Peak Wind Gust Measurement

[Sam Barricklow]

A ham radio friend needs a peak wind gust reading anemometer that he can mount on one of his towers in his antenna farm located near Tucson. It can be wired or wireless, but he wants to read and record peak wind gusts. He doesn't necessarily care about direction.

Does anyone have a recommendation?

Thanks,

 

[Gerard Jebaily]

All weather stations by Davis Instruments have the ability to record peak wind gusts and you can get a basic one for fairly cheap. The weather wizzard III is one that comes to mind.

http://www.davisnet.com/weather/products/weather_product.asp?pnum=07425

If he gets one with the temperature and humidity sensor as part of the package the temperature/humidity sensor needs to be located away from the antenna as I have found that 2 meter transmissions temporarily knock out my temperature and humididty measurements untill transmission stops.

 

[Evan Bookbinder]

Sam,

The Davis Vantage Pro 2 weather station has a wireless option which includes an optional wireless repeater such that the anemometer can be located uniquely from the rest of the instrumentation. Works like a champ and peak gusts are recorded on the console (or onto the computer using an optional logger/software).

I would contact Davis. Their support is outstanding. They may have an anemometer only solution that I'm not aware of, but I can tell you that having the rest of the data (temp, dwpt, rainfall, etc...) may also come in quite handy.

Evan

 

[Sam Barricklow]

Thanks for the info. I found a couple of additional resources:

http://www.metone.com/

http://www.campbellsci.com/sensors

and

http://www.campbellsci.com/windsonic4

Sticker shock was an issue for the R.M. Young products, so I doubt he'll go for the sonic sensors for the same reason. The Davis Instruments anemometer will probably be his choice.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Jason Foster]

Davis is best for $$

I've been able to measure upto 100+mph during hurricane chases. Just make sure if you use Davis, the set screw on the cups and vane are on really tight.

 

[John Diel]

I thought I would add in here, the largest issue with the Consumer level anemometers is their sampling rate. I think the Davis equipment I used some time back would sample every 3 seconds.

A "Peak" gust may not last that long. Hence you would miss the data. That's not to say that Davis equipment isn't good, They are arguably the best in the Consumer level equipment. Just be aware of the limitations and you'll be fine.

RM Young, and some others are considered to be "Scientific" grade equipment and are, generally, priced accordingly.

John Diel