[TowerTalk] WX Sensor Placement

[Larry Stowell]

I think that the NOAA "standard for temp reading is 5 ft above ground 
and some what

in the clear. I've read that somewhere and for the last several years 
used that my sensor has the "radiation" shield

so it can't get direct sun.

73 Larry K1ZW

On 3/3/2019 1:37 PM, Gedas wrote:
> This made me wonder about sensor placement. I have had a number of 
> different wx stations and the instructions most provide for the 
> placement of the outdoor temperature sensor is to simply mount it on 
> the north side of the house just under the eaves. This kind of makes 
> sense as it will be away from direct sunlight but what about the heat 
> from the house?
>
> How many do this and does it work for you? Do your temperature 
> readings match those or come very close to an "official" local temp 
> like at an airport.
>
> Has anyone else noticed just how critical the placement of this sensor 
> really is? I have 2-3 outside sensors in different locations and they 
> all read differently, sometimes as much as a 4F delta. I made sure 
> they were all calibrated inside the house to read the same then 
> installed them outside. Once the sun goes down my readings stabilize 
> and my readings are within a degree of the "official" airport 
> temperatures. During the day, esp summer time the readings can be all 
> over the place.
>
> I know enough to keep them out of the sun, away from objects that can 
> absorb & retain heat, off the ground at least 10' or so, not above 
> concrete, etc......and yet I see big differences. So my question is 
> where and how do people mount their temperature sensors?
>
> Also does anyone know where and how the "official" temperature sensors 
> used by the NWS are mounted in places like airports?
>
> Gedas, W8BYA
>
> Gallery at http://w8bya.com
> Light travels faster than sound....
> This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
>
> On 3/3/2019 1:19 PM, Michael Forinash wrote:
>> I bought a Davis Weather Station for my wife, who is a Weatherbird, 
>> seven years ago. As I recall, it was a six hundred dollar unit. In 
>> the past seven years, the only maintenance I have performed on it is 
>> remove a seed (from my neighbor’s tree) that blocks the flow of 
>> moisture through its self-emptying range gauge. It has a solar panel 
>> that recharges the unit’s rechargeable batteries. I have yet to 
>> change them.
>>
>> The unit is attached to a twelve-foot pole.
>>
>> The installation instructions are a little vague on various points, 
>> but that’s the only criticism I can make of this package. Not a cheap 
>> station, but one my wife has been happy with, as the base unit sits 
>> on a end table by her chair in our living room. She checks the base 
>> station five or six times a day when she’s not monitoring the Weather 
>> Channel or the ND DOT online.
>>
>> 73,
>> Mike
>> KB0RIA
>>
> _