Date: 12-16-91 (23:14)              Number: 261 of 262
  To: ALL                           Refer#: NONE
From: JERRY DAHL                      Read: (N/A)
Subj: NO-CHARGE WEATHERFAX UPGR     Status: PUBLIC MESSAGE
Conf: MAIN BOARD (0)             Read Type: GENERAL (A) (+)

WeatherFAX 4.1 is now available at NO CHARGE to all users of Version
4.0. It adds the capability to specify a directory for automatic
image file saving and animation.  This allows you to have multiple
animation directories and better manage your image files.
  
It includes all of the features most requested by amateur, government,
and commercial users.  Some of the features:
- All modes: HF Marine fax, Polar, GOES-WEFAX, GOES-TAP, C-Band wire
  photos.
- All display resolutions: EGA, VGA SVGA, XGA up to 1280x1024-256
  colors.
- Full pass capture at full resolution.  Image size is limited only by
  available memory.  Expanded memory is recomended for high-resolution.
- AHVRR temperature calibration and temperature contour maps.

- Latitude/longitude gridding with a "you are here" function.
- 24 hour perpetual schedule/timer with automatic full/sector saving.
- Integrated animation module (optional) that automatically lets you
  view the latest weather activity.
- Complete image processing toolbox: linear/logarithmic curves, palette
  interpolation, histogram equalization, brightness/contrast, reverse,
  flip, mirror, zoom, smooth pan/scrolling.
- Uses standard TIFF and GIF file formats so you can use the images with
  other software.
- Removes doppler distortion for NOAA and Meteor passes, even in the
  presence of noise, fading and signal dropouts.
- Switched-capacitor filters and a flash A/D converter provides optimal
  noise rejection.
- Automatic Gain Lock (AGL) eliminates the gain distortion present in
  other converters that use AGC.
 
WeatherFAX provides a flexible and integrated capture platform.
Several add-on modules are available by third party vendors to meet
specific needs.  For example:

- A computer controlled receiver and software driver are available that
  integrates with WeatherFAX to automatically log, capture and save all
  polar satellite passes.  It was designed for government and marine
  users and eliminates the requirement for tracking.  Contact GTI
  Electronics at 1-717-386-4032.

- An animation driver for GOES-TAP and GOES-WEFAX that allows you to
  instantly view the most recent weather activity without exiting
  WeatherFAX.  Save and animate multiple sequences in multiple
  directories.  It was designed for meteorologists and is used by radio
  and TV stations.  Contact OFS WeatherFAX at 1-919-847-4545.

- A software program that automates capturing polar satellite passes.
  It calculates all satellite passes for the day and automatically
  updates the WeatherFAX Schedule/Timer.  It is ideal for educators that
  want to automate the daily capture of satellite images.  It uses
  TS Kelso's Pass Scheduler program (PASSCHED.EXE) on Celestial BBS
  (1-513-427-0674) to generate a schedule and software by George
  Sambataro to format and update the WeatherFAX schedule.  Contact
  George Sambataro at 1-404-953-3506.
.
WeatherFAX is different than other systems.
.
- The software design is RAM based rather than DISK based.  This
  provides higher performance and allows it to be used for continuous
  monitoring operation in weather forecasting applications.
- High temperature accuracy.  WeatherFAX uses the NOAA published
  calibration coefficients and non-linearity correction tables for every
  sensor on every satellite.  Tables can be updated using any text
  editor when new satellites are launched.
- High latitude/longitude gridding accuracy.  WeatherFAX uses the two-
  point method rather than the ephemeral data method.  System that
  use ephemeral data are difficult to use and have lower accuracy.
  Even though users must update the computer time daily and update the
  tracking elements weekly the accuracy is close but not exact.
  The two-point method is easier for students to use and provides the
  accuracy that commerical and marine user require.
- The software uses pop-up, pull-down menus and context sensitive help
  panels.  It contains a self-test feature so you can test and verify
  the calibration of the scan converter at any time.
- WeatherFAX is more expensive that other systems.  It costs $355 in
  easy-to-build kit form and $495 assembled.
 
OFS WeatherFAX, 6404 Lakerest Court, Raleigh, N.C.  27612
Phone: 1-919-847-4545