VCHILL Download Instructions

This article provides information on how to download and use the Java VCHILL radar data viewer.

Creating a login

If you don't already have a login, create one by visiting the VCHILL User Services page. Here, you can enter your email address as a login name, and choose a password. Please enter your full name and organization.

Forgotten password

Check the forgot password check box on the VCHILL User Services page, enter your email address and click "Submit" to have your password emailed to you.

Installing Java Runtime Environment

Most versions of Windows come with the Java runtime pre-installed, and will automatically update it to the latest version, so this step is not normally required. If you have problems with later steps, you can ensure that this is not due to an out-of-date Java platform by updating to the latest Java Runtime Environment (JRE).

To obtain the latest version of the Java Runtime Environment, go to the Java SE downloads page, and click on the "JRE" link. Choose your platform (for example, Windows), check the license agreement box and click on continue. Click on the first file available for download (of the form jre-version number-platform.exe), and save the Java Runtime installer file.

Once it has finished downloading, run the Java installer to install the latest version of the Java runtime. Simply click on the "Install" button to start the process. Once finished, click "Close".

Run Java VCHILL

To run Java VCHILL, go to the CHILL website front page and click on the "VCHILL" link under "Web Services". This will pop up a dialog box asking what to do with the vchill.jnlp file. The exact steps to follow will depend on your chosen web browser, under Mozilla Firefox, click the "Open With Java Web Start Launcher" radio button. If this option does not appear, the Java Runtime Environment may not be installed, follow the instructions under the Installing Java Runtime Environment section on this page. Click the OK button to start Java VCHILL.

If you see a notification about an unverified digital signature, click the "Run" button (check "Always trust content from this publisher" to prevent this dialog box from appearing next time).

In the "Connecting to..." dialog box, enter the email address used during registration under "signon" and your password and click "OK". The Java VCHILL viewer should start.

In the event of problems with running the viewer, please check the VCHILL page or send mail to VCHILL Support.