Re: DIFAX

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Allen;

    Below is the response to your DIFAX enquiries from the Dept. of Atmos. 
Sci., U. of NC at Asheville.


    1. Do you use DIFAX as a primary source of NWS facsimile products? (DIFAX 
maps received through a Family of Services Provider may well come from the HRS 
circuit and not the DIFAX transmission). If you are a subscriber to the DIFAX 
service (through Alden for example), could you switch to an alternate delivery 
system with 6 months notice.


DIFAX is our sole source of NWS facsimile products.  Presently we receive these 
products from ALDEN through a satellite downlink.  They are printed using a 
matrix printer.  We could switch to an alternate source if forced, but it would 
take more than six months because of the length of our funding cycle.  We are 
very satisfied with the current service.

    2. Can you/Do you use DIFAX maps currently available on the internet 
(http://weather.noaa.gov/fax/graph.shtml)?  What are the drawbacks if any?  How 
could delivery be improved?
We do not use DIFAX maps currently available on the internet. The drawbacks are the increased number of terminals necessary along with increases internet traffic. Included would be increased maintenance resources which we simply cannot afford. 


    3.  If the DIFAX transmission is vital to your operations, please explain 
why.


We have found that the display of hard copy is far easier and effective for 
operations and education.  Entering freshmen can immediately access the NWS 
products, share ideas and not be intimidated by having to immediately learn at 
least one of several systems on scarce machines.  For my colleagues and my own 
research, the hard copy DIFAX removes much of the hassle of seeing the overall 
picture.  Indeed, we have had visitors from FSO's who enviously peruse our 
display, voicing their wish to have something they could annotate, easily 
discuss with peers and rapidly integrate.  A significant feature is the 
reliability of the current DIFAX delivery.  We have been very satisfied with 
ALDEN.

    -- James A. Heimbach, Jr.
       Prof. and Chair, Atmospheric Sciences
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