The National Weather Service in Norman is participating in a new method of making basic NWS products (including warnings, watches and forecasts) available through radio and satellite sources that can be accessed via a personal computer. The main catalyst to the development of this system was to create a source of basic NWS information to local emergency management agencies who cannot afford a larger weather data system.

Since 1996, EMWIN transmitters have been placed at various locations across the area.

The EMWIN data stream can also be received via satellite at 1691.0 MHz.

What do you need to receive the EMWIN signal?

• A nearby transmitter.
• A PC capable of running Microsoft Windows. In general the computer should be at least a 386DX40, with 4 MB or more of RAM, 10+ MB of disk space available on C:, SVGA 640x480 monitor, 256 color driver, one COM serial port, a mouse, and a 3.5" disk drive.
• MS-DOS 5.0 or later.
• MS Windows 3.1 or later.
• EMWIN receive and display software.
• A demodulator
• A radio receiver or radio scanner capable of tuning the frequencies listed above.
• And, if necessary, an antenna.

Some cooperating agencies for the EMWIN project include the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In Oklahoma, other cooperating agencies include the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), Oklahoma Military Department, Air National Guard, Oklahoma Civil Emergency Management, Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Tulsa Amateur Radio Club. In Texas, cooperating agencies include the Texas Department of Public Safety and the National Guard.

Related Web Pages

Most information you will need about EMWIN can be found on the NOAA/NWS EMWIN homepage including information about demodulators and software.