WXSVR-AU Overview

The objective of the WXSVR-AU project is to provide a service similar to the APRS NWS service in the USA.

In the USA, weather warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) are converted into an APRS format that allows client applications such as UI-View and Xastir to graphically display the warnings as objects and map overlays. Details about the US WXSVR system can be found here.

The picture below is an example of the NWS messages from the USA working with UI-View.

Geoff Gatward, VK2XJG, is developing a server to translate the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warnings into an APRS compatible format. The format of the beacons is modelled closely on the existing NWS protocol, in an attempt to make the creation of suitable plugin applications for the APRS client programs relitively simple.

The picture below is an example of the Australian NWS messages from WXSVR-AU working with UI-View.

There are three types of message transmitted by the WXSVR-AU system.

• Objects
  This message serves to position an object in the vicinity of the warning area. In some situations the object may be a Multiline object to display a warning area.
  
  
• Plain Text Bulletin Message
  These messages are sent only when the warnings are for severe conditions, and are intended for display on mobile units such as the D700/D710 to alert the user to the warning.
  
  
• Area Message
  This message is intended to trigger display of a shapefile overlay on the APRS client to indicate the area(s) affected by the warning. The type of message (Advisory, Watch, Warning) determines the colour of the overlay.
  (Shapefiles can be downloaded from the "Shapefiles" link above)

DISCLAIMERS

• Accuracy of the data transmitted by WXSVR-AU cannot be guaranteed. Warnings are translated on a "Best Effort" basis - see Problems and Limitations.
• Data transmitted by WXSVR-AU must not be used as a substitute for official data issued by the Bureau.
• Expiry times for warnings are generated from the indicated "Next Issue" or "Will be Updated by" statements within the warning text. In the event that no update time is indicated, a default expiry time is applied based on the issue time and the type of warning.
• The WXSVR-AU project is being worked on as time permits, after work and family commitments.

PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS

As with any project, there are a number of problems and limitations that have been encountered. These problems are detailed here - over time, we are hoping that most - if not all - of these can be overcome.