[Xastir] Wx Alerts

[Lynn W. Deffenbaugh (Mr)]

Yes, I'm aware of the shapefiles for defining the geographical areas for 
NWS offices, but thanks for the reference.

However, I'm trying to build an APRS client "for the masses" where a 
single download, a single configuration, and they're up and running.  No 
other files to go fetch and/or keep updated against change.  I'm 
striving for use of APRS-sourced data for the most part (Ok, I've 
deviated by fetching the EchoLink node status just before AVRS came 
online and I do support displaying geocaches from GPX files).

The multi-line ovject format is much better, IMHO, than an external 
shapefile because the lat/lon data from the NWS's specific alert is 
encoded into APRS-speak and displayable from the single object 
transmission.  Nice, precise, and not subject to a potentially obsolete 
set of shapefiles causing the alert area to be the wrong shape.

Eventually, I might change my mind on this, but until I exhaust most of 
the APRS-sourced data, I'm trying not to branch out into other, 
especially non-ham, data sources.

<joking> Besides, I have to leave some reason(s) for the existence of 
other APRS client software, don't I?  </joking>

Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Author of APRSISCE for Windows Mobile and Win32

Brian Webster wrote:
> Lynn,
> 	There are predefined codes that correspond to shape files which can
> be downloaded. Sometimes the codes match up with county names and sometimes
> a NWS office has defined a more logical zone based on weather patterns for
> that area. Not sure if you have a GIS or mapping background but shape files
> are a semi standard map file format that have geometry information coded in
> to a database record. If an APRS program is able to work with shape files
> there is a way to create geographic information through a relational
> database table.
>
> I am probably not explain it all that well as I work with mapping files all
> the time and it makes sense to me :-)
>
> Maybe this does a better job http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shape_files
>
>
>
> Brian N2KGC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: xastir-bounces at lists.xastir.org
> [mailto:xastir-bounces at lists.xastir.org] On Behalf Of Lynn W. Deffenbaugh
> (Mr)
> Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 5:02 PM
> To: Xastir - APRS client software discussion
> Subject: Re: [Xastir] Wx Alerts
>
> Just for my complete understanding, what is CW8048?  I though the NWS 
> office codes were 3 characters and that a b/XXX* filter would pick up 
> what I need (for instance b/MLB* for my local (Melbourne, FL) weather 
> service office?
>
> Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Author of APRSISCE for Windows Mobile and Win32
>
> PS.  Realizing that we're getting pretty deep into an off-xastir-topic 
> discussion and begging the indulgence of the list.
>
> Guy Story KC5GOI wrote:
>   
>> I am still using aprsD on my igate and am able to specify specific alerts
>> for my CWA from the feed to go out RF.  For example CW8048.  I only send
>>     
> out
>   
>> the ones for my county, not adjacent ones.  The DFW area frequency is too
>> busy as it is.
>>
>> I have stuck with aprsD for various reasons.  It is not a knock at Pete
>>     
> who
>   
>> is a county away and a friend of mine.
>>
>> On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 3:31 PM, Tom Russo <russo at bogodyn.org> wrote:
>>   
>>     
>
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