Technical FAQ
For technical support regarding WxWorx hardware or software, call 256-319-9679 or send an email to customer.support@wxworx.com.
Please contact XM Radio for any XM WX billing or subscription questions at 1-800-985-9200.
- What are the power requirements of the Receiver?
- Does the system come with a Manual?
- How long does it take for the WxWorx to become activated?
- What GPS's work with WxWorx and how do I configure the software?
- Do I need to have WxWorx open to view weather data?
- How Do I fix a "NIP Connect Failed" error in my display software?
- Can I install the WX Worx software on several different computers?
- Holux GM210 doesn’t seem to work/GPS Viewer never locks on satellites?
- My DeLorme Earthmate GPS does not work with WxWorx.
- LED is Green but there is no COM port in the Device Manager?
- WxWorx will come up in activation mode when I bring the system back up after not being used for a month or so?
- I am only receiving and displaying some data products and not all. Some buttons are red and will not turn blue/green.
- The XMLink program doesn't show my radio serial number. OR System was working fine but now it doesn’t find the radio serial number and says sending power up to radio over and over in the XM Link log window.
- My antenna signal on the XM Link says >999 on Sat 1, Sat 2 and Ground.
- I get the "GPS error com X" when I start my application.
What are the power requirements of the Receiver?
| Input Voltage | Max Current In | Output Voltage | Max Current Out |
|
12 VDC
28 VDC |
400 mA
200 mA |
9 VDC
9 VDC |
450 mA
450 mA |
Does the system come with a Manual?
Yes the manual is part of the install and is in PDF format. If you did not say "yes" to place a shortcut on the desktop during the initial install then you can still access the manual. Go to Start->Programs->Wxworx on Water (or Wxworx on Wings or Mobile Threat Net (depending on install))->(Application type) Users Guide, where application type is either Water, Wings or Mobile. The current version manual is also available on our website (www.wxworx.com) on the downloads page under each application's "Download Updates" section. While there, make sure you have the latest version of the software. The upgrade will also upgrade the manual on your install if it has changed.
How long does it take for the WxWorx to become activated?
This is dependent on how many XM activations are happening when you call. It can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as 1 hour. If it takes longer than an hour then please call back. Before you call confirm that the ID in the main XMLink window is the one you are requesting activation for. This ID should match the one on the box. If it will take longer than 1 hour then the XM Listener Care representative should make you aware of this when you call.
What GPS’s work with WxWorx and how do I configure the software?
WxWorx will accept any GPS that outputs data which is NMEA compliant or aviation standard, this generally includes all handheld or panel mounted GPS units. The GPS must be visible to the computer as a COM port. Check with the GPS manufacturer for special cables, connections or setup options to enable/allow this capability.
Once the GPS is properly configured and connected to the computer then launch the WxWorx application and go to the Setup->GPS Settings window. Enter the COM port number and baud rate for the GPS. Close the application and then re-launch it for the settings to take effect.
If you are unsure of the baud rate, then launch HyperTerminal from Start->Programs->Accessories->Communications->HyperTerminal. Select the COM port that the GPS is connected to and choose the baud rate you expect the GPS to be transmitting. If no data appears or you can not read the data then check the cables and settings on the GPS.
Do I need to have WxWorx open to view weather data?
Yes, the WxWorx must be open, the receiver connected, the antenna must have a view of the Southern sky and the receiver activated through XM Listener Care.
How Do I fix a "NIP Connect Failed" error in my display software?
The display software communicates with the XmLink software via the internal TCP/IP network on your computer. In order for the two applications to communicate correctly the TCP/IP protocol must be installed and active on your computer. If not already installed follow your computer manufacturer’s instructions to install this protocol on your computer.
If the protocol is already installed and you are still having problems a second possibility may be a personal firewall. Please insure that the firewall will allow the two programs to communicate. Refer to your firewall manufacturer’s documentation for instructions on how to allow this.
Can I install the WX Worx software on several different computers?
Both the base software and GPS/Mapping Upgrade can be installed on multiple machines. However the software will not run if a WxWorx receiver is NOT attached to the computer.
Holux GM210 doesn’t seem to work/GPS Viewer never locks on satellites?
There is a known problem with the GPS Viewer software. The small satellite map and position information window on the right side of the display does not update correctly. In order to force an update drag another applications window over the right half of the GPS viewer or open another application on top of it. We have used XMlink and IE explorer to update the window. The USB GPS's when working correctly will lock onto satellites within 45 seconds from a COLD start. The Holux GPS has actually won competitions for fastest lock on. The GPS Viewer software is not their software, maybe one day they will get it fixed. For now just be careful if someone says the GPS does not work because GPS Viewer didn't show a correct position.
There is one know failure with the Holux GPS. To test for it
1) Open GPS Viewer and find the GPS and open the port
2) Click on Cold Start
3) Immediately close the connection to the GPS and then Reopen-> this forces the cold start
4) Cold Start is verified by the window on the right showing an incorrect date and all satellites disappearing
5) The GPS will start looking for a satellite verified by seeing single satellite numbers appear on the little world map and shown on the text line at the bottom.
6) Within about 15 seconds it should find a satellite and populate the window on the right with satellite numbers running vertically from top to bottom.
7) At this point the problem noted above will start happening and it won't update the information correctly. Use the procedure above to verify it locks onto satellites, should happen within 45 seconds with good sky view.
8) IF it never locks on ONE satellite and continues cycling through satellite numbers in step 5 then there is a real problem with the GPS.
My DeLorme Earthmate GPS does not work with WxWorx.
The COM port DeLorme Drivers do not install the GPS as a COM port when first installed. Check the DeLorme support page on their website www.DeLorme.com to confirm if you need a driver installed to allow third party software to access the GPS. Once you have installed the appropriate drivers from their site you then need to find your GPS in the Device Manager, it will be listed as an HID (Human Interface Device). Once located you need to update the driver (right click on the device in the device manager). Select the advanced button in the wizard that comes up, Choose "Don't search I will choose the driver to install" and then from the list select the COM port driver. This will install the GPS as a COM port. When you have completed this look in the ports section of the Device Manager and you will see a DeLorme Earthmate GPS COM device (COMx). Enter this Com port # in the wxworx software at 4800 baud and the GPS will be recognized.
Note since DeLorme has updated this driver we have encountered an issue where after the GPS is disconnected and re-connected it may go back to being an HID device and then you must repeat the update driver steps above to get back to a COM port.
LED is Green but there is no COM port in the Device Manager?
This can be caused by various problems. The problem may be related to power. If the receiver has the correct voltage but not sufficient amperage then when the receiver USB cable is plugged into the computer it will go from the Red and Green to a solid Green but no COM port will appear in the Device Manger and there will be NO "Found new hardware" statements. To check if this is an issue connect the receiver to a different power source, connect the USB and look for a COM port in the Device Manager.
WxWorx will come up in activation mode when I bring the system back up after not being used for a month or so?
First of all make sure you have the latest software downloaded from our website. Any version of XMLink greater than 1.23 has addressed this problem. If the receiver has been inactive for several months then you may need to get a refresh from XM Listener Care at 1-800-985-9200.
I am only receiving and displaying some data products and not all. Some buttons are red and will not turn blue/green.
The receiver may not be fully activated. Bring up XMLink and select Tools->activation mode. Let the window stay up until the Service Level window indicates the package that you requested from XM Listener Care. If it does not appear or the Service Level stays as "None defined" then contact XM Listener Care at 1-800-958-9200 and request a refresh from then. When the refresh is being sent, leave the receiver in activation mode until the Service Level matches your request, then click the Done button. The receiver should then begin ingesting all the data products that are part of your package.
The other possibility may be poor satellite signal strength. Bring up XmLink and check the Radio status area. You can also go to Tools->Counters and check to see how many errors there have been in your reception. If there are any errors in the counters window then check your antenna connection and location.
The XMLink program doesn't show my radio serial number. OR System was working fine but now it doesn’t find the radio serial number and says sending power up to radio over and over in the XM Link log window.
This is a communication problem between XMLink and the receiver. To trouble shoot this we will begin with only the operating system. Begin by closing any WxWorx application and close XMLink. Make sure it is not minimized in the task bar tray (bottom right corner of most desktops), if it is right click on the icon (double arrows facing up and down) and select Exit then confirm you want to Exit.
Open the Device Manger to confirm the port is installed correctly. This can be opened either through Start->Control Panel->System then select Hardware tab and select Device Manger in the middle right of the window or if there is a My Computer icon on the desktop then right click on it select Properties and this will bring up the System window as above select Hardware tab and Device Manager. Click the + sign beside the Ports(COM & LPT). With a USB connected receiver there should be a "USB Serial Port (COM X)" listed as one of the devices. If not then confirm the following:
a) With the USB cable DISconnected from the PC check that the LED on the receiver is alternating between bright red and green.
b) Then plug the USB cable back into the laptop and ensure the LED becomes solid green.
c) Check the Device Manager for the "USB Serial Port".
If the computer asks you to load a driver or a question mark appears on a "USB to High Speed Serial Device" then when the install wizard comes up (either automatically or by right clicking on the device and choosing update driver) choose the advanced option, in the next window select the browse to a location and then point the system at C:\Program Files\Common Files\VCP_Drivers directory. The wizard should then load the correct drivers.
If the LED does not turn solid green or the computer does not recognize the receiver at all please try only steps (a) and (b) above on any other computer to confirm there is a problem with the receiver.
If the "USB Serial Port" is present in the Device Manager then try unplugging power to the receiver. The port should disappear. Wait 30 seconds and then plug the power back into the receiver. The port should reappear, note the number of the COM port. Launch XMLink by itself from Start->Programs->Wxworx on Water (or Wxworx on Wings or Mobile Threat Net (depending on install))->XMLink. Select from the tools menu “Communications Settings”. Ensure the Com port matches what was in the Device Manager and the baud rate is set to 38,400 baud.
Another possibility is that sufficient power is not being delivered to the receiver. Make sure that the power supply in use is either one provided by us or if not check that it meets the minimum power requirements (see. What are the power requirements of the Receiver?).
If all of this is set correctly and you still can not communicate with the receiver other problems we have encountered have been viruses (the MSBlaster virus was a problem), versions of Hot Sync software used with PDA’s have caused conflicts with COM ports and USB port problems on PC's.
If the problem persists then contact WxWorx Customer Support at 256-319-9679 and tell them what you have done to troubleshoot the issue.
My antenna signal on the XM Link says > 999 on Sat 1, Sat 2 and Ground.
This indicates that you are not receiving any signal from any of the three XM sources. First off make sure you have the latest software version installed. Go to the About menu and check the version number. Then check the "Download Updates" page for WxWorx on Wings, WxWorx on Water or Mobile Threat Net to see if a new version is out.
If you are current then within the main XMlink window under the "Signal Quality" section make sure that there is not a statement that says "no antenna detected". If there is then check the connection of the antenna to the XM receiver If you do not see the statement then the antenna needs to be moved to a location where it can see the southern sky. The two satellites are located over the equator south of Atlanta and Phoenix. Ground repeater stations are only located in large cities to fill the gaps in coverage due to buildings and other obstacles.
Another possibility may be having the XM antenna and a GPS antenna located too close to each other. If the two antennae are beside each other move them apart until the XM signal lock becomes solid. If no antenna is detected or the problem persists then contact WxWorx Customer Support at 256-319-9679 and report what you are seeing.
I get the "GPS error com X" when I start my application.
There is either
A) No GPS attached to the display device.
B) GPS does not appear as a Com port.
C) GPS not configured correctly in the Settings->GPS settings menu.
D) Second application running
Case A) Ignore the statement and continue to load the display application. If you are not ever attaching a GPS then go to Settings->GPS settings and change the port to "0". This will stop the application from looking for a GPS when initializing.
Case B) Check your Device Manager to ensure the GPS is a Com port. Go to Start->Control Panel->System. Double click so the "System Properties" comes up, select Hardware Tab, then Device Manager. Look for the Ports (COM & LPT) and click the plus sign. The GPS should be on one of the listed COM ports. To verify its operation launch HyperTerminal from Start->Programs->Accessories->Communications->HyperTerminal. Select the COM port that the GPS is connected to and choose the baud rate you expect the GPS to be transmitting. If no data appears or you can not read the data then check the cables and settings on the GPS.
Case C) Go to the Settings->GPS settings menu and enter the COM port number and baud rate in the locations displayed in the popup window. Most handheld or USB-powered GPS units run at 4800 baud while most Aviation panel-mounted GPS units output at 9600 baud. Bluetooth GPS units can be configured for several different settings, check the manufacturer hardware to make sure. Once you have set this correctly then exit this window. A window will pop up telling you to restart the application. Close the application and re-launch it. The error should not happen again and your GPS button should be blue.
Case D) A second application (ex GPS Viewer, HyperTerminal) is running and has control of the port that the GPS is connected to. Close the second application and restart the display software. If you are running two applications that both need GPS input then you will need a second GPS. At present only one application can access a GPS data source at any one time. There are some third party software packages that allow a GPS to be shared between two applications but at present we have no recommendations.