WC/ATWC Communications and Networking Architecture

noaa logo West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

Operations Manual

NOAA/NWS/WCATWC

910 South Felton Street

Palmer, Alaska 99645

http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov

Section 4.1.16 – MESSAGE2

Last Updated: 7/2008

Date Written: 9/1997
Development Language: MicroSoft C/C++ v7.0 using WInAPI

Initialization File:
message.ini - read on program start-up

Program Description:
Program MESSAGE2 is a non-Earthworm-based program started by a menu option in module Locate. Its purpose is to create and disseminate tsunami warning, watch, and other messages. MESSAGE2 displays messages in a dialog box. The duty scientist selects the type of message to create. Hypocenter parameters used in generating the message are displayed next and can be edited. Options are given as to the content of the message where necessary. After the scientist selects the paths by which the message will be disseminated, the message is created and displayed with an editor. (Paths include the NOAA Weather Wire satellite-based system, the Federal Aviation Administration’s NADIN2 network, National Weather Service circuits, WC/ATWC web site update, e-mail lists, digital messaging lists, and a USGS dissemination system (QDDS).) The message can be altered in the editor if necessary. After review, the message is disseminated through the appropriate channels. MESSAGE2 configures communication ports attached to the various systems and sequentially transmits the message. A message copy is also printed for use in reading over the National Warning System circuit and for phone calls.

In some cases, two messages are created, both a standard product and the public product. The user always sees the standard product in the editor, but must choose whether or not to alter the public products. The public product is sent to the communication devices immediately after the standard product.

In addition to tsunami messages, observatory, dissemination tests, mistake retractions, and ordinary test messages can be created and disseminated by MESSAGE2. The main dialog box creates messages for Pacific events. The Atlantic Msg. push-button at the bottom calls a dialog box for creation of Atlantic AOR messages. This program also generates Pacific Tsunami Warning Center products for use when WC/ATWC is in backup mode through a dialog box called by the PTWC Msg. push-button at the bottom. A utility function is included which lists tsunami arrival times at points throughout the ocean basins from sources located within the basins.

Message Options:

1. W/W/A: Auto Areas

Standard option for watch/warning/advisory messages. Use for both initial and subsequent bulletins when the program is allowed to choose w/w/a areas.

2. W/W/A: Specify Areas

Allows analyst to specify w/w/a breakpoints. Used for supplemental messages.

2.1 Augustine Warning/Cancel

Special case for Mt. Augustine eruptions and possible tsunami.

3. Cancel Watch/Warning

Use to cancel a watch/warning/advisory.

5. TIS

Tsunami Information Statement; used for earthquakes below warning threshold. WMO header and AWIPS ID are chosen based on magnitude.

6. Observatory Message

Send hypocenter parameters to other seismological observatories.

Notify for Conference Call

Post-w/w/a conference notification message. Sent via AWIPS and email.

Warning Retraction

If warning/watch/advisory message is inadvertently sent out, send this to cancel and explain.

Home Page Retraction

Use this to retract message appearing on home page.

QDDS Retraction

Use this to retract message sent to QDDS.

Dissemination Test

Monthly communications test.

Test Message

Test messages for NADIN2, NMCLine, NWWS, and email. (Next option is test using WEPA41 header).

Print Tsunami ETAs

Brings up another dialog box which allows user to select basin and AOR for travel time list based on last located earthquake.

Print Alarm Form

Prints alarm form based on last sent message.

PTWC Msg.

Generate PTWC products when WC/ATWC is operating as backup for PTWC.

Atlantic Msg.

Generate WC/ATWC messages for the Atlantic AOR.