Re: NOTHING but **** from Belfort Digiwx AWOS

[Ron Lee]

Ron Lee here. Although I did author the study referenced below while
researching what AWOS system we should procure, I did NOT write all
the childish language that followed...and deleted here.

Ron Lee

ron...@pcisys.net wrote:

>Ron Lee from Meadow Lake Airport wrote in Pike's Peak Flyer:
>
>January 2009
>
>The SuperUnicom was shut down in early August 2008 due to harmful
>interference on the 122.7 MHz fre-quency A grant was submitted and
>approved to get an AWOS III P/T using FAA funds. Our portion of
>thecost is around $4,000 although incidentals may drive it higher...
>but far below the $25,000 previously budgetedfor an AWOS. One MLAA
>Board member is attempting to force a system that is not fully
>certified down our throats using the flawed rationale that it is
>cheaper that the fully certified systems offered by All Weather Inc
>and Vaisala. A major down side to the Belfort system is that pilots
>will not be able to access METAR data through FlightService, ADDS, on
>their on-board weather systems, etc. We will very likely be unable to
>acquire a three letter airport ID and maintenance will cost much more
>over its lifetime than with either of the fully certified systems.
>Plus in its current implementation, there is no obvious upgrade path
>to getting present weather and lightning information available in an
>AWOS III P/T system. It is crucial to the safety of this airport and
>our usefulness as a destination airport within the National Airspace
>System that we get a state of the art AWOS. With the FAA grant, it is
>amazingly affordable. But it is essential that local pilots become
>informed on this matter and contact all Board members to express their
>view. My opinion... based upon extensive research on behalf of MLAA
>members... is that we need a fully certified AWOS. The minimum
>configuration is AWOS III, with AWOS III P/T highly desirable
>(objective). It needs to be the number one priority acquisition with a
>target installation not later than Spring 2009. It must not be
>sacrificed to pay interest on the land acquisition.
>
>His full report is located here:
>http://home.pcisys.net/~ronlee/Meado...onAnalysis.doc
>
>If you're considering a Digiwx AWOS... READ THIS ANALYSIS FIRST!