Technical & Usage
Error: mscorlib.dll is not found on this system
Microsoft .NET Framework is not installed on your system or is corrupt and must be re-installed. Go to the Windows Update site to download the .NET Framework.
If you already have the .NET Framework installed and have received this error you may have a corrupt file and not be able to select the required download from the Windows Update site. In that case Click Here to be taken to a site on Microsoft's server for information on how to download a copy of the Framework. (Hint: Download the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Redistributable)
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How do I add the text to my web page once METARs Downloader has uploaded the file(s)
There are three methods I use to display the contents of the uploaded files.
First is to use server-side includes or SSI.
Example:
<pre><!--#include file="weather.txt" --></pre>
Wrap the include with the <pre></pre> tag to retain the original line breaks.
Second method is to use the Object tag
Example:
<object data="weather.txt" width="362" height="175">
</object>
Third method is to use the Iframe tag
Example:
<iframe src="weather.txt" width="362" height="175"
align="middle" scrolling="auto" frameborder="0"></iframe>
All three methods work but the SSI method has a problem in that the text displayed does not wrap on the page or in a table..
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Error: The system clock has been turned back.
This error occurs when the system clock has turned back since METARs Downloader was last run and should only occur during a trial. It is part of the anti pirating protection built into the software. The best fix is to put the clock back to the real time or in the case that you actually made an honest mistake you can contact support@metarsdownloader.com for help. Or even better, buy the software and the error will go away with a valid key
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How do I find the ICAO code for a station near my location.
There are two ways to locate a code for a station near you.
One is to click on the Stations List menu item and do a find in the text file that opens for your state or country. From there you can scan the list for a location near you.
The other is to go to the following address and do a search in the NWS database.
http://weather.gov/tg/siteloc.shtml
If you go to About/Help and click on the Web Links tab you can click on the Search For Station Information link your browser will open to the same site.
For a flash demonstration showing how to search the Stations List and enter the code in the program click the following link: ICAO Demo
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Where can I find information on decoding the raw METAR data
DECODING AVIATION ROUTING WEATHER REPORT (METAR) This site has a well documented set of pages on decoding the raw data.
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Why does a clear sky have a ceiling of 12000?
Automated reporting stations cut off the reported ceiling at 12000. anything above that is ignored in ceiling reports. The only time you will see a clear sky ceiling of more than 12000 is when a human observer has filed the report.
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Why is the ceiling for a station a negative number?
Stations in high country who observe cloud cover below the stations altitude report the sky conditions below the station. They do not append a ceiling figure to the observation, it is noted as ///. So METARs Download converts this notation to -100 for charting purposes.
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The data displayed by METARs Downloader for my location is not accurate, why?
METARs Downloader does not make observations, it only processes the data provided by the reporting station. The old computing law, GIGO, (garbage in, garbage out) applies, sorry...
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How is the ceiling determined when there are multiple cloud layers.
Ceiling in the METAR reporting specification is defined as:
The height above the earth's surface of the lowest layer that is reported as broken or overcast; or, if the sky is totally obscured, the vertical visibility shall be the ceiling
METARs Downloader uses this definition when decoding the data but also has an option to use the highest layer instead.
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Error: QueryInterface for interface xxx failed
This is caused by a problem with the Com access in the operating system and is not a METARs Downloader program error. In operating systems other than Windows XP it may be resolved by reinstalling the MDAC (Microsoft Data Access Components). Windows XP does not use MDAC and at this time I have not found any way to resolve the error other than to reinstall the operating system.
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How do I change the addresses of the update FTP site(s) (1.2.7.5+)
Beginning in 1.2.7.5 the addresses, the login information, and the download directory of the update FTP sites for the METAR information is customizable. Prior to 1.2.7.5 all that could be changed was the address. The keys to create/change and what they do:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Metars Downloader
UpdatePrimaryFTPSite (sets the primary FTP data retrieval site)
UpdateSecondaryFTPSite (sets the secondary FTP data retrieval site)
UpdateUserName (sets the FTP username)
UpdatePassword (sets the FTP password)
UpdateDataDirectory (sets the remote FTP data directory)
UpdatePrimaryUserName (sets the user name for FTP updates)
UpdatePrimaryPassword (sets the password for the FTP updates )
UpdateSecondaryUserName (sets the user name for FTP update)
UpdateSecondaryPassword (sets the password for the FTP updates)
UpdateDecodedDataDirectory (sets the remote FTP decoded directory)
UpdateTAFsDataDirectory (sets the remote FTP TAF directory)
Make these changes at your own risk, no support will be provided in the event of a problem. (Hint: Delete the keys if the changes do not work, the program will return to the default settings after a restart...)
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Why is the lowest refresh interval to check for updated METAR data set at 30 minutes?
The interval for reporting stations is set by the METAR standards at hourly in the US and half hourly for some other countries. I have found that some stations in the US do reports half hourly. An excerpt from the Help Guide for Developers is shown below.
"Recommended Methods for Retrieval
Several recommended methods are described in the following procedures. The METAR is an hourly observation in the United States and in many other countries around the world. Some countries take METAR observations on a half hourly basis. Constant FTP retrievals to our servers for the latest observation results in service access denial for others. The design of your retrieval processes must consider availability of the data. The METAR data is best requested between 10 and 15 minutes past the hour to account for central processing time."
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The times (items) do not show on charts unless I make them larger
The times(items) are dropped by the chart creation routines if they overlap. The keys shown below allow you to change the default setting of 8 pt. to whatever you desire. Remember, the smaller the font the harder to read.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Metars Downloader\Chart Data
ItemFontEm
(Sets the Item font size for local chart display - Default 8 )
ItemFontUploadEm (Sets the item font size for uploaded charts - Default 8.)
Make these changes at your own risk, no support will be provided in the event of a problem. (Hint: Delete the keys if the changes do not work, the program will return to the default settings after a restart...)
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When I do a first time update or after resetting the database the charts do not display any data.
When updating the database for the first time you will not see any data points displayed in most of the charts METARs Downloader creates. In line charts two or more data points are needed before a line can be generated which until this has happened makes the chart appear empty. The barometer and visibility charts when displayed as bar charts are an exception due to them not using auto-ranging and will show data on the first update.
You can verify that data has been collected and that the database by looking at the tool-tip that appears when you mouse over the charts, it will show the oldest and newest data from the database.
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Where are the data, logs, and error files located on my computer?
Versions prior to 1.2.9.4:
The files are located in the directory
where METARs Downloader is installed.
Version 1.2.9.4 and above::
The files are in the All Users directory, usually:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\METARs Downloader
This is a hidden directory and in order to see and access the directory and the files it contains you must first make it visible.
Start>Control Panel>Folder Options>View>Files and Folders>Hidden Files and Folders
Click on Show hidden files and folders
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The thumbnails are not uploading
Thumbnails will not upload if the associated chart is not marked to upload also. Thumbnails are meant to be a "snapshot" image usually linked to a larger "detail" image. If you want small chart images not linked to larger images then just select the regular chart and set the size to whatever you want.
Thumbnail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thumbnail definition and meaning when used on the Web - About,com
Thumbnail Definition - PC Mag
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My charts are not uploading
Often this happens because the user entered the upload directory information incorrectly in the Options>Upload>Server Information>Remote Directory box. Some servers use public_html/ while others are in a format like /var/www/html. Check with your hosting provider or connect with a FTP client and note the directory path shown.
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Can I run more than one instance of METARs Downloader or track multiple stations.
Because of the way the program settings are stored in the Windows® Registry and how the data file is structured it is not possible to run multiple instances or track more than one station at a time with METARs Downloader. This functionality has been added to the "wish list" and may be added in a future release.
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Why are there gaps in the chart(s) generated by METARs Downloader
Gaps apperar in charts when the reporting station stops providing the data for whatever reason. METARs Downloader inserts null data into the chart and goes on, when the data stream is restored the information is again displayed.
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What is Stations List and how do I use it to find my ICAO code?
The stations list contains a continuously updated record of weather stations around the world. To find the ICAO code for a station you would like to monitor with METARs Downloader either browse the list or do a search in the listing. Once you have found the station you are interested in check the M column (the M column is the first single letter column at the right next to the ELEV column) for a X (the X means it is a METARs reporting station) if there is an X then the ICAO code is the four letter code to the right of the station name. Enter the code into METARs Downloader.
The latest iteration of the Stations List can be found HERE
Licensing
How long is my license for METARs Downloader valid?
Currently all licenses issued for METARs Downloader are lifetime licenses good for all future versions and updates.
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My registration key does not work since I upgraded the hardware, reinstalled Windows, or when I tried to use it on my new computer
The key is tied to your system through the check code you provided in the purchase process. Changing hardware or reinstalling Windows may cause the code to change requiring a new key.
Contact support@metarsdownloader.com to request a new key. Please include the name, email address, and if possible the check code used when purchasing METARs Downloader, and the new check code found at About/Help>Register. Once we have verified your information a new key will be sent to you..
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I purchased using eCheck (bank transfer) and my registration information has not arrived yet.
Purchases made by eCheck (bank transfer) require that the funds clear before registration information is sent. This may take 3-4 business days for U.S accounts and up to 8 business days for non U.S. accounts.
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End User Licensing Agreement (EULA)
A copy of the EULA can be found at the following link. EULA
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I am getting a message saying the software is locked and that it needs a code to be unlocked.
The software has detected a problem with your registration key and will require a code obtained from support to clear the lock. To get the unlock code for your copy of METARs Downloader send a copy of the registration information sent to you when you purchased to support@metarsdownloader.com with the subject Locked - Code Request If you do not have the registration information send the Check Code found at About/Help>Register with your name to the same address.
Also there may be a file: check_code.txt on your desktop with instructions on how to obtain a unlock code along with your Check Code. This file was generated when the software detected the problem with the registration. Follow the directions to get a unlock code.
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General Information & Tips
How can I add forecasts to my site?
Forecast data is available from the NOAA FTP server for cities and states in the US. Here is a page with an example of data from the NOAA site being shown in <iframe> EXAMPLE
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How can I add METARs and/or TAFs data to my site using data directly from the NOAA?
Both METARs and TAF data is available for inclusion on a web page. The instructions can be found at: Aviation Weather Center - FAQs A page showing how this can be done is shown here: EXAMPLE
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Example page showing RSS feed of current weather for a station.
NOAA provides both RSS and XML data for some stations in the US. A page showing a AJAX/PHP powered feed is HERE
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Miscellaneous
How do I redeem a gift certificate?
Gift certificates are redeemed by following the purchase link for a PayPal purchase. When you get to the payment page enter the code that came with the certificate, the amount will be applied to the current purchase.
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