Presentation for the Mercer County Amateur Radio club on Personal Weather Stations

1. Weather Stations &
Software
SKYWARN Update
Doug Butchy, W3SAX
Mercer County Emergency Coodinator

2. Why a Personal
Weather Station?
• Personal Enjoyment
• Provide localized data to served agencies -
NOAA, NWS - Helps NOAA to craft their predictions
& watches/warnings.
• Provide data to others via the web -
Weather Underground, WeatherBug

3. Manufacturers
• Davis
• Oregon Scientific
• Rainwise
• Peet Bros.
• $150 - $2000

4. Selecting a Station
• Wired vs. Wireless
• Battery Power/Backup?
• Durability
• Available Components
• Software Compatibility
• $$$

5. Anemometers
Wind Speed & Direction

6. Rain Gauge
•
•
•
Drip Count
Tipping Bucket
Heated

7. Other Components
• Temperature Sensor
• Humidity Sensor
• Lightning Sensor
• Soil Temperature

8. Displays/Consoles
Gathers Sensor
Information & Can
Send Data to
Computer Software

9. Software
• $0 - $300
• WeatherCat for Mac
• WeatherDisplay
• Weather View 32
• WeatherSnoop for Mac

10. Software

11. Software

12. Tips
• Select the best station for your
needs/wants
• Select the best location for your sensors
•
•
•
Anemometer should be as high as possible away from obstruction
Rain Gauge should be away from obstruction
Temp Sensor should be shielded from radiation
• Select the best software for your
needs/wants

13. • SKYWARN Yahoo Group
• Current Training Schedule
• Email from Fred McMullen, NOAA
•
•
Most reports are now coming to NWS from social media.
“...during high impact events, we will bring in ham radio operators
to staff up WX3PIT.”

14. For Your Reference
dougbutchy.com/wxpresentation
•Davis
•Oregon Scientific
•Rainwise
•Peet Bros.
•NY Times Article
(http://www.davisnet.com/weather/)
(http://www.oregonscientific.com)
(http://www.rainwise.com)
(http://www.peetbros.com)