HURRTRAK FAQ's

Before calling for technical support, please review the technical FAQ's we have listed here. There is a good possibility that the question(s) you have will be resolved by reviewing this page!

Table of Contents

What is the best video mode to use?

Is there some easy way of generating a map for a given point in a storms history.........as if that is the present time? All attempts are giving me a  map with the last plot of the storm.

How can I plot multiple storms on one tracking chart?

How do the values of strike probabilities compare in the system compare to the values that the National Hurricane Center releases?

How does the Estimate of 48 - 120 hour 34 and 64 knot wind fields work?

How does the Landfall Recognition work?

Can I put the images from the system in a public forum, like a web site?


Will this run on a Network?

How can I get the data in the tracking system into the historical database?

Where can I get updates to the history database as well as program fixes, etc?

Why should I create separate storm databases in system setup?

Why would I want to turn database security ON?

Is the HURRTRAK Software Year 2000 Compliant?

How should I utilize 'Location Groups' and why is there a small map and large map group?

When I Email reports with the imbedded text option the format of the report gets all "messed up".  Why?

 

TROUBLESHOOTING

I am having problems accessing HURRTRAK Online - Internet connect. Why?

Why does my entire window become filled with a solid color while performing certain functions   like wind band analysis and plotting the storm track?

When I attempt to start the system, I am getting an error message that says "... is not a MS Access Database". What's wrong, it worked      fine  the last time I used it?

I downloaded the latest information from HURRTRAK ONLINE, but the watch and warning areas are not available. Why?

When creating a custom tracking chart, and all I get is a blank map, why?

When creating tracking charts, the ocean and land colors do not come out correct and I cannot fix it with the paint command. Why?

I add new Locations in System Setup but they are not appearing in the correct position on the tracking charts, Why?

What is the significance of the flood index value?

What is the SLOSH data?

Where can I get Technical Support?

 


What is the best video mode to use?

Which the screen resolution is a matter of personal preference, in order to see the main menu window as well as the other system windows, we recommended that you run the system in 1024x768 or higher. We have tested the system in 2560 x 1600 with no problems.  We also recommend hi-color mode. 

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Is there some easy way of setting the "current" advisory to an earlier point in a storms history.........as if that is the present time? All attempts are giving me a map with the last plot of the storm.

Yes, the Post Storm Analysis feature under User Preferences or Tools.

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How can I plot multiple storms on one tracking chart?

The majority of system functions are based on a single storm, however, to plot multiple storms on 1 tracking chart follow these steps:
1. File - Open the first storm
2. Display the storm track on the multiple storm tracking chart tab (choose a chart that will also include the 2nd storm).
3. Do any chart functions you desire. I.E. Display forecast track, etc..
4. File - Open the next storm.
5. Return to the tracking chart opened in step 2 and select "Plot - track". The track of the storm loaded in step number 4 is then displayed.
6. You may then choose any of the tracking chart functions for this storm.
7. Repeat steps 4 - 6 for each storm you wish to display on that single tracking chart.

You can also use the capabilities within the QUICKPLOT module to display more than 1 storm.

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How do the values of strike probabilities compare in the system compare to the values that the National Hurricane Center releases?

We use the "same" program code as the NHC to compute the strike probability values. There may be slight differences between the program values and the NHC values as the NHC use slightly updated statistical data files.

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How does the Estimate of 48 - 120 hour 34 and 64 knot wind fields work?

Since the National Hurricane Center does not provide the forecast wind field information for the areas of 34 and 64 knot winds, we allow the user to turn on the option which will force the system to estimate these wind fields. A series of algorithms are utilized to come up with a best guess of what these wind fields will be.

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How does the Landfall Recognition work?

Since landfall will often be in-between forecast verification times, this presents a problem of linearly extrapolating forecast winds between forecast points. I.E. if a storm's 36 hour forecast is to be 100 miles offshore with top winds of 125 MPH and it's 48 hour position is forecast to be 100 miles inland with top winds of 75 MPH, then a linear extrapolation would calculate a 100 MPH storm at landfall. Turning Landfall Recognition ON will force the system to maintain the intensity of the storm until landfall. Landfall is defined (by the system) as 5 contiguous hours over land.

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Can I put the images from the system in a public forum, like a web site?

The license agreement for this software does NOT allow for its images to be placed in a public forum such as a BBS, WEB Site, ON-Air, etc.. If you have a desire to do so, please contact PC Weather Products to discuss separate license agreement possibilities.

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Will this run on a Network?

Yes, contact PC Weather Products for more information on the Network version.

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How can I get the data in the tracking system into the historical database?

You can't. The historical database is based on "official" storm track information provided by the NHC (Atlantic / East Pacific). In addition the data is pre-processed to allow for rapid information access.

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Where can I get updates to the history database as well as program fixes, etc?

You can get yearly updates to the historical databases and program fixes from the PC Weather Products web site. http://www.pcwp.com

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Why should I create separate storm databases in system setup?

While separate storm databases are not required, they are recommended in order to segregate storms by year. Creating a separate storm database for 2001, 2002 ,etc.. should make management of storm data much easier. Remember, the system's default database after installation is the "PAST" database. If you wish to segregate this year's storms, create a new database right after you install.

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Why would I want to turn database security ON?

Unless you have the LAN version of the system you probably don't. Turning on security forces the user to signon before starting any of the system's programs that do updating.

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Is the HURRTRAK Software Year 2000 Compliant?

See Y2K information  for more information.

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How should I utilize 'Location Groups' and why is there a small map and large map group?

Location groups are a powerful addition to the tracking system's capabilities. Not only can you display the locations within a group on the tracking charts they also are used to determine which locations will be analyzed in the batch location analysis and with the strike probabilities report. The small map group can be used as the set of locations you want to display whenever you are using a small map (20 degrees wind). The large map group as you might expect can be used when displaying locations on a large map, like the whole Atlantic, etc.

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When I Email reports with the imbedded text option the format of the report gets all "messed up".  Why?

When viewing Emailed reports that has column type data, the receiver must change his Email program viewing font to a non-proportional type (courier for example). A better solution is to email the report as HTML.

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TROUBLESHOOTING

I am having problems accessing HURRTRAK Online - Internet connect. Why?

1. When I try and start HOL Internet, I get a "WINSOCK.DLL missing" error message.

This message occurs on computers that have not had Internet access software installed. The WINSOCK.DLL is included as part of WIN95 dialup networking and is installed as part of your ISP's installation software.

4. Everything's been working fine for a while, and now all of a sudden I am getting errors.

Do a cold reboot (shutdown and turn the PC off). You'd be amazed by how many windows problems get fixed this way.

4. I am having trouble getting though my proxy server.
Here are a series of steps to try.

            1. Take the default hurrtrak online settings and see if that works. Do no select the auto detect option.

            If this does not work.

            2. Try the auto detect option leaving all other options the same.

            If this does not work

            3. Deselect the auto detect option then... get the http proxy server address from your network/internet support folks and type it into that field.

            If this does not work then you likely have an authenticating proxy server...

            4. Put the proxy userid and password into those fields.

            If this does not work then

            5. The other option is to have the network/internet folks define a "rule" to your proxy server indicating that you can access www.pcwp.com/data and www.pcwp.com/data and reset your hurrtrak online options back to the default.

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Why does my entire window become filled with a solid color while performing certain functions like wind band analysis and plotting the storm track?

If you are experiencing color flooding problems, it is likely that you have a bug in your video driver. You should replace your windows video driver with a newer one. These are usually available on your video manufacturer's web site.

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When I attempt to start the system, I am getting an error message that says "... is not a MS Access Database". What's wrong, it worked fine the last time I used it?

This error message indicates that the main system database file(s) have become corrupted. This is typically due to a unplanned shutdown, power outage, etc.. To correct this, run a database repair. If this does not work, then restore from the latest backup. If this is not available, then the only option is to re-install the entire system.

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I downloaded the latest information from HURRTRAK ONLINE, but the watch and warning areas are not available. Why?

The automatic detection of watch and warning areas from the NHC advisories is operationally challenging. Depending on how they word the watch and warning verbiage some manual intervention may be required by PCWP. When this happens there may be a delay in getting the watch and warning data updated on the HURRTRAK ONLINE system. Until then, the user can manually setup the areas from the Edit Watch and Warning function.

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When creating a custom tracking chart, and all I get is a blank map, why?

You are probably entering the center latitude and longitude outside the valid mapping area. Make sure that you are entering Western Longitudes as negative numbers and Eastern Longitudes as positive. Also all coordinates must be entered in degrees and tenths of a degree not degrees and minutes.

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When creating tracking charts, the ocean and land colors do not come out correct and I cannot fix it with the paint command. Why?

If you are having trouble with the custom tracking charts colors then it is likely that you have a video driver bug. Make sure you obtain the latest video driver for your system.

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I add new Locations in System Setup but they are not appearing in the correct position on the tracking charts, Why?

You have probably entered latitude and longitude in degrees and minutes, make sure you enter it in degrees and tenths of a degree. To convert to tenths divide the minutes by 60. I.E. 29 degrees 30 minutes is 29.5 degrees.

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What is the significance of the Flood index value?

The value of the index is determined by the strength of the onshore wind flow for that area. For a complete discussion of this topic see Flood Index Summary in the help text..

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What is the SLOSH data?

The SLOSH data is data compiled by the NWS to determine the potential extent of coastal flooding due to a storm surge. For a complete discussion of this topic, see SLOSH Summary.

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Where can I get technical support?

PC Weather Products provides free support via our Web Site, EMAIL, US Mail and Telephone. In order to continue to provide support at no additional cost, please make sure to follow the order of support shown below.

Before contacting us, please check the FAQ on our web site at http://www.pcwp.com

If the FAQ does not provide an answer, please contact PCWP via EMAIL

 EMAIL support requests to: support@pcwp.com or from the web at http://www.pcwp.com

You can also reach us by voice at: (770) 953-3506 (Monday - Friday) or by FAX at 770 952-2540.

You may also contact PC Weather Products by US Mail:

PC Weather Products
PO BOX 72723
Marietta, GA 30007-2723

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