OVER 2 YOU, 066 (05/02/02)

PICTURES FROM SPACE

I seem to remember a few years ago you could buy a receiver that would pick up images from orbiting weather satellites, as they flew overhead. Do they still exist or are there any add-ons for the PC? I’m interested in studying ‘live’ real time pictures, rather that the images on the web, which are often several hours or even days old.

Jerry Harris, via email

I have found the NASA space site fascinating as well as live pictures of the Earth and Moon from space they also have all the satellites listed and you can get current views - they also have an expert mode capability if you are able to use it.  You can also view any place on earth from above by specifying latitude and longitude.

http://www.fourmilab.ch/

earthview/satellite.html

Chris James,

There are many weather satellites, you may receive direct earth scans from some, others have the raw data processed by ground stations transmitted back to the same satellites for transmission in a standard format that you can receive easily. See Software Systems Consulting at http://www.ssccorp.com

You can also receive the weather faxes transmitted on the short wave by met offices these often include satellite pictures, and are much easier to pick up. Requiring only a short wave receiver capable of resolving SSB properly (not as an add-on) and a suitable program. AKD make a dedicated radio and software package also branded as Target receivers. Recommended book Weather Satellite Handbook 5th edition by Dr Ralph E Taggart WB8DQT.

See Radio Society of Great Britain at www.rsgb.org/shop

J Bone,

You can indeed obtain the equipment to download the images directly from the satellites. A good place to start would be Time Step in Newmarket: http://www.time-step.com

Data can be obtained from both geo-stationary systems - Meteosat, GOES - and Polar Orbiters such as the NOAA series (US) and Meteor (Russian). The systems are quite different so you will need different receivers and antennae to collect from the Polar Orbiters or the Geo-Stationary systems - and different systems to collect PDUS or WEFAX!

Meteosat transmits in two formats - high resolution Primary Data (PDUS) and secondary WEFAX. PDUS images are encrypted - but clear data is transmitted at 6 hourly intervals - 06:00, 12:00, 18:00. WEFAX data is unencrypted and transmitted in a sequence of segments according to a published timetable. Polar satellites fly overhead at certain times and transmit a series of lines in a continuous mode. You are likely to be able to pick up the signals from one horizon to the other as the satellite passes over - with the sequential lines building up to give a long image 'swath'. Each time the satellite completes an orbit it passes over a different part of the Earth - only a few will pass over the UK and NW Europe.

Most images are available in near real-time over the Internet. Nottingham University has a continuously available feed of Meteosat WEFAX images whilst the NERC Satellite project at Dundee University has a regular update of the clear image formats from Meteosat - and the other geo-stationary
platforms in the GARP programme. http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk

Links to many of the satellite systems and access pages can be found on
the St. Vincent College weather resources area at http://www.stvincent.ac.uk/Resources/Weather
Peter Milford,

The receiver in question could have been the one produced by Maplin, which is no longer available. No problem, very good ones are available commercially, but can be quite pricey. May I recommend that Jerry first goes to www.rig.org.uk

 the web site of RIG the "Remote Imaging Group". We are a very active group and here you will find all the information required. The group also produce their own receiver in kit form, which since introduced in 1997 has sold over 1000 items.

Bought in receivers supply their own software, and require a plug in card inserted in the computer to decode the data. Group Members have perfected freeware programs, which make use of the Sound Card in the computer to do all the decoding so this is the cheaper way to go. No stripping down the computer!

Dennis West,

I have a Maplin Matsat2 Weather Satellite Receiver in A1 condition, which could be surplus to my requirements.

Patrick Kehoe,

WIND UP PC

Is there such a thing as a ‘wind-up’ computer or can anyone suggest a reliable portable power source, as I’ll be off trekking in various out of the way places later this year. Solar cells seem like a possibility but are they small or efficient enough to drive a laptop and mobile phone?

Linda King, via email

The SOLO computer by ExpLan is a colour portable that is designed to run off solar power, as well as clockwork and wind power. It has a touch screen with mouse buttons built in, can have a conventional keyboard or onscreen keyboard, and has the operating system in ROM, therefore not susceptible to corruption. It’s rugged design (case made out of wood) and less moving parts than a conventional computer makes it ideal for hot dusty climates. More information from: http://www.explan.co.uk
Geoff Potter,

Why bother? I spend time each year trekking in remote places and the thought of taking a computer or mobile would never occur to me. Internet access is available in many places to check for, and send, messages via 'Hotmail', and international telephone/fax services are good. I (and other travelling friends) find that this is more than adequate. Who is going to carrying all this stuff? I hope that there are no rivers to cross!

Tim Hudson,

Linda King may be interested in a solar PV Uni-Pac - see link - to power her laptop in far-flung places.
http://shop.solarcentury.co.uk/acatalog/ Solar_Century_Product_of_the_Month_12.html
Katrina Johnston,

RECIPE DATABASE

I am looking to transfer all my recipes to my PC can anyone recommend any suitable software?

Ken Hewitt, via email

I am an absolute beginner at computers but have recently placed all my recipes, presently totalling about 70, on a database using Microsoft Works. I used the works task launcher, clicked on database, then Recipe Book. I included Reference Number, type of recipe, name of recipe, date, ingredients, instructions, number served and time taken. Each recipe is available individually and there is a list with brief details as well.

Dorothy McKnight,

SITTING COMFORTABLY

My physio has heavily criticised my sitting posture - which has added to the strain on my neck and the deterioration of my cervical vertebrae.  He suggests that I find some way of regularly reminding myself to check my posture when operating the PC.  Can anyone suggest a way of "posting"
reminders to my screen at regular intervals, irrespective of software I am using at the time?
Tom Busby, via email

I have found a solution to my backache when trying to stand after several hours working on my computer.  I have purchased a 'Fitball', (http://www.fitball.com/), which is a ball of between 55 and 65cm used for fitness training.  However, I use mine when sitting for long periods i.e. working on the computer or at the table.  I have found that it is difficult to slouch when sitting on it and I can stand up with no ill effects.  It really has been the perfect solution for me!!

Sue Kennedy (Mrs),

CAN YOU HELP?

I have recently signed up for an ADSL broadband Internet connection on my Windows 98 PC and I would like to be able to share it with two other Windows PCs (Windows 98 and ME) in other rooms in my house. Can any suggest a simple and preferably inexpensive method? It might be possible to run cables to the other PCs, but I would prefer not to.

Derek Sams, via email

I am attempting to research my father's service in the Great War but am hitting brick walls. My father was a retired regular soldier who re-enlisted in 1914 and went to France in 1915 with the 7th (Service) Royal Scots Fusiliers.  The Records Office at Hayes in Middlesex was bombed during the Second World War and many records, including my father's, were badly damaged. The Royal Scots Fusiliers' museum was moved from Ayr to Glasgow but before the RSF memorabilia had been catalogued the museum was set on fire by vandals and damaged by the fire or and water. Where else can I seek information?  Is it possible to gain access to the Great War medical records?

G. F., via email