Please note the following as applicable to your site and call the WSR-88D Hotline if you have any related questions.

PUP SITES

In recent months, we have had several calls, from different sites, expressing concern that their PUP was not displaying certain products. Upon investigation, it was found that the products in question were not entered on the RPS list . Rather, they were alert-paired products.

When an alert is triggered, the alert-paired product you have requested for that alert category is sent to your PUP. No additional alert-paired products are received for that alert as long as that alert remains valid. Alert-paired products are only sent to the PUP when the alert is first triggered.

The fix in this situation, as referenced in the ROC Operations Training Branch Manual, Chapter 8, is to put the product in question on the current RPS list after receiving the first alert. An alternative method is to request the product with a repeat count. Either method should get you the product in question.

RPG SITES

With the tropical cyclone season upon us, the Hotline has been receiving numerous requests from field sites for assistance in troubleshooting intermittent narrowband communications problems. Most UCP sites can be counted on to provide any assistance possible to ensure data flow to all authorized PUPs. However, we have encountered isolated instances in which personnel were hesitant to take any action whatsoever, due to potential impact on severe weather operations at the RPG site.

This is obviously an operational decision that only the shift supervisor on duty can make. However, the shift leaders at UCP sites are reminded that a decision to take no action whatsoever to restore communications is in effect a decision to deprive the calling site of data which may also be needed for their severe weather operations.

Fortunately, there are several, less intrusive methods the Hotline can use which may bring the affected site back on line and which are completely transparent to other users. These methods range from simple line disconnects/resets to VME card resets. If you need assistance in this area, please don't hesitate to contact the Hotline and we'll be glad to assist you.