Vantage Pro 2 Range

The VP2 stations have now been with us since early 2005 and have been enthusiastically received. The main appeal of this second generation of Vantage Pro stations is their new wireless technology, which gives much greater range and signal penetration. All VP2 stations are also fitted with the latest horizontal-magnet design of anemometer for maximum reliability.

In recent months, the VP2 range has been fleshed out with the addition of wireless repeater units for the new VP2 wireless system. As with the previous VP1 repeaters, there are two standard repeater types: solar-powered (7627) and AC-powered (7626). Use of a single repeater can extend the ISS-to-console range to at least 200-250m given clear line-of-sight, with up to 500m or more range possible under favourable conditions.

We've also taken delivery of stocks of two other types of VP2 repeater known as long-range repeaters, again available in solar-powered (7654) and AC-powered (7653) versions. These long-range repeaters are used in conjunction with external antennas (which must be specified and bought separately) rather than the fixed single whip antenna of the standard VP2 wireless parts. It is the use of high-gain, directional antennas (often called Yagis) that allows an increase in range to up to 1km or more per repeater. (NB The exact range will depend upon the gain of the chosen antenna and the nature of the signal environment. Care should be taken not to exceed the UK's maximum permitted value of transmitter power. A VP2 console firmware update may be needed to use long-range repeaters.)

Other VP2 wireless parts including the anemometer transmitter, temperature/humidity stations and leaf/soil moisture & temperature stations are all now readily available from stock.

VirtualVP

VirtualVP is a new software utility that we're pleased to be able to offer that allows up to four different programs running either on the same PC or on different networked PCs to receive weather data from the VP console. This overcomes one of the main limitations of the Weatherlink logger for users wishing to run a more sophisticated software environment. More details on our VirtualVP page.

New Weatherlink Data Logger Versions

Davis have also been busy introducing four new specialist versions of the Weatherlink data logger, in addition to the standard part. All of these are termed 'Streaming loggers' in that they can generate a simple text string of current weather data in addition to the familiar Loop and Archive Record binary formats. This feature allows a variety of extra functions to be added to the basic Weatherlink logger.

• Weatherlink for Alarm Output (6544): This is perhaps the most interesting new part for general users. It is a Weatherlink logger that has all of the standard logger features but additionally has a short lead to a connector block containing 4 pairs of contacts. These contacts can be used to control external electrical devices such as a buzzer/siren for alarm purposes but in principle any low-power external device (or a relay to control higher power items) can be controlled. The 6544 unit is supplied complete with a software utility that programs the response of a given pair of contacts to current weather conditions, eg 'If wind speed >40MPH then close contact pair 2';
• Weatherlink for Irrigation Control (6560): This is similar to the 6544 part above in principle, but is specialised to control various proprietary types of irrigation equipment;
• Weatherlink for APRS (6540): Can be connected direct to a TNC modem to allow broadcast of current weather data in the format required by the APRS ham radio system;
• Weatherlink for Emergency Response (6550): This intriguingly-named part provides an interface to a software package named CAMEO, which will possibly be familiar to emergency planners. If there is a spill or escape of a noxious chemical then the CAMEO program can compute and display on a ground map the areas likely to be affected, taking data on wind speed/direction, temperature, rainfall etc direct from the 6550 Weatherlink logger;

These new loggers are described in more detail on our Streaming Loggers page.

Note that all four of these new loggers have a serial port interface only, but remember that the standard Vantage Pro Weatherlink logger is now available with a USB interface (part 6510USB) as an alternative to the traditional RS232 serial interface (6510SER). However, we still marginally prefer the 6510SER part for maximum robustness and flexibility, unless of course you're planning to link to a PC that has USB ports but no serial ports.

Updated Firmware Pages

Our console firmware support pages have been updated to include details of the VP2 firmware and of the new 'Direct from PC' firmware updating process.

Weatherlink Software

Weatherlink v5.6.0a & Additional Software Modules

The latest version of Weatherlink for Windows is now v5.6.0a. The v5.6 release offers three significant new features: (i) The number of different profiles to control uploading of weather data to a website is increased from 3 to 8; (ii) Average wind speeds over 1, 2, 5 and 10 minute intervals are now all computed when the Summary window is left open; (iii) Support for controlling the new VP2 wireless repeaters. There are a number of other detailed refinements and bug fixes.

Weatherlink v5.6.0a may be downloaded from:

www.davisnet.com/support/weather/software.asp#vantagepro

The download is free for existing users of the v5.x software. Users of v4 Weatherlink software will need to buy an upgrade to v5.4 before being able to use v5.5 (see below). Please be sure to check the readme file that is downloaded as part the v5.5 software before using.

Weatherlink v5.6 also retains the ability to host supplementary software modules bought separately from the main Weatherlink software. These supplementary modules integrate fully into the Weatherlink menu structure to offer two main types of additional features:

The Email/Phone Alert (6512) module, which provides a comprehensive mechanism for sending alert messages by email if a weather parameter (or a combination of parameter values) passes a trigger threshold. This module can also be set to send routine updates of current weather readings to a schedule. If the email message is addressed to a good email-to-SMS gateway then you can have weather alerts delivered as text messages to any mobile or other compatible phone.

The Agricultural/Turf Management (6511) module calculates summary weather data especially relevant to crop growers. This includes flexible, user-customisable parameters such as evapotranspiration for specific crops, growing degree days and many other related agronomical parameters, calculated on a daily, monthly and annual basis.

Weatherlink v5.6 for Weather Monitor II / Wizard Stations

Not exactly 'new' news, but for any Weather Monitor II / Wizard owners who haven't heard previously, Weatherlink software releases from v5.4 onwards are now compatible with the older 7862 Weatherlink data logger. It is necessary to buy a special upgrade from the previous v4.04 version - the free downloads to upgrade previous v5 versions work only with the Vantage Pro and not older Davis stations. But once a WMII-type logger has been upgraded to release 5 software with the v5.4 physical upgrade, subsequent free v5 downloads (eg to v5.6) should work perfectly well.

Other Recent Weather Station Accessories from Davis

Daytime Fan-Aspirated Radiation Shield Kit (7745 VP1 and 7747 VP2)

This item provides the option to add a fan-assisted radiation shield to any later model Vantage Pro station. (The ISS must be of the type with the round shield elements, which was supplied in the UK commencing Summer 2003). Note specifically that the aspiration fan is powered only by a solar panel, with no stored power supply such as a battery. In other words, the fan will only be running in sunlight, while at night time the shield will revert to standard passive aspiration. But since bright sunlight is the principle condition when fan aspiration is required, this limitation should be of little practical consequence. And the simplification of using only solar power results in a significantly cheaper (£125 inc VAT) and easily fitted product.

This is an interesting introduction because it allows many users who originally specified the standard station to experience the benefits of a fan-assisted shield. Its attractive pricing also makes it ideal as a gift suggestion, or a possible add-on for anyone whose budget couldn't quite stretch to the fan-assisted shield initially.

WindScribe Ultrasonic Handheld  Anemometer (276)

A fascinating product in its own right, the WindScribe is a small standalone device that measures wind speed (and also temperature). What's especially unusual is that the WindScribe uses ultrasonic technology, with no moving parts, to provide accurate reading of wind speed, while being both very sensitive to low wind speed (0.4mph threshold) and withstanding winds up to 150mph. This is a relatively small - 5" long - device with an LCD display that can be handheld (but not recommended at 150mph!) or mounted anywhere that the display will be visible. Mount on a bike or tripod mount it for instant wind speed readings wherever you are. What's also fascinating is that the WindScribe is priced at just £79.95 inc VAT.