980326: TERMINATION OF GOES-TAP/GOES-FAX SERVICE - CORRECTION (fwd)

• To: nws-changes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
• Subject: 980326: TERMINATION OF GOES-TAP/GOES-FAX SERVICE - CORRECTION (fwd)
• From: Linda Miller <lmiller@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
• Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 13:57:33 -0700 (MST)

In 1996, NOAA notified GOES-TAP (primary) and GOES-FAX (secondary) users of
planned changes in distribution of satellite data to government offices and
the private sector.  GOES-TAP customers are defined as users with direct
connection from their site to a Satellite Field Distribution Facility;
GOES-FAX customers are defined as external users having a National Weather
Service (NWS) agreement that allows connection to NWS field offices via
GOES-FAX circuits.

During October 1996, the National Weather Service initially notified all
known GOES-FAX users of plans to phase-out the GOES-FAX network sometime in
late 1997/early 1998.  In June 1996,  NESDIS relayed parallel information
to its GOES-TAP customers.  Scheduling updates on the decommissioning of
the GOES-TAP and the GOES-FAX programs are now available, and this message
serves as complementary notification applicable to both GOES-TAP and
GOES-FAX customers.

In a letter dated February 25, 1998, the NWS provided final notification to
GOES-FAX users of the scheduled discontinuance of GOES-FAX service.  Also
by letter, NESDIS will send final notification of GOES-TAP service
termination to primary GOES-TAP customers during the week of March 16,
1998.  For specific cut-off dates, please refer to the paragraph below.

Evolving NOAA modernization initiatives for satellite data in digital
formats at faster rates and higher resolution require a change from
GOES-TAP analog products to high speed digital data satellite broadcast.
To meet these new requirements, GOES-TAP and the GOES-FAX programs will be
discontinued.  Unfortunately, NOAA does not have the financial resources to
simultaneously support all programs and thus the need to discontinue
GOES-TAP and GOES-FAX networks in 1998.  Specifically, the dates of
respective termination are as follows:

GOES-FAX Program   --   June 1, 1998**
GOES-TAP Program   --   September 30, 1998.

**Although termed as GOES-TAP sites, please note this cut-off date also
applies to NWS WSFOs and WFOs.

In preparation of the termination of the service, GOES-TAP and GOES-FAX
customers are strongly encouraged to seek other avenues as soon as possible
for satellite data access.  As guidance, you can access GOES digital or
analog satellite data by pursuing any of the following options:

1.  Direct readout from operational GOES-East (75 degrees West) and/or
GOES-West (135 degrees West) using a ground station.

2.  Direct readout from NOAAPORT using a ground station.  NOAAPORT will
provide all users within the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii, real time
access to high resolution digital data from GOES and international
satellite platforms.

3.  Connection to the private sector.  It is anticipated that users will be
able to obtain NOAAPORT data and ancillary products from private sector
companies acting as distribution/value-added sites.

4.  Connection to NESDIS Satellite Services Division (SSD) GOES Browser at
http://www.goes.noaa.gov via the Internet.  Satellite images are provided
in GIF.

For identification of distribution/value added companies, please refer to
the following homepage on the worldwide web at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/IM.
Please be advised the list is provided specifically for your assistance,
and does not imply endorsement from NOAA.

For additional information on NOAAPORT, please refer to the NOAAPORT Users'
Guide homepage at:  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/NOAAPORT/HTML/noaaport.html.

If you have any questions in regard to termination of the GOES-TAP and
GOES-FAX service in parallel with NOAA's future digital data mission,
please refer to the following points of contact:

                 John Paquette
                 NESDIS/SSD/SP23
                 5200 Auth Road, Room 607
                 Camp Springs, MD  20746
                 301-763-8051, Ext. 110 or
john.paquette@xxxxxxxx

                 Ron Gird
                 NWS/OM22
                 1325 East-West Highway
                 Silver Spring, Maryland  20910
                 301-713-1867, Ext. 110 or
                 ron.gird@xxxxxxxx

                 Laurence Davis
                 NWS/OSO152
                 1325 East-West Highway
                 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
                 301-713-0887, Ext. 197 or
                 laurence.davis@xxxxxxxx

Thank you for your support in this important change in satellite data
service to the user community.



John Paquette
NESDIS/SSD/SAB