[TowerTalk] Wired Anemometer for Tower?

Sun Apr 27 21:29:47 EDT 2014

I believe the Davis Vue is a newer generation than the Vantage Pro and 
Vantage Pro 2, so all bets are off as to how it measures and transmits data.

FWIW my (wireless) Vantage Pro 2 seems to underestimate rain accumulation, 
and also underestimate wind gusts. There are even slight variations between 
data recorded on my two receivers, even though they both get data at the 
same time from the same outdoor source. Nothing major, but a trait I 
observe. I'd definitely want to buy a Davis WX station (but but would not 
want to pay for it).

I think part of this is wind & rain currents which flow around my house 
(where the outdoor sender is located). Also, there are plenty of 60+ foot 
trees on the property, so the wind at ground level is a LOT different than 
at treetop!

Sorry if this is getting too far afield of Tower Talk.

73

dan
k0dan

-----Original Message----- 
From: Kim Elmore
Sent: April 27, 2014 19:08
To: tomkd8deg
Cc: EZ Rhino ; <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Wired Anemometer for Tower?

I'm not sure that's true about the wind. I have a Davis Vantage Vue. The 
remote unit does some processing to generate a 2 s mean speed and a peak 
gust value within the 2 s window. Data are then sent in packets every 2 s to 
the base unit.

Mine is up 10 m (a WMO standard height). During calm winters nights it will 
measure an anomalously high minimum temperature. The anemometer is shielded 
a bit by the tower structure when it's downwind of the tower and so the wind 
speed is biased low. Direction appears unaffected.

The rain gauge is a tipping spoon with a 3" diameter catchment. It under 
samples only at high rain rates. The temperature sensor and dew cell are not 
aspirated in this unit and so temperature is biased a bit high due to 
radiation errors on calm, clear Summer days.

I highly recommend any of the Davis units, but the Peet Bros. Ultimeter 2100 
is also a very fine unit. Both are comparable in price (~$400).

Kim N5OP

"People that make music together cannot be enemies, at least as long as the 
music lasts." -- Paul Hindemith

> On Apr 27, 2014, at 18:29, "tomkd8deg" <kd8deg at centurytel.net> wrote:
>
> The Davis wired version, which I am using, has a 4 second delay for wind,
> and direction display. That can mean the loss of 10 to 20 mph in a gust
> situation.
>
> Tom KD8DEG
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of EZ
> Rhino
> Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2014 4:10 PM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Wired Anemometer for Tower?
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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.
>
> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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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>>
>>
>>
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