[aprssig] Low-cost weather station

[Rich Garcia]

I have finally bought a Davis but yes a simple unit configured to a HT and
OT or TT would make a good remote unit. KISS is good for places with limited
or difficult access.

But as with anything amateur radio related it depends on the price point.
Normally I would not even reply BUT Scott you have always seemed more than
reasonable with your prices so it has caught my attention. As with most
things another mobile is the last thing I need but I can't seem to pass up
$75 GM's or Maxtracs I got about 8 of them gathering dust now and would buy
more, now a $50-$75 weather station and I'd be thinking of what places I
could install one.

Rich

-----Original Message-----
From: aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org
[mailto:aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org]On Behalf Of Scott Miller
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:59 PM
To: TAPR APRS Mailing List
Subject: [aprssig] Low-cost weather station


It's bothered me for a while that the AAG TAI-8515 station is about the
only low-cost, low-power station out there for APRS use.  It also gets
kind of expensive when you start adding more sensors.

I've found a manufacturer in China that produces home weather stations
(they might make LaCrosse's stations, I'm not sure - the hardware is
very similar) and I've negotiated a price on just the mechanical parts.
  That includes wind speed, wind direction, rain gauge, 2-piece metal
mast, mounting arms, cables, and assorted mounting hardware.

I can produce a small interface circuit that'll output serial data for
use with a PC weather program, or for direct connection to a TNC.  The
interface board itself will add at least temperature, and it could
conceivably have humidity and pressure sensors as well.

I think there's enough market for a display-less weather station that
doesn't rely on battery-powered wireless links to make it worth doing
(it'll mean buying a few hundred units), but I'd appreciate feedback.  I
think it might make a good companion to my integrated
tracker/transceiver unit, too.

Scott
N1VG


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