NOTES:
The CRS ROAMS data interface can NOT be activated/enabled using the CRS GUI menus. The interface can only be activated/enabled by modifying the site ASCII file. Current CRS Build 6.4 sites must make ALL permanent changes to ROAMS configuration items by modifying the site ASCII file and executing a partial reconfiguration of the system.. CRS Build 7 sites may make changes to ROAMS configuration items by utilizing the GUI and subsequently running the XCRS_SITE Create ASCII file utility. The exception to this rule is the initial activation/enabling of the ROAM interface at CRS Build 7 sites. This MUST be done my modifying the site ASCII file.
Requests for new ROAMS MU units shall be submitted through the Regional NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Engineering Focal Point and the National Weather Service NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Program Office. Use this form for requests for new ROAMS units.
Requests for the initial or reprorgamming of existing ROAMS MU units shall be made to the Regional NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Engineering Focal Point or the National Weather Service NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Program Office.
Check the current status of the ROAMS Interface using the XCRS_SITE utility while CRS is running. Access the XCRS_SITE Utilities Window by moving the mouse cursor to a blank work area of the CRS Main Display Window and then pressing the left mouse button without releasing it. With the CRS Utilities Window on the screen, move the cursor to the first option to select it.
With CRS running, the XCRS_SITE Window allows the operator to select only certain functions.
Select Display System Config option to display the CRS system configuration in the "Status Display" block of the XCRS_SITE Window.
Use the scroll bar at the right of the window to position the text at SECTION 4: ROAMS Port Configuration. Check the first parameter in the line, Interface Enable.
If this flag is 1, the ROAMS interface is already enabled. If the flag is 0 the interface is disabled.
If the interface is disabled, sites should continue to the next step to enable the interface and configure each individual transmitter for ROAMS access by modifying the site ASCII file. If the interface is enabled, CRS Build 6.4 sites should continue to the next step and configure each individual transmitter for ROAMS access, and CRS Build 7 sites should go to the GUI based Individual Transmitter Configuration section.
To enable the ROAMS Interface stop CRS so that the ASCII file can be changed, initialize the system configuration, and finally restart CRS.
Click the Stop CRS System button and wait for the Shutting down 4BKUP... OK message in the status window.
This stops the CRS system. The system status is displayed in the CRS Main GUI Status window.
When the CRS system is stopped the CRS Main Display Status window will indicate all red down arrows and indicators.
Click the Select ASCII Site Setup button. The Select ASCII Site Setup function allows an operator to select an ASCII database file through a Site Configuration Files window.
The Site Configuration Files window allows an operator to specify the "qualified" ASCII database files by entering a directory name into a directory "Selection" block, and by entering a file name into a file "Filter" block. The directory "Selection" block has a default directory name "/crs/data/SS", and the file "Filter" block has a default file name "/crs/data/SS/*.ASC".
Based on the information defined in the "Selection" block and "Filter" block, the CRS will display all existing qualified ASCII database files on the "Files" display block for an operator to choose. The operator can click the desired ASCII database file name and then click the OK button to close the Site Configuration Files window. The selected ASCII database file name will be displayed in the ASCII Site Setup File block in the XCRS_SITE Window.
Click the Edit the ASCII file button. This displays a Text Editor Window to allow the operator to edit the ASCII file which is specified in the "ASCII Site Setup File" block. Using the slide control to the right, move to to SECTION 4: ROAMS Port Configuration and change the first parameter Interface Enable from a 0 to a 1. Make sure the parameters for ROAMS are as follows:
#ROAMS PORT Configuration #Interface Baud Stop Data Device Access Office #Enable Rate Bits Bits Parity Name Password Origin 1 300 1 8 0 /dev/term/a03m crsnws KCCC/NWS
Where KCCC is the site identifier. Example KLWX/NWS for the WFO Sterling, Virgina site. NOTE: At the present time the ROAMS PORT Configuration Password is not used. Do NOT change this from the default. For every transmitter that you have, check and add or change (if necessary) the ROAMS MU Site Number, set the retry value to 3, set timeout parameter to 30 seconds, the correct ROAMS MU telephone number and password.
#ROAMS site configuration (for each transmitter) #xmittr siteno retry timeout phone passwd 1 110 3 30 1,3016080966 NATHAN 2 120 3 30 NULL crsnws 3 130 3 30 NULL crsnws
NOTE: The ROAMS site configuration password must be NATHAN for each transmitter. NATHAN is the password that is preprogrammed into every ROAMS unit nationwide. The ROAMS site configuration password is used by CRS when dialing into the ROAMS MU to check on status.
Save the file by selecting Save under the File menu.
Then exit by selecting Exit from the File menu.
Reopen the XCRS_SITE utility, if required, select the Initialize System Configuration Only radio button and then click on Start Site Configure:
Click on the OK button in response to the Question popup box.
Wait for the completion of the reconfiguration.
Click on the OK button in response to the Question popup box.
Click the Start CRS System button and wait for the Starting 4BKUP... OK message in the status window.
This starts the CRS system and enables all of the options. The system status is displayed in the CRS Main GUI Status window.
Redisplay the CRS system configuration in the XCRS_SITE Window to verify that the Interface Enable flag has been set to 1.
CRS Build 7 sites can make all changes to individual transmitter ROAMS MU access configurations through the CRS GUI. Once changes have been made a site can then generate a new ASCII file using the XCRS_SITE utilities Create ASCII file function. Build 6.4 sites can not make changes through the GUI.
Open a Maintenance -> Site Configuration window. Click on the ROAMS tab.
Click on the first Configured Transmitters radio button. Make any required changes to the ROAMS MU Phone Number, Password or Site Number. Make sure the Retry Count is set to 3 and the Timeout is set to 30 seconds for all transmitters.
Click on the ROAMS Port tab.
Make sure the Office Origination field accurately represents your station identifier. NOTE: The Office Origination field is used when CRS generates NWRSAME tones. Example: KLWX/NWS for the WFO Sterling, VA site.
Click on the Apply hotkey to save any changes.
Save the changes to a new site ASCII file using the XCRS_SITE utility Create ASCII file while CRS is running. Access the XCRS_SITE Utilities Window by moving the mouse cursor to a blank work area of the CRS Main Display Window and then pressing the left mouse button without releasing it. With the CRS Utilities Window on the screen, move the cursor to the first option to select it.
Click on the Create ASCII file button.
Assign a unique name to the new site ASCII file. The click the Create ASCII file button.
Verify the successful creation of the ASCII file. Click the Exit button. This ASCII file shall be used the next time a full Initialize System Configuration and Database procedure is executed.
CRS Build 7 site customization procedure.
CRS Build 6.4 site customization procedure.
[RETURN]
Page Author: A.W. Jarvi, W/OPS23, Office of
Operational Systems
Last reviewed: 17 May 2001...awj