Weather Station Equipment?

[TailGator911]

I would like to get into something that I used to do in Florida years ago - weather reporting to the local news, precipitation amounts, wind speeds, snow accumulation, etc. I have already reached out to the weather department and they are always accepting volunteer information, and it seems my ham radio status is a shoo in for acceptance. I want to know what is considered to be a formidable weather station these days for something such as this? What's being used by any of y'all that you can recommend? As always, I truly value your opinions - thanks

JD
kf4anc

 

[TailGator911]

Well, never mind, I found a good thread here that has answered my questions. Guess I stopped reading too soon lol. The thread is from 2018 and I am researching some of the stations being discussed there. Good information, to be sure!

 

[XTS3000]

I’d recommend Netatmo WX station. It’s not cheap, but well built and the stock app is excellent. There are other 3rd party apps as well.
What’s nice is this Netatmo is a weather station/wellness station. The indoor monitors measure CO2 levels as a bonus. The sensors are extremely sensitive (indoor and outdoor).
With all weather stations, I highly recommend spending the extra cash and use lithium batteries, not only do they last forever and not sensitive to extreme hot/cold, but they won’t leak and ruin your WX station

 

[hamstang]

Davis Vantage Vue has worked well for me for several years

 

[ems55]

Well, never mind, I found a good thread here that has answered my questions. Guess I stopped reading too soon lol. The thread is from 2018 and I am researching some of the stations being discussed there. Good information, to be sure!

Care to share the thread ?? Thanks, Michael

 

[mikewazowski]

Peet Ultimeter 2100.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

Davis Vantage Vue has worked well for me for several years

This, or if you can afford it, get one of the Davis Pro weather stations, really quality stuff. They are worth the extra $ IMHO if you can afford it.

 

[bharvey2]

I've got a bad knee that serves as my weather station. It;s not digital but it is wireless. (at least for now)

 

[reedeb]

Yup My knee does the same thing as well as my back and when a front comes thru I get dizzy spells.

 

[MrColad]

In this time of dropping almost one large for scanners after paid updates, upgrades and buyer funded fixes for factory defects then for pretty much the same amount one shouldn't shy away from dropping big bucks for weather components that can save lives. If you're going to go pro, go Davis and if you're serious go Davis Pro2.

Vantage Pro2 | Davis Instruments

www.davisinstruments.com

I prefer the hardwired system.

You get what you pay for.

 

[TailGator911]

I really like the Davis Pro2, very nice system. I plan to submit information to my local news channel, so I want a good station. After buying the station itself, to get everything you are going to need to get the best performance, you double the price. If I am going to get the Davis Pro2 with all options, it's $600 and change. There's my science project for the winter! Here is where I looked -

https://www.weathershack.com/cgi-bin/ReviewCart.cgi

Thanks a lot, folks. As always, great information!

 

[TailGator911]

Hey ems55, I am sorry, wasn't ignoring you just now seen your post. I believe this is the link but if you do a search in the forums for weather stations you will find a few.

Question about Home Weather Stations

Gentleman, this is somewhat off topic but not far. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a self contained home weather station? I am not looking for a cheap radio shack sort of thing but a quality unit that I can install say at my summer home and have it feed data back to my residence via...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[jwt873]

Just a note.. I've had my Davis Pro2 for seven years now.. I've had to replace the anemometer bearings twice... Not expensive, Davis 7345.953 – Pro2 Anemometer Wind Speed Cartridge but it's a pain to do when the anemometer is up on top of the garage and it's twenty below zero outside..

 

[TailGator911]

Yowch jwt873, that is definitely something to consider. I don't do ladders anymore, but I've got big strong nephews that climb like monkeys

 

[frankdrebbin]

I have had the Davis Vantage Vue wireless for many years. I have had to replace the rain sensor board 3 times as it measured low compared to a glass dumb gauge. They have obsoleted that so next time I'll have to get the whole sensor suite. The anemometer never was accurate. It's a pain to work on since I am surrounded by houses and tall trees so it's pretty tall with a 10' stick of conduit on top of my garage roof. I installed the Davis Pro 2 for my employer on top of a 3 story building, on top of an HVAC unit also. Have to drag an extension ladder up thru the roof scuttle to reach it. It is corded because of the metal decking in the building floors. I had the display console crap out and had to replace that. When they work, they work great though.

 

[phask]

Just a note.. I've had my Davis Pro2 for seven years now.. I've had to replace the anemometer bearings twice... Not expensive, Davis 7345.953 – Pro2 Anemometer Wind Speed Cartridge but it's a pain to do when the anemometer is up on top of the garage and it's twenty below zero outside..

Did it lock up or just slow down? I have a Davis Vue and probably 5-6 years old and never replaced them.

 

[jwt873]

On the first failure the bearings locked up solid. I couldn't even move the shaft by twisting the anemometer by hand.

On the second failure the bearings got stiff.. The cups wouldn't move until the wind got over 5 to 10 MPH. Then the speed was displayed correctly. Once the wind slowed down to under 10 MPH, the cups would stop moving.

 

[kb7gjy]

I personally use the Ambient Weather WS-2000. I have not had it very long (6 months) but so far I am very happy with it. Plus you can add an outdoor Air Quality gauge PM25.

 

[mondaro]

I have invested in the Davis Vantage Vue stations for my mesonet I have a total of 4 weather stations, installation and communication
was a snap, as with most every weather station they also have to be maintained, if you're dedicated to that there is really no issue, on the Vantage vue, battery replacement of the outdoor sensor is needed every now and then plus the cleaning of the rain gauge especially if your near trees. become a volunteer spotter with your local NWS office, you can look up Skywarn workshops online and also on METED, There is also a spotter report form on most NWS office websites that will also take your reports. some advice, be accurate and honest in your reporting this will go a long way in the NWS respecting your reports for years to come.

 

[phask]

On the first failure the bearings locked up solid. I couldn't even move the shaft by twisting the anemometer by hand.

On the second failure the bearings got stiff.. The cups wouldn't move until the wind got over 5 to 10 MPH. Then the speed was displayed correctly. Once the wind slowed down to under 10 MPH, the cups would stop moving.

I had to replace the battery on mine yesterday, bearings are shot on the anemometer as well. I'd already planned on replacing the entire unit (a VUE) as the humidity sensor has failed as well.