TurboWin 5.0 is an update to TurboWin 4.5 and includes the following noteworthy changes:

-         New mapping function. After inserting obs position the TurboWin desktop will change to a map with previous stored observations and  new position plotted . [Input -> Position -> OK and  Options -> Chart last 10 saved positions] We think this check will help to reduce obs position errors dramatically

-         Ships recruited by The Netherlands now by default  compressed code form. Can be over ruled by starting TurboWin with the ”-4” option.  For ships recruited by other countries the default code mode is still alphanumeric (FM13) but the compressed option choice can be turned on with the “-2” option (in consultation with National Meteorological Service)

-         Fixed problem with unreadable VOS ID/call sign in compiled obs on some computers

-         IMMT-4 storage

-         Wind source option ‘measured, true speed and true direction’ now also available for VOSClim ship [Input ->  Wind]

-         Updated add-on MetPub47 [Add-ons -> metPub47]:

o       Revision 3.4 of WMO-No. 47, Metadata Format Version 03

o        Satellite transmission system (prST) now in drop down list box with new entries proposed by E-SURFMAR and accepted by SOT 6

o       VOS Class codes (vssIM) new entries (‘Platforms and Rigs’ and ‘Platforms and Rigs (AWS)’)

o       Updated several help files [Add-ons -> MetPub47 -> Info]

-         Added ‘Netherlands WMO’(besides ‘Netherlands’) as recruiting country [Maintenance -> Station data].  Contrary to recruiting country ‘Netherlands’, recruiting country  ‘Netherlands WMO’ is linked to ‘does the reading indicate Mean Sea Level pressure: no’ [Input -> Barometer reading]

-         Added recruiting country ‘Not Assigned’ [Maintenance -> Station data] linked to ‘does the reading indicate Mean Sea Level pressure: yes’ [Input -> Barometer reading ]

-         On start up turned off  UTC-Zone check for ships recruited by Australia or New Zealand

-         Added default obs email addresses for NETHERLANDS, NETHERLANDS_WMO, UK and GERMANY  [Maintenance -> E-mail settings + Maintenance -> Station data: recruiting country]

-         New check: system date/time  (not taking into account time zones)  versus observation date/time. Warning if difference > 13 hour.  Besides the date/time sequence check (new compiled obs compared to last stored obs in IMMT log) we think this check will help to reduce obs date/time errors

-         Added new VOS class “VOSClim ship” [Maintenance -> Station data -> Ship -> message form (type reporting ship)] . This VOSClim class is linked to the appropriate items on the input screens

-         Observer names list not automatically cleared after download (clearing the observer names list is an option) [Maintenance -> download log files]

-         Present weather input screen added labels DRY (no precipitation)  and WET (precipitation) [Input -> Present weather]

-         Phenomena input page added note for observation position format [Additional -> Phenomena]

-         Updated Inmarsat LES stations file (basis for advice nearest LES after compiling an observation)

-         Adapted input screens for (Full)HD screen settings (1920 x 1080)

-         If distance sll - wl  >= 13 metres  --> warning message(MQCS-5) [Input -> Wind]

-         If max height deck cargo above sll > 32 meter --> warning message(MQCS-5) [Input -> Wind]

 New check: "If 'amount of Cl (or Cm if Cl is not present)' = 'obscured' then 'total cloud cover' must be 'obscured ' [Input -> Cloud cover + height]

-         If code form = compressed only two  output options available, namely: "Obs to A:\" and "Obs to custom file"

-         Now always fixed length of compressed obs  (60 bytes)

-         On barometer reading input page it reads ‘barometer reading (instrument correction applied)’. 2nd part of this text string (‘instrument correction applied’) skipped because it was believed this could be misleading and may be one of the causes of double height correction\

-         New VOSClim logo on wind input page [Input -> Wind]

-         New VOSClim logo on about screen [Info -> About]

-         Updated PMO contacts list [Info -> PMO contacts(pdf)]

-         Updated Inmarsat help pages [Info -> Inmarsat-C LES for obs]

-         Buoy/float deployment input page added organisations ‘WMO’ and ‘E-SURFMAR’ [Additional -> Buoy Float deployment: drop down list box ‘buoy/float deployment recruiting country or organisation’]

-         On station data (ship) input page added internet link to the new VOSClim web site [Maintenance -> Station data -> Ship  -> message form: ‘VOSClim ship’]

-         New default TurboWin desktop (differentiated to EUMETNET and VOS climate Fleet)

-         Updated TurboWin User Guide [Info -> TurboWin User Guide(pdf)] (prepared by Australian Bureau of Meteorology)

-         Several textual updates

           

 

 

            

14 November 2011