FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE NOAA WEATHER WIRE SYSTEM (NWWS)

Q1. I am a television station (or other commercial end user) currently using NWWS. What options are available to me for obtaining service on the replacement NWWS?

Q2. I am a State emergency management organization which currently is receiving NWWS gratis from the NWS. Do I have to pay DynCorp for a replacement system? Where do I go for more information.

Q3. How will NWS field offices which do not have NWWS up/down links verify that their products have been broadcast?

Q4.  We had not budgeted for replacement of our existing NWWS equipment.  What can we do?

Q5.  Can I see samples of actual products in WMO format?

Q6.  Where can I found out about the specialized software being supplied with the PCs?  If I supply my own PC, what are the minimum requirements?

Q7.  I would like as much time as possible to transition my system from the old PIL headers to the new WMO headers.  Is there anything you can do to help?


A1. There are several options available.

One is to contact DynCorp for replacement service at (800) 633-2340 or via their Web site . They are offering three options: C-band, Ku-band, or Internet service. If you want service equivalent to what you have on the current NWWS, then the C-band option is appropriate. The benefits and costs of each option are explained on the Web site.

Another option is to purchase an (Emergency Managers Weather Information Network) from one of the vendors listed on the EMWIN Web site. These systems offer an economical way to receive products available on the NWWS, although it may not be quite as reliable or timely as the NWWS.


A2. No payment to DynCorp is required. The National Weather Service will provide the communications equipment, service, and maintenance at no charge in accordance with the agreement. You must supply a standard Windows PC to select and monitor the NWWS products, if you do not have one available. The software to interface that PC with NWWS will also be provided by NWS. For more information, select the NOAA Weather Wire Service (NWWS) Transition Information Packet for Emergency Managers (Rev1) from the current Web site that you are on.


A3. NWS field offices without NWWS equipment will be provided an EMWIN terminal as a means of verifying that their products have "made it through the system." The OSO Systems Evaluation Branch is handling the procurement of these units. Evaluation of available systems is currently in progress and delivery will be consistent with the overall program schedule.


A4. DynCorp is now offering four and five year  financing terms for the C-band replacement equipment and installation.   Please refer to the DynCorp Web site .   In addition, DynCorp is also offering discounts on the equipment and on the network service fees both for the financing and for the purchase, until June 30.    Finally, depending on your requirements, there are other systems available which can do the job.  First, DynCorp offers Ku-band systems, and Internet access, both at a lower cost than C-band.  Finally, see the Web page from which you just came for a description of alternative systems, in Section 1.1 under "Other Methods of Receiving NWS Products."  One of these methods may be suitable for your requirements.


A5.  Connect to this link, provided by DynCorp,  to see samples of WMO-formatted products.

A6.  All designated State Agencies with an MOU with the NWS, plus all NWS sites, will be receiving software called SKYTAP, produced by Marta Corporation.  The components are FOSRX (weatherwire data receiver), Router (background data processing), and SAND (weatherwire viewer).  A description of this softare can be found here.  The minimum and recommended computer requirements are as follows:

Minimum System Requirements
                                          Windows-NT - 233Mhz Processor, 64Mb RAM, 1Gb Hard Drive
                                          Windows-95 - 133Mhz Processor, 32Mb RAM, 1Gb Hard Drive
                                          Windows-98 - 133Mhz Processor, 32Mb RAM, 1Gb Hard Drive

                                          Recommended System Requirements
                                          Windows-NT - 450Mhz Processor, 128Mb RAM, 2Gb Hard Drive
                                          Windows-98 - 450Mhz Processor, 128Mb RAM, 2Gb Hard Drive

Please note that for full funcionality, a computer equipped with Windows NT is strongly recommended.  Specifically it must be running NTFS with Service Pack 5 or later.


A7.  In order to assist end users in the transition, the NWS has contracted with DynCorp an important modification to the system.  The modification provides that BOTH PIL and WMO headers will be broadcast on the new NWWS until approximately May 2001, at which time only WMO headers will be provided.  This was done as a service to respond to end user concerns.  In addition, you will still be able to receive products on your existing NWWS until August 31, 2000, compared to the original planned switchover date of May 31.  Note, however, that it is important to order replacement equipment as soon as possible to preclude the possibility of a service disruption at your facility.