Hector Weather Imaging Center - NOAAPORT

How can I receive NOAAPORT data ?

So far is very simple, specially if you are familiar with any of the following reception methods: GOES Wefax, EMWIN, DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) or mpeg2 via C or Ku Band, TVRO (TeleVision Receive Only, satellite TV or BUD) or 4DTV.

What you need is almost the same as if you were to install a DVB Satellite receiver to view TV Programing:

PCI DVB Satellite Receiver that supports DVB Data Broadcasting - I used a VisionPlus (TwinHan) model TH1020A
C band LNB(or LNBF)
6' - 10' Satellite dish - depending where you live - I use a 10' Sami Mesh dish
a PC - Check requirement of Satellite card

This is the VisionPlus card I have.

Installation (using the VisionPlus as an example)

first install the PCI card and drivers as per the instructions.
then you need to download/install from TwinHan website the following driver "VisionData (For VP-1020A/1030A only)". This will install a software and a driver that will make the card look like an ethernet card.
once this is done you is time to install and align the dish.
You need to point the dish to AMC 4 (101 W). To find and peek the dish, you can use any of the free DVB signals on that satellite. you can use Lyngsat for reference

Configuration (using the VisionData as an example)

Load VisionData

Under Satellite list create a new satellite called "AMC4"
The remaining configuration will vary depending on what you installed. For a fix dish with a standard LNB you can use what is on the graphic

In the "Dish Setting" tab under Transponder options

Click on "New"
Enter frequency "3956"
Enter Symbol Rate "6349"
Click on "Vertical"
Click on "OK"

**** NOTE: Use the new freq (3956, SR6349),

- will update image as soon as possible

After entering the Frequency information click on "Lock Test". If all your alignments are correct you should see the Strength and quality turn green

If it doesn't turn green, there is a problem with either alignment or polarity.

In the "Filter" tab

Click add
choose Decimalization
in "PID Data" enter 103
click "OK"
You can add the remaining "PID Data" 101, 102, 104 but only 103 is turned on at the moment

Once you enter PID 103 (this is the only channel turned on) you should see data statistics increasing. If not highlight PID 67 (this is decimal 103) and click on load.

This is as far as I was able to get. From this point is where you would install the software to capture the data from the card. I used a network analyzer (sniffer) to take a peek at the data that was there. Here is some raw data

For full size click here

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