[TowerTalk] Wired Anemometer for Tower?

Roger (K8RI) on TT K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net
Sun Apr 27 21:07:52 EDT 2014


On 4/27/2014 4:09 PM, EZ Rhino wrote:
> I should mention one other thing about the "cheap" weather station anemometers that drive me crazy.  The first WX station I had only updated the wind speed about every minute.  The LaCrosse updates about every 12 seconds.  This is almost worthless...I want to know the wind speed NOW!  The stuff from Inspeed is real time, very nice.
>
> Chris
> KF7P

I don't know of any wireless battery/solar powered powered that are real 
time.  They have to have enough battery power to run  a couple of days 
and all night.  To do that the calculate haw long the thing can run on 
backup power.

As the earliest "real time RADAR" Gives is 5 minutes and updating every 
5 minutes means RADAR that screen can be as much as 10 minutes old.   
Something to keep in mind when flying, or storm chasing. Looks like my 
storm chasing is done until I get my left hand and arm working again.  
My cheap unit gives me the peak reading for every 30 seconds.

For a wired unit, you are talking a few hours without power, or however 
you think you might be without power. With good batteries they could 
probably run 5 or 6 hours continuous with no power from the mains.

Of course, you are now talking about induced voltage from nearby 
lightning strikes. Looks like Arkansas is getting hit with some really 
nasty tornadoes this evening.

73

Roger (K8RI)



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> On Apr 27, 2014, at 14:03 , Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:
>
> On 4/27/2014 3:15 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*
> Mine cost 40 something, works fine, is made of cheap plastic. Uses plain old Duracell non rechargeable. Last 2 years or more outside. The ones indoors only last 6 mo to a year.  Probably cost twice that much now...if available
>
> Mounted on the tower where I can just reach it with an 8' stepladder.
>
> Does nothing except report wind speed, direction,temp, humidity, and relative temp.
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> 73
>
> Roger(K8RI)
>
>> 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
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>> On Apr 27, 2014, at 11:01 , Steve Jones wrote:
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>> 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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