AZMET Program Coordinator Duties :
Provide outreach to the agricultural, horticultural and business interests in Arizona. Coordinate operation of and improvements to the AZMET network. Supervision of other technical personnel and student help. Direct and maintain the AZMET computer system; hardware and software. Develop and improve automated and interactive software for processing of weather data. Maintain and improve the AZMET WebSite and Internet FTP area including Procomm scripts and Unix batches. Insure correctness, accuracy and presentation of data. Maintain historical records. Disseminate weather data and information. Supervision of other technical personnel and student help. Assist as needed on other special projects.

2006/2007 Operations :
Continued to test and evaluate new digital modems; prepare for conversion of network to digital telemetry. Developed auto-power reset for modems. Worked on standardizing stations across network; reprogrammed dataloggers to standard raw data format. Seamless move of Marana Station to new site. Designed, constructed and installed automated irrigation control system at Marana CMID site; irrigation run times calculated from AZMET ETo values. Modified and improved Cotton Advisory programs. Refined AZMET procedures, datalogger programming, and field/lab calibrations/testing/repairs. Analyzed and solved numerous communication and field equipment problems.

2007/2008 Work Plan :
Complete conversion of AZMET data processing operations to a Windows based system. Automate transfer of data files to AgServer. Continue improvements to AZMET network software; increase efficiency of data error checking programs. Continue development of automated self-correction routine. Document error history and automate updating on Website. Pursue working with AgServer personnel to develop custom data report generator; chill hours, heat units, etc. Plan and implement program to promote AZMET to wider public audience. Provide training and guidance to AZMET personnel; staff and students. Convert weather stations to digital modems.

Overview :
Since AZMET's inception in 1986, Bruce has been the Program Manager of The Arizona Meteorological Network. Because AZMET is a near real-time weather data telemetry system, the network must be operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Bruce spends an enormous amount of time ; days / nights / weekends / holidays ; insuring the continuity and quality of the weather data. The multitude of programs, batch-files, and tele-communications software necessary to control the system and the data processing are the products of his efforts. Finding creative solutions to solve seemingly impossible problems is Bruce's forte. His persistence and innovation are responsible for the continuing success of the AZMET program.

Prior to working on AZMET, Bruce received a BS degree in Geology and spent six years working as a Well-Site Oil Field Geologist. This job also involved real-time data collection and evaluation. He worked both off-shore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and land rigs located in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Wyoming. Although it provided him with valuable experience, he feels that his involvement with the petroleum industry was about five years too long.