17 May 2008

To: SBARC ListServer From: Bill Talanian Subject: Weather Reader

Experimental testing of a Weather Reader was initiated this date from the La Cumbre Peak 224.08 site. This test is anticipated to run about 1-2 weeks for evaluation. The Weather Reader will repeat the current and limited past weather data over the air via computer generated voice.

Frequency: 147.555 MHz Simplex PL I/O: 131.8 Hz Output Power: 15 watts Antenna: Monopole Access code: *1234 (star 1234)

When using this system please identify with <your call via K6TZ remote>.

You may experience difficulty getting into the Weather Reader with a low level noisy signal. The touch tone decoder in the Weather Reader is very sensitive and does not respond well to noisy DTMF tones. This is just one of the problems we are having in systems integration.

The Weather Reader was built in Australia, hence it has an Australian accent. In order to operate the reader we had to disconnect the weather information being transmitted over 144.39 MHz which is subsequently displayed on the Internet. Our next task will be to look at the RS-232 digital data and split off what is required by the Packet weather system and the Weather Reader as both are formatted differently.

Observer feedback will be appreciated.

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