Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!watmath!iuvax!silver!commgrp
From: commgrp@silver.bacs.indiana.edu
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Weather instruments
Message-ID: <7200040@silver>
Date: 10 Nov 89 15:48:00 GMT
References: <1267@qip.UUCP>
Organization: Indiana University CSCI, Bloomington
Lines: 35
Nf-ID: #R:qip.UUCP:1267:silver:7200040:000:1398
Nf-From: silver.bacs.indiana.edu!commgrp    Nov 10 10:48:00 1989




>I'd like to build a weather station ( portable ) and all of the
>current systems are REAL expensive.. ( ie > $100 ). I know that
>Heathkit has one but I thought I could throw together a windspeed
>and direction system for less money than that. I'd be happy with
>analog. Has anybody seen sources for the anemeters(sp) and the 
>vanes.

>thanks   bobm

An inexpensive wind-vane can be built from a pair of military-surplus 
"selsyn" motors (turn the shaft of one, the other rotates the same 
amount).  Most are rated 115V 400 Hz; battery-powered inverters are 
easy to build. The motors will also run on 24V 60 Hz (less torque, 
still satisfactory).

My favorite portable weather instrument is the Casio "alti-depth" 
wristwatch which has an altimeter/barometer function of excellent 
quality.  Service Merchandise currently has them on sale for $69.95.  
Note: It's temperature-sensitive; wear it for 20 minutes before 
setting, and keep it out of direct hot sunlight.

Check the ads in _Weatherwise_ magazine.  It's published monthly and 
is available at many bookstores.  It's filled with fascinating 
articles about weather, and beautiful pictures.

BTW, a friend who owns Heathkit's big ($$) weather station is very 
happy with it.  He has connected the RS-232 interface to his ham 
packet-radio rig, and can interrogate it remotely.

--

Frank Reid    W9MKV     reid@gold.bacs.indiana.edu