Added back function to return to app from webcam webview
The West Vancouver Surf Report application generates a surf potential grade out of 100% based on a minimum of three hours of data (wind direction, wind speed and wave height) collected from the Halibut Bank buoy in the center of the Georgia Strait. A steady internet connection (Wifi, LTE etc.) is essential to use this program. When running, the app will automatically download the information and calculated the surf potential grade. If the grade reaches a user defined score (ex. 80%) an audio alarm will sound notifying that there may be surf at Dundarave or Ambleside beaches in West Vancouver. The app may also be set up to send text messages including all report details to two cell phone numbers. If the alarm is triggered during daylight hours you may use the main screen button for the webcam to view the beach just north of Dundarave.
Set up: At first launch you will be prompted to enter the information of your Gmail account for send of e-mail to text messages for the conditions report from the Halibut Bank data source. (The set up screen is accessible at any time from your phone menu button.) You will have the option to enter phone #s and cell service providers for a couple recipients. You will also enter three parameters for calculation of the surf grade which is a weighted score out of 100% and the % score for trigger of the audio alarm. I recommend 30% for westerly wind direction (between 270° W & 315° WNW ), 30% for wind speed of 15 knots and 40% for wave height of 2.5 feet/0.8 meter (30 + 30 + 40 = 100) and 80% for the surf grade alarm.
General usage after input of application settings: The service monitor and alarm will be started immediately after launch for an hourly update of the wind report from environment Canada for the Georgia Strait north of Nanaimo and swell information from the Halibut Bank Buoy. The information in the wind report would be key in determining whether or not surf conditions will manifest. If the wind report includes a strong wind warning, this information will flash on the main screen. If the report forecasts strong westerly wind of 15 knots or more, this would be the time to confirm set of the audio alarm. Be patient when waiting for the app to update the display screen and wind report. It could take a few minutes for new data to appear. Also, please note that the data from the Halibut Bank Buoy is generally a hour or more behind current time. It may also be necessary to press the Clear Data button to clear old data from the app for start a fresh monitoring session. (Please note that the surf grade will not be meaningful until three successive hours of data have been collected) When the alarm is set, the app will check for new data from the Halibut Bank Buoy and wind warnings from Environment Canada every ten minutes. The graph will update only after receipt of a new data file.
If the wind is blowing strong from the west, pray for surf!
Scott
