Tag Archives: rainmeter
Rainmeter is an open source Windows program used for monitoring anything. By ‘anything’, they mean it.
I’ve built a few meters that are probably of interest to other ham radio operators. So far, I’ve created meters for the Solar Number, Solar Flux Index, A Index, K Index, and to show the X-Ray Solar Image. All of these update from the NOAA Space Weather website.
I would love to hear any comments or suggestions in the comments section below or via email (andrew at siliconcreek.net).
Version 0.9.2 (31 July 2011)
Made some changes to the look of the meters – added borders, changed the text to black. Also added a ‘hot link’ to the solar X-Ray image to send you directly to the large image on the NOAA website.
I added the maximum fluctuations to the K-Index meter. It seems a lot of sites show this, and while it seems that it really isn’t an absolute necessity, N0NBH’s Solar Weather Image shows that, as does the NOAA Space Weather WWV Report, so I went ahead and added it.
Also added two new configs for DX Spots. After little investigation, I decided to set things up to go to the Ham Call DX Spotter. This is because it is the only one I’ve seen that has totals by band. I split the spots for HF and VHF/UHF because I anticipate that most people will be interested in one or the other. This is setup with an update rate of every 5 minutes (it is in the .ini file with the code). If you want to change it, make it higher. I didn’t talk with anyone at HamCall.net prior to doing this, and we certainly do not want to irritate them by overdoing things.
Version 0.9.1 (29 July 2011)
Added K index and solar image. See the image below (shot on my Windows 7 computer).
Version 0.9.0 (26 July 2011 – First Release)
The screenshot above shows the A-Index, Solar Flux Index, and Solar Number. So far, that’s all the meters I’ve done so far. These are updated periodically from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center website.
I’m making this available to anyone interested. I will be update this periodically with additional meters (K index and maybe something related to DX Spots). If you have any ideas, feel free to leave them in the comments)
To install, start by installing Rainmeter from the website. Then, unzip the contents of this in Documents\Rainmeter (so the files in the zipfile are under AC8JO and there are folders for the A Index, SFI, and SN). Right-click on one of the Rainmeter skins and go to refresh. Then, you should be able to right-click on a skin and add any or all of the solar measure skins.
I’ve had a few “duuuh!” moments recently:
- I tried to test SWR with the mic on SSB without whistling or saying “heelllllllooooo” (I realized I shoulda known better and got a 3.5mm plug to use as a redneck key)
- I saw something on the Internet about using a butane torch to solder PL-259 plugs. One of those plugs just popped off the wire it was supposed to be soldered to. Another had the center insulator shorted to ground. Each time I’ve done this, I’ve burned insulation and other stuff.
- I got my work computer banned from http://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html trying to make a Rainmeter skin for it. Fortunately, I did this on Friday and the ban was lifted by Monday.
I’ve had a few smarter moments, too:
- Since I bought a pair of the HTX-100s, I joined the Yahoo Group and just started watching messages. A recent message by another group member indicated that the display would be back if you let a certain capacitor charge. The supposedly-broken rig is now working again.
- I joined the Milford Amateur Radio Club.
- I started playing with MPM Morse Factory on my Android phone to practice sending in CW. Unfortunately, it appears that it has disappeared off the Play Store.
- I wanted to see Ham Nation on a big screen, so I used my Blu-Ray player to pull it up on YouTube.
- I dropped by a truck stop on my way home from a meeting in Frankfort, KY to grab lunch. While I was there, I browsed through the CB aisle and picked up some RG-8. Probably not the greatest stuff, but it’ll work in the pinch I’m in.
