Yes, I have the InSpeed Vortex cup-type (i.e., non-directional)
anemometer mounted on the tip of my mast at the top of my tower. It
uses a simple magnet to close a reed relay switch once per revolution
(the calibration factor is 2.5 mph per revolution) and requires a pair
of wires to get that pulse train to your shack. You can make use of
those pulses in one of two ways (I have successfully done both):
1. Feed the pulses into an RS-232 connector that comes with the
WindWare computer application that InSpeed also sells. The application
can be set to log wind speed as an average value over various
programmable intervals, as well as record peak values, etc. The logged
data can be saved as a file in a format that is easily imported into
EXCEL if you want to further analyze or plot it. The supplied RS-232
connector includes a wire pigtail that can be programmed by WindWare to
trigger anytime the wind speed exceeds the value you choose. You can
use that signal to control a relay that lowers your tower, or to set off
an audible alarm for you to check the orientation of your antennas (or
alert you to watch them thrash about).
2. Or you can feed the pulses to a common bicycle computer. With the
appropriate fudge factor for "wheel diameter" you can get the bicycle
computer to display current wind speed, and even the simplest bicycle
computers will also record average speed, maximum speed, etc until you
decide to manually clear the data.
Although I have no way to verify the claim, InSpeed says that the
accuracy is +/- 4% of the reading from less than 5 mph to 150 mph.
I've had my Vortex anemometer for about eight years and it is still
sending pulses just fine in spite of some truly heavy abuse that my
windy QTH has given it. The basic Vortex anemometer runs about $55, the
WindWare app runs $30, and a bicycle computer probably costs less than
$40 (I haven't checked prices lately). It's a pretty inexpensive and
robust way to go.
73,
Dave AB7E
On 4/27/2014 12:15 PM, EZ Rhino wrote:
I have tried a few different weather stations, so I can unequivocally tell you
what NOT to get.
DON'T buy anything under $300. *sigh*
Unfortunately the cheap ones are total garbage. The recent one I got is a
LaCrosse station, purchased from Costco. Junk! Junky cheap plastic, the
rechargeable batteries in the solar powered wireless anenmometer/wind vane unit
went bad in the first year, and the rain bucket stopped working in the first
few months after purchase.
The Davis units are good, have a buddy with one and it is quality stuff. And
about $300. You pay for what you get. I agree, I think the wired units are
more reliable and last longer.
Ok now take a look here: www.inspeed.com These guys make anemometers that are
decent quality and not expensive. They also have a cool computer hookup
version that allows your PC to track all the data and put it in a spreadsheet.
AND it has the wind switch option, where you can program the system to turn an
appliance on or off (read: lower your tower!) if the wind goes above a
preprogrammed speed. Pretty neat. I don't have this option yet. I think AB7E
has one of the inspeed units too, maybe he can provide some feedback.
Chris
KF7P
On Apr 27, 2014, at 11:01 , Steve Jones wrote:
Can any of you recommend a wired anemometer or weather station unit?
I want to install an anemometer to monitor the wind speed at the top of my
tower. All I can find online are wireless units. On this reflector I have
seen a number of bad reviews of wireless weather sensors, because their
little wifi transceivers get damaged by the RF from a ham antenna. I have a
spare CAT5 cable at the base of the tower available.
73,
Steve
N6SJ
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