background image

GXM 30 XM Radio Smart Antenna Owner’s Manual 

31

NEXRAD Overview

NEXRAD Description

NEXRAD Radar is a Doppler radar system that has greatly 

improved the detection of meteorological events such as 

thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. An extensive 

network of NEXRAD stations provides almost complete radar 

coverage of the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. 

The range of each NEXRAD is 124 nautical miles.

NEXRAD Abnormalities

There are possible abnormalities regarding displayed NEXRAD 

images. Some, but not all, of those include:

•  Ground clutter
•  Strobes and spurious radar data
•  Sun strobes, when the radar antenna points directly at 

the sun

•  Military aircraft deploy metallic dust (chaff) which can 

cause alterations in radar scans

•  Interference from buildings or mountains, which may 

cause shadows

NEXRAD Limitations

Certain limitations exist regarding the NEXRAD radar 

displays. Some, but not all, are listed for the user’s awareness:

•  NEXRAD base reflectivity does not provide sufficient 

information to determine cloud layers or precipitation 

characteristics (hail vs. rain).

•  NEXRAD base reflectivity is sampled at the minimum 

antenna elevation angle. An individual NEXRAD site 

cannot depict high altitude storms at close ranges, and 

has no information about storms directly over the site.

A

PPENDIX

 > 

NEXRAD O

VERVIEW

Summary of Contents for GXM30

Page 1: ...GXM 30 XM Radio Smart Antenna owner s manual ...

Page 2: ...edium to be viewed and to print one copy of this manual or of any revision hereto provided that such electronic or printed copy of this manual must contain the complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited Information in this document is subject to change without notice Garmin r...

Page 3: ...ion Use weather data only as an aid to situational awareness This unit contains magnets which may cause compass deviation Warning Do not mount where driver s field of vision is blocked Do not place unsecured on the vehicle dash Do not mount in front of an airbag field of deployment INTRODUCTION WARNINGS This product its packaging and its components contain chemicals known to the State of California ...

Page 4: ...mine ground proximity for aircraft navigation Caution Notice to State of California Drivers California Vehicle Code Section 26708 a 1 provides that No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed displayed installed affixed or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows Drivers in California should not use the suction mount on their windshield or side or rear wind...

Page 5: ...your new system take the time to go through this manual and the unit Owner s Manual Operational procedures are found in the unit Owner s Manual This manual discusses how to connect the GXM 30 XM Radio Smart Antenna how to subscribe to XM WX Weather and XM Radio services and provides detailed information about weather and audio features Terminology used throughout this manual This manual refers to ...

Page 6: ... on the Information sub tab of your unit in case your unit is lost or stolen XM Satellite Radio can deactivate these radio codes when you call Serial Number for GXM 30 Use this area to record the serial number 8 digit number located on the bottom of your unit in case it is lost stolen or needs service Be sure to keep your original sales receipt in a safe place or attach a photocopy inside the manu...

Page 7: ...urricanes 11 Surface Winds 12 Winds Aloft 13 Surface Pressure 14 Fronts 15 Visibility 16 County Warnings 17 Water Temperature 18 Wave Period 18 Wave Direction 19 Wave Height 19 Marine Warnings 20 Buoy Reports 21 METAR 22 AIRMET 23 SIGMET 24 TFR 25 Echo Tops 26 Freezing Level 27 Forecast 27 TAF 28 XM Audio 28 Appendix 29 Specifications 29 Physical Specifications 29 Power 29 Performance 29 NEXRAD Over...

Page 8: ...ical contacts on the front of the unit Storage Do not store the GXM 30 where exposure to temperature extremes may occur as permanent damage may result UNIT CARE The Garmin GXM 30 has no user serviceable parts Should you ever encounter a problem with your unit take it to an authorized Garmin dealer for repairs The GXM 30 is fastened shut with screws Any attempt to open the case to change or modify ...

Page 9: ...30 to a Garmin Unit Position the GXM 30 where is has a clear view of the sky This can be on the outside of the vehicle or behind the windscreen of the vehicle Connect the GXM 30 to the USB port on the Garmin unit GETTING STARTED CONNECTING THE GXM 30 TO A GARMIN UNIT ...

Page 10: ... MENU key twice to display the Main Menu A list of tabs appear down the left hand side of the Main Menu Using the ROCKER key highlight the XM tab and select the Information sub tab Write down the Radio ID number Have the ID number your billing address and other billing information ready when you contact XM Select the Audio sub tab it is next to the Information sub tab Verify that XM Preview appear...

Page 11: ...indicates that all channels on XM s basic radio service are being received If within an hour the XM WX Weather and or the XM Radio service has not activated call XM WX customer care at 800 985 9200 to validate the activation of XM services The customer care representative can refresh the activation signal or you can do this yourself a www xmradio com refresh by entering your radio ID where request...

Page 12: ...interpretation if the source that provides the information changes XM WX Weather data is broadcast at set rates See page 30 for all weather related broadcast rates For example NEXRAD Radar data is broadcast at five minute intervals When the Garmin unit is turned on or when a new feature is selected the GXM 30 has to receive new data before it can be shown You may experience a delay before weather d...

Page 13: ...Time Stamp The Time Stamp displays the elapsed time since the National Weather Service provided the displayed information To display a legend showing the colors for Rain Mix and Snow press MENU highlight Weather Legend and press ENTER NEXRAD can be displayed independently or with a variety of other weather information For information on NEXRAD Limitations Abnormalities and Intensity see pages 31 3...

Page 14: ...ite Mosaic Satellite Mosaic displays infared composite images of cloud cover taken by geostationary weather satellites The Satellite Mosaic provides up to seven levels of cloud cover XM WEATHER FEATURES SATELLITE MOSAIC Cloud Tops Legend Satellite Mosiac ...

Page 15: ...ing bolt icons as shown in the images below Lightning appears on the map if strikes were detected within the last seven minutes The ground based lightning detection network only detects cloud to ground lightning XM WEATHER FEATURES LIGHTNING Lightning bolts indicate a cloud to ground lightning strike ...

Page 16: ...ndicates the projected path of the storm cell The red bars that appear in the cone indicate where the storm will be in the future Each bar represents 15 minutes Aviation units show the direction of the storm with an arrow The tip of the arrow indicates where the storm should be in 15 minutes Critical information about the storm cell can be viewed by selecting the storm cell with the map pointer Au...

Page 17: ...epression as well as its projected path indicated by a red line The darkened squares that appear along the red line display the projected locations received from the National Hurricane Center The Center provides four forecasts at 12 hour intervals as well as a fifth forecast at a 24 hour interval XM WEATHER FEATURES HURRICANES Hurricane Track Hurricanes ...

Page 18: ...rface Winds with a wind barb The wind barb is a circle with a tail The circle points into the wind Wind speed is indicated by the different combination of flags that are attached to the tail Wind Direction Calm 5 knots 10 knots 15 knots 20 knots 50 knots Surface Winds XM WEATHER FEATURES SURFACE WINDS ...

Page 19: ...aloft using wind barbs or a wind streamline depending on the zoom range of the map Similar to Marine and Automotive units the wind barbs indicate wind speed and direction The wind streamline indicates wind direction with arrows XM WEATHER FEATURES SURFACE PRESSURE Wind Barbs Wind Streamline ...

Page 20: ...essure areas are generally associated with fair weather Low pressure areas are generally associated with clouds and the chance of precipitation Isobars that are packed closely together show a strong pressure gradient Strong pressure gradients are associated with areas of stronger winds Pressure units can be displayed in Millibars mb Inches of Mercury in and Hectopascals hPa Strong Pressure Gradien...

Page 21: ...ont Trough Indicates a Low Pressure Center A Low Pressure Center is an area where the measured pressure is lowest relative to the surrounding area Moving away from a Low Pressure Center in any horizontal direction results in increased pressure Winds flow counterclockwise around Low Pressure Centers in North America Indicates a High Pressure Center Similar to a Low Pressure Center a High Pressure Ce...

Page 22: ... the Visibility feature show the forecasted change in surface visibility In the example below visibility ranges from 1 miles to 4 5 miles Visibility Contour Lines This image displays NEXRAD Radar Satellite Mosaic and Visibility Displaying multiple features may help to provide a clearer picture of the weather conditions in the area XM WEATHER FEATURES VISIBILITY ...

Page 23: ...r a county the county is highlighted with the color corresponding to the warning To view information about the warning select the county with the map pointer For more detail press ENTER Tornado Warning Severe Thunderstorm Warning Flood Warning Flash Flood Warning Severe Thunderstorm Warning XM WEATHER FEATURES COUNTY WARNINGS ...

Page 24: ...ature feature displays the water s surface temperature The temperature breaks are indicated by isotherm lines Wave Period The Wave Period feature provides the time in seconds between successive waves Water Temperature Wave Period XM WEATHER FEATURES WATER TEMPERATURE AND WAVE PERIOD ...

Page 25: ...e shows the direction in which a wave is moving as indicated by the direction of the red arrow Wave Height The Wave Height feature displays wave heights The wave heights for an area are separated by contour lines Wave Direction Wave Height XM WEATHER FEATURES WAVE DIRECTION AND WAVE HEIGHT ...

Page 26: ...arning is issued the area for the warning is highlighted in red To view information about the warning select the warning area with the map pointer To view more detailed information press ENTER XM WEATHER FEATURES MARINE WARNINGS Marine Warnings Marine Warning Detailed Information ...

Page 27: ...m buoys and coastal observation stations These readings are used to determine Air Temperature Dewpoint Water Temperature Tide Wave Height and Period Wind Direction and Speed Visibility and Barometric Pressure XM WEATHER FEATURES BUOY REPORTS Buoy Selected with map pointer Buoy report detail ...

Page 28: ...he airport To view the METAR data select the flag with the map pointer To view more detailed information press ENTER VFR ceiling greater than 3000 feet AGL and visibility greater than 5 miles Marginal VFR ceiling 1000 3000 feet AGL and or visibility 3 5 miles IFR ceiling 500 to below 1000 feet AGL and or visibility 1 mile to less than 3 miles Low IFR ceiling below 500 feet AGL or visibility less th...

Page 29: ... due to changing weather conditions or issuance cancellation of a SIGMET AIRMETs are displayed as a colored dashed line To view AIRMET data select the AIRMET using the map pointer To view detailed information press ENTER AIRMET Sierra IFR purple Ceilings less than 1 000 feet and or visibility less than 3 miles affecting over 50 of the area at one time Extensive mountain obscuration AIRMET Tango Tu...

Page 30: ...ity to less than three statute miles A Convective SIGMET is issued for thunderstorms isolated severe thunderstorms embedded thunderstorms hail at the surface and tornadoes A SIGMET is widespread A SIGMET must affect or be forecast to affect an area of at least 3 000 square miles SIGMETs are displayed as a yellow dashed line To view SIGMET data select the SIGMET using the map pointer To view detail...

Page 31: ...ed TFRs are routinely issued for occurrences such as sporting events dignitary visits military depots and forest fires TFRs are represented as an area highlighted by Red active or Yellow not yet active To view information about the TFR select it with the map pointer To view more detailed information press ENTER TFR selected with map pointer TFR detailed information XM WEATHER FEATURES TFR ...

Page 32: ...e at which precipitation is falling Echo Tops at or above the altitude you select are displayed in 5 000 foot increments up to 70 000 ft Echo Tops can be helpful in determining the severity of thunderstorms higher more intense Echo Tops for all altitudes Echo Tops at 15000 feet Echo Tops at 20000 feet XM WEATHER FEATURES ECHO TOPS ...

Page 33: ...ast Forecast displays Fronts High and Low Pressure Centers and City Conditions The forecast can be viewed in 12 hour increments for the next 48 hours Freezing Level Contours Forecast map XM WEATHER FEATURES FREEZING LEVEL FORECAST Sunny Partly Cloudy Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Thunderstorms Rain Snow Freezing Rain Windy Haze Very Cold Foggy Very Hot Forecast Legend ...

Page 34: ...4 hour forecasts on wind visibility expected weather conditions and wind shear XM Audio The XM Audio feature requires a subscription to XM Radio Channels can be scanned by category and saved to a Favorites list The XM audio output can be turned on and off Terminal Aerodrome Forecast XM WEATHER FEATURES TAF XM RADIO Category Channel list Current song ...

Page 35: ... Range 40F to 185F 40C to 85C Case fully sealed high impact plastic with die cast zinc base Waterproof 1 meter submersion for 30 minutes IEC 60529 IPX7 Mount Thread Size M3 x 0 5 Cable Braided shield 5 conductor 28 AWG Right Angle Male Mini B connector Power Source 4 5 5 5 Vdc Usage 2 5 watts max Performance Dynamics 999 knots 6g APPENDIX SPECFICATIONS ...

Page 36: ...k 12 mins Visibility Forecast 12 mins Fronts 12 mins Water Temperature 12 mins Wave Height 12 mins Wave Period 12 mins Wave Direction 12 mins Buoy Reports 12 mins City Forecast 12 mins County Warnings 5 mins Feature Data Broadcast Frequency Marine Warnings 20 mins METAR 12 mins AIRMET 12 mins SIGMET 12 mins Echo Tops 7 5 mins Winds Aloft 12 mins TFR 12 mins TAF 12 mins Freezing Level 12 mins APPEN...

Page 37: ...Strobes and spurious radar data Sun strobes when the radar antenna points directly at the sun Military aircraft deploy metallic dust chaff which can cause alterations in radar scans Interference from buildings or mountains which may cause shadows NEXRAD Limitations Certain limitations exist regarding the NEXRAD radar displays Some but not all are listed for the user s awareness NEXRAD base reflecti...

Page 38: ... the right Display Rain Display Snow dBZ Rain inches hour Snow inches hour Remarks Rain Snow 10 00 00 10 00 00 5 00 trace 0 00 trace 05 Very Light 5 00 trace 10 Light 10 0 trace 01 Light Light 15 01 1 2 Light Light 20 02 2 3 Light Light 25 05 3 5 Light Light Moderate 30 09 5 7 Light Moderate Moderate 35 24 7 1 0 Moderate Heavy 40 48 1 or sleet Heavy Heavy 45 1 25 1 or sleet Heavy Heavy 50 2 5 slee...

Page 39: ...ith the instructions However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase t...

Page 40: ...RIGHTS WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE IN NO EVENT SHALL GARMIN BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL SPECIAL INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE MISUSE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitations may not apply to you Garmin retains the exclusive right t...

Page 41: ...nline auction International Purchases A separate warranty is provided by international distributors for units purchased outside the United States This warranty is provided by the local in country distributor and this distributor provides local service for your unit Distributor warranties are only valid in the area of intended distribution Units purchased in the United States or Canada must be retu...

Page 42: ...min You agree not to decompile disassemble modify reverse assemble reverse engineer or reduce to human readable form the Software or any part thereof or create any derivative works based on the Software You agree not to export or re export the Software to any country in violation of the export control laws of the United States of America XM Satellite Radio Service Agreement XM Satellite Radio Inc ...

Page 43: ...rranties express and implied with respect thereto or the transmission or reception thereof XM and Garmin further do not warrant the accuracy reliability completeness or timeliness of the traffic and weather information disclosed on the Radio Service In no event will XM and Garmin their data suppliers service providers marketing distribution software or Internet partners or hardware manufacturers be...

Page 44: ...y NGA b The DAFIF product is provided as is and no warranty express or implied including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose or arising by statute or otherwise in law or from a course of dealing or usage in trade is made by NGA as to the accuracy and functioning of the product c Neither NGA nor its personnel will be liable for any claims l...

Page 45: ...ezing Level 27 Fronts 15 G Ground Clutter 31 H High Pressure Center 15 27 Hurricanes 11 I Icing 27 IFR 22 Interference 31 Introduction i Isobars 14 L Lightning 9 Limited Warranty 34 Low Pressure Center 15 27 M Magnetic Base 2 Marine Warnings 20 METAR 22 Mounting Holes 2 N National Weather Service 17 NEXRAD 7 NEXRAD Abnormalities 31 NEXRAD Colors 32 NEXRAD Description 31 NEXRAD Intensity 32 NEXRAD ...

Page 46: ...Pressure 14 Surface Winds 12 T TAF 28 Temporary Flight Restriction 25 Terminal Aerodrome Forecast 28 TFR 25 Time Stamp 7 Tornado Warning 17 Tropical Depression 11 Tropical Storm 11 Trough 15 U Unit Care 2 Unit Overview 2 USB Connector 2 USB Port 3 V VFR 22 Visibility 16 W Warm Front 15 Warranty 34 Water Temperature 18 Wave Direction 19 Wave Height 19 Wave Period 18 Weather Data 6 Weather Legend 7 ...

Page 47: ......

Page 48: ...garmin com Copyright 2005 Garmin Ltd or its subsidiaries Garmin International Inc 1200 East 151st Street Olathe Kansas 66062 U S A Garmin Europe Ltd Unit 5 The Quadrangle Abbey Park Industrial Estate Romsey SO51 9DL U K Garmin Corporation No 68 Jangshu 2nd Road Shijr Taipei County Taiwan www garmin com Part Number 190 00535 00 Rev A ...

Reviews: