Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:30:36 -0400
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Subject: WxWorx
Thread-Topic: WxWorx
Thread-Index: AcRR9p89dIDfmrQKRPy/xLqayJ/QjwALoZEw
From: "Carl Cadwell" <CarlC@Cadwell.com>

Craig asked, "Does anyone have any experience or comments regarding the
WX  satellite weather link compared to other kinds?"
Thanks
Craig Blitzer

WxWorx works.  I have been flying with it for about 9 months.  I moved
the receiver to along the spar below the copilot's seat along with a
power supply (12V to 19V) for the laptop.  The wires are all tucked away
and come out between the front seats.   Both the receiver antenna and
the GPS antenna are under the glareshield.  Remove the magnets from both
so your whiskey compass still works.  The wire for the antenna runs
behind the side panel to the receiver.  The GPS cable is short and runs
down alongside the center counsel, beneath the carpet and up between the
seats.   I run a Toshiba Pentablet that has WxWorx and Pocketplates.
You don't need a pentablet.  I never use the pen/touchscreen feature.  I
only use the touchpad mouse.  It is nice to be able to twist the screen,
but not enough reason to justify a pentablet.  The Toshiba stays full
bright when plugged into power and one can read in daylight with shading
of the screen from direct sun.=20

The GPS for $100 is essential.  It keeps you out of the weather as you
know exactly where you are in relationship to the NexRad returns.


It has full coverage nationwide which is a real advantage when you are
flying a fast, long range plane like the Lancairs.  It is so comforting
to know that the cells over San Antonio are moving away from the airport
and if you circle far enough to the South West before turning to the
field, you are clear of the monster that is looming across the northern
part of TX into Houston.  You figure this out 300+miles out as you have
been watching the storm's progress for 2 hours.   And you can get the
weather updates to make certain your airport to refuel has stayed above
your personal minimums, or you divert to another one while enroute and
before the descent.  I have experienced all these and more with WxWorx
on full time.

I would not get any system that is reporting from the ground only.
Limited coverage when low and some parts of the country are not covered.

I would not get any that you have to dial up (the last thing I want to
do bouncing around and I want updates every 5 minutes as soon as they
are available.)
I would not get any that does not have nationwide coverage.=20
I just want it on full time, full coverage, full features-like the rest
of my instruments (stormscope, GPS, VOR, etc.)

Caution:  you must plug in the GPS to the same USB port every time, so
label it on the laptop and cable.

Peace of mind and better decisions to make you safer, not bolder.

Carl Cadwell
N25CL, IVIP 550 hours.