Josh Assing wrote in
:

On 6 Jan 2008 13:34:46 GMT, Ken wrote:

I would like to know what the wind is locally. In Wal-Mart the only
weather station that measures wind speed is ~$75. It uses a spinning
indicator. More than I wish to spend.

It seems to me that one could estimate wind speed by having a
horizontally flat stiff weighted strip exposed to the wind. With a
protractor-type background one could determine the angle to which the
slat is lifted. If this angle is calibrated against the actual wind
speed one should be able to get a fair estimate of wind speed. As the
device turns with the wind, as it would have to, the wind direction
would be indicated as well.

Does anyone know of anyone selling such a contraption or would my idea
not work properly?

I would try this myself but I have no way to calibrate it. The local
weather reports are far too inaccurate.

TIA

Wind is rarely constant, so getting any kind of good reading off this
would be very difficult.

One could use some sort of damping but I'm afraid that would be very
difficult to get right. Too little energy from the indicator to play
with.

I considered your comment before I posted but hoped since one is reading
by eye rather than via an electrical/electronic link you could sort of
average the readings. I realize it would be far from precise but better
than guessing.


Do a google search on "home made wind speed" or something -- I did:
home made wind speed idicator
and came up with several home made units; mostly using motors and a
bit of electrical stuffs...

-josh

I had considered Google but hoped I could get a more definite steer from
someone here. Still, probably my next step. Thanks.



--
"When you choose the lesser of two evils, always
remember that it is still an evil." - Max Lerner