RPS List Decision Aid

Welcome to the Routine Product Set (RPS) list decision aid from WDTD. This page provides general guidance for setting up VCP (Volume Coverage Pattern)-specific and event-specific RPS lists. Every office has its own unique needs in the generation of radar products. As a result, your lists may not match what we show here. If you do have a question, or see a descrepancy in our lists, please e-mail Andrew.C.Wood@noaa.gov so I can contact you. Additional field input is strongly encouraged.

Overview

As of RPG Build 12.3, RPS lists for may contain up to 300 products (except for backup connections, where the limit is 150 products). There is a different, more practical, limitation on the number of products an office may request: The product distribution communications between the RPG and the local office's AWIPS. The primary AWIPS connection to a NWS radar can handle a full RPS list under almost any circumstance. Primary AWIPS connections to a DoD or FAA radar are almost always slower than those to a NWS radar. However, primary connections to FAA radars are much more susceptible to load shedding at faster VCPs like 12 or 212. Likewise, supplemental or temporary backup connections to any radar are much slower than a primary connection. As a result, you will need to be judicious with the products you request via a RPS list on these connections because you will not be able to request as many products as you are otherwise used to receiving.

Details on the number of products in the national and local RPS lists by VCP are provided below. The products that are automatically added to the list the RPG uses varies depending on the VCP used. Click on the collapsible panels below to view the full list used for clear air and precipitation VCPs. These lists are current through AWIPS 17.1.1.

NOTE: RPS list files are saved in multiple locations on your office AWIPS. When you make edits to your RPS lists, make sure to:

  • Copy any lists you edit to dx1:/awips2/rcm/data/config/drop-ins, AND
  • ensure your lists follow the proper naming convention (e.g., KLWX.storm.VCP12, KGWX.clear-air.VCP32) so that the Radar Server will handle them properly when changing VCPs.

Guidance for local RPS lists for each of the VCPs are included on linked pages at the bottom of this page. While perusing these pages, assume the following:

  • RPS list guidance on these pages is for primary AWIPS connections with a dedicated DoD or NWS RPG, and
  • For primary FAA, supplemental, or temporary backup AWIPS connections, slower connection speeds may require a shorter list of products than those presented on these pages. RPS lists from these connections will want to balance your goals (e.g., supplemental radar site samples section of CWA better than primary radar) verses your wants (e.g., the hightest resolution base data analysis for all elevation angles).

Because the national and local lists are combined into a single list for primary and backup situations, there's no need to to include files from the national list in your local RPS lists. However, AWIPS is smart enough to identify products listed in both places so that a product isn't requested twice. If you are using a RPS list to request radar products through a supplemental connection (or if your office is using a backup connection over the WAN for an office to gain situation awareness prior to switching officially to service backup), things work differently. In these cases, you will need to do the following:

  • Most products from the national RPS list are transmitted to all offices via the SBN. Those products from the national list not received via the SBN include:
    • Spectrum Width (28 & 30)
    • Composite Reflectivity (38)
    • Hail Index (59)
    • Tornado Vortex Signature (61)
    • Storm Structure (62)
    • Layer Mean Reflectivity (65, 66, 67, & 90)
    • Supplemental Precipitation Data (82)
  • Include any of these products from the national list you want to see on your local RPS list for a supplemental connection,
  • Structure your list so the most important products are listed first (i.e., if loadshedding does occur, make sure the most important products are received), and
  • When loadshedding occurs, consider removing any derived products from your list that your office already receives over the SBN for that site (i.e., products may be a little slower coming in, but there's a better chance you receive all the products you want).

AWIPS National Dataset Products

These products are current as of AWIPS 17.1.1. There are some minor differences between the clear air and precipitation VCPs. Please see the tables below to view a complete list that is included for each. The products in the table below are not listed explicitly on local RPS lists. When local lists are created or edited, only products not included on the national list need to be selected. The only constraint on local lists is that the total number of products (local + national) cannot exceed 300.

All told, there are a total of 62 products in Clear Air mode (allowing for 232 products on a local RPS list) and 68 products in Precip mode (84 products if operating in VCP 12/212) allowing for 232 products (or 216 products in VCP 12/212) on a local RPS list.

RPS List Tables

RPS List: Clear Air VCPs

National RPS List for VCPs 31, 32

ID Code Elevation Angles Product Description
19 R 0.5 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Base Reflectivity
20 R 0.5 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) Base Reflectivity
27 V 0.5 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Base Velocity
28 SW 0.5 8 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Base Spectrum Width
30 SW 0.5 8 Level, 0.50 km (0.27 nm) Base Spectrum Width
32 DHR Volume Product 256 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Digital Hybrid Reflectivity

37

 CR Volume Product 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Composite Reflectivity
38 CR Volume Product 16 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Composite Reflectivity
41 ET Volume Product 16 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Echo Tops
48 VWP Volume Product VAD Wind Profile
56

SRM

 Lowest 4 tilts 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Storm Relative Velocity (Map)
57 VIL Volume Product 16 Level, 4 km (0.54 nm) Vertically Integrated Liquid
65 LRM Volume Product 8 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Layer Composite Reflectivity Maximum (< 24 kft MSL)
66 LRM Volume Product 8 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Layer Composite Reflectivity Maximum (25-34 kft MSL)
67 APR Volume Product 8 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Layer Composite Reflectivity with AP removed (< 24 km MSL)
78 OHP Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm ) Surface Rainfall Accumulation One Hour Running Total
80 STP Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) Surface Rainfall Accumulation Storm Total
81 DPA Hybrid Scan Product Digital Precipitation Array (not viewable in AWIPS)
90 LRM Volume Product 8 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Layer Composite Reflectivity Maximum (> 33 kft MSL)
94 Z Lowest 4 tilts 256 Level 1.0 km (0.54 nm) Base Reflectivity
99 V Lowest 4 tilts 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Base Velocity
134 DVL Volume Product 256 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Digital Vertically Integrated Liquid
135 EET Volume Product 256 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Enhanced Echo Top
138 STP Volume Product 256 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) Surface Rainfall Accumulation Storm Total
159 ZDR Lowest 4 tilts 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Differential Reflectivity
161 CC Lowest 4 tilts 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Correlation Coefficient
163 KDP Lowest 4 tilts 256 Level 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Specific Differential Phase
165 HC Lowest 4 tilts 256 Level 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Hydrometeor Classification
166 ML Lowest 4 tilts Melting Layer
169 OHA Volume Product 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) One Hour Accumulation
170 DAA Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) One Hour Unbiased Accumulation
171 STA Volume Product 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) Storm Total Accumulation
172 STA Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Storm Total Accumulation
174 DOD Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) One Hour Accumulation Difference
175 DSD Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Storm Total Accumulation Difference
176 DPR Volume Product 65536 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Digital Instantaneous Precipitation Rate
177 HHC Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Hybrid Hydrometeor Classification

 

RPS List: Precipitation VCPs

AWIPS National Dataset Products

ID Code Elevation Angles Product Description
19 R 0.5 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Base Reflectivity
20 R 0.5 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) Base Reflectivity
27 V 0.5 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Base Velocity
28 SW 0.5 8 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Base Spectrum Width
30 SW 0.5 8 Level, 0.50 km (0.27 nm) Base Spectrum Width
32 DHR Volume Product 256 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Digital Hybrid Reflectivity

37

 CR Volume Product 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Composite Reflectivity
38 CR Volume Product 16 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Composite Reflectivity
41 ET Volume Product 16 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Echo Tops
48 VWP Volume Product VAD Wind Profile
56

SRM

 VCP 11, 121, 21, 211, 221: 
0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4
VCP 12, 212: 
0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 1.8		 16 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Storm Relative Velocity (Map)
57 VIL Volume Product 16 Level, 4 km (0.54 nm) Vertically Integrated Liquid
58 STI Volume Product Storm Tracking Information
59 HI Volume Product Hail Index
61 TVS Volume Product Tornado Vortex Signature
62 SS Volume Product Storm Structure
65 LRM Volume Product 8 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Layer Composite Reflectivity Maximum (< 24 kft MSL)
66 LRM Volume Product 8 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Layer Composite Reflectivity Maximum (25-34 kft MSL)
67 APR Volume Product 8 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Layer Composite Reflectivity with AP removed (< 24 km MSL)
78 OHP Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm ) Surface Rainfall Accumulation One Hour Running Total
80 STP Hybrid Scan Product 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) Surface Rainfall Accumulation Storm Total
81 DPA Hybrid Scan Product Digital Precipitation Array (not viewable in AWIPS)
82 SPD N/A Supplemental Precipitation Data
90 LRM Volume Product 8 Level, 4 km (2.2 nm) Layer Composite Reflectivity Maximum (> 33 kft MSL)
94 Z VCP 11, 121, 21, 211, 221: 
0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4
VCP 12, 212: 
0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 1.8		 256 Level 1.0 km (0.54 nm) Base Reflectivity
94 Z 0.5 for SAILS 256 Level 1.0 km (0.54 nm) Base Reflectivity
99 V VCP 11, 121, 21, 211, 221: 
0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4
VCP 12, 212: 
0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 1.8		 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Base Velocity
99 V 0.5 for SAILS 256 Level 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Base Velocity
134 DVL Volume Product 256 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Digital Vertically Integrated Liquid
135 EET Volume Product 256 Level, 1 km (0.54 nm) Enhanced Echo Top
138 STP Volume Product 256 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) Surface Rainfall Accumulation Storm Total
141 MD Volume Product Mesocyclone
159 ZDR VCP 11, 121, 21, 211, 221: 
0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4
VCP 12, 212: 
0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 1.8		 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Differential Reflectivity
159 ZDR 0.5 for SAILS 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Differential Reflectivity
161 CC VCP 11, 121, 21, 211, 221: 
0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4
VCP 12, 212: 
0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 1.8		 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Correlation Coefficient
161 CC 0.5 for SAILS 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Correlation Coefficient
163 KDP VCP 11, 121, 21, 211, 221: 
0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4
VCP 12, 212: 
0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 1.8		 256 Level 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Specific Differential Phase
163 KDP 0.5 for SAILS 256 Level 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Specific Differential Phase
165 HC VCP 11, 121, 21, 211, 221: 
0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4
VCP 12, 212: 
0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 1.8		 256 Level 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Hydrometeor Classification
165 HC 0.5 for SAILS 256 Level 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Hydrometeor Classification
166 ML VCP 11, 121, 21, 211, 221: 
0.5, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4
VCP 12, 212: 
0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 1.8		 Melting Layer
166 ML 0.5 for SAILS Melting Layer
169 OHA Volume Product 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) One Hour Accumulation
170 DAA Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) One Hour Unbiased Accumulation
171 STA Volume Product 16 Level, 2 km (1.1 nm) Storm Total Accumulation
172 STA Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Storm Total Accumulation
174 DOD Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) One Hour Accumulation Difference
175 DSD Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Storm Total Accumulation Difference
176 DPR Volume Product 65536 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Digital Instantaneous Precipitation Rate
177 HHC Volume Product 256 Level, 0.25 km (0.13 nm) Hybrid Hydrometeor Classification

 

RPS List Decision Aid - Links

Links to VCP-specific RPS lists:

Use these links to see WDTD's recommendations for your local RPS lists based on which VCP you are using.