4.2.7 The Alarm/Alert Feature

The Alarm/Alert feature is initiated from the Text Display Control Dialog Box and allows you to set up and receive Alarm/Alert messages. You may also select text products for which you want to be "alarmed" or "alerted." You can specify a list of text products that are fetched from the database. A visible and/or audible alarm alerts you when new versions have arrived. When new alarmed products are received, a Flashing Bell within a dialog box appears, as shown in Exhibit 4.2.7-1. The Alarm/Alert feature is workstation specific.

Note: The Alarm/Alert feature is not implemented to allow you to set up alarms or alerts for text products by WMO ID. You must still use the AFOS PIL.

Exhibit 4.2.7-1. The Alarm/Alert Dialog Box

When you click on Alarm/Alert in the Text Display Control Dialog Box, the Current Alarm Queue Dialog Box opens. To adjust the sound of the alarm, open the "K" menu at lower left, and select Preferences -> Sound -> System Bell. From this dialog, you can adjust the frequency and duration of the bell sound (but the volume control has no effect other than off/on).

Current Alarm Queue

The Current Alarm Queue, shown in Exhibit 4.2.7-2, is a dialog box that gives information about the products that are displayed in the Alarm Queue.

Exhibit 4.2.7-2. The Current Alarm Queue

Three options are accessible from this dialog box.

• Open Display: A menu button that opens the Alarm Display Window, shown in Exhibit 4.2.7-3. The Alarm Display Window displays the alarmed or alerted text products.

Exhibit 4.2.7-3. The Alarm Display Window

The Alarm Display Window has the following capabilities.

- Print Window: A menu button that makes a hard copy of the alarmed or alerted text products displayed in the window.
- Print Entire Buffer: A menu button that makes a hard copy of all of the alarmed or alerted text products displayed in the buffer.
- Clear: A menu button that clears the Alarm Display Window.
- Accumulate: A toggle button that allows you to append incoming alarmed text products in the window.

• Display All: A menu button that opens the Alarm Display Window and displays all of the alarmed or alerted text products. Refer to Exhibit 4.2.7-4.

Exhibit 4.2.7-4. The Alarm Display All Window

• Product List: A menu button that opens the Alarm/Alert Products Dialog Box, shown in Exhibit 4.2.7-5.

Exhibit 4.2.7-5. The Alarm/Alert Products Dialog Box

Products with the word "Alarm" in parentheses send an audible signal.

The Alarm/Alert Products Dialog Box has the following capabilities:

- File: This pull-down menu includes options Save, Save & Close, Close, Save as..., and Load.... See below for discussion of the first three. The latter two allow you to save and recall alarm settings that you might wish to apply at different times of the year or to support different programs (e.g., public or aviation).

- New AA Entry: A menu button that opens the New Alarm/Alert Product Dialog Box, shown in Exhibit 4.2.7-6.

Exhibit 4.2.7-6. The New Alarm/Alert Product Dialog Box

The New Alarm/Alert Product Dialog Box has the following capabilities:
• Product ID: An entry box for a text product, identified by its AFOS PIL, you want to add to the Alarm/Alert Product List.
• Alarm: This is a toggle button that allows you to set an audible alarm for a product. If you do not set this, the product is alerted, but does not have an audible alarm. Products with the word "Alarm" in parentheses send an audible signal when they arrive in the Text Database.
• Optional Search String: An entry box to aid in searching for an alarmed product.
• OK: Closes the New Alarm/Alert Product Dialog Box and adds the new Alarm/Alert product to the Product List shown in Exhibit 4.2.7-5.
• Cancel: Closes the New Alarm/Alert Product Dialog Box without making changes to the list of alarmed products.

- New PA Entry: A menu button that opens the New Proximity Alarm Product Dialog Box, shown in Exhibit 4.2.7-7.

Exhibit 4.2.7-7. The New Proximity Alarm Product Dialog Box

The New Proximity Alarm Product Dialog Box has the following capabilities:
• Product ID: An entry box for a text product, identified by its AFOS PIL, you want to add to the Proximity Alarm Products List. This feature allows you to be notified when a specified product affecting a selected area is received.
• Alarm/Alert: This is an option menu that allows you to set an audible alarm for a product. If you select Alert, the product is alerted, but does not have an audible alarm.

• Action Cmd: This feature is not yet implemented.
• AOR: A check box to set notification for a product that affects your Area of Responsibility (for a WFO, the CWA).
• AOR+Distance: Allows you to specify a distance in miles or kilometers beyond the AOR where you wish to be notified.
• UGC List: List UGCs of interest here for notification of the specified product.

• OK: Saves the item to the Proximity Alarm list shown in Exhibit 4.2.7-5 and closes the dialog box.

• Cancel: Closes dialog box without making changes to the product list.

- Change Entry: This menu button opens the Change Alarm/Alert Products Dialog Box in which you can modify the alarm status of a text product.
- Delete Entry: This menu button deletes a highlighted product in the Alarm Products List.

- Save: A menu button that saves changes but leaves the Alarm/Alert and Proximity Alarm Products Dialog Box open for additional work.

- Save & Close: A menu button that saves changes and closes the Alarm/Alert and Proximity Alarm Products Dialog Box.

- Close: A menu button that closes the Alarm/Alert Products Dialog Box without making changes to the list of alarmed products. If you have made changes but not saved them, you'll be asked to confirm.

Note: Even though the Alarm/Alert feature is not implemented for WMO products, WMO product headers can be added to the Alarm/Alert Products list. You will not receive alerts or alarms for them though. Use the AFOS PIL instead.
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