > Alan
> > >
> > > On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I always wondered about having telephones linked into the
> > Emergency
> > > > network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during
local
> > > > emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the
> > telephone company,
> > > > who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days
> > everyone has a
> > > > phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an ideal
> > solution. Of
> > > > course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for this
> > service.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -Mark
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > *From:*
wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>[mailto:
> > > > wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>]
> > *On Behalf Of *wuhu_software
> >
> > > > *Sent:* Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
> > > > *To:* wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > *Subject:* [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through
central
> > Florida in
> > > > the middle of the night.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados
that
> > swept
> > > > through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least
> > one was
> > > > an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept
through
> > the
> > > > area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
> > > >
> > > > Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite
> > spots in
> > > > Flordia, been there many times visting family).
> > > >
> > > > On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios
to
> > wake
> > > > people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
> > > >
> > > > Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and
> > running. I
> > > > am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am
> > guessing
> > > > that they were.
> > > >
> > > > It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the
desktop.
> > > >
> > > > Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could
> > still get
> > > > a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
> > > > activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Alan Steremberg
> > > Weather Underground
> > > 415-543-5022 x 103
> > > http://www.wunderground.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Alan Steremberg
> Weather Underground
> 415-543-5022 x 103
> http://www.wunderground.com
>


#4891 From: "wuhu_software" <wuhu_software@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 9:49 pm
Subject: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
wuhu_software
Send Email Send Email
 
Mark,

Not sure if you are aware of the CAP alerting protocol. It is
currently supported at the state level although I do not believe it
is broken down to the county level.

Here is an entry at Wikipedia about CAP:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Alerting_Protocol

Here are the state links at the NWS:

http://www.weather.gov/alerts/

The problem that I see with CAP or any other XML based scheme is that
it would require large amounts of bandwidth to pull down these files
say once per minute or two if thousands of computers, or even
millions pull down these files constantly.

What seems to be missing is some Internet based, lightweight polling
or event delivery scheme where only minimal information is
sent/received to indicate an event has occurred that matches what the
subscriber would like to monitor.

SAME alerts seem to fit the bill (simple FIP codes and event codes).
When SAME alerts are transmitted over radio, the weather radios
decode these SAME alerts and compare the user defined configuration
to see if there is a match. If there is a match, it simply turns on
the audio for the NWS radio (it might beep as well).

I originally thought that UDP would be ideal for this type of
notifications. The client could monitor the host for connectivity so
that packet loss would not be a concern. However as Alan stated, the
UDP scheme would probably not work well for 99% of the computers out
there due to router/firewall problems.

If we could use sockets (TCP) to quickly poll for data, that would be
fine. I am not really sure how much overhead is involved with opening
and closing sockets on a large scale, but I am sure we could find out.

Assuming you had a mechanism to be notified of SAME type events, a
program could then go to the NWS site and pull down the XML file (or
monitor it for changes) to get the full text description of what
happened. Unfortunatly since the XML files would not necessarily be
in sync with the wire services, the scheme may devolve in to polling
XML files again. It seems only the NWS would know when the XML files
are being updated, perhaps the delay would be unacceptable for
alerting, I do not know.

There are already a few gizmos out there that monitor the NWS XML
files although they do not seem to be wide spread. Example:

http://www.widgetgallery.com/view.php?widget=36983


--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Wyman" <mark@...>
wrote:
>
> Interesting, this would be a nice piece of information to place in
the XML
> dial program. The client periodically asks for an update from the
host
> server based on timing information in the XML file. The timing
information
> can be modified by the server to dynamically speed up reports
during severe
> weather outbreaks. Then there could be special fields in the XML
for web
> links, severity level, and what to do about it. For example launch
a sound
> player for the live feed, play an alarm sound, automatically pop
open some
> windows with direct information, etc.
>
>
>
> Having developed a few sockets programs in the past has resulted in
mixed
> emotions about the viability of such utilities unless doing very
> data-intensive streams which requires that sort of effort (like the
live
> audio streams). Either that or you want to keep the data
proprietary.
> Firewalls are the #1 nemesis, #2 is client compatibility. It becomes
> difficult to have multiple-platform software on custom socket
protocols. You
> can't leave the Mac users out! (Well, I know a few Windows guys
that would
> argue that point). If XML is part of rapid-fire requests, the
additional
> specialized fields can do a heck of a lot for you as long as the
client
> program is aware of them. For example additional fields would be
something
> like:
>
>
>
> <pickupRate>5</pickupRate>
> <wathces>Tornado Watch</watches>
> <watchLink>http://watchlink.com</watchLink>
> <warnings>Severe Thunderstorm Warning</warnings>
> <warningLink>http://whatever.com</warningLink>
> <severityLevel>9</severityLevel>
> <playAlarm>True</playAlarm>
> <playLiveFeed>True</playLiveFeed>
> <liveFeedLink>http://whatever.com/liveFeed</liveFeedLink>
>
>
>
> p.s. Note the field formatting ;-)
>
>
>
> XML defines that these do not always need to be present in the
file, so
> during boring days, the data does not need to be transmitted to save
> overhead. The key would be to have the pickup rate vary according to
> severity level (10 being a nuclear bomb is about to detonate under
your
> bed).
>
>
>
> Then this is a documentable method that Perl, Java, .NET etc can
all access
> for web interfaces or utilities without writing custom software
except for
> the live audio stream player.
>
>
>
> Just some ideas.
>
>
>
> -Mark Wyman
>
>
>
>   _____
>
> From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
wuhu_software
> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 2:31 PM
> To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [wuhu_software_group] Re: Tornados sweep through central
Florida in
> the middle of the night.
>
>
>
> Alan,
>
> I would be interested in developing an application for the tray.
>
> Let me know when you guys have a protocol/scheme to work with.
>
> I can throw applications together pretty quickly.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --- In wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Steremberg"
> <alans@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > We have an email alert product right now that you can sign up for
> by zipcode
> > ($10/year or free to weather station owners).
> >
> > Ed at AmbientWeather has a desktop app that alerts you in the
tray,
> but I
> > don't think it is quite what we want.
> >
> > We have all the data, we are just missing a scalable way to
deliver
> the
> > alerts, and the small client application to start playing the
local
> NWS
> > weather feed, as well as putting up some alert data (plus it could
> > optionally run an external program that could fire off x-10, etc).
> >
> > If someone wants to build the client application, we will be
happy
> to do the
> > heavy lifting in the back end.
> >
> > Using UDP is tricky - it is unreliable (TCP doesn't have that
much
> overhead
> > if we implement it carefully with custom software) and we can't
> really
> > easily send UDP packets from wunderground to anyone's computer at
> home since
> > 99% of them are behind a firewall router. We could use UPNP from
> the client
> > and try to open a hole in the firewall (like MSN messenger and
> others) but
> > it doesn't work on all the routers I have.. Just some of them. My
> bellsouth
> > modem doesn't support it. my linksys router does.
> >
> > I was hoping to send alerts of IM but I haven't built it yet,
seems
> like
> > that might be easy / good.
> >
> >
> > Alan
> >
> > On 2/2/07, wuhu_software <wuhu_software@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Alan,
> > >
> > > A few weeks ago I was attempting to find various real-time NWS
> feeds
> > > that are available to the general public. I found three feeds
that
> > > are available to the pulic. One is free, the other requires a
one
> > > time $75 fee, and I am not sure about the 3rd (I heard that it
is
> > > expensive). I am not sure which feeds you guys are subscribed
to.
> > >
> > > In any case, I was exchanging emails with Art Kraus looking for
> some
> > > simple method to receive all SAME alerts that are active
> throughout
> > > the U.S. Apparently there is no such mechanism at the moment. He
> > > thought this might be something that is developed over the next
> few
> > > years.
> > >
> > > The SAME alerts may be fed over the EMWIN network, although it
is
> > > difficult to find protocol information. They might also be sent
> over
> > > the NWS Wire Service or NOAAPORT, I am not sure. That might
> require
> > > some parsing to decode the SAME alerts from the other data.
> > >
> > > If you guys at WU could parse the NWS streams to decode alerts,
> you
> > > could develop an efficient polling and dissemination protocol,
> this
> > > could open up many possibilities. The key to any such system
> would be
> > > responsiveness without wasting a ton of bandwidth.
> > >
> > > As an example, if a client application could send WU a poll
packet
> > > that contains a list of FIP and event codes, WU could repond
with
> a
> > > packet that describes a list of matching FIP codes and event
> codes if
> > > those events are active.
> > >
> > > These packets could be kept small and fast with the use of UDP
> > > packets. Perhaps the clients register themselves one time with
WU
> and
> > > WU will send out alerts when they become active. A simple
watchdog
> > > packet could be used to detect Internet failures on the client
> side.
> > >
> > > On the client side, once the client receives a packet from WU
and
> > > sees matching FIP and alert codes, that is all it really needs
to
> > > begin alerting operations. It could then perform audio alerting,
> > > reading and displaying the NWS XML based warning information
> (based
> > > on the active FIP code), and possibily take other user defined
> > > actions including prompting the user to stream live audio.
> > >
> > > If such a service were open to developers, any number of client
> > > applications could be developed to take advantage of such a
> system.
> > > You could have stand alone applications (perhaps on the
toolbar),
> or
> > > integration with existing appications (weather apps, home
> automation
> > > systems, email and pager alert systems).
> > >
> > > So basically, it seems that all of the pieces could be put
> together
> > > easily. The main problem seems to be finding a real-time stream
> that
> > > contains all SAME alerts (or that can be parsed from the
stream),
> and
> > > a central server to disseminate that data in real-time using an
> > > efficient mecahnism to deliver the encoded data.
> > >
> > > ---
> > >
> > > Here is a breakdown of the SAME alerts:
> > >
> > > http://en.wikipedia
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding>
> .org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding
> > >
> > > Here are the Internet feeds that I found.
> > >
> > > 1) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. It is
> available to
> > > the public. I am still trying to dig up information on the
> protocol.
> > > It is not well documented. This data is sent several ways,
> satellite,
> > > VHF radio, and the Internet. This data contains text and
graphics
> > > mixed together. There are 3 software packages for sale that
> > > understand how to process the protocol, none are free.
> > >
> > > 2) NOAA Weather Wire Service. Although the stream of data is
> > > controlled by one company, there is one time $75 registration
fee.
> > > Since you can telnet in to it, I am assuming it is just text. It
> > > might be different using the satellite links, I am not sure.
This
> > > might be used to capture the events as they are put out on the
> wire
> > > but it may be more work as the alerts/warnings are not encoded.
> > >
> > > 3) The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast
> > > communication of NOAA environmental data and information in
near-
> real
> > > time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast is implemented
by
> a
> > > commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-
> band.
> > > It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications
> within
> > > the National Weather Service and for providing forecasts,
warnings
> > > and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio
stations,
> TV,
> > > etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather
> services.
> > >
> > > --- In wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
> 40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > "Alan Steremberg"
> > > <alans@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can
> > > trigger with
> > > > an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the
sonos
> > > people about
> > > > integrating it into their system, but they didn't really
> understand
> > > the
> > > > emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to
> > > automatically
> > > > switch from pretty music to weather radio.
> > > >
> > > > Alan
> > > >
> > > > On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I always wondered about having telephones linked into the
> > > Emergency
> > > > > network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during
> local
> > > > > emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the
> > > telephone company,
> > > > > who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days
> > > everyone has a
> > > > > phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an
ideal
> > > solution. Of
> > > > > course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for
this
> > > service.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > -Mark
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ------------------------------
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:*
> wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
> 40yahoogroups.com>[mailto:
> > > > > wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
> 40yahoogroups.com>]
> > > *On Behalf Of *wuhu_software
> > >
> > > > > *Sent:* Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
> > > > > *To:* wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
> 40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > *Subject:* [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through
> central
> > > Florida in
> > > > > the middle of the night.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I was just watching the news this morning about the
tornados
> that
> > > swept
> > > > > through central Florida. The current estimate is that at
least
> > > one was
> > > > > an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept
> through
> > > the
> > > > > area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
> > > > >
> > > > > Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my
favorite
> > > spots in
> > > > > Flordia, been there many times visting family).
> > > > >
> > > > > On the news, they discussed the real need for weather
radios
> to
> > > wake
> > > > > people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
> > > > >
> > > > > Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and
> > > running. I
> > > > > am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I
am
> > > guessing
> > > > > that they were.
> > > > >
> > > > > It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the
> desktop.
> > > > >
> > > > > Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio
could
> > > still get
> > > > > a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or
even
> > > > > activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Alan Steremberg
> > > > Weather Underground
> > > > 415-543-5022 x 103
> > > > http://www.wundergr <http://www.wunderground.com> ound.com
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Alan Steremberg
> > Weather Underground
> > 415-543-5022 x 103
> > http://www.wundergr <http://www.wunderground.com> ound.com
> >
>

#4892 From: "Alan Steremberg" <alans@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 10:13 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
alans2
Send Email Send Email
 
We have servers full of all the same data as the NWS servers (we usually get it quicker than they get it on the web). The data isn't a problem. It is the rest of the software that needs to be written in a scalable fashion so we don't poll huge XML files.

Alan

On 2/2/07, wuhu_software <wuhu_software@...> wrote:

Mark,

Not sure if you are aware of the CAP alerting protocol. It is
currently supported at the state level although I do not believe it
is broken down to the county level.

Here is an entry at Wikipedia about CAP:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Alerting_Protocol

Here are the state links at the NWS:

http://www.weather.gov/alerts/

The problem that I see with CAP or any other XML based scheme is that
it would require large amounts of bandwidth to pull down these files
say once per minute or two if thousands of computers, or even
millions pull down these files constantly.

What seems to be missing is some Internet based, lightweight polling
or event delivery scheme where only minimal information is
sent/received to indicate an event has occurred that matches what the
subscriber would like to monitor.

SAME alerts seem to fit the bill (simple FIP codes and event codes).
When SAME alerts are transmitted over radio, the weather radios
decode these SAME alerts and compare the user defined configuration
to see if there is a match. If there is a match, it simply turns on
the audio for the NWS radio (it might beep as well).

I originally thought that UDP would be ideal for this type of
notifications. The client could monitor the host for connectivity so
that packet loss would not be a concern. However as Alan stated, the
UDP scheme would probably not work well for 99% of the computers out
there due to router/firewall problems.

If we could use sockets (TCP) to quickly poll for data, that would be
fine. I am not really sure how much overhead is involved with opening
and closing sockets on a large scale, but I am sure we could find out.

Assuming you had a mechanism to be notified of SAME type events, a
program could then go to the NWS site and pull down the XML file (or
monitor it for changes) to get the full text description of what
happened. Unfortunatly since the XML files would not necessarily be
in sync with the wire services, the scheme may devolve in to polling
XML files again. It seems only the NWS would know when the XML files
are being updated, perhaps the delay would be unacceptable for
alerting, I do not know.

There are already a few gizmos out there that monitor the NWS XML
files although they do not seem to be wide spread. Example:

http://www.widgetgallery.com/view.php?widget=36983

--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Wyman" <mark@...>


wrote:
>
> Interesting, this would be a nice piece of information to place in
the XML
> dial program. The client periodically asks for an update from the
host
> server based on timing information in the XML file. The timing
information
> can be modified by the server to dynamically speed up reports
during severe
> weather outbreaks. Then there could be special fields in the XML
for web
> links, severity level, and what to do about it. For example launch
a sound
> player for the live feed, play an alarm sound, automatically pop
open some
> windows with direct information, etc.
>
>
>
> Having developed a few sockets programs in the past has resulted in
mixed
> emotions about the viability of such utilities unless doing very
> data-intensive streams which requires that sort of effort (like the
live
> audio streams). Either that or you want to keep the data
proprietary.
> Firewalls are the #1 nemesis, #2 is client compatibility. It becomes
> difficult to have multiple-platform software on custom socket
protocols. You
> can't leave the Mac users out! (Well, I know a few Windows guys
that would
> argue that point). If XML is part of rapid-fire requests, the
additional
> specialized fields can do a heck of a lot for you as long as the
client
> program is aware of them. For example additional fields would be
something
> like:
>
>
>
> <pickupRate>5</pickupRate>
> <wathces>Tornado Watch</watches>
> <watchLink>http://watchlink.com</watchLink>
> <warnings>Severe Thunderstorm Warning</warnings>
> <warningLink>http://whatever.com</warningLink>
> <severityLevel>9</severityLevel>
> <playAlarm>True</playAlarm>

> <playLiveFeed>True</playLiveFeed>
> <liveFeedLink>http://whatever.com/liveFeed</liveFeedLink>
>
>
>
> p.s. Note the field formatting ;-)
>
>
>
> XML defines that these do not always need to be present in the
file, so
> during boring days, the data does not need to be transmitted to save
> overhead. The key would be to have the pickup rate vary according to
> severity level (10 being a nuclear bomb is about to detonate under
your
> bed).
>
>
>
> Then this is a documentable method that Perl, Java, .NET etc can
all access
> for web interfaces or utilities without writing custom software
except for
> the live audio stream player.
>
>
>
> Just some ideas.
>
>
>
> -Mark Wyman
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
wuhu_software
> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 2:31 PM
> To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [wuhu_software_group] Re: Tornados sweep through central
Florida in
> the middle of the night.
>
>
>
> Alan,
>
> I would be interested in developing an application for the tray.
>
> Let me know when you guys have a protocol/scheme to work with.
>
> I can throw applications together pretty quickly.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --- In wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%40yahoogro ups.com>

> group@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Steremberg"
> <alans@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > We have an email alert product right now that you can sign up for
> by zipcode
> > ($10/year or free to weather station owners).
> >
> > Ed at AmbientWeather has a desktop app that alerts you in the
tray,
> but I
> > don't think it is quite what we want.
> >
> > We have all the data, we are just missing a scalable way to
deliver
> the
> > alerts, and the small client application to start playing the
local
> NWS
> > weather feed, as well as putting up some alert data (plus it could
> > optionally run an external program that could fire off x-10, etc).
> >
> > If someone wants to build the client application, we will be
happy
> to do the
> > heavy lifting in the back end.
> >
> > Using UDP is tricky - it is unreliable (TCP doesn't have that
much
> overhead
> > if we implement it carefully with custom software) and we can't
> really
> > easily send UDP packets from wunderground to anyone's computer at
> home since
> > 99% of them are behind a firewall router. We could use UPNP from
> the client
> > and try to open a hole in the firewall (like MSN messenger and
> others) but
> > it doesn't work on all the routers I have.. Just some of them. My
> bellsouth
> > modem doesn't support it. my linksys router does.
> >
> > I was hoping to send alerts of IM but I haven't built it yet,
seems
> like
> > that might be easy / good.
> >
> >
> > Alan
> >
> > On 2/2/07, wuhu_software <wuhu_software@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Alan,
> > >
> > > A few weeks ago I was attempting to find various real-time NWS
> feeds
> > > that are available to the general public. I found three feeds
that
> > > are available to the pulic. One is free, the other requires a
one
> > > time $75 fee, and I am not sure about the 3rd (I heard that it
is
> > > expensive). I am not sure which feeds you guys are subscribed
to.
> > >
> > > In any case, I was exchanging emails with Art Kraus looking for
> some
> > > simple method to receive all SAME alerts that are active
> throughout
> > > the U.S. Apparently there is no such mechanism at the moment. He
> > > thought this might be something that is developed over the next
> few
> > > years.
> > >
> > > The SAME alerts may be fed over the EMWIN network, although it
is
> > > difficult to find protocol information. They might also be sent
> over
> > > the NWS Wire Service or NOAAPORT, I am not sure. That might
> require
> > > some parsing to decode the SAME alerts from the other data.
> > >
> > > If you guys at WU could parse the NWS streams to decode alerts,
> you
> > > could develop an efficient polling and dissemination protocol,
> this
> > > could open up many possibilities. The key to any such system
> would be
> > > responsiveness without wasting a ton of bandwidth.
> > >
> > > As an example, if a client application could send WU a poll
packet
> > > that contains a list of FIP and event codes, WU could repond
with
> a
> > > packet that describes a list of matching FIP codes and event
> codes if
> > > those events are active.
> > >
> > > These packets could be kept small and fast with the use of UDP
> > > packets. Perhaps the clients register themselves one time with
WU
> and
> > > WU will send out alerts when they become active. A simple
watchdog
> > > packet could be used to detect Internet failures on the client
> side.
> > >
> > > On the client side, once the client receives a packet from WU
and
> > > sees matching FIP and alert codes, that is all it really needs
to
> > > begin alerting operations. It could then perform audio alerting,
> > > reading and displaying the NWS XML based warning information
> (based
> > > on the active FIP code), and possibily take other user defined
> > > actions including prompting the user to stream live audio.
> > >
> > > If such a service were open to developers, any number of client
> > > applications could be developed to take advantage of such a
> system.
> > > You could have stand alone applications (perhaps on the
toolbar),
> or
> > > integration with existing appications (weather apps, home
> automation
> > > systems, email and pager alert systems).
> > >
> > > So basically, it seems that all of the pieces could be put
> together
> > > easily. The main problem seems to be finding a real-time stream
> that
> > > contains all SAME alerts (or that can be parsed from the
stream),
> and
> > > a central server to disseminate that data in real-time using an
> > > efficient mecahnism to deliver the encoded data.
> > >
> > > ---
> > >
> > > Here is a breakdown of the SAME alerts:
> > >
> > > http://en.wikipedia
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding>
> .org/wiki/Specific_Area_Message_Encoding
> > >
> > > Here are the Internet feeds that I found.
> > >
> > > 1) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network. It is
> available to
> > > the public. I am still trying to dig up information on the
> protocol.
> > > It is not well documented. This data is sent several ways,
> satellite,
> > > VHF radio, and the Internet. This data contains text and
graphics
> > > mixed together. There are 3 software packages for sale that
> > > understand how to process the protocol, none are free.
> > >
> > > 2) NOAA Weather Wire Service. Although the stream of data is
> > > controlled by one company, there is one time $75 registration
fee.
> > > Since you can telnet in to it, I am assuming it is just text. It
> > > might be different using the satellite links, I am not sure.
This
> > > might be used to capture the events as they are put out on the
> wire
> > > but it may be more work as the alerts/warnings are not encoded.
> > >
> > > 3) The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast
> > > communication of NOAA environmental data and information in
near-
> real
> > > time to NOAA and external users. This broadcast is implemented
by
> a
> > > commercial provider of satellite communications utilizing the C-
> band.
> > > It's primary purpose is for providing internal communications
> within
> > > the National Weather Service and for providing forecasts,
warnings
> > > and other products to the mass media (newspapers, radio
stations,
> TV,
> > > etc.), emergency management agencies, and private weather
> services.
> > >
> > > --- In wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%

40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
> 40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > "Alan Steremberg"
> > > <alans@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can
> > > trigger with
> > > > an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the
sonos
> > > people about
> > > > integrating it into their system, but they didn't really
> understand
> > > the
> > > > emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to
> > > automatically
> > > > switch from pretty music to weather radio.
> > > >
> > > > Alan
> > > >
> > > > On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I always wondered about having telephones linked into the
> > > Emergency
> > > > > network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during
> local
> > > > > emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the
> > > telephone company,
> > > > > who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days
> > > everyone has a
> > > > > phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an
ideal
> > > solution. Of
> > > > > course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for
this
> > > service.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > -Mark
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ------------------------------
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:*
> wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%40yahoogro ups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
> 40yahoogroups.com>[mailto:
> > > > > wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>
> group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
> 40yahoogroups.com>]
> > > *On Behalf Of *wuhu_software
> > >
> > > > > *Sent:* Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
> > > > > *To:* wuhu_software_ <mailto:wuhu_software_group%
40yahoogroups.com>

> group@yahoogroups.com<wuhu_software_group%
> 40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > *Subject:* [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through
> central
> > > Florida in
> > > > > the middle of the night.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I was just watching the news this morning about the
tornados
> that
> > > swept
> > > > > through central Florida. The current estimate is that at
least
> > > one was
> > > > > an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept
> through
> > > the
> > > > > area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
> > > > >
> > > > > Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my
favorite
> > > spots in
> > > > > Flordia, been there many times visting family).
> > > > >
> > > > > On the news, they discussed the real need for weather
radios
> to
> > > wake
> > > > > people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
> > > > >
> > > > > Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and
> > > running. I
> > > > > am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I
am
> > > guessing
> > > > > that they were.
> > > > >
> > > > > It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the
> desktop.
> > > > >
> > > > > Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio
could
> > > still get
> > > > > a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or
even
> > > > > activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Alan Steremberg
> > > > Weather Underground
> > > > 415-543-5022 x 103
> > > > http://www.wundergr < http://www.wunderground.com> ound.com
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Alan Steremberg
> > Weather Underground
> > 415-543-5022 x 103
> > http://www.wundergr < http://www.wunderground.com> ound.com
> >
>




--
Alan Steremberg
Weather Underground
415-543-5022 x 103
http://www.wunderground.com

#4893 From: "Richard Ray, KI4PEQ" <richardray@...>
Date: Fri Feb 2, 2007 11:24 pm
Subject: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
ki4peq
Send Email Send Email
 
There is such as system in place in Okaloosa County, Florida. The system has the capacity for calling up to 1000 phones per minute with a pre-recorded message, the phone numbers being selected by geographic area. The downside is the local phone company (Embarq) will have a system crash if the EM computer makes that many calls per minute on the phone system. So they have to slow it down.

The local emergency management people strongly advise that the citizens of the county own and use NOAA weather radio. Apparently many residents of Central Florida got warning from their NOAA weather radios before the storms hit, and a greater loss of life was avoided.

For obvious reasons, Floridians tend to be better prepared for weather emergencies than many other Americans.


Richard L. Ray

On Feb 2, 2007, at 9:39 AM, Alan Steremberg wrote:

I think we need to make a desktop of flash widget that we can trigger with an alert and start the audio playing. I also spoke to the sonos people about integrating it into their system, but they didn't really understand the emergency aspect yet. ie: why people would want their radio to automatically switch from pretty music to weather radio.

Alan

On 2/2/07, Mark Wyman <mark@markwyman.com> wrote:

I always wondered about having telephones linked into the Emergency network, so your phone would emit a specialized ring during local emergencies like this. It would be driven by law from the telephone company, who could target just the areas of concern. Since these days everyone has a phone, and not many have weather radios, it would be an ideal solution. Of course they would probably tack on another $2 a month for this service.

 

-Mark

 

From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroup s.com[mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of wuhu_software
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 8:35 AM
To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [wuhu_software_group] Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.

 

I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados that swept
through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least one was
an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept through the
area in the middle of the night (so the news says).

Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite spots in
Flordia, been there many times visting family).

On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios to wake
people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.

Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and running. I
am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am guessing
that they were.

It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the desktop.

Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could still get
a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
activating alert devices (say X10 devices).






--
Alan Steremberg
Weather Underground
415-543-5022 x 103
http://www.wunderground.com



#4894 From: "carl98762003" <carl98762003@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 2:11 am
Subject: Vista
carl98762003
Send Email Send Email
 
Didn't see anything about people running this on Vista, I'm almost
ready to upgrade to Vista but am wondering if it works ok. Any gotya's?

#4895 From: "< Dickie Bradford >" <dbradford@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 3:21 am
Subject: WUHU on Linux
nevrenuf69
Send Email Send Email
 
Ok, here is my 2 cents on running WUHU on Linux as of tonight. I downloaded
the Latest WUHU made without the activeX content, installed like a dream,
the bad part is I have to extend my cable from my weather station to my
linux server to try it out completely.  As far as any other gotcha's, I have
not run into any, it  installed and started up with no issues and asked what
type of input to use.

I will give ya more info tommorrow.  BTW, I am running Mandrake 2006 with
KDE desktop on a Dell 2400 dual 1 Ghz processors with 2 gigs of ram,
definatly got plenty of oooomphf behind it ;-) and using a Rocketport 16
serial card.

My 2 cents for the nite :-)

Dickie


Dickie Bradford
Never-Enuff Technologies
Colver, Pennsylvania
-------------------------------------------
(A)bort, (R)etry, (S)mack the @#$&*~ thing!
-------------------------------------------

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.19/663 - Release Date: 2/1/2007
2:28 PM

#4896 From: "ns4e_hamradio" <ns4e_hamradio@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 1:10 pm
Subject: Re: Vista
ns4e_hamradio
Send Email Send Email
 
--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "carl98762003"
<carl98762003@...> wrote:
>
> Didn't see anything about people running this on Vista, I'm almost
> ready to upgrade to Vista but am wondering if it works ok. Any gotya's?
>

I am waiting for at least 6 months before I upgrade to vista, because
there are bugs that they still have to work off and some drivers are
not working with vista... by around 6 months then you can upgrade and
all of the bugs and drivers should be available...

just an opinion...

miguel, ai4sb

#4897 From: "kc8nzj" <kc8nzj@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 2:04 pm
Subject: Re: Tornados sweep through central Florida in the middle of the night.
kc8nzj
Send Email Send Email
 
Go check out a program called Interwarn.  www.interwarn.com This is a
program you install that retrieves NWS products directly from the
IWIN servers.  You can add as many counties as you want from any area
of the US.  You can also select only the products you want to be
informed about.  WHen a product is issued a crawler will pop up on
your monitor and the NOAA alert tone will sound.  YOu can customize
what alerts you want, and then select if you want to crawler, or
alert tone, or neither.  All the current active products are
displayed in a very nice color coded window and can me clicked on to
immediately show the NWS text.  Also.... you can set it up to send
alerts to an e-mail.  I have my alerts get sent to my cell phone.
Because I have a cheap phone it won't show the whole text but it will
show what type of product was just issued and then I can simply
access NOAA WX radio or get on the computer to find out what's up.

When I lived in Cleveland, Ohio I was in charge of SKywarn for a
period.  We used this program to send pages out to all our spotters.
We had in excess of 30 phones and e-mails loaded into the software
and it worked flawlessly and was VERY reliable.  We would usually get
our products several seconds before local media.  And when it comes
to tornados, seconds save lives.

I would invite everyone to download the software and take advantage
of the free 30 day trial to play around.  There is also a nice RADAR
program but I haven't tried it.  I use weather tap for my radar.
ANother GREAT service. www.weathertap.com

Mat KC8NZJ "Chase 6"
South Florida
www.stormnet.org
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?
ID=KFLPORTS18



--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "wuhu_software"
<wuhu_software@...> wrote:
>
> I was just watching the news this morning about the tornados that
swept
> through central Florida. The current estimate is that at least one
was
> an F2 tornado. I guess 1988 was the last time one swept through the
> area in the middle of the night (so the news says).
>
> Looks like a real mess over by New Smyrna (one of my favorite spots
in
> Flordia, been there many times visting family).
>
> On the news, they discussed the real need for weather radios to
wake
> people up in the middle of the night. Especially in Florida.
>
> Interestingly, the two Orlando WU audio streams are up and running.
I
> am not sure if they were up when the alerts went out, but I am
guessing
> that they were.
>
> It sure would be nice to have the WU SAME radios on the desktop.
>
> Even if the audio streams do go down, the virtual radio could still
get
> a users attention by playing alert sounds, alert text, or even
> activating alert devices (say X10 devices).
>

#4898 From: "steve_03222" <steve_03222@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 3:51 pm
Subject: Re: WUHU on Linux
steve_03222
Send Email Send Email
 
Dickie,
Thanks for th eupdate, I will forward it to him.

Steve

#4899 From: "mazzietrain" <mazzietrain@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 4:05 pm
Subject: La Crosse 2308 computer connection
mazzietrain
Send Email Send Email
 
I have been trying unsuccessfully to place my 2308 in another location
away from my computer.  I did this by adding a four wire phone
extension cable between the 2308 console and cable provided by La
Crosse.  It does not work for me.

Has anyone out there been successful in remotely locating the console
unit from your computer?

If successful, how did you do it?

thanx,

dan

#4900 From: "stevech11" <stevech@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 5:52 pm
Subject: alerts
stevech11
Send Email Send Email
 
I may have missed this - but what of the NWS severe storm warning
system  broadcast on VHF radios? Those cheap FRS/GRS hand-helds all
have a monitor in them.

#4901 From: "stevech11" <stevech@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 5:50 pm
Subject: Re: La Crosse 2308 computer connection
stevech11
Send Email Send Email
 
re below..
Some cables reverse or "twist" the ordering of the wires, Red, green,
yellow, blue, etc. You can look at the colors and their placements in
the RJ11 plugs. Some cables do not.


--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "mazzietrain"
<mazzietrain@...> wrote:
>
> I have been trying unsuccessfully to place my 2308 in another location
> away from my computer.  I did this by adding a four wire phone
> extension cable between the 2308 console and cable provided by La
> Crosse.  It does not work for me.
>
> Has anyone out there been successful in remotely locating the console
> unit from your computer?
>
> If successful, how did you do it?
>
> thanx,
>
> dan
>

#4902 From: "mazzietrain" <mazzietrain@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 6:34 pm
Subject: Re: La Crosse 2308 computer connection
mazzietrain
Send Email Send Email
 
Thanks for the suggestion.  Yes, I noticed the wire reversal early on
and found a phone cable that does not reverse the connections.  I
used an off the shelf female-to-female adapter to add in the cable.
My assumption is that the adapter is straight through with no
reversing of the wires.  I will try to ohm it and make sure that is
so.

My concern is that the console doesn't have enough power to send
through an extended cable connection.  Or, with an unshielded phone
cable the exposure may be allowing interference to radiate into the
circuit.

I am hoping someone may have had the same problem and found a
solution.

Any more suggestions out there?

dan

--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "stevech11" <stevech@...>
wrote:
>
> re below..
> Some cables reverse or "twist" the ordering of the wires, Red,
green,
> yellow, blue, etc. You can look at the colors and their placements
in
> the RJ11 plugs. Some cables do not.
>
>
> --- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "mazzietrain"
> <mazzietrain@> wrote:
> >
> > I have been trying unsuccessfully to place my 2308 in another
location
> > away from my computer.  I did this by adding a four wire phone
> > extension cable between the 2308 console and cable provided by La
> > Crosse.  It does not work for me.
> >
> > Has anyone out there been successful in remotely locating the
console
> > unit from your computer?
> >
> > If successful, how did you do it?
> >
> > thanx,
> >
> > dan
> >
>

#4903 From: "< Dickie Bradford >" <dbradford@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 6:48 pm
Subject: RE: Re: La Crosse 2308 computer connection
nevrenuf69
Send Email Send Email
 
Dan,
 
I have mine extended to 60 plus feet using Cat5 cable with RJ12 ends i crimped on, no problems here with the length (i didnt use the original cable they sent, just one long run with cat5....... less connections = better connections) .
 
Dickie
-----Original Message-----
From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of mazzietrain
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 1:34 PM
To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [wuhu_software_group] Re: La Crosse 2308 computer connection

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I noticed the wire reversal early on
and found a phone cable that does not reverse the connections. I
used an off the shelf female-to-female adapter to add in the cable.
My assumption is that the adapter is straight through with no
reversing of the wires. I will try to ohm it and make sure that is
so.

My concern is that the console doesn't have enough power to send
through an extended cable connection. Or, with an unshielded phone
cable the exposure may be allowing interference to radiate into the
circuit.

I am hoping someone may have had the same problem and found a
solution.

Any more suggestions out there?

dan

--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "stevech11" <stevech@...>
wrote:
>
> re below..
> Some cables reverse or "twist" the ordering of the wires, Red,
green,
> yellow, blue, etc. You can look at the colors and their placements
in
> the RJ11 plugs. Some cables do not.
>
>
> --- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "mazzietrain"
> <mazzietrain@> wrote:
> >
> > I have been trying unsuccessfully to place my 2308 in another
location
> > away from my computer. I did this by adding a four wire phone
> > extension cable between the 2308 console and cable provided by La
> > Crosse. It does not work for me.
> >
> > Has anyone out there been successful in remotely locating the
console
> > unit from your computer?
> >
> > If successful, how did you do it?
> >
> > thanx,
> >
> > dan
> >
>


#4904 From: "< Dickie Bradford >" <dbradford@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 6:51 pm
Subject: RE: Re: La Crosse 2308 computer connection
nevrenuf69
Send Email Send Email
 
OOOPs, I goofed, I was thinking the wrong cable, on my last email.  on the console to the puter, i just used a db9 male to db9 female straight through pinning extension cable to extend that cable.  Radio shack sells them.
 
Dickie
 
-----Original Message-----
From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of mazzietrain
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 1:34 PM
To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [wuhu_software_group] Re: La Crosse 2308 computer connection

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I noticed the wire reversal early on
and found a phone cable that does not reverse the connections. I
used an off the shelf female-to-female adapter to add in the cable.
My assumption is that the adapter is straight through with no
reversing of the wires. I will try to ohm it and make sure that is
so.

My concern is that the console doesn't have enough power to send
through an extended cable connection. Or, with an unshielded phone
cable the exposure may be allowing interference to radiate into the
circuit.

I am hoping someone may have had the same problem and found a
solution.

Any more suggestions out there?

dan

--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "stevech11" <stevech@...>
wrote:
>
> re below..
> Some cables reverse or "twist" the ordering of the wires, Red,
green,
> yellow, blue, etc. You can look at the colors and their placements
in
> the RJ11 plugs. Some cables do not.
>
>
> --- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "mazzietrain"
> <mazzietrain@> wrote:
> >
> > I have been trying unsuccessfully to place my 2308 in another
location
> > away from my computer. I did this by adding a four wire phone
> > extension cable between the 2308 console and cable provided by La
> > Crosse. It does not work for me.
> >
> > Has anyone out there been successful in remotely locating the
console
> > unit from your computer?
> >
> > If successful, how did you do it?
> >
> > thanx,
> >
> > dan
> >
>


#4905 From: "steve_03222" <steve_03222@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 6:58 pm
Subject: NWS Audiostream
steve_03222
Send Email Send Email
 
OK,
I just noticed 98 streams !!!

Who will be number 100 !!!

Steve

#4906 From: "mazzietrain" <mazzietrain@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 7:28 pm
Subject: Re: La Crosse 2308 computer connection
mazzietrain
Send Email Send Email
 
Dickie,

Thanks for the suggestions.  I probably won't do any more on this
project for awhile.  I had hoped to patch it from my puter through my
low voltage Leviton panel located in the laundry room.  I have 6 cat-
5 and 2 video outlets per bedroom in my house.  But, this is one
connection that simply isn't gonna work with that kind of patch.
When I get more time I will look into a cat-5 cable from the console
to the computer.  That should have good shielding, if indeed that is
the problem.

dan

--- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "< Dickie Bradford >"
<dbradford@...> wrote:
>
> OOOPs, I goofed, I was thinking the wrong cable, on my last email.
on the
> console to the puter, i just used a db9 male to db9 female straight
through
> pinning extension cable to extend that cable.  Radio shack sells
them.
>
> Dickie
>
>   -----Original Message-----
>   From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of mazzietrain
>   Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 1:34 PM
>   To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
>   Subject: [wuhu_software_group] Re: La Crosse 2308 computer
connection
>
>
>   Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I noticed the wire reversal early
on
>   and found a phone cable that does not reverse the connections. I
>   used an off the shelf female-to-female adapter to add in the
cable.
>   My assumption is that the adapter is straight through with no
>   reversing of the wires. I will try to ohm it and make sure that is
>   so.
>
>   My concern is that the console doesn't have enough power to send
>   through an extended cable connection. Or, with an unshielded phone
>   cable the exposure may be allowing interference to radiate into
the
>   circuit.
>
>   I am hoping someone may have had the same problem and found a
>   solution.
>
>   Any more suggestions out there?
>
>   dan
>
>   --- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "stevech11" <stevech@>
>   wrote:
>   >
>   > re below..
>   > Some cables reverse or "twist" the ordering of the wires, Red,
>   green,
>   > yellow, blue, etc. You can look at the colors and their
placements
>   in
>   > the RJ11 plugs. Some cables do not.
>   >
>   >
>   > --- In wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com, "mazzietrain"
>   > <mazzietrain@> wrote:
>   > >
>   > > I have been trying unsuccessfully to place my 2308 in another
>   location
>   > > away from my computer. I did this by adding a four wire phone
>   > > extension cable between the 2308 console and cable provided
by La
>   > > Crosse. It does not work for me.
>   > >
>   > > Has anyone out there been successful in remotely locating the
>   console
>   > > unit from your computer?
>   > >
>   > > If successful, how did you do it?
>   > >
>   > > thanx,
>   > >
>   > > dan
>   > >
>   >
>
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.21/665 - Release Date:
2/2/2007
> 11:39 PM
>

#4907 From: "Jeffrey C. Le Doux" <jefcled@...>
Date: Sat Feb 3, 2007 7:35 pm
Subject: RE: La Crosse 2308 computer connection
jefcled
Send Email Send Email
 

My 2308 console sits on a wooden file cabinet 4 feet from my computer, and 2 feet from my 13 inch flat screen monitor.  It has sat there for about a year.  I have it hard wired to my computer with the supplied cable, and with the exception of the occasional couple of minutes when there is some sort of interruption between the thermo-hygro unit (that part is wireless) it has worked fine.  The console is plugged into my A/C house wiring.   

 

Jeff L.

The Wilton Weather Guy

 


From: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com [mailto:wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mazzietrain
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 11:05 AM
To: wuhu_software_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [wuhu_software_group] La Crosse 2308 computer connection

 

I have been trying unsuccessfully to place my 2308 in another location
away from my computer. I did this by adding a four wire phone
extension cable between the 2308 console and cable provided by La
Crosse
. It does not work for me.

Has anyone out there been successful in remotely locating the console
unit from your computer?

If successful, how did you do it?

thanx,

dan


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