[TowerTalk] Weather Stations that don't transmit near the 70 cm band?

[Larry McDavid]

I believe it is the spread-spectrum, frequency-hopping of the Davis 
Instruments wireless weather systems that gives them such wireless 
reliability; they claim 1000 foot range and while I don't use that much 
I've never had a connection problem or loss of data with my Vantage Pro 
2 system. It can be set for up to 8 "channels" in case you have multiple 
sensor transmitters.

I have had one weather vane bearing problem in 9 years or so. But, Davis 
has an excellent exchange/repair offer for these sensor suite 
components. They do have system re-build kits but I prefer to buy just 
the parts I need to replace. I have replaced one 24-hour fan because it 
would not run at night on the two NiCd cells (it ran fine during the day 
on its solar cells) and I replaced one remote electronics plastic cover 
due to sun exposure. Otherwise, my Vantage Pro 2 system has performed 
well for at least 9 years out in the So. Cal. sun. The Vantage Pro runs 
on solar power. There is one 123 Li primary cell in case of prolonged 
cloudy days but an internal super-capacitor is charged by the solar 
cells and can run the system for several days minimum. I believe I 
replaced that one 123 Li cell once in 9 years.

I don't do 900 MHz weak-signal work but I've never had any kind of RFI 
problem.

An earlier Davis Instruments "Weather Monitor" system I ran for 25 years 
was wired. Too many wires... Wireless is definitely the way to go today. 
Spread spectrum wireless is likely more reliable.

The Vantage Pro 2 can add other optional sensors, such as UV and solar 
radiation. I added the solar radiation sensor because I have a 6 KW 
photovoltaic solar system on my house and wanted to compare some curious 
dips in solar output between what the solar system reports every 6 
seconds and what the Davis solar radiation sensor sees. If you are into 
gardening or farming, there are numerous other sensors you can also add. 
They can be remote from the main sensor suite and also wireless.

But, yes, there surely are less expensive weather systems out there. 
And, the Davis Instruments Vantage Vue system is itself a good example, 
though it gives up some of the capability of the Vantage Pro 2.


Best wishes,

Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, California (SE of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)

On 9/19/2022 11:01 AM, Christian Kennedy wrote:
> 
> On 19/09/22 10:48, towers at mhtc.net wrote:
>> Adding to the question, are there any that do NOT transmit in the 440 
>> vicinity?  My YL bought me a wireless wx station and I had to return 
>> it, as it sent data bursts every few seconds that tore up my 70cm weak 
>> signal station.
> 
> Davis Pro2 is frequency hopping 902-928.
>