Contracts

What is included in the C-Band System?

• 1.8 meter antenna (solid)

• Calypso Satellite Receiver

• Pole mount or non-penetrating roof mount 

• Ability to select and filter out products via access into the Calypso Receiver

• 300 feet of RGU-59 Coax cable

• DB9 to DB25 interface cable 

Where does one get information on programming weather products into the system?
Instructions will be provided with the system. Utilizing Hyperterminal on a PC connected to the DB9 port of the Calypso unit will allow you to access the configuration menu of the Calypso Receiver. This process allows the user to select the products that he/she wants to receive. The receiver will filter out products that are not selected.

When setting up our request list on the C-Band system, is there an option to warn the user on receipt of certain messages (i.e. Severe Weather Warning)?
The NWWS System is not equipped with an audible alarm function.  However, CSC now offers the Satellite Data Controller (SDC) box, with two serial and two parallel ports for data output. The SDC allows users to filter up to 2,000 products and provides the alarm feature for each filtered product.

What is coming out of the 9pin plug on the C-Band option?
The output for the C-band system is a DB9 (ASYNC serial port). It can be configured for data rates from 1200 Baud to 38.4 BPS. A standard ASCII 8 bit, no parity at 9600 BPS is the default configuration. Since the user can configure his/her own products, the user will be able to control the number of products received and filtered by the Calypso Receiver. 

If I want to receive data on my PC, what is the recommended configuration for my PC? 

• Pentium PC (The more MHz the better)

• 15" or greater monitor 

• 128 or greater megabytes of RAM 

• 20 gig hard drive or better 

• Windows NT or Windows 2000

We currently receive all NWWS data, with no filters in the selector box. The NWWS data is in ASCII text form. We use our own proprietary software to sort/parse the incoming text data. Will the C-band option allow for the same configuration on our side?
With the C-Band system you have the option to filter (get only the products that you want) or not filter (receive everything). The Calypso Receiver will accommodate either option. If you receive all the data from us without filtering it, you should be able to use any of the transmission media to receive the data (C-Band, Ku-Band, or Internet). With the Ku-Band and Internet options you are responsible for filtering the products you want to receive on your computer system. 

What software vendors can provide the software programs in order to manipulate and display the data?
CSC uses Marta Systems for the display software that would allow the user to ingest the data from the Calypso receiver into a PC. Other vendors in the industry have software that would allow the user to perform similar tasks. 

Is there a rack mount kit/capability with receiver box?
The receiver is a table top box. CSC will check with the manufacturer of the box to see if a rack mount kit is available. 

Can the PC interface strictly via serial communications or is an Ethernet card required?
The output of the Calypso receiver is a DB9 serial output. The Ethernet port is used strictly to download software upgrades to the receiver. 

If I purchase a Calypso system can I get the Internet as a back up for free?
Yes. This is true for both C-Band and Ku-Band options. 

If I own a dot matrix printer, what impact, if any, will this have on my system?
You can still use the dot matrix serial printer to receive the weather wire data. You would need to get the C-Band option in order to configure the receiver for the products you want to receive. Only the C-Band option allows you to set up your own profile of products. In order to set up the receiver, the user would need a PC or a VT100 emulator.  

I have proprietary software that works with the current PIL Headers. Will this still work with the new system?
The data format for the system is currently WMO. Eventually you will need to change your software to look for WMO headers instead of PIL headers. 

How much bandwidth consumption can we expect from the NWWS data?
The NWWS system will transmit the data at approximately 9600 Bps. This stream is cyclic causing the busiest period to be between 10 before each hour until 15 past the hour. 

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Installation

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Network Service Fees

Is there a $630.00/year service fee in addition to equipment purchase?
The $630.00 Network Service Fee is an annual fee for those customers who have purchased their equipment. This fee allows the user to receive the NWWS data feed. In addition to the Network Service Fee, the user has the option of acquiring maintenance from CSC. The 24 hour/7 day maintenance is $1,071 per year.

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Maintenance Agreement

What do you expect for turnaround time if a receiver fails?
Typically, CSC will replace a failed unit within 24 hours of the reported failure. We will perform remote diagnostics and determine which part has failed and ship the part Fed Ex and our field personnel would go to replace the failed part.