RPG Build 7.0 Training

Note: Two minor bugs with Build 7.0 have been discovered.

1. The maximum dBZ value on the 2.2 nm (4 km) Composite Reflectivity product will always be at 95 dBZ. This error will be corrected with the installation of the Open RDA (ORDA). See below for details.

2. When changing the Velocity Measurement Increment (VMI) while operating in VCP 121, erroneous PRFs may be downloaded. In order to apply a VMI of 1.94 kts while continuing to use VCP 121, see the workaround below. The need for this workaround will be eliminated with RPG Build 8.0.

Instructions:

Operator training for the RPG Build 7.0 deployment is now available. On this page, you'll find a streaming presentation (no download required!) and an associated document.

One copy of the document, "RPG Build 7.0 Training ", is included in the RPG Build 7.0 Deployment Kit. You are encouraged to download and print additional copies, as this document is designed to follow the presentation.

Download document build7deploy.pdf (125 KB)

This is a PDF file. You must have Adobe's Acrobat Reader installed in order to read this document.

Note to NWS Staff: To receive credit for completing the RPG Build 7.0 Training, you must take the training module through the DoC E-learning LMS! The links below are for reference only.

Play presentation

The Build 7.0 presentation is in a streaming format, so no download is required. In continuous playback, it will take 15 minutes or less to complete.

Feedback

WDTB welcomes your feedback on how well this training supported your understanding of the operational impacts of RPG Build 7.0. Please send us your comments! Thanks!

Major Training Topics

1. Increase in RPS List size ^#
2. Improvements to AWIPS Wide Area Network (WAN) One Time Request (OTR) process
3. Bypass Map no longer editable
4. Color coding for Auto PRF and VAD Update more consistent
5. Changes to VCP 121
6. Default storm motion and hail temperature heights no longer editable at Algorithms window
7. Correction to MDA processing

^# Implementation of this feature also requires AWIPS OB 4.2 or later build

RPG Build 7.0 Minor Bugs

Composite Reflectivity Bug

With RPG Build 7.0, the maximum dBZ value for the 2.2 nm (4 km) Composite Reflectivity (CZ) product (#38) will always be set at 95 dBZ. This does not impact the .54 nm (1 km) CZ product (#37).

This error will be visible on the graphical 2.2 nm CZ product in the legend area only. This error will not affect the max dBZ values in SCAN, which come from the .54 nm CZ product.

In the past, using CZ for alerting within the RPG has not been recommended because of potential point clutter contamination. This error with the max dBZ value could impact alerting, so do not use CZ for RPG alerts.

VCP 121, VMI 1.94 kts Workaround

1. Before switching to VCP 121, turn Auto PRF off. Issue the Auto PRF off command anytime after the 0.5^o elevation has been completed .
2. Go to the VCP Control window and download VCP 121.
3. Once VCP 121 starts, go to the PRF Selection (Modify Current VCP) window. Select the 1.94 kts VMI, save, then download.
4. The next volume scan of VCP 121 will be operating with a VMI of 1.94 kts.
5. To restore operations to .97 kts, download VCP 121 again (as in Step 2).