Does anyone know of a free or very low cost source for weather
information
that would work on the EEE PC?
Mark S.
You mean in the air via the net. 3G might work. You can get the NOAA
weather
channel on the net. I know they don't like cell phones (3G) working in
light planes
but they do work.
Paul Lamar
Sorry, I should have been more specific.Yes, in flight, near real-time
weather is what I'm interested in.Short of a subscription service, is
there anything in public domain that can legally be downloaded while
in
flight?
Mark S.
Check out
www.approachsystems.com APIC software- it runs on Windows
XP/2000/Vista/etc, is cheap and has most of the GPS system features
including an XM weather overlay.
Mike Parker
Mike,
Since I purchased an EEE PC1000 with the 40G SSD and Linux, I'll
either
have
to stick with s/w that's compatible with Linux or load Windows XP.
Besides,
I already have an EFIS, but it doesn't accommodate weather. I can
go to
NOAA or similar site while on the ground, but I was hoping to find
something
that would provide updates while in flight. I seems that XM Weather
is the
best option at this time.
Mark S.
Pardon my ignorance on this matter. I am not connected to XM radio.
How exactly does XM weather get from the receiver to a LCD. Blue
tooth?
Or does the XM receiver have a display of some sort?
I was thinking of doppler radar animation as shown on the NOAA web
site.
http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=SOX&product=N1P&overlay=11101111&loop=yes
Paul
Paul,
I'm no expert on XM Weather, but it appears they use a satellite
signal/receiver and associated s/w to display the images and
information on
a pc or palm device. Here's a snip from their web page...
_____________________________________________________________________________
Continuously broadcast and dependable
XM WX Satellite Weather employs a unique satellite delivery
mechanism<
http://www.xmwxweather.com/xmwx-data/to ensure constant,
reliable weather coverage, no matter how thick the
clouds get or how hard it rains. In fact, the quality of XM WX data,
in
addition to its robust satellite delivery, has prompted over 90% of
airframe
manufactures to adopt XM WX as an optional feature for their aircraft.
_____________________________________________________________________________
My issue is with the method of billing that requires an ongoing
monthly
subscription. As I only fly 3-4 times/month, I am looking for
something
that is either free, minimal cost, or allows a per use charge. Most
of my
flying is < 50 miles each way, but Texas weather can change very
quickly. For now, I guess I'll use the EEE PC to get weather while
still on
the ground.
Mark S.
Back in my glass cockpit Kitplane article of 1989 I mentioned
picking up UHF TV
channels on a small portable 12 volt TV set for weather.
My friend has a big motor home with a 3 foot diameter satellite dish
he gets the internet on. I think it is Hughes. It automatically
searches for
and locks on to the satellite. There is a servo in it. Of course it
automatically
folds down on the roof of the motor home as well as well to cut the
overall height.
Cost about $5000 as I recall. He also has a much smaller one that
does the same
thing for direct TV only. Check with your local motor home dealer.
I have a fixed direct TV satellite dish at home but it does not have
internet service
but it does have the weather channel 24 hours a day. The dish is
about 18 inches
in diameter. I have a spare dish if you want one. Might fit in an
Lancair ES rear
fuselage. All you need is a servo to find and lock on to the
satellite :)
If they can fly a Rotax 914 powered UAV in Afghanistan from Tamps
Florida with a sat link
surely we can get weather real time :)
Paul Lamar
Mark,
I haven't tried any of these applications and don't know if the
capabilities are what you are looking for for weather information, but
there are several applications on freshmeat.net related to weather.
http://freshmeat.net/search?q=weather&submit=Search
freshmeat.net is my primary source if I'm looking for an application
for Linux. Make sure you don't go to freshmeat.(anything else) No
telling what may show up on your computer. ;)
Bob W.
This isn't exactly what you are looking for, but appears to be a
pretty nifty device. It is designed to be hand-held, but a cradle is
available. You get XM Radio, XM Weather, and GPS, all in a nice
little package.
XM Weather-only pricing is $9.95/mo.
http://www.bushnell.com/gps/gps_onix400.cfm
Best Regards,
Steve Thomas
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