# SkywarnPlus ![SkywarnPlus Logo](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Mason10198/SkywarnPlus/main/Logo_SWP.svg) ![Release Version](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/Mason10198/SkywarnPlus?label=Version&color=f15d24) ![Release Date](https://img.shields.io/github/release-date/Mason10198/SkywarnPlus?label=Released&color=f15d24) ![Total Downloads](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/Mason10198/SkywarnPlus/total?label=Downloads&color=f15d24) ![GitHub Repo Size](https://img.shields.io/github/repo-size/Mason10198/SkywarnPlus?label=Size&color=f15d24) **SkywarnPlus** is an advanced software solution tailored for Asterisk/app_rpt nodes. It is designed to provide important information about local government-issued alerts in the United States, thereby broadening the scope and functionality of your node. By intelligently integrating local alert data, SkywarnPlus brings a new layer of relevance and utility to your existing system. **SkywarnPlus** works with all major distributions, including AllstarLink, HAMVOIP, myGMRS, and more. ## Key Features - **Real-Time Alerts:** The software watches the new NWS v1.2 API for real-time alerts for user-defined areas. - **Automatic Announcements:** Alerts, including when all warnings have been cleared, are announced automatically on the node. - **Human Speech:** Announcements are delivered in a natural, human speech for easier understanding. - **Unlimited Area & Node Numbers:** Users can define as many areas and local node numbers as desired. - **Tailmessage Creation:** The software generates tailmessages for the node to continuously inform listeners about active alerts after the initial broadcast. - **Dynamic Changes to Node:** Courtesy tones and node CW / voice ID automatically change according to user-defined alerts, optimizing communication during severe weather. - **County Identification:** Dynamically and automatically inform listeners which county or counties an alert is affecting - **Efficiency & Speed:** SkywarnPlus is optimized for speed and efficiency to provide real-time information without delay. - **Preserves Hardware:** SkywarnPlus limits I/O to the physical disk, preventing SD card burnout in Raspberry Pi devices. - **Remote Control:** Functions can be mapped to DTMF commands for remote over-the-air control. - **Detailed Alert Descriptions:** In addition to standard alert announcements, SkywarnPlus includes SkyDescribe, a feature for announcing detailed NWS provided descriptions of alert details. - **Highly Customizable:** SkywarnPlus is extremely customizable, offering advanced filtering parameters to block certain alerts or types of alerts from different functions. Users can easily modify the sound effects and audio files used in SkywarnPlus. Users can even map DTMF macros or shell commands to specified weather alerts, infinitely expanding the software's capabilities according to user needs. - **Pushover Integration:** With Pushover integration, SkywarnPlus can send weather alert notifications directly to your phone or other devices. - **Fault Tolerance:** In the event that SkywarnPlus is unable to access the internet for alert updates (during a severe storm), it will continue to function using alert data it has stored from the last successful data update, using the estimated expiration time provided by the NWS to determine when to automatically "clear" alerts. There is no need to worry about your node "locking up" with stale alerts. Whether you wish to auto-link to a Skywarn net during severe weather, program your node to control an external device like a siren during a tornado warning, or simply want to stay updated on changing weather conditions, SkywarnPlus offers a comprehensive, efficient, and customizable solution for your weather alert needs. # Comprehensive Information SkywarnPlus supports all 128 alert types included in the [NWS v1.2 API](https://www.weather.gov/documentation/services-web-api). | | | | | ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | | 911 Telephone Outage Emergency | Administrative Message | Air Quality Alert | | Air Stagnation Advisory | Arroyo And Small Stream Flood Advisory | Ashfall Advisory | | Ashfall Warning | Avalanche Advisory | Avalanche Warning | | Avalanche Watch | Beach Hazards Statement | Blizzard Warning | | Blizzard Watch | Blowing Dust Advisory | Blowing Dust Warning | | Brisk Wind Advisory | Child Abduction Emergency | Civil Danger Warning | | Civil Emergency Message | Coastal Flood Advisory | Coastal Flood Statement | | Coastal Flood Warning | Coastal Flood Watch | Dense Fog Advisory | | Dense Smoke Advisory | Dust Advisory | Dust Storm Warning | | Earthquake Warning | Evacuation - Immediate | Excessive Heat Warning | | Excessive Heat Watch | Extreme Cold Warning | Extreme Cold Watch | | Extreme Fire Danger | Extreme Wind Warning | Fire Warning | | Fire Weather Watch | Flash Flood Statement | Flash Flood Warning | | Flash Flood Watch | Flood Advisory | Flood Statement | | Flood Warning | Flood Watch | Freeze Warning | | Freeze Watch | Freezing Fog Advisory | Freezing Rain Advisory | | Freezing Spray Advisory | Frost Advisory | Gale Warning | | Gale Watch | Hard Freeze Warning | Hard Freeze Watch | | Hazardous Materials Warning | Hazardous Seas Warning | Hazardous Seas Watch | | Hazardous Weather Outlook | Heat Advisory | Heavy Freezing Spray Warning | | Heavy Freezing Spray Watch | High Surf Advisory | High Surf Warning | | High Wind Warning | High Wind Watch | Hurricane Force Wind Warning | | Hurricane Force Wind Watch | Hurricane Local Statement | Hurricane Warning | | Hurricane Watch | Hydrologic Advisory | Hydrologic Outlook | | Ice Storm Warning | Lake Effect Snow Advisory | Lake Effect Snow Warning | | Lake Effect Snow Watch | Lake Wind Advisory | Lakeshore Flood Advisory | | Lakeshore Flood Statement | Lakeshore Flood Warning | Lakeshore Flood Watch | | Law Enforcement Warning | Local Area Emergency | Low Water Advisory | | Marine Weather Statement | Nuclear Power Plant Warning | Radiological Hazard Warning | | Red Flag Warning | Rip Current Statement | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | Severe Weather Statement | Shelter In Place Warning | | Short Term Forecast | Small Craft Advisory | Small Craft Advisory For Hazardous Seas | | Small Craft Advisory For Rough Bar | Small Craft Advisory For Winds | Small Stream Flood Advisory | | Snow Squall Warning | Special Marine Warning | Special Weather Statement | | Storm Surge Warning | Storm Surge Watch | Storm Warning | | Storm Watch | Test | Tornado Warning | | Tornado Watch | Tropical Depression Local Statement | Tropical Storm Local Statement | | Tropical Storm Warning | Tropical Storm Watch | Tsunami Advisory | | Tsunami Warning | Tsunami Watch | Typhoon Local Statement | | Typhoon Warning | Typhoon Watch | Urban And Small Stream Flood Advisory | | Volcano Warning | Wind Advisory | Wind Chill Advisory | | Wind Chill Warning | Wind Chill Watch | Winter Storm Warning | | Winter Storm Watch | Winter Weather Advisory | # Installation ## **[Installation Video](https://youtu.be/QyccjEZj20E)** [![Installation Video](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QyccjEZj20E/maxresdefault.jpg)](https://youtu.be/QyccjEZj20E) SkywarnPlus is recommended to be installed at the `/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus` location on both Debian and Arch (HAMVOIP) systems. Follow the steps below to install: 1. **Dependencies** Install the required dependencies using the following commands: **Debian** ```bash apt install unzip python3 python3-pip ffmpeg pip3 install ruamel.yaml requests python-dateutil pydub ``` **Arch (HAMVOIP)** It is a good idea to first update your HAMVOIP system using **Option 1** in the HAMVOIP menu before installing the dependencies. ```bash pacman -S ffmpeg wget https://bootstrap.pypa.io/pip/3.5/get-pip.py python get-pip.py pip install pyyaml requests python-dateutil pydub pip install ruamel.yaml==0.15.100 ``` 2. **Download SkywarnPlus** Download the latest release of SkywarnPlus from GitHub ```bash cd /usr/local/bin wget https://github.com/Mason10198/SkywarnPlus/releases/latest/download/SkywarnPlus.zip unzip SkywarnPlus.zip rm SkywarnPlus.zip ``` 3. **Configure Permissions** The scripts must be made executable. Use the chmod command to change the file permissions: ```bash cd SkywarnPlus chmod +x *.py ``` 4. **Edit Configuration** Edit the [config.yaml](config.yaml) file according to your needs. This is where you will enter your NWS codes, enable/disable specific functions, etc. ```bash nano config.yaml ``` You can find your area code(s) at https://alerts.weather.gov/. Select `County List` to the right of your state, and use the `County Code` associated with the area(s) you want SkywarnPlus to poll for WX alerts. ## **IMPORTANT**: YOU WILL MISS ALERTS IF YOU USE A **ZONE** CODE. DO NOT USE **ZONE** CODES UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. According to the official [NWS API documentation](https://www.weather.gov/documentation/services-web-api): > "For large scale or longer lasting events, such as snow storms, fire threat, or heat events, alerts are issued > by NWS public forecast zones or fire weather zones. These zones differ in size and can cross county > boundaries." > "...county based alerts are not mapped to zones but zone based alerts are mapped to counties." This means that if you use a County code, you will receive all alerts for both your County **AND** your Zone - but if you use a Zone code, you will **ONLY** receive alerts that cover the entire Zone, and none of the alerts specific to your County. 5. **Crontab Entry** Add a crontab entry to call SkywarnPlus on an interval. Open your crontab file using the `crontab -e` command, and add the following line: ```bash * * * * * /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkywarnPlus.py ``` This command will execute SkywarnPlus (poll NWS API for data) every minute. # **NOTE:** When SkywarnPlus runs for the first time after installation (and for the first time at each boot), **YOU WILL NOT HEAR ANY MESSAGES** until alerts are detected. This is by design. SkywarnPlus announces when alerts change from `none` to `some`, and it announces when alerts change from `some` to `none`. It will announce nothing if the status of alerts does not change (`none` to `none`). If you want to test SkywarnPlus' operation after installation, please see the **Testing** section of this README. # Tail Message SkywarnPlus can automatically create, manage, and remove a tail message whenever certain weather alerts are active to keep listeners informed throught the duration of active alerts. The configuration for this is based on your `rpt.conf` file setup. Here's an example: ```ini tailmessagetime = 600000 tailsquashedtime = 30000 tailmessagelist = /tmp/SkywarnPlus/wx-tail ``` # Courtesy Tones SkywarnPlus has the ability to automatically change the node courtesy tone depending on the state of certain weather alerts. This feature can be configured via the `config.yaml` and `rpt.conf` files. ## Configuration Here's an explanation of how it works using the default values in the `config.yaml` file: ```yaml CourtesyTones: # Configuration for automatic CT changing. Requires initial setup in RPT.CONF. # Enable/disable automatic courtesy tones. Enable: false # Specify an alternative directory where tone files are located. # Default is SkywarnPlus/SOUNDS/TONES. ToneDir: /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SOUNDS/TONES # Define the sound files for courtesy tones. Tones: # Audio file to feed Asterisk as ct1 in "normal" mode CT1: Boop.ulaw # Audio file to feed Asterisk as ct2 in "normal" mode CT2: Beep.ulaw # Audio file to feed Asterisk as ct1 AND ct2 in "wx" mode WXCT: Stardust.ulaw # The file rpt.conf is looking for as ct1 RptCT1: CT1.ulaw # The file rpt.conf is looking for as ct2 RptCT2: CT2.ulaw ``` In this configuration, if none of the alerts defined in the CTAlerts list are active (i.e., the system is in "NORMAL" mode), SkywarnPlus will replace the files `CT1.ulaw` and `CT2.ulaw` with duplicates of `Boop.ulaw` and `Beep.ulaw` respectively. However, if any alerts in the CTAlerts list are active (i.e., the system is in "WX" mode), SkywarnPlus will replace both `CT1.ulaw` and `CT2.ulaw` with duplicates of `Stardust.ulaw`. If you want `CT1.ulaw` to be your "local" traffic tone and `CT2.ulaw` to be your "link" traffic tone, then the following modifications are required in your `rpt.conf` file: ```ini [NODENUMBER] unlinkedct = ct1 remotect = ct1 linkunkeyct = ct2 [telemetry] ct1 = /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SOUNDS/TONES/CT1 ct2 = /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SOUNDS/TONES/CT2 remotetx = /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SOUNDS/TONES/CT1 ``` With this setup, Asterisk will always use `CT1.ulaw` for "local" traffic, and `CT2.ulaw` for "link" traffic. SkywarnPlus essentially changes the contents of the `CT1.ulaw` and `CT2.ulaw` files while Asterisk "isn't looking". Please note the filenames are case-sensitive, so be sure they match exactly between `rpt.conf` and `config.yaml`. After initially setting up automatic courtesy tones, the audio files will not refresh until the next time the alert status changes. To refresh immediately, run `/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlys/SkyControl.py changect normal` to force the CTs to "normal" mode. # CW / Voice IDs SkywarnPlus has a feature that allows it to automatically change the node ID based on the status of certain weather alerts. This requires the creation of custom audio files for the `NORMAL` and `WX` ID modes. The configuration for this is in the `config.yaml` file, with additional setup needed in the `rpt.conf` file. Let's take a look at how it's done. ## Configuration Here's an example of how the `config.yaml` file should be configured: ```yaml IDChange: # Configuration for Automatic ID Changing. Requires initial setup in RPT.CONF and manual creation of audio files. # Enable/disable automatic ID changing. Enable: false # Specify an alternative directory where ID files are located. # Default is SkywarnPlus/SOUNDS/ID. IDDir: /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SOUNDS/ID # Define the sound files for IDs. IDs: # Audio file to feed Asterisk as ID in "normal" mode NormalID: NORMALID.ulaw # Audio file to feed Asterisk as ID in "wx" mode WXID: WXID.ulaw # Audio file rpt.conf is looking for as ID RptID: RPTID.ulaw ``` In this setup, if none of the alerts specified in the IDAlerts list are active, SkywarnPlus replaces the file `RPTID.ulaw` with a duplicate of `NORMALID.ulaw`. However, if any of the alerts in the IDAlerts list are currently active, SkywarnPlus will replace `RPTID.ulaw` with a duplicate of `WXID.ulaw`. To enable these changes, the following setup is required in your `rpt.conf` file: ```ini [NODENUMBER] idrecording = /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SOUNDS/ID/RPTID ``` In this case, Asterisk will always use `RPTID.ulaw` as the node ID. SkywarnPlus effectively changes the contents of the `RPTID.ulaw` file depending on the weather alert status while Asterisk "isn't looking". Note that filenames are case-sensitive, so be sure they match exactly between `rpt.conf` and `config.yaml`. After initially setting up automatic IDs, the audio files will not refresh until the next time the alert status changes. To refresh immediately, run `/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlys/SkyControl.py changeid normal` to force the ID to "normal" mode. # Pushover Integration SkywarnPlus can use the free Pushover API to send WX alert notifications and debug messages directly to your smartphone or other devices. 1. Visit https://pushover.net/ to sign up for a free account. 2. Find your UserKey on your main dashboard 3. Scroll down and create an Application/API key for your node 4. Add UserKey & API Key to `config.yaml` # SkyControl SkywarnPlus comes with a powerful control script (`SkyControl.py`) that can be used to enable or disable certain SkywarnPlus functions via shell, without manually editing `config.yaml`. This script is particularly useful when you want to map DTMF control codes to these functions. An added advantage is that the script provides spoken feedback upon execution, making it even more suitable for DTMF control. ## Usage To use the `SkyControl.py` script, you need to call it with two parameters: 1. The name of the setting you want to change (case insensitive). - Enable (Completely enable/disable SkywarnPlus) - SayAlert - SayAllClear - TailMessage - CourtesyTone - IDChange - AlertScript 2. The new value for the setting (either 'true' or 'false' or 'toggle'). For example, to completely disable SkywarnPlus, you would use: ```bash /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py enable false ``` And to reenable it, you would use: ```bash /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py enable true ``` And to toggle it, you would use: ```bash /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py enable toggle ``` ## **NOTE:** Running the `Enable` command after installing SkywarnPlus is not necessary. The enable flag is already set to `true` in the `config.yaml` file by default, and all you need to do for SkywarnPlus to operate is add it to the `crontab`. You can also use `SkyControl.py` to manually force the state of Courtesy Tones or IDs: ```bash /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py changect normal /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py changect wx /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py changeid normal /usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py changect wx ``` ## Spoken Feedback Upon the successful execution of a control command, the `SkyControl.py` script will provide spoken feedback that corresponds to the change made. For instance, if you execute a command to enable the SayAlert function, the script will play an audio message stating that SayAlert has been enabled. This feature enhances user experience and confirms that the desired changes have been effected. ## Mapping to DTMF Commands You can map the `SkyControl.py` script to DTMF commands in the `rpt.conf` file of your node. Here is an example of how to do this: ```ini ; SkyControl DTMF Commands 831 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py enable toggle ; Toggles SkywarnPlus 832 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py sayalert toggle ; Toggles SayAlert 833 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py sayallclear toggle ; Toggles SayAllClear 834 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py tailmessage toggle ; Toggles TailMessage 835 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py courtesytone toggle ; Toggles CourtesyTone 836 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py alertscript toggle ; Toggles AlertScript 837 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py idchange toggle ; Toggles IDChange 838 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py changect normal ; Forces CT to "normal" mode 839 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyControl.py changeid normal ; Forces ID to "normal" mode ``` With this setup, you can control SkywarnPlus' functionality using DTMF commands. # AlertScript SkywarnPlus's `AlertScript` feature is an immensely flexible tool that provides the ability to program your node to respond to specific alerts in unique ways. By enabling you to map alerts to DTMF commands or bash scripts, `AlertScript` offers you the versatility to design your own extensions to SkywarnPlus, modifying its functionalities to perfectly fit your needs. With `AlertScript`, you can outline actions to be executed when specific alerts are activated. For instance, you might want to broadcast a unique sound, deliver a particular message, or initiate any other action your hardware can perform and that can be activated by a DTMF command or bash script. ## Understanding AlertScript To utilize `AlertScript`, you define the mapping of alerts to either DTMF commands or bash scripts in the `config.yaml` file under the `AlertScript` section. Here are examples of how to map alerts to DTMF commands or bash scripts: ```yaml AlertScript: # Completely enable/disable AlertScript Enable: false Mappings: # Define the mapping of alerts to either DTMF commands or bash scripts here. # Examples: # # This entry will execute the bash command 'asterisk -rx "rpt fun 1999 *123*456*789"' # when the alerts "Tornado Warning" AND "Tornado Watch" are detected. # - Type: DTMF Nodes: - 1999 Commands: - "*123*456*789" Triggers: - Tornado Warning - Tornado Watch Match: ALL # # This entry will execute the bash command '/home/repeater/testscript.sh' # and the bash command '/home/repeater/saytime.sh' when an alert whose # title ends with "Statement" is detected. # - Type: BASH Commands: - "/home/repeater/testscript.sh" - "/home/repeater/saytime.sh" Triggers: - "*Statement" # # This entry will execute the bash command 'asterisk -rx "rpt fun 1998 *123*456*789"' # and the bash command 'asterisk -rx "rpt fun 1999 *123*456*789"' when an alert # titled "Tornado Warning" OR "Tornado Watch" is detected. # - Type: DTMF Nodes: - 1998 - 1999 Commands: - "*123*456*789" Triggers: - Tornado Warning - Tornado Watch # # This entry will execute the bash command 'asterisk -rx "rpt fun 1999 *123*456*789"' # and the bash command 'asterisk -rx "rpt fun 1999 *987*654*321"' # when an alert titled "Tornado Warning" OR "Tornado Watch" is detected. # - Type: DTMF Nodes: - 1999 Commands: - "*123*456*789" - "*987*654*321" Triggers: - Tornado Warning - Tornado Watch Match: ANY # # This is an example entry that will automatically execute SkyDescribe and # announce the full details of a Tornado Warning when it is detected. # - Type: BASH Commands: - '/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py "Tornado Warning"' Triggers: - Tornado Warning ``` ## Matching The `Match:` parameter tells `AlertScript` how to handle the triggers. If `Match: ANY`, then only 1 of the triggers needs to be matched for the command(s) to execute. If `Match: ALL`, then all of the triggers must be matched for the command(s) to execute. If `Match:` is not defined, then `ANY` is used by default. ## The Power of YOU `AlertScript` derives its power from its versatility and extensibility. By providing the capacity to directly interface with your node's functionality through DTMF commands or bash scripts, you can effectively program the node to do virtually anything in response to a specific weather alert. Fancy activating a siren when a tornado warning is received? You can do that. Want to send an email notification when there's a severe thunderstorm warning? You can do that too. The only limit is the capability of your node and connected systems. In essence, `AlertScript` unleashes a world of customization possibilities, empowering you to add new capabilities to SkywarnPlus, create your own extensions, and modify your setup to align with your specific requirements and preferences. By giving you the authority to dictate how your system should react to various weather alerts, `AlertScript` makes SkywarnPlus a truly powerful tool for managing weather alerts on your node. # SkyDescribe `SkyDescribe` is a powerful and flexible tool that works in tandem with SkywarnPlus. It enables the system to provide a spoken detailed description of weather alerts, adding depth and clarity to the basic information broadcasted by default. The `SkyDescribe.py` script works by fetching a specific alert from the stored data (maintained by SkywarnPlus) based on the title or index provided. The script then converts the description to audio using a free text-to-speech service and broadcasts it using Asterisk on the defined nodes. ## Usage To use `SkyDescribe.py`, you simply execute the script with the title or index of the alert you want to be described. The index of the alert is the place it holds in the alert announcement or tailmessage (depending on blocking sonfiguration). For example, if SkywarnPlus announces `"Tornado Warning, Tornado Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Warning"`, you could execute the following: ```bash SkyDescribe.py 1 # Describe the 1st alert (Tornado Warning) SkyDescribe.py 2 # Describe the 2nd alert (Tornado Watch) SkyDescribe.py 3 # Describe the 3rd alert (Severe Thunderstorm Warning) ``` or, you can use the title of the alert instead of the index: ```bash SkyDescribe.py "Tornado Warning" SkyDescribe.py "Tornado Watch" SkyDescribe.py "Severe Thunderstorm Warning" ``` ## Integration with AlertScript `SkyDescribe.py` can be seamlessly integrated with `AlertScript`, enabling automatic detailed description announcements for specific alerts. This can be accomplished by mapping the alerts to a bash command that executes `SkyDescribe.py` with the alert title as a parameter. Here's an example of how to achieve this in the `config.yaml` file: ```yaml AlertScript: Enable: true Mappings: # This is an example entry that will automatically execute SkyDescribe and # announce the full details of a Tornado Warning when it is detected. - Type: BASH Commands: - "echo Tornado Warning detected!" - '/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py "Tornado Warning"' Triggers: - Tornado Warning ``` ## Mapping to DTMF commands For added flexibility, `SkyDescribe.py` can also be linked to DTMF commands, allowing alert descriptions to be requested over-the-air. ```ini ; SkyDescribe DTMF Commands 841 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py 1 ; SkyDescribe the 1st alert 842 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py 2 ; SkyDescribe the 2nd alert 843 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py 3 ; SkyDescribe the 3rd alert 844 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py 4 ; SkyDescribe the 4th alert 845 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py 5 ; SkyDescribe the 5th alert 846 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py 6 ; SkyDescribe the 6th alert 847 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py 7 ; SkyDescribe the 7th alert 848 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py 8 ; SkyDescribe the 8th alert 849 = cmd,/usr/local/bin/SkywarnPlus/SkyDescribe.py 9 ; SkyDescribe the 9th alert ``` ## **NOTE:** If you have SkywarnPlus set up to monitor multiple counties, it will, by design, only store **ONE** instance of each alert type in order to prevent announcing duplicate messages. Because of this, if SkywarnPlus checks 3 different counties and finds a `"Tornado Warning"` in each one, only the first description will be saved. Thus, executing `SkyControl.py "Tornado Warning"` will broadcast the description of the `"Tornado Warning"` for the first county **ONLY**. In _most_ cases, any multiple counties that SkywarnPlus is set up to monitor will be adjacent to one another, and any duplicate alerts would actually be the **_same_** alert with the **_same_** description, so this wouldn't matter. # Customizing the Audio Files SkywarnPlus comes with a library of audio files that can be replaced with any 8kHz mono PCM16 WAV files you want. These are found in the `SOUNDS/` directory by default, along with `DICTIONARY.txt` which explains audio file assignments. Several customizations can be easily made in `config.yaml`, but the sound files are always available for you to modify directly as well. If you'd like to use IDChange or add county identifiers, you must create your own audio files. Follow **[this guide](https://wiki.allstarlink.org/images/d/dd/RecordingSoundFiles.pdf)** on how to record/convert audio files for use with Asterisk/app_rpt. >**For users wishing to maintain vocal continuity in their SkywarnPlus installation, the original creator of SkywarnPlus (N5LSN) and the woman behind the voice of it's included library of audio recordings (N5LSN XYL) will, for a small fee, record custom audio files for your SkywarnPlus installation. Contact information is readily available via QRZ.** ## County Identifiers SkywarnPlus features the capability to play county-specific audio files to reference the affected area of alerts. It enhances the user's awareness of the geographic area affected by an event, making the system more informative and valuable to users monitoring systems that provide coverage for multiple counties. By assigning unique audio tags to each county, users can immediately recognize which county is affected by an event as soon as it is detected by SkywarnPlus. ### How to use it? To use the county-specific audio tags, you need to specify the audio files to use for each county in your `config.yaml` file. You must create or otherwise aquire these audio files yourself. The audio files must be located in the root of the `SkywarnPlus/SOUNDS/` directory. The `config.yaml` explains how to use the free VoiceRSS API to generate these files using a computer synthesized voice. Here is an example of how to configure the `config.yaml` to utilize this feature: ```yaml Alerting: # Specify the county codes for which you want to pull weather data. # Find your county codes at https://alerts.weather.gov/. # Make sure to use county codes ONLY, NOT zone codes, otherwise you might miss out on alerts. # # SkywarnPlus allows adding county-specific audio indicators to each alert in the message. # To enable this feature, specify an audio file containing a recording of the county name in the # ROOT of the SOUNDS/ directory as shown in the below example. You must create these files yourself. # You can use the same VoiceRSS API used for SkyDescribe (see below) to generate these files with a synthetic voice: # http://api.voicerss.org/?key=[YOUR_API_KEY_HERE]=en-us&f=8khz_16bit_mono&v=John&src=[YOUR COUNTY NAME HERE] # http://api.voicerss.org/?key=1234567890QWERTY&hl=en-us&f=8khz_16bit_mono&v=John&src=Saline County CountyCodes: - DCC001: "County1.wav" - MDC031: "County2.wav" - MDC033: "County3.wav" - VAC013: "County4.wav" - VAC059: "County5.wav" - VAC510: "County6.wav" - VAC107: "County7.wav" - VAC047: "County8.wav" - MDC510: "County9.wav" - VAC683: "County10.wav" ``` # Testing SkywarnPlus provides the ability to inject predefined alerts, bypassing the call to the NWS API. This feature is extremely useful for testing SkywarnPlus. To enable this option, modify the following settings in the `[DEV]` section of your `config.yaml` file: ```yaml # Enable test alert injection instead of calling the NWS API by setting 'INJECT' to 'True'. INJECT: false # List the test alerts to inject. Use a case-sensitive list. One alert per line for better readability. INJECTALERTS: - Tornado Warning - Tornado Watch - Severe Thunderstorm Warning ``` # Debugging Debugging is an essential part of diagnosing issues with SkywarnPlus. To facilitate this, SkywarnPlus provides a built-in debugging feature. Here's how to use it: 1. **Enable Debugging**: The debugging feature can be enabled in the `config.yaml` file. Open this file and set the `debug` option under the `[SkywarnPlus]` section to `true`. ```yaml Logging: # Configuration for logging options. # Enable verbose logging by setting 'Debug' to 'True'. Debug: false ``` This will allow the program to output detailed information about its operations, which is helpful for identifying any issues or errors. 2. **Open an Asterisk Console**: While debugging SkywarnPlus, it's helpful to have an Asterisk console open in a separate terminal window. This allows you to observe any issues related to Asterisk, such as problems playing audio files. You can open an Asterisk console with the following command: ```bash asterisk -rvvv ``` This command will launch an Asterisk console with a verbose output level of 3 (`vvv`), which provides a detailed look at what Asterisk is doing. This can be particularly useful if you're trying to debug issues with audio playback. 3. **Analyze Debugging Output**: With debugging enabled in SkywarnPlus and the Asterisk console open, you can now run SkywarnPlus and observe the detailed output in both terminals. This information can be used to identify and troubleshoot any issues or unexpected behaviors. Remember, the more detailed your debug output is, the easier it will be to spot any issues. However, please be aware that enabling debug mode can result in large amounts of output, so it should be used judiciously. If you encounter any issues that you're unable to resolve, please don't hesitate to submit a detailed bug report on the [SkywarnPlus GitHub Repository](https://github.com/mason10198/SkywarnPlus). # Maintenance and Bug Reporting SkywarnPlus is actively maintained by a single individual who dedicates their spare time to improve and manage this project. Despite best efforts, the application may have some bugs or areas for improvement. If you encounter any issues with SkywarnPlus, please check back to the [SkywarnPlus GitHub Repository](https://github.com/mason10198/SkywarnPlus) to see if there have been any updates or fixes since the last time you downloaded it. New commits are made regularly to enhance the system's performance and rectify any known issues. Bug reporting is greatly appreciated as it helps to improve SkywarnPlus. If you spot a bug, please raise an issue in the GitHub repository detailing the problem. Include as much information as possible, such as error messages, screenshots, and steps to reproduce the issue. This will assist in quickly understanding and resolving the issue. Thank you for your understanding and assistance in making SkywarnPlus a more robust and reliable system for all. # Contributing SkywarnPlus is open-source and welcomes contributions. If you'd like to contribute, please fork the repository and use a feature branch. Pull requests are warmly welcome. If the spare time I put into the development of SkywarnPlus has helped you, please consider supporting!

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# License SkywarnPlus is open-sourced software licensed under the [GPL-3.0 license](LICENSE). Created by Mason Nelson (N5LSN/WRKF394) Audio Library voiced by Rachel Nelson (N5LSN/WRKF394 XYL) Skywarn® and the Skywarn® logo are registered trademarks of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.