VRTOOL 2.0 - still impossible to download winds

[Gjnko]

I'm using ver. 2.0 on aPC with Vista OS. I'm getting mad while trying to download winds.
Once I have opened the relevant .nav file , it happens that:
- if I try to download winds from the configuration wizard, or from the menu tools bar, or from the Wind grid section on the right sie of the screen, the results arethe same: a DOS window appears showing the list of the downloaded GRIB file but with a final e-warning: downloaded interrupted!!!!!
Updating winds. Tm=08-04-2012 23.32
Dt=09-04-2012 Forecast=18
get http://nomads.ncep.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fil ... 2012040818
get http://nomads.ncep.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fil ... 2012040818
get http://nomads.ncep.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fil ... 2012040818
get http://nomads.ncep.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fil ... 2012040818
get http://nomads.ncep.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fil ... 2012040818
get http://nomads.ncep.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fil ... 2012040818
C:\Users\Gipsysan\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp00.grb downloaded ok
Error downloading C:\Users\Gipsysan\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp12.grb
download interrupted.

later on, a serieis of error messagese saying "regata host empty" start filling the screen so i have to kill the programme.
Anyone can give me an esplanation of this and /or a correct wayof downloading the winds files?
thank you in advance
Giancarlo

[omar]

download interrupted...

Gjnko. Check your NOAA download parameters:
(in NOAA download module)

Config tab: Select [x]Game winds (VORG 11)
times=6:00 and 18:00, Resolution=1

Download from NOAA tab:
Select area top-left and bottom-right coordinates.
(You may click the target button and point in the chart)

Download params:
time zone: Your time zone in relation to Greenwich (integer number, negative for East longitudes)
tip: You may use the computer icon button to get system time zone.

Resolution=12 Up to=132
[x]Automatic update:
First= Use local time of the first wind update in your location.

Interval=12:00

tip: Do not download winds in the two hours before the wind change.
Vrtool will download latest forecasts, while VORG game has a delay in
forecast publication.

Alternatively, you can use vrtoutoulz winds with similar results:

In the Regatta Config tab (main vrtool window) set
Host=www.vrtoutoulz.fr/winds

Then point a region with the mouse in the chart and press [F2]

[Gjnko]

thanks Omar for all 'r attention but....... still imossible to display winds!!! I strictly followed yr instructions, as previously I did, but when the wind download is finished, a message erros pops up saying "06:00 is not a valid time". if i change the time on the config tab, the error message changes its time too !!!
My update time (i'm in Italy) is 08:00 and 20:00-local time.
but i do not think is a matter of time, but of something in the SW, because if i change the format of the time ( ie:"6:00" instead of "06:00") the error message displays the changed format time .....!
My OS is Vista 38b
Waiting.......... , patiently.....!
Night Giancarlo

[omar]

Giancarlo

It seems you are having a problem with time format. This '6:00' is
in the NOAA import module, in the Config tab.

Go to Windows Control Panel and check your Regional Settings.
For example, my computer uses times in format HH:MM:SS. If yours is different you can:

1- Change vrtool values '6:00' and '18:00' to your preferred format
or
2- Change Windows regional settings to HH:MM:SS

Just remember to use 6 and 18 in GMT, not local time.
Also, make sure the time zone is correct (probably -2 for Italy)

Omar

[Gjnko]

thanks indeed, Omar!
I had fixed the problem already later on last night: I realized that VRTool did not recognized my regional time setting format. My PC was set up with the time format "hh.mm"; while in the config. tabs all the displayed times were in the "hh:mm" format, and obviolusly I was imputing the times with the same format the VRTool was prompting me (exemp. : wind change time 08:00 !!), not in my own format! so I changed my own time format into the "hh:mm" one and ..... at last it worked!!
Now, reading your reply, I am confident about this damm issue! I wonder if it would be a nice thing to add in the config tabs a proper warning message about the time format to be used, or to use a different more clear error message text ( ex: "the time format you entered is not correct. change it " or like....)

My compliments for the programme. I hope to be able to use this summer during my sailing in the Med sea.
Bye, Giancarlo.
: .