Here are the quick facts:
RadarLab HD requires the latest version of Java. Download it here.
RadarLab HD requires a minimum screen resolution of 1024x768. If you have anything smaller, part of the control panel will be cut off. There is no way around this.
The "classic" RadarLab tool has not been discontinued. It is still available on the site.
RadarLab HD is available to WeatherTAP subscribers at no extra cost. We have rolled this feature into the basic service and we have no plans to charge anything additional for it. We may, in the future, offer an enhanced lightning add-on for HD that will have an extra cost however.
RadarLab HD has been shown to run on Windows, Linux, and at least one Mac platform.
RadarLab HD currently only does base reflectivity. In the future we may expand it to offer other types of radar information. HD uses level-ii data from the 134 nexrad sites which are generating it. Level-II includes only reflectivity, velocity, and spectrum width.
Data is available via RadarLab HD faster than classic RadarLab. This is because we ingest live data from the radar as it is scanning through the VCP. We do not have to wait for the RPG section to process the data.
Because of HD's unique, ground-breaking architecture, you can actually create a desktop icon and load RadarLab HD up as a stand-alone utility without even launching your browser. You will be occasionally prompted for this.
We hope you enjoy this new addition and find it useful.
Comments (47)
Anything with HD in it's title, peaks my attention! Could this be the long awaited local Level II data? I am certainly looking forward to WeatherTap's next enhancements to RadarLab!
Posted by Allen K. | March 18, 2007 3:18 PM
Posted on March 18, 2007 15:18
We're shooting for deployment sometime this week.
It might be a good time to make sure that you have the latest Java VM (1.5 or better) installed on your computer.
Get Latest Java VM
Posted by Rob P | March 19, 2007 1:46 PM
Posted on March 19, 2007 13:46
Does this affect GIS users ?
Posted by James S. | March 20, 2007 9:15 PM
Posted on March 20, 2007 21:15
> Does this affect GIS users ?
No.
Posted by Rob P | March 21, 2007 7:58 AM
Posted on March 21, 2007 07:58
The HD radar will be available to regular subscription users and infact its suppose to make its debut sometime today.Adrian
Posted by Adrian | March 21, 2007 9:50 AM
Posted on March 21, 2007 09:50
Rob (et. al.) -
I see you've got the RadarLab-HD live... Question though, will you eventually have a link to the applet version (embedded Java) available on the radar site web-pages? At work here, I'm on a UNIX machine that doesn't allow me to open "HD" via the WebStart interface.
Thanks!
Posted by Matthew Hartman | March 21, 2007 5:34 PM
Posted on March 21, 2007 17:34
Matt,
Most Java VM's, including those for Unix-y OSes include the webstart system. It's typically in the VM's /bin directory and is usually just named 'ws'. I have no problem launching HD from Firefox on Linux, but I had to associate the .jnlp file with the Webstart executable the first time.
We have not entirely completed the HD rollout. Tomorrow (Thur) we will give you the capability to (easily) drop a shortcut icon on the Desktop that will directly invoke RadarLab HD.
- Rob P.
Posted by Rob P | March 21, 2007 6:25 PM
Posted on March 21, 2007 18:25
All I can is wow. It is awesome. The ability to filter the levels with a sliding scale is super and the same methodology for zooming is just great. It makes me think about giving up the GIS it is that good
thanks for the new "toy"
Posted by Dennis Sims | March 21, 2007 6:34 PM
Posted on March 21, 2007 18:34
Great look forward to it.
Posted by Adrian | March 21, 2007 7:03 PM
Posted on March 21, 2007 19:03
HD is absolutely incredible with the zooming and all the great features.Cant wait to use this year during tropical season.Adrian
Posted by Adrian | March 22, 2007 12:07 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 12:07
Rob & Team,
This looks great. Will you have the option to change the product, like to VIL, or will it just be BR?
Thanks,
Matt
Posted by Matt | March 22, 2007 1:25 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 13:25
Just BR for the time being. VIL, Precip totals, etc. are Level-III products.
Level-II data consists only of BR, Velocity, and Spectrum Width.
Posted by Rob P | March 22, 2007 1:39 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 13:39
Hi,
HD looks good, but...I am having a problem with displaying the vertical panel on the right. It seems like IE7 won't allow me to pull the window open more. The two opposite arrows appear, but I can pull it or do anything to it. It almost seems like HD is not sized right for the screen. As a result, I only can see just a part of the vertical control panel on the right.
I have Java 1.5 latest. Please let me know what to do as the HD imagery which is available looks cool, but I can't do anything with it since most of the vertical control panel is not visible.
Thanks
-Mark
Posted by Mark | March 22, 2007 3:44 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 15:44
Mark, it sounds like your screen resolution is set too low. RadarLab HD requires a minimum of 1024x768. If your screen is set lower, like 800x600 for example, then you will see what you described. If you can increase your screen resolution to at least 1024x768, then that should resolve the issue. You'll need to restart RadarLab HD after you change the size.
Posted by Rob P | March 22, 2007 4:12 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 16:12
HD Product looks great. Would love to see
surface obs overlay for GIS users too.
Posted by James S. | March 22, 2007 4:45 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 16:45
As always, excellent work. There is nothing better on the market for the price. Our superintendents will appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Phil
Posted by phil | March 22, 2007 5:59 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 17:59
Overall I love it, but I have one small question: is the radar being "smoothened" out or does it just look that way? If it is, can we have an option to have the "normal" type of radar as well?
Thanks!
-Jimmy
Posted by forecaster15 | March 22, 2007 9:12 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 21:12
Rob, I have been a Weathertap subscriber since the beginning. Nice job on HD, especially developing the app in java so it can support multi OS. Thought you would want to know that it there are problems running on my Laptop running Ubuntu Linux 6.10. When I start the application, the screen flashes randomly and rapidly. However, if I drag the application window to the off the screen then back on the screen the flashing goes away. Very strange.
Posted by Dana | March 22, 2007 9:15 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 21:15
Question was is a good setting for the DBZ filter??Thanks adrian
Posted by Adrian | March 22, 2007 9:57 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 21:57
Downloaded the Java to run RLHD, but when I go to launch it, it gets hung up on loading image 1 of 10. Locks up my PC and I have to reboot.
Running Windows XP.
Jerry
Posted by Jerry V | March 22, 2007 11:18 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 23:18
We are really enjoying the new Radar Lab product here but we may be encountering a problem. We run XP SP2 and have noticed that the system clock appears to be accelerating when Radar Lab is running. We have seen a time gain of 8 min over 41 min.
Also, we'll there be a way to change the site that the "shortcut" starts up with. I noticed that it starts with the site that was being observered at the time the shortcut was created.
Thanks
Posted by Dennis Sims | March 23, 2007 4:58 AM
Posted on March 23, 2007 04:58
P.S. to previous post. We have determined that the clock acceleration occurs when RadarLab HD is running with auto refresh checked. This morning, my computer gained 4 minutes in about 45 minutes. Then for some reason, the auto refresh "quit refreshing" and the clock returned to normal. Also note, we are running MSIE6 and Java Version 1.5.0 (build 1.5.0_11-b03)
Thanks again,
Posted by Dennis Sims | March 23, 2007 6:47 AM
Posted on March 23, 2007 06:47
>Overall I love it, but I have one small question:
>is the radar being "smoothened" out or does it
>just look that way? If it is, can we have an
>option to have the "normal" type of radar as
>well?
>
>Thanks!
The image does undergo a certain amount enhancement. If you need unenhanced radar, then you can use the classic RadarLab tool. It presents the radar data at its native spatial resolution.
Posted by Rob P | March 23, 2007 8:18 AM
Posted on March 23, 2007 08:18
>Rob, I have been a Weathertap subscriber since
>the beginning. Nice job on HD, especially
>developing the app in java so it can support
>multi OS. Thought you would want to know that it
>there are problems running on my Laptop running
>Ubuntu Linux 6.10. When I start the application,
>the screen flashes randomly and rapidly. However,
>if I drag the application window to the off the
>screen then back on the screen the flashing goes
>away. Very strange.
Thanks for the info. We'll look into it to see if we can do something about that unusual behavior.
Posted by Rob P | March 23, 2007 8:25 AM
Posted on March 23, 2007 08:25
>Question was is a good setting for the DBZ
>filter??Thanks adrian
Personally I like to set mine at around 20-25 dBz. But I think everyone has their own preference.
Posted by Rob P | March 23, 2007 8:28 AM
Posted on March 23, 2007 08:28
>Downloaded the Java to run RLHD, but when I go to >launch it, it gets hung up on loading image 1 of >10. Locks up my PC and I have to reboot.
>Running Windows XP.
Don't quite know what to tell you. Does it hang on all NEXRAD sites or just one in particular?
- Rob P.
Posted by Rob P | March 23, 2007 8:31 AM
Posted on March 23, 2007 08:31
>We are really enjoying the new Radar Lab product
>here but we may be encountering a problem. We run
> XP SP2 and have noticed that the system clock
>appears to be accelerating when Radar Lab is
>running. We have seen a time gain of 8 min over
>41 min.
Wow. Now that's a new one. If it were April 1 I'd swear it was an April fool's joke. We'll look into it.
>Also, we'll there be a way to change the site
>that the "shortcut" starts up with. I noticed
>that it starts with the site that was being
>observered at the time the shortcut was >created.
You can delete the shortcut then relaunch HD from the website. If you don't get the shortcut prompt, then you probably need to clear your Java cache. It's pretty easy to do. Just go to Control Panel and launch the Java CP. On the "General" tab there is a "Delete Files" button. Just press that button and it will clear the Java cache. The next time you launch HD from the website, you should get the shortcut prompt again.
Posted by Rob P | March 23, 2007 8:52 AM
Posted on March 23, 2007 08:52
Great job! It is running fine on my FC4/Red Hat system. It does gobble up lots of memory though. Can't wait to look at those storms in West Texas tonight.
Posted by Scott Howell | March 23, 2007 1:03 PM
Posted on March 23, 2007 13:03
I like the application. Can we get the full choice of reflectivity elevation angles along with base velocity slices added at some point in the future? Thanks.
Posted by Scott Stephens | March 23, 2007 1:36 PM
Posted on March 23, 2007 13:36
Dennis,
You posted:
"P.S. to previous post. We have determined that the clock acceleration occurs when RadarLab HD is running with auto refresh checked. This morning, my computer gained 4 minutes in about 45 minutes. Then for some reason, the auto refresh "quit refreshing" and the clock returned to normal. Also note, we are running MSIE6 and Java Version 1.5.0 (build 1.5.0_11-b03)"
I believe I have found the reason for this issue and corrected it. Please clear your Java cache and launch RadarLab HD again from the website. To clear you Java cache go to the Control Panel (Start->Control Panel or Start->Settings->Control Panel). Click on the "Java" icon to open the Java Control Panel. Click on the "Delete Files..." button at the bottom of this panel. Then press "OK" on the next window that opens. This should clear your Java cache. Now re-launch RadarLab HD from the weatherTAP.com website. Please let me know if you still experience the problem or not.
Thanks.
Posted by Stacey S. | March 23, 2007 2:02 PM
Posted on March 23, 2007 14:02
Rob, the interface is good, the graphics are great. One thing though: could it be possible to shrink the lightning strikes when zooming? Currently while zooming in, the lightning strikes become larger and larger relative to the zoomed view. It's a small issue, but one worth examining.
Also, would it be possible to include a "rock" animation option (i.e. back-and-forth)? And a simple compass rose-like arrows to click to go to adjacent radars like on the classic radar pages? Just a couple of suggestions.
Great work overall, though!
Posted by Mark | March 23, 2007 8:42 PM
Posted on March 23, 2007 20:42
Quick question?Iam currently at work and was wondering is there anyway i post an image from HD radar on my site and have it update on its own?Thanks adrian
Posted by Adrian | March 24, 2007 6:10 AM
Posted on March 24, 2007 06:10
Nice job! Love the new RadarLab HD. A new cool tool to use this spring.
Thanks.
Posted by Jeff Gammons | March 24, 2007 2:36 PM
Posted on March 24, 2007 14:36
Just wanted to know if its possible to post a live radar pic of radar HD on my site?
Posted by Adrian | March 24, 2007 5:05 PM
Posted on March 24, 2007 17:05
Rob,
Yesterday I replied that RLHD was working ok, but it it not. It now locking me up right from the start. Whether I click on the Desktop Icon or go to the Radar Lab site I get the same result and have to reboot.
Also, this link: "Subscribe to this blog's feed"
is not giving the correct page to sign up.
Jerry
Rob P:
>Downloaded the Java to run RLHD, but when I go to >launch it, it gets hung up on loading image 1 of >10. Locks up my PC and I have to reboot.
>Running Windows XP.
Don't quite know what to tell you. Does it hang on all NEXRAD sites or just one in particular?
- Rob P.
Posted by Jerry V | March 24, 2007 5:12 PM
Posted on March 24, 2007 17:12
To Stacey S.
Your solution to the clock acceleration problem worked (clearing the java cache).
Thanks
Posted by densim | March 25, 2007 5:03 AM
Posted on March 25, 2007 05:03
>One thing though: could it be possible to shrink
>the lightning strikes when zooming? Currently
>while zooming in, the lightning strikes become
>larger and larger relative to the zoomed view.
>It's a small issue, but one worth examining.
It's that way on purpose. We cannot portray a strike with a marker that is less than 5km in size. It's a contractual requirement. We may, at some point in the future, offer an enhanced lightning add-on that will provide additional detail at a small additional cost.
>Also, would it be possible to include a "rock"
>animation option (i.e. back-and-forth)? And a
>simple compass rose-like arrows to click to go
>to adjacent radars like on the classic radar
>pages? Just a couple of suggestions.
Thanks for the suggestions. We'll consider them.
Posted by Rob P | March 26, 2007 7:18 AM
Posted on March 26, 2007 07:18
>Yesterday I replied that RLHD was working ok, but
> it it not. It now locking me up right from the
>start. Whether I click on the Desktop Icon or go
>to the Radar Lab site I get the same result and
>have to reboot.
I recommend re-installing the latest version of Java. You might also try clearing your cache to make sure you have the latest version of the application. Stacey posted a procedure for doing that above. It sounds like a problem with you Java install.
Posted by Rob P | March 26, 2007 7:22 AM
Posted on March 26, 2007 07:22
>Just wanted to know if its possible to post a
>live radar pic of radar HD on my site?
No, not really. That's not really what the software was designed for.
Posted by Rob P | March 26, 2007 7:24 AM
Posted on March 26, 2007 07:24
>Quick question?Iam currently at work and was
>wondering is there anyway i post an image from HD
> radar on my site and have it update on its
>own?Thanks adrian
No, but you can encourage your site viewers to subscribe to WeatherTAP and they can RadarLab HD access themselves.
Posted by Rob P | March 26, 2007 7:27 AM
Posted on March 26, 2007 07:27
My HD timestamps aren't reflecting daylight savings time. How can I get around this? There's no setting for GMT-4. "Eastern" seems to be reflecting GMT-5.
Thanks!
Posted by Bill R. | March 28, 2007 3:27 AM
Posted on March 28, 2007 03:27
>My HD timestamps aren't reflecting daylight
>savings time. How can I get around this? There's
>no setting for GMT-4. "Eastern" seems to be
>reflecting GMT-5.
Make sure you have the latest Java VM. Our congress critters recent change to DST requires that every single OS and Java VM be updated.
Posted by Rob P | March 28, 2007 7:35 AM
Posted on March 28, 2007 07:35
AAAAAMMMMMAAAAAZZZZZIIIIINNNNNGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cant wait to get out on the road with radar lab HD!!!!!
Posted by Crazystormchaser | March 28, 2007 6:51 PM
Posted on March 28, 2007 18:51
Rob,
HD is GREAT!
When I open HD from my browser, my CPU remembers my password, but when I create a desktop icon, I must enter the password. Is there a fix for this?
Thanks for a great product.
Chuck
Posted by Chuck Biddinger | April 1, 2007 2:17 AM
Posted on April 1, 2007 02:17
Watch/Warning/Advisory: when the counties are colored in the radar does not show well. Would it be possible, to just color in the county outline?
Posted by Chuck Biddinger | April 1, 2007 2:00 PM
Posted on April 1, 2007 14:00
>HD is GREAT!
>When I open HD from my browser, my CPU remembers
>my password, but when I create a desktop icon, I
>must enter the password. Is there a fix for this?
Thanks for the compliments. Unfortunately the login is mandatory. It's not much, but it offers us a small bit of protection from those who try to install in their machines and 100 of their closest friends. I am sorry for the inconvenience because I know this represents a minority of our users.
Posted by Rob P | April 2, 2007 10:40 AM
Posted on April 2, 2007 10:40
All I can say is WOW. The HD is awsome.
What I like best is when I travel and have my
gps on my laptop then see where the bad weather
is and avoid those areas.
Great job.
Posted by Duke Of Earl | June 15, 2007 9:42 AM
Posted on June 15, 2007 09:42