Overview

In theory, you would be using VCP 12/212 and 11/211 for similar situations: convective events. In practice, VCPs 12/212 will normally be your goto during convective weather because of its better sampling of the lower-levels of the atmosphere. VCPs 11/211 can still be useful at sampling deep convection because of its slightly better sampling of the midlevels at certain ranges. RPS lists between the two will be similar since they are used in similar situations. Besides their different elevation angles, the most important difference between these VCPs is 12/212 incorporates SAILS tilts. For simplicity, only a sample list for VCP 12/212 angles are provided as an example below. A VCP 11 RPS list would look similar to the one below, but the corresponding elevation angles would be different, and there is no need for the duplicate base product entries for the SAILS tilts.

Because these VCPs are generally run during severe convective events, offices must balance two concerns. Forecasters normally want every product they can get to meet their needs during the worst, high-end convective events. However, some narrowband connections (e.g., FAA primary, supplemental, and temporary backup) may not be suitable to meet this approach. The list below represents the "everything and the kitchen sink" list that should work for most NWS and DoD primary AWIPS connections. RPS lists for other connections will need to prioritize based on your needs.

We provide a detailed list below of recommend products. This list may not work for everyone. Here are some important details to keep in mind when looking over this lis:

• Extra Entries for SAILS Tilts: Remember that requesting all elevation angles (i.e., "All") will not request the SAILS tilts for that product. To ensure you receive all the SAILS tilts, when requested, you need a second entry in the RPS list for each base product. This entry requests just the 0.5 degree tilt, but for all of the cuts (i.e., "Cuts All"). Most of the base products have this extra entry already included in the national RPS list. However, you will need to add these entries for Super-Res Z (153), Super Res V (154), Super Res SW (155), and Raw CC (167).
   
• No 8-bit Z (94): The RPG generates Super-Res Z (153) products now for every elevation scan even though only the split cuts technically have super resolution data. The resolution from Z(153) is preferrable to Z(94), and downloading two versions of the same data could result in loadshedding on a slow connection. So, the exmaple below doesn't include Z(94).. If you find that you are still running into loadshedding issues after implementing this solution, consider swapping out some of the higher tilt Z(153) products, maybe tilts above 10 degrees, for Z(94). That will still allow you to perform a full volume analysis, but free up a little more bandwidth.
   
• Super-Res Spectrum Width (155): WDTD has long been a proponent of using Spectrum Width as part of your base data analysis. We also want forecasters to look at the highest resolution data possible. However, we must be pragmatic, too. SW (155) products can be very large (i.e., up to 20 times the size of the lower resolution Spectrum Width products). If you have issues with loadshedding, you will want to stick with the combo suite of SW(28)-SW(30) at all tilts.
   
• Raw CC or SDC (167): In most cases, forecasters will want to look at CC(161) to analyze the Correlation Coefficient data. The primary benefit of using Raw CC (167) is that forecasters might be able to identify a TDS more quickly. These files can be up to twice as large as the standard CC products, so include Raw CC (167) judiciously in your RPS list. There is a definitely a benefit to including the product for the lowest tilt. If you have the bandwidth, you may want to include more tilts. However, don't foresake the standard CC products just so you can get all of the Raw CC tilts.
 

 

Products NOT included: 4-bit (16 level) SRM is not included because with a LAN-LAN connection there is no reason not to use 8-bit SRM after receiving the 8-bit Velocity products. 8-bit SRM is in every way superior to 4-bit SRM. Nevertheless, the lowest 4 tilts in VCP 11/211 and the 0.5, 1.3, 2.4, and 3.1 tilts (and 6 tilts in VCP 12/212: 0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.1) will still be available since they are added via the National RPS list. Snowfall products are not included but could be if needed.

The list below contains 138 Products, and combined with the national set a total of 212 products would be requested.