MYC WeatherCam System Frequently Asked Questions Last updated 21 May 2008

Q. Does the WeatherCam system run 24/7?
A. Yes, technically the system runs continuously, however, the cameras are programmed to update for 12 hours commencing 0600hrs. This update cycle will change as the days get longer so that in high summer, the viewing time will be extended to approximately 15hours. There is little point refreshing the website with the same black camera images at night. The Weather data section of the page will continue updating every 5 minutes, 24/7.

Q. When I log on I only see still images. Is this correct or is my browser not setup properly?
A. Yes, this is correct and still shots are normal. The image array is updated every minute and you should refresh regularly to get the latest images.

Q. Will there be a full motion live stream from the cameras?
A. No it will not be motion video. It should be said that whilst the system is capable of outputting up to 6 frames per second, this would have a very significant impact on both the network at MYC and at YA, so the system has been setup to run only 1 frame per minute. Full motion is also extremely hungry on your download usage!

Q. Do the images automatically update for me?
A. No, the code behind the system could do this automatically, but this process would have a detrimental effect on users with slower connection speeds - these users would likely not see anything at all as their system would spend the whole time trying to download images...which they would never see as they keep changing before they finish downloading!

Q. When I refreshed earlier, only two pictures came up and the third box had a 'broken link' icon in it. Is there an intermittent camera system fault?
A. No it's not faulty. When your browser refresh occurred the camera system was in the process of updating the WebServer with a new set of images. Refresh your browser to fix this.

Q. Sometimes the brightness and contrast varies between the cameras. Is this a fault with the camera?
A. No, this is not a fault - just an electronic function of the cameras that cannot be overridden. The cameras each control their own exposure and color balance, and sometimes one cameras frame may have a significant difference to the others for reasons such as the morning sun, reflections and even cloud cover in various parts of each shot will also affect the exposure. The afternoons display the most consistent array as the sun is behind the cameras.

Q. I noticed this morning that the wind direction indicated in the data did not seem to be the same as where the boats were pointing in the harbor.
A. If you consider a windex or telltale on any boat and you'll notice that it never sits still. Even if the wind is hard out of the SW - it will continually bounce around, but in real time, your perception is clearly that it is hard in the SW.

So to understand the apparent discrepancy with the boats direction and reported wind direction, it's important to note how the system actually assembles data for the site. The Weather Station takes a snapshot which lasts for less than half a second, and it is possible - more likely probable - that the wind direction vane was being buffeted around as they all do when the snapshot was taken.

Another point of interest here is that if the wind speed is read as zero by the system, the wind direction will not be updated. So if a light zephyr manages to turn the boats in the harbor without spinning the anemometer cups, the instrumentation will not reflect the direction shift until the anemometer is moving again.

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Webcams and Weather solution proudly developed for Mornington Yacht Club by Stephen Bolton & Associates Pty. Ltd.
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