NOTICE DATED AUGUST, 1999:
The Microcomputer Automatic Radio-Theodolite (MicroART) system software version 2.97 was implemented at all MicroART upper-air stations on February 1, 1999. However, shortly after it’s implementation, it was found that stations using Vaisala radiosondes had increased amounts of missing flight data. It was determined that the cause for this problem was a fault in a supplementary "Y2K" software program provided by Vaisala, Inc. MicroART also had outdated computer virus detection software that could not detect new viruses.
MicroART 2.97 software is now to be installed with a new Y2K software program and updated computer virus detection software. The software was tested successfully at the Office of Systems Operations (OSO) Network Software Branch, the OSO Systems Research and Development Center, and 12 upper-air stations. Test results showed that the amounts of missing data was significantly reduced and the software functioned satisfactorily in an operational environment.
Operational implementation of the revised software configuration at all MicroART upper-air stations will be completed by August 27, 1999.
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NOTICE DATED JANUARY, 1999:
The Microcomputer Automatic Radio Theodolite (MicroART) system software has been upgraded to version 2.97 and will be implemented at all MicroART upper-air stations, on 00:00 UTC, February 1, 1999. The new software was tested successfully at the Office of Systems Operations Network Software Branch, the Systems Research and Development Center, and 10 upper-air stations.
The new features in the version 2.97 software and their associated Request for Change (RC) reference follow:
(1) Ability to function beyond December 31, 1999 (RC NWS457U) and be Year 2000 compliant.
(2) Corrections to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Abbreviated Heading in the coded message for Pacific Region upper-air stations (RC NWS457U).
(3) Automated addition of a WMO 41414 cloud data group to the upper-air coded message (RC NWS360U; see attached WMO notification letter).
(4) Balloon type rather than balloon weight is entered by the observer (RC NWS449U).
(5) Observation termination reason changed from switching failure to radio interference (RC NWS453U).
(6) Allow for the recording of radiosonde temperatures colder than -90OC (RC NWS460U).
(7) Generation and transmission of RADAT message for Alaska and Pacific Region stations (RC NWS457U).
Not included in this load: correct placement of the WMO station index number(RC NWS457U) in the coded message, correct generation of the Abbreviated Heading for non-Pacific Region stations (RC NWS457U), and generation of start-of-message and end-of-text indicators for messages coming from Pacific Region stations (RC NWS466U). Currently, these corrections are being made by either the NWS Telecommunications Gateway (NWSTG) or Federal Aviation Administration communications processors. After meetings between the Observing Systems Branch and the Central Communications Software Branch staff, it was concluded that the NWSTG and the FAA will continue to handle these corrections until further notice. The new upper-air replacement system currently under development, will be fully compliant with all message format standards.
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