Chapter 5 : start MeteoCom

 
After you install MeteoCom 6 you find two Icon's on your Desktop- MeteoCom and MeteoViewer

MeteoCom is for controlling the Radio and Signal. MeteoViewer shows you all Weather Information's you received. First you turn the radio on. Make a double click to the MeteoCom Icon.

If you get the Error Message "missing Right Privileges - start the Program as Administrator", you have to start the Icon with the right mouse button " start as Administrator".

Now the MeteoCom Window (Background Server) appears with Preferences.


Quick start

1.) In "Preferences" you can make the basic adjustments to the Program. These adjustments are divided into two areas: „Internet service“ and „Radio Service“.

Deleting old data after selected days:
In order to prevent a build-up of old data on your computer you can have certain data deleted at certain times. The preselected value serves as a good average
.

2.) NetManager controls and arranges the download and processing of internet weather data from MeteoServer. Your computer must be set up for internet connection prior to using this service

3.)  "Radio Manager". / "Radio Control" Here you can make adjustments to weather data reception via shortwave.

-Look to the SheduleList  to find out with station and Frequency you can use for your Area.

-With a double mouse click to the radio station in Radio Manager is tuned in on the radio with the correct frequency shift and the reception program is started with all parameters. Sometimes you have to check out which Frequency is better for you at your Position.

-If you receive Messages or WeatherFax completely MeteoCom will save these Weather Information's automatically  in the correct category of MeteoViewer.

4.) You find Synop Data's, RTTY and Navtex Information's in the Rubik "Text". If you receive enough Information's of RTTY or Synop you see the Info's in the world card of "Weather".  And the WeatherFax Data's in the categorie "Picture".


Chapter 6: MeteoCom

MeteoCom is divided into the following program elements:

1.) About
-You see the Information's about your MeteoCom Version
-If you click to the corresponding button you will be equally directed to our websites to get more information about products, prices and Accessories or to contact us.  
-You can closes MeteoCom completely. So it´s not working in the background anymore.

2.) NetManager
controls and arranges the download and processing of internet weather data from MeteoServer. Your computer must be set up for internet connection prior to using this service

3.) RadioControl
 Here you can make adjustments to weather data reception via shortwave.

4.) Preferences
you can make the basic adjustments to the Program. These adjustments are divided into two areas: „Internet service“ and „Radio Service“.

5.) Color
Lay out the design of the program in color according to your wishes

6.) ErrorLog
Here you see the Error messages. So you can look to our Manual in the FAQ´s for solve the problem.
 


1. About

Here you see the Information's about your MeteoCom Version.

If you click to the corresponding button you will be equally directed to our websites to get more information about products, prices and Accessories or to contact us.  

You can closes MeteoCom completely. So it's not working in the background anymore.


2. Preferences

you can make the basic adjustments to the Program. These adjustments are divided into two areas: „Internet service“ and „Radio Service“.

Internet Service

On the „Internet Service“ page you make adjustments for internet service only. You need a user account to use this internet service.
All Information's  about these service you can read at our Website.

http://www.bonito.net/meteocom/en/ www.bonito.net/shop



 

geographic map area for download
If you want to curb the amount of data downloaded from the server it is necessary to adjust the geographical area covered. You will find a number of preselected areas in the dialog box. You can reshape these areas by clicking and dragging the arrows.

deleting old data after selected days:

In order to prevent a build-up of old data on your computer you can have certain data deleted at certain times. The preselected value serves as a good average
.

automatic Download - archiving
here you can download old Synop data's and Satellite pictures from our archive. Example for a Logbook.

It is envisaged that other programs can use the data from MeteoCom. Recommend at the moment is the logbook of TRIPCON  http://www.tripcon.de.
 

Radio Service
Here you can make adjustments to weather data reception via shortwave.

Is the Switchbox not connected to the PC the Radio Service and the Radio Control are not active. If you want to use the Radio Service you have to check the Com-Port and the Switchbox. You read more about this Problem in our FAQ´s.

Save and Reload Conditions
click these button for save or reload your conditions.

geographic map area for download
If you want to curb the amount of data downloaded from the server it is necessary to adjust the geographical area covered. You will find a number of preselected areas in the dialog box. You can reshape these areas by clicking and dragging the arrows.

deleting old data after selected days:

In order to prevent a build-up of old data on your computer you can have certain data deleted at certain times. The preselected value serves as a good average
.


3. NetManager - Weather via Internet

NetManager controls and arranges the download and processing of internet weather data from MeteoServer. Your computer must be set up for internet connection prior to using this service

Time Management of Download Service
Force download“ creates an internet connection to MeteoServer, downloads weather data and processes them in such way that they can be viewed and evaluated in MeteoViewer.
If you activate the „Auto Download“ function, MeteoCom automatically creates an internet connection to MeteoServer.
In submenu „Forecast every…“ you can set the interval at which MeteoCom automatically downloads weather data. The small clock indicates the reference time.

registry
If you have Problems with the download, like an Error Message, you can reactivate the Service here.

automatic program-Update / Update Options
Here you can make the adjustments of automatic program Updates.


Selection for home based or mobile internet

Since you can use MeteoCom at home as well as on the go, and want to keep the data volume low when mobile, you have the option to toggle between „Home Service“ and „Mobile Service“. You can select an entirely different configuration for each service mode. For example, you can select to receive satellite pictures and forecasts for up to six days, whereas when mobile you can waive on the satellite pictures and just receive forecasts for three days and even keep it down to the first package only.
The MeteoServer weather data consist of two packages. The first package contains the more important values. The second one contains less important ones. You can disable the second package if you so choose.
 

• Wind: Strength and Direction
• Wave: Height and Direction
• Barometric Pressure: at Sea Level
• Air Temperature: 2 m above ground
• Clouds: Altitude and Ceiling
• Precipitation: by Type

• Relative Air Humidity
• Water Temperature
• Convective Clouds
• Waves: 1st and 2nd Swell and Direction
• Precipitation: Snow Cover

Please note that the more information, values, and depending on the size of the area to download the volume
increased or decreased.

In „Download for xxx Days forecast“ you can select how many days worth of forecasts you would like to receive. We recommend three or five days.
„Synop data“ are measurement values, not forecast values. They are the basis of all forecasts and indicate the values that you are or have been surrounded by. You can receive this data not only with your SSB radio but also download them from MeteoServer. In „Synop download“ you can download the Synop data of the past 72 hours.
Another function of MeteoServer is to provide satellite pictures which MeteoCom uses to create animations. Since these pictures are not forecasts you can select the time frame for satellite pictures in the “load pictures for...” selection box. The maximum amount is 72 hours.
In the „Image List“ you select the pictures of the satellites you want to download.

 

After a successful download you find the Weather Information's in the MeteoViewer, in the correct categories: 

via: in:
Internet download Forecast data Weather; Internet data (graphics)
Radio/ WEATHERiNFOBOX receiving Forecasts Weather; RTTY (graphics) and Text
Internet download and received Synop data Wetter; Synop (graphics)  and Texts ( in writing)
Internet download  satellite pictures Pictures; Symbol    and Symbol
Radio/ WEATHERiNFOBOX received Weatherfax Pictures; Symbol
   
     

4. RadioManager - Weather via SSB

RadioManager“ controls the live reception. After the installation of optional program parts MeteoCom is able to control up to two SSB radios and receive one Navtex Receiver Antenna simultaneously.
In order to manage these capabilities we have incorporated the „Monitor-Mode“ into MeteoCom (see image). This mode only displays the timer status and the momentary reception. There are no further adjustments possible here.

By selecting „Radio-1 Monitor“, „Radio-2 Monitor“ and „Navtex Monitor“ you can check if everything works properly and what is being received on the respective channel.
By clicking „Radio Control“ you get to the „Radio Control-Mode“, where you can make adjustments to weather data reception via shortwave.

Click here to Radio Control if you need more information's about it.


5. Colors

In this part of the program you can alter the coloration of the different MeteoViewer layers. We recommend the use of this option to advanced users only. If you accidentally change color settings to undesired values, you can reset the settings with “set default”.
Each individual value (°C, Hektopascal, Beaufort) is represented by a specific color. First you select the layer to be changed „Layer section“. Select a colour or value from the scale and adjust the value to your desired color by using the RGB controller. You can repeat this procedure with a second colour or color value, if you wish to use scaling.
Click on „Mark the 1st Colour“. Select a different color or color value and then click on the color or value you wish to be used for scaling. Click on “Save” to save the scale

 


6. ErrorLog

Here you see the Error messages. So you can look to our Manual in the FAQ´s for solve the problem. With the button "delete" you will delete all the messages.


Chapter 7 - MeteoViewer

This is where weather data is displayed, irrespective of whether was received by the WEATHERiNFOBOX or downloaded from the Internet. There are four categories: „Navigation”, „Weather“, „Images“ and „Text“.

Navigation is only active if you bought the Navigator Version  or you upgraded to that option.

It takes 4 different categories : Weather“, „Images“, „Text“ and „Navigation“.


1.) Weather

This is where all aspects of the weather data are displayed graphically,  received by the WEATHERiNFOBOX as RTTY- or SYNOP or downloaded from the Internet.

Read more about the different Data Categories. Internet  Data, RTTY and Synop


change design

You can change the look of the WeatherInfoViewer- software according to your wishes. You can either use any one of the defaults (SCR 1-6) or create your own design. This is not just for aesthetic reasons. If you are using the software in the dark, a bright screen can be very disturbing. Hence, you can change easily to a darker, “night” design.

You can now use the various controls to change the colors in the different areas. The settings dialog itself remains unaffected by these changes, because there are combinations that could makes the switches or buttons invisible.

Screen:
These buttons change the background color. "bright."  alters the brightness and "satur." alters the color saturation.

Scopes:
These buttons modify the scopes and the frequency display. The "bright."  button modifies the brightness of the background and while the "line" button modifies the brightness of the lines.

Button flat style:
Turn this button clockwise to give an “inflated” aspect of the buttons or anti-clockwise to create the impression of flatness.

Color Picker & Selection:
With this menu you can change the color the of various parts of the software. Select the desired entry from the drop-down menu then position and hold down  the left mouse button on the desired color until the cursor moves there. Then move the slider along the color tone bar, the rightmost vertical bar, to change the brightness of the selected color.

Click the "save" button, to save to file your own color scheme or click the "load" button to reload an already saved color scheme from a file. With "set default" you can assign your chosen design to the quick selection buttons (SCR 1-6). Click the "undo" button to the changes.

 


.

 

 


Internet Daten, RTTY and Synop

Internet Daten

If you press the „Internet Download Area" button the download dialog appears. This controls and arranges the Internet download and the data production. To have available this options, you need to buy the Internet Option and your computer must have an  established Internet connection.
 

Download Time Management
Force download“ creates an internet connection to MeteoServer, downloads weather data and processes them in such way that they can be viewed and evaluated in MeteoViewer.
If you activate the „Auto Download“ function, MeteoCom automatically creates an internet connection to MeteoServer.
In submenu „Forecast every…“ you can set the interval at which MeteoCom automatically downloads weather data. The small clock indicates the reference time.

Registry
If you have Problems with the download, like an Error Message, you can reactivate the Service here.

automatic program-Update / Update Options
Here you can make the adjustments of automatic program Updates.

Selection for home based or mobile internet
Since you can use MeteoCom at home as well as on the go, and want to keep the data volume low when mobile, you have the option to toggle between „Home Service“ and „Mobile Service“. You can select an entirely different configuration for each service mode. For example, you can select to receive satellite pictures and forecasts for up to six days, whereas when mobile you can waive on the satellite pictures and just receive forecasts for three days and even keep it down to the first package only.
The MeteoServer weather data consist of two packages. The first package contains the more important values. The second one contains less important ones. You can disable the second package if you so choose.
 

• Wind: Strength and Direction
• Wave: Height and Direction
• Barometric Pressure: at Sea Level
• Air Temperature: 2 m above ground
• Clouds: Altitude and Ceiling
• Precipitation: by Type

• Relative Air Humidity
• Water Temperature
• Convective Clouds
• Waves: 1st and 2nd Swell and Direction
• Precipitation: Snow Cover

Please note that the more information, values, and depending on the size of the area to download the volume
increased or decreased.

In „Download for xxx Days forecast“ you can select how many days worth of forecasts you would like to receive. We recommend three or five days.

„Synop data“ are measurement values, not forecast values. They are the basis of all forecasts and indicate the values that you are or have been surrounded by. You can receive this data not only with your SSB radio but also download them from MeteoServer. In „Synop download“ you can download the Synop data of the past 72 hours.

Another function of MeteoServer is to provide satellite pictures which MeteoCom uses to create animations. Since these pictures are not forecasts you can select the time frame for satellite pictures in the “load pictures for...” selection box. The maximum amount is 72 hours.

In the „Image List“ you select the pictures of the satellites you want to download.

 

After a successful download you find the Weather Information's in the MeteoViewer, in the correct categories: 

via: in:
Internet download Forecast data Weather; Internet data (graphics)
Radio/ WEATHERiNFOBOX receiving Forecasts Weather; RTTY (graphics) and Text
Internet download and received Synop data Wetter; Synop (graphics)  and Texts ( in writing)
Internet download  satellite pictures Pictures; Symbol    and Symbol
Radio/ WEATHERiNFOBOX received WeatherFax Pictures; Symbol

 

If you make all your personally settings you can close the window  "Download Area Pre-settings". Now click to "start download" or "force download" for downloading the data´s.

Operation Status
The progress bars „Internet Download“, „Computing“ and „Work progress duration“ show the up-to-date status of seach stage.

 

The weather information's you downloaded

Weather information:

categories:
Forecasts Weather- Internet data
Synop data (measured data's) Weather - SYNOP
Satellite pictures Images

RTTY

At this Categorie you find the received Forecasts via SSB.

If you received many and flawless forecasts data's, MeteoCom will converts the RTTY text in graphic into the world map.

You find the Points of Stations like "Humber" or "German Bight" in the world map too. If you click it you see the whole Weather Information's from this Point.

Info: If you have no Data's in your world card, please check your RTTY-Texts in the categorie "Text".

For the graphic representation  you must received flawless and more than 3 RTTY Messages. No matter if the Texts are in German or English.

Navtex or Station reports are not included.

 


SYNOP

MeteoCom displays received Synop data as weather symbols on a world map. Clicking one of these symbols opens a window with information in English text. Every new station message is displayed if it is inside the selected reporting period. Messages can also be displayed for one time slot.

Radio Synop Symbols
„Points ON/OFF„ toggles between displaying the stations on the map or hiding them.

Wind direction and speed
Shows symbols with wind direction (arrows) and wind speed in Beaufort.

Temperature °C
Shows the air temperature in degrees centigrade (°C) on the map.

Clouds and precipitation
Shows symbols for cloud cover and precipitation.

Air pressure
Shows the barometric pressure in HectoPascals (hPa).

Synop-Archive
It is also possible to load older Synop data e.g. for logbook purposes. For that,  you have to choose the "Archive List" and either download data from the Internet, or use the data already archived.

Synop data's are measured data's not Forecast data's


Barograph

Barograph ON displays the barometric diagram. You may use the “small” display that occupies only part of the screen or the “full” screen display.
Due to the large amount of options, some buttons are grouped and accessed via a title bar (e.g. “Internet Download Area”) that displays a “+” icon on the left, acting as an expansion button. Click on that icon and the full set of buttons and options is revealed. To minimize it or if the display is no longer needed, click on the “-“ icon to hide the options.

 


The Weather Information's

-Dialog menu : You can switch the dialogue with ‚+’ and ‚-’ for expand.  You can open the dialogue or hide it.

- If you click to the map you get a windows with all information´s are available.


- Functions of the mouse wheel
Most computer mice have a wheel in the middle, which is used to scroll up and down. By using the wheel, RadioCom can control the potentiometers and the frequencies. For example, point the mouse on ‘Volume’, turn the mouse wheel and watch how the settings change.
 


Navigation bar
You navigate the map using the up/down and left/right buttons. You can also use the black arrows on the right. The button below the arrows switches the map back to the overview. The image can be zoomed in or out using the magnifying glass symbols. You can also select a portion of the image with your mouse. Point your mouse pointer to the upper left corner of the area you would like to select, click the mouse button and then pull the mouse to the lower right until the desired area is inside the area marked by the rubber band. Release the mouse button. MeteoViewer will zoom into the selected area.

Below the navigation bar there is a slider that makes zooming even easier. Point your mouse to your position and click on the right mouse button. A context menu will open. Select “Set fix point”. Now, if you use the zoom slider, you will always zoom around the selected position. Even when you are zooming into other areas you simply need to touch the slider to get back to where you were before.

Data Layer
Depending on what you have downloaded, several or all data layers will be active. Simply choose the layers you want to be displayed -for example, wind, barometric pressure, waves, etc. You can also combine layers. Layers that cannot be combined will automatically be displayed with the proper layer.

Switch from local time to UTC time
The weather data are always in UTC. To have a better overview of the prediction you can switch to between the local time and the or UTC.

Print
Here you can print your own weather maps. You choose when and which data and areas should be printed. Maps are printed in high definition quality.

Speed controller and “PLAY”
This controller sets the speed at which animations are played. The speed is also dependent upon the processing speed of your PC. The “<” and “>” buttons are to „Play“ the Forecast forward or backwards.

Time slider
By moving this slider to the left or right you can move the data manually


2. ) Images

All types of images can be displayed here, those downloaded from the Internet as well as and those received from the WEATHERiNFOBOX. The navigation is the same as in the „Weather” category“.

via: in:
Satellite pictures - download by Internet Images; Symbol    and Symbol
WeatherFax - received by SSB Images ; Symbol

There are seven icons that correspond to seven folders for handling various types of images. From left to right, there are three receiving folders – the Download Folder for various satellite images, the Fax Folder for receiving the radiofax images and the Download Folder for the satellite weather images.


The next three icons are for three containers, “banks”, where you may store the received images to protect them from being deleted by the “automatic deleting procedure”. Here you may sort and archive images that you want to keep.

The last icon represents the “trash bin” – a folder where the images are kept only until the automatic deletion removes them for good.

To move an image from one folder to another, go to the source folder then select the image and drag it to the destination folder. If you drag an image by mistake into the “trash bin” folder, you can just select the trash folder, find the image and drag it back to the desired folder. The images from the trash folder are not deleted immediately. The automatic deletion will remove them after eight days, therefore there is a chance to recover some of the images moved there by mistake.

The „Images selection“ panel contains the images of the currently selected folder sorted by date, downwards in descending order. Double-clicking an image will bring it up in the large window on the right where it can be viewed and edited.

Save and print FAX
The image can be saved and printed. The regular processing windows appear without any special attributes. You have the option of saving the processed image in the same folder, overwriting the original, or saving it under a different name.

Synchronize
If you received an image where the left edge is displayed in the center of the image, you can use this function for subsequent synchronization. First click on the button. Then select the exact spot where you want the edge to be, positioning the vertical rubber band. A left click on the mouse will finalize the operation. If the image appears fragmented you may need to rotate the image and repeat the synchronization.

Skew correction
Use this function when the received image is skewed.
Click on the upper edge of the image and draw a line along the skewed edge of the image. Clicking again will correct the image.

Crop image
Click on the button. Then click your left mouse button and draw a rectangle around the area you want to crop. Release the mouse button. You can now still manipulate the area by clicking on the edges and pulling them to a different position. Clicking the right mouse button will finalize the crop.


Rotate image
If the image is arranged wrongly you can rotate it by clicking on the appropriate button; 90 degrees anti-clockwise, 180 degrees or 90 degrees clockwise, respectively.

ICO RPM:
If a fax has been recorded with a wrong module or at the wrong speed, it can be turned into a readable form by clicking on this button. You will be prompted with a dialog box to provide the appropriate parameters.

Undo / Redo
Use the UNDO command to revert the last editing action, if possible.
Use the REDO command to revert the UNDO command.

Contours, Soften, Sharpen, Brightness
On the left, in the control panel, there is a title bar “Image Manipulation” that you can expand and get extra tools for improving the image. You may use them to make the contour lines – land contour, isobars – more clear. With the “sharp” button you may sharpen or soften the image. The “contrast” button allows you to increase or decrease the contrast of the image while the “brightness” button will alter the luminosity of the image. The "denoise" button helps you remove the noise from the transmission (in a certain degree) but with the side effect that the image becomes softer. The small image under the buttons will reflect all changes resulting from rotating the buttons. You may see the alterations on the large image if you press the “preview” button. Once you finished making changes, you may click the “set to image” button to transfer the changes to the larger image. If you change your mind you can click the “reset” button and the larger image will revert to the initial status.
 


3.) Text

When the "Text" button is selected, the display switches to the "Text Control Page". Here you will have access to all text messages received as forecasts, warnings, Navtex etc. The text messages are grouped by category. Texts belonging to certain areas or subjects will be stored in the appropriate folders. For instance, forecasts for the Mediterranean can only be found in their own folder. This makes finding the proper forecast much easier.


Symbol bar Text

This tool bar contains the following symbols:

Print
This will print the currently selected text message.

Save + Save as
These buttons allow you to save a text or overwrite it.

CLR
A click on this button will delete the text.

Format
There are several buttons that allow you to format the text. You can change the text font, size, style, color, justification or you can apply bullets. Select the section of the text that you want to modify, or the whole text of the document, then click the appropriate button. When changing the font, a dialog box will appear where you can choose the font, the style and the size of the characters. Another dialog box allows you to change the color of the text. Other buttons will apply directly the changes you intend to make.

 


4.) Navigation- MeteoRouteControl

If you bought the Navigator or the Internet Option the category „Navigation“ appears in the WeatherInfoViewer. This is a simple Chart plotter with all the usual details and functions, which can be updated via the Internet.

 

The category “Navigation” is a simple chart plotter. But please keep in mind that there is no guarantee for the topicality and correctness of the Navigation charts. What is important on these charts is the meteorological route control called MeteoRouteControl. Use a specialized electronic chart if you require precise chart details.

You can create a planned route on a map similar to a navigation map. WeatherInfoViewer then calculates the weather data using the journey's estimated time and it colours the planned route according to the weather situation. Thus you can see easily when, at what time, and on what route section, unfavorable weather conditions are expected. The route can be modified if necessary in order to minimize the effects of the weather. Furthermore, this software extension will control a route in real time from the meteorological point of view, if you have a GPS connected to the system.
The top left button   hides the control panel on the left hand side to get more space for the chart. Once hidden, click the button to show the control panel again. The four categories „Overview“, „Global“, „Coast“ and „Harbour“ switch between four different set-ups with different resolutions and details. Each one can be saved by opening the context menu (right click mouse button on the world map) and choosing the desired “save the view parameter…” option. The settings of each category do not change when you switch between different categories. By clicking the right mouse button you can reset your settings to the default set-up.

In the same way as the Weather Control page, the Navigation Control page has a toolbar at the very top, with general buttons for standard operations like open, save or print, similar buttons for time control with a time slider for the weather animation and specific buttons for the route control.

In contrast with the other buttons, the “Measure” button operates in a different way. After pressing this button, a click on the map is expected, to create a start-to-end measurement. After the first click, a rubber band line connects the previous position to the current position of the mouse up to the point where the next click occurs. That way a route is created by subsequent clicks. A right mouse click ends this procedure. 

The two buttons on the toolbar provide a quick way of toggling between the current size and the medium or large size of buoys and their labeling, respectively.

All known weather data settings can be selected here as well. Additionally, you will find layout settings with the two buttons Weather-Layer and Weather-Symbols that toggle the Weather Details on or off. The list (at the bottom) shows always only one data set loaded from the Internet, which can be selected in the drop-down menu "Forecast for xxx". This is where you can choose the start hour of the forecast. The three Buttons “small”, “medium” and “large” modify the dimension of the grid. Some notebook displays have lower vertical resolution (e.g. only 800 pixels), so you can minimize or maximize the Setting dialogs if you need to. This facility will also appear in larger screens for further details, such as preferences for Celsius, Fahrenheit or the details of the measurements in miles.

The colors for the map representation and the layout can be adjusted here as well using the “Screen Design and Preferences” dialog.

If you expand the “Chart & Map setting” you will be able to control the size of the text and the size of the buoys. Use the three buttons: “small”, “medium” and “large” to alter the font size and the size of buoys. You may control separately the size of the two types of items by pressing the “variable per Poti” button and adjusting the potentiometers. Once sizes are set, you may alternate between the four buttons to get the desired effect.

Switch from local time to UTC time
The weather data are always in UTC. To have a better overview of the prediction you can switch to between the local time and the or UTC.

Print
Here you can print your own weather maps. You choose when and which data and areas should be printed. Maps are printed in high definition quality.
 


Construct MeteoRoute
 

Look to our Video at YouTube here

create a new Route click the “new” button , then move the mouse cursor to the starting point of the route and click on the Map to place and draw the starting waypoint. Create additional waypoints by clicking in the subsequent positions further along your desired route. A right mouse click ends this procedure.

To modify a Route press the “change” button , then move the mouse cursor to the waypoint you want to modify and select it by clicking with the left mouse button. Now the waypoint is selected and you can drag it to the desired position. If you select a waypoint and then click the right mouse button, that point will be removed from the list. You can also insert extra waypoints into the route.
 

Create and modify Way Points
In order to calculate a weather route, the speed of the boat is required. The edit window for Speed in Knots is active in the field “Route Options”. You can define an average speed before placing the waypoints. You can also change the speed value for any individual waypoint. While you set the waypoints, the resolution or the position of the map can be changed as described above.

Once you created a track, you can modify, insert or delete its waypoints. You may select a waypoint either on the map or in the Waypoint List under the control panel, if activated. Select the desired waypoint then press the “edit” button to activate the edit dialog. You can change its position, the speed etc., manually. A click on the “insert” button will add a new entry behind the current position. You may alter the position of this new waypoint later by dragging it to the required location. A click on the “delete” button will delete the currently selected waypoint.
You can add a name to a waypoint and the name will also appear on the map. Furthermore, you may add runtime functions to a waypoint.
One such function is the alarm. You can select a certain waypoint and click on the “Warn me” button. During navigation, upon the arrival to that waypoint the computer will sound the alarm.
Another function is the pause and restart. You select the location where you are planning a break and you click on the “Pause and Restart” button. You need to enter the number of hours you break your journey for in the “Restart” edit boxes. That way the weather calculation will take your plans into account.

Very often you arrive late in the afternoon and you want to stay for the night and restart the next morning. In that case, you do not know how long the pause would last. If you specify only the number of days in the “Restart” edit box, the program will make the assumption that the start time will be the same as it was defined in the “Start” edit boxes for the start of the journey, i.e. the next day or after that number of days.

You can select a forecast dataset and determine a specific start date. If the “Start” button is pressed, then the start date is used. Otherwise, the chosen base time is used as the start date. Then, if you click the "MeteoPoint List” the month, day and hour will be displayed color coded the same way as the weather route (the more red, the more problems) and the following marks are displayed: B for a break (Break), W for warning and R for the amendment of the map resolution.

You can set the resolution by using the button "set map resolution". The current resolution of the map is adopted and you can verify by clicking on the “test” button but only once you pressed the “activate control” button. The “done” items will be colored in green while the items with “data not yet available” will be colored in red. You may click the little check boxes yourself to mark manually the items as done, but only from the top check box towards the bottom check box. Marking items as “pending”, i.e. un-checking the little check boxes, works in reverse order.
When an item from the list is selected, then the weather information for that section will be displayed in the instrument window. Even if the  is activated, the weather will be displayed on the Map. The same as in the list, problems will be signaled with colors. The small arrow represents the wind while the larger arrow represents the wave height. The small weather-symbol indicates the general weather condition.

The direction of the wind and the waves are always shown towards the boat. You can display the boat arrow either in “track up” mode (as in the presented example) or in “north up” mode. Use the “route direction” button to toggle between the two display modes.

When a GPS is connected to the computer running the software, the actual GPS course direction is indicated as a more or less red boat. Other instruments may also be connected, through NMEA, providing information about wind, speed and depth. All these appear on the Route Control display. The wind values from the NMEA sensors are displayed only in the text field.


Screen-Navigation
Resolution: The Map can be zoomed in or out using the vertical, rightmost slider just below the navigation buttons. You can also use the mouse wheel for zooming in and out.

Zoom:
Point your mouse pointer to the upper left corner of the area you would like to select, click the mouse button and then pull the mouse to the lower right corner until the desired area is inside the area marked by the rubber band (lasso selection). Release the mouse button. MeteoViewer will zoom into the selected area.


Map-Position: Scrolling the map can be done with the scrollbar at the bottom or with the one on the right. A more precise scrolling can be done directly on the map: hold the right mouse button down and drag the map with the mouse in the desired direction.

Context-Menu: A click on the right mouse button will open the context menu. This menu is also used in other parts of the program and allows you to make additional adjustments like showing nautical or meteorological information or defining a “Set fix point”  . Once a fix point is set, if you use the zoom slider it will always zoom around the selected position. Even when you are zooming into other areas you simply need to touch the slider to get back to where you were before.

 


Route-Control – NMEA Connection

If NMEA devices can be connected to the computer, you will need to establish the connection and the protocol. In order to set the parameters for the NMEA communication, you need to expand the “Screen Design and Preferences” and click on the “set NMEA Params” Button. A dialog box will invite you to provide the required NMEA parameters. After you choose the COM port and the Baud speed, WeatherInfoViewer will attempt to connect to the device's and the protocol and parameters will be displayed. The NMEA devices should be running and the appropriate protocol already set in order to establish the connection. Please refer to the manual of your GPS-receiver and the other devices.

In the above example, data is received on the COM 7 port with a Baud speed of 4800 bps. Depending on the devices and the success of the connection, various parameters may be retrieved – clock, position, course and speed. If a correct NMEA position is recognized, the route is controlled in the program and indicated as a small cross on the Map.


5.) closing MeteoCom

This program always runs in the background. Pressing the „Close“ button does not end the program but merely hides it. It will show itself only by displaying a small cloud icon in the info tab of the task bar, next to the clock. If you wish to close MeteoCom altogether there are two ways to achieve it:


1.)Select the „About“ tab in MeteoCom and click on the red „Close MeteoCom“ button in the lower left corner of the screen. This will end the program.
 

2.) Click on the MeteoCom symbol in the top on the left side and click to the last entry of the MeteoCom Option menu. "Exit"

 

 

Or:

3.) Click on the MeteoCom symbol in the task bar with the right mouse button. A context menu will pop up. Select „Exit / Close“. MeteoCom is now switched off.
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