Hello all! First post here.

Ok, last year my family got one of my brothers a La Crosse weather
station for around $80.00 He really enjoys it. This year we got another of
my brothers the same weather station.

Well, while picking up the weather station for my brother this year I
bought myself a ten dollar La Crosse weather gauge that has a sensor that
goes outside and tells you inside and outside temperature. I love this
little cheap thing.

So now, some time in the spring I want to get a more expensive weather
station for myself. Price from $150 to $300 to possibly $500

I want something that shows inside and outside temperature, wind speed
and direction, rain gauge, humidity, and everything else that is or is not
important. I've seen some on the La Crosse website from around $150 to
$350. Are these any good or junk? What are the good weather stations?

I live in the mid-west, so the outside equipment will have to be able to
take all types of weather - freezing cold, hot and humid, rain, icy weather,
snow, etc...

Also, I want to be able to do download the data to a computer.

Thanks!

This place has a good selection of different brands.

http://www.ambientweather.com/

I just installed the Davis Vantage Pro 2 which has everything you
requested below. But be forewarned, you have to spend extra money to
hook it up to your computer. You would have to additionally purchase the
software package that includes the serial or USB cable connection.

But check out their support forum at the above site. Lots of good
information there.





Von Fourche wrote:
Hello all! First post here.

Ok, last year my family got one of my brothers a La Crosse weather
station for around $80.00 He really enjoys it. This year we got another of
my brothers the same weather station.

Well, while picking up the weather station for my brother this year I
bought myself a ten dollar La Crosse weather gauge that has a sensor that
goes outside and tells you inside and outside temperature. I love this
little cheap thing.

So now, some time in the spring I want to get a more expensive weather
station for myself. Price from $150 to $300 to possibly $500

I want something that shows inside and outside temperature, wind speed
and direction, rain gauge, humidity, and everything else that is or is not
important. I've seen some on the La Crosse website from around $150 to
$350. Are these any good or junk? What are the good weather stations?

I live in the mid-west, so the outside equipment will have to be able to
take all types of weather - freezing cold, hot and humid, rain, icy weather,
snow, etc...

Also, I want to be able to do download the data to a computer.

Thanks!

"Jim" wrote in message
...
This place has a good selection of different brands.

http://www.ambientweather.com/

I just installed the Davis Vantage Pro 2 which has everything you
requested below. But be forewarned, you have to spend extra money to hook
it up to your computer. You would have to additionally purchase the
software package that includes the serial or USB cable connection.

But check out their support forum at the above site. Lots of good
information there.


These weather stations stand up to harsh weather like snow?

Von Fourche wrote:
Hello all! First post here.

Ok, last year my family got one of my brothers a La Crosse weather
station for around $80.00 He really enjoys it. This year we got another of
my brothers the same weather station.

Well, while picking up the weather station for my brother this year I
bought myself a ten dollar La Crosse weather gauge that has a sensor that
goes outside and tells you inside and outside temperature. I love this
little cheap thing.

So now, some time in the spring I want to get a more expensive weather
station for myself. Price from $150 to $300 to possibly $500

I want something that shows inside and outside temperature, wind speed
and direction, rain gauge, humidity, and everything else that is or is not
important. I've seen some on the La Crosse website from around $150 to
$350. Are these any good or junk? What are the good weather stations?

I live in the mid-west, so the outside equipment will have to be able to
take all types of weather - freezing cold, hot and humid, rain, icy weather,
snow, etc...

Also, I want to be able to do download the data to a computer.

Thanks!



I'm interested also. Can anyone provide any guidance on how high an
anemometer needs to be above the local obstructions in order to get a
valid wind speed reading. The ones at the forest fire stations I served
in in my youth were quite high to get them above the local trees. I can
put up a radio tower if it's needed but if I can just strap a mast to my
chimney that would be nice. I would guess that it is based on the
distance to the taller object and since my neighborhood has mature trees
of nearly eighty feet in height.

I'm going to put up an antenna for my weather radio and it will probably
be a directional model to try to improve the signal to noise ratio. I'm
also studying for my technician class amateur radio license now that I
don't have to get my telegraphy back up to five words per minute in
order to examine. I bring that up in relation to the Skywarn network.
Do any of you know what the standards are for weather equipment for
Skywarn observers.
--
Tom Horne

Well we aren't no thin blue heroes and yet we aren't no blackguards to.
We're just working men and woman most remarkable like you.

Thomas D. Horne, FF EMT wrote:
Von Fourche wrote:

Ok, last year my family got one of my brothers a La Crosse weather
station for around $80.00 He really enjoys it. This year we got another of
my brothers the same weather station.

Well, while picking up the weather station for my brother this year I
bought myself a ten dollar La Crosse weather gauge that has a sensor that
goes outside and tells you inside and outside temperature. I love this
little cheap thing.

So now, some time in the spring I want to get a more expensive weather
station for myself. Price from $150 to $300 to possibly $500

I want something that shows inside and outside temperature, wind speed
and direction, rain gauge, humidity, and everything else that is or is not
important. I've seen some on the La Crosse website from around $150 to
$350. Are these any good or junk? What are the good weather stations?

I live in the mid-west, so the outside equipment will have to be able to
take all types of weather - freezing cold, hot and humid, rain, icy weather,
snow, etc...

Also, I want to be able to do download the data to a computer.

I'm interested also. Can anyone provide any guidance on how high an
anemometer needs to be above the local obstructions in order to get a
valid wind speed reading. The ones at the forest fire stations I served
in in my youth were quite high to get them above the local trees. I can
put up a radio tower if it's needed but if I can just strap a mast to my
chimney that would be nice. I would guess that it is based on the
distance to the taller object and since my neighborhood has mature trees
of nearly eighty feet in height.

I'm going to put up an antenna for my weather radio and it will probably
be a directional model to try to improve the signal to noise ratio. I'm
also studying for my technician class amateur radio license now that I
don't have to get my telegraphy back up to five words per minute in
order to examine. I bring that up in relation to the Skywarn network.
Do any of you know what the standards are for weather equipment for
Skywarn observers.


Here you go:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/booty.w.../FAQ/6E.htm#6E

6E. Sources for advice on setting up a weather station:

In addition to the hints, tips & general advice in the earlier parts of
this section (above), many of the manufacturers in Section 7A will
supply advice on the installation of equipment.

For some basic ideas of how to start-up, see the following sites (I
haven't given the full urls because they keep changing and it is
difficult to remain up-to-date with same):

The Met Office: (follow links for the Education Section .. some very
useful ideas for the hobbyist, and also advice if you want to make
observations to climatological standards.)

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

and direct to the section relating on advice on weather recording,
reporting etc.,
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/bookshel...ons/index.html

The Royal Meteorological Society: (follow links for Publications: the
Society encourage meteorology at all levels and publish some leaflets
on weather observing which can be obtained either free, or for a small
sum.)

http://www.royal-met-soc.org.uk/

[ and don't forget that other national meteorological societies will
have similar information.]

The BBC Weather Centre (follow links for 'Weatherwise' .. or use the
Search engine; a useful site to help the beginner in all aspects of
observing and understanding the weather.)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/

Don't forget though:

Throwing a large amount of money at the subject won't improve your
understanding.

Read up on the basics, use your senses to observe the changing
'sky-scape', note the weather (rain, hail, snow etc.), and just get
used to deciding from which direction the wind is coming.

For all of this, you don't need fancy equipment - that can be built up
later. Even then, start in a small way if your budget is limited:

Some thermometers and rain-gauges from garden centres are quite good,
and many department stores and catalogue shops sell 'all-in-one' desk
weather stations which can stimulate interest.

Other suppliers are listed in Section 7A.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/booty.w.../uswFAQtop.htm

Von Fourche wrote:
"Jim" wrote in message
...

This place has a good selection of different brands.

http://www.ambientweather.com/

I just installed the Davis Vantage Pro 2 which has everything you
requested below. But be forewarned, you have to spend extra money to hook
it up to your computer. You would have to additionally purchase the
software package that includes the serial or USB cable connection.

But check out their support forum at the above site. Lots of good
information there.



These weather stations stand up to harsh weather like snow?



I didn't do a lot of research in that area as I live in a snow free
climate but I'm pretty sure they will. They sell an optional heater for
the rain gage in order to melt snow to convert it to precipitation.
Here is a link off of the Davis site. It lists various private weather
stations around the county. You can see if any are in your area and
maybe ask the people running them.
http://www.davisnet.com/weather/cool/world_US.asp

Happy New Year!

"Von Fourche" wrote in
nk.net:

I want something that shows inside and outside temperature, wind
speed
and direction, rain gauge, humidity, and everything else that is or
is not important. I've seen some on the La Crosse website from
around $150 to $350. Are these any good or junk? What are the good
weather stations?

[...]

Also, I want to be able to do download the data to a computer.

I am not sure about the Lacrosse units and connection to a computer, but I
own a Lacrosse hand-held anemometer and one of the less expensive
thermometers with indoor/outdoor wireless sensor.

I find the product quality to be excellent and I've had nothing but
professional, fast service when dealing with the company itself.

I _do_ know that the Davis Instrument company in California makes a few
weather stations in the $275-500 range that are made to interface with a
computer.

Plus, with Davis they include a free personal weather radar program
("Storm Predator") with a few of the more pricey units.

I have a Davis inside only console that came with an advertisement for
Storm Predator. I tried the 15 day free trial (the program wasn't included
with this less expensive unit) and liked it so I bought it. Very cool.

Quality of Davis seems fine although I haven't had as much exposure to
their products as I have with Lacrosse. But I've had no problem with the
unit so far...

Something else you may want to consider or have already discovered, is the
'wireless' option. Yes this will add to the price of the unit, but much can
be said as far as ease in installation and setup. Not to mention future
moves are easier.

I've been using a Rainwise station since 1999 and I'm very pleased.
Rainwise is made in the USA and when you call to speak to a person for any
help, you actually get a real person. E-mail support is also available.
Their stations also support several software packages for data upload to the
Internet.

You can see my station in action he
Virginia Beach Backyard Weather
http://members.cox.net/jbecker31

Good Luck



Jim Becker



"Von Fourche" wrote in message
nk.net...

Hello all! First post here.

Ok, last year my family got one of my brothers a La Crosse weather
station for around $80.00 He really enjoys it. This year we got another
of my brothers the same weather station.

Well, while picking up the weather station for my brother this year I
bought myself a ten dollar La Crosse weather gauge that has a sensor that
goes outside and tells you inside and outside temperature. I love this
little cheap thing.

So now, some time in the spring I want to get a more expensive weather
station for myself. Price from $150 to $300 to possibly $500

I want something that shows inside and outside temperature, wind speed
and direction, rain gauge, humidity, and everything else that is or is not
important. I've seen some on the La Crosse website from around $150 to
$350. Are these any good or junk? What are the good weather stations?

I live in the mid-west, so the outside equipment will have to be able
to take all types of weather - freezing cold, hot and humid, rain, icy
weather, snow, etc...

Also, I want to be able to do download the data to a computer.

Thanks!

"Thomas D. Horne, FF EMT" wrote in
ink.net:

[...]

I bring that up in relation to
the Skywarn network. Do any of you know what the standards are for
weather equipment for Skywarn observers.

Try this site: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/stormspotting/ there is a
downloadable PDF format guide, also.

Jim Becker wrote:
Something else you may want to consider or have already discovered, is the
'wireless' option. Yes this will add to the price of the unit, but much can
be said as far as ease in installation and setup. Not to mention future
moves are easier.

I've been using a Rainwise station since 1999 and I'm very pleased.
Rainwise is made in the USA and when you call to speak to a person for any
help, you actually get a real person. E-mail support is also available.
Their stations also support several software packages for data upload to the
Internet.

You can see my station in action he
Virginia Beach Backyard Weather
http://members.cox.net/jbecker31

Good Luck



Jim Becker
I have a Davis Vantage Pro II wired and the Weather Display software. There is a learning curve that you would need to acquire with the WD software but they have a excellent support news group. I have my site on line at www.lakeveraweather.com which will give you an idea of what you can get.

If you get the Davis station get it with the serial connection to your
computer rather than the USB option. There were some issues with the
UBS set up but that may have been resolved by now.


"Von Fourche" wrote in message
nk.net...

Hello all! First post here.

Ok, last year my family got one of my brothers a La Crosse weather
station for around $80.00 He really enjoys it. This year we got another
of my brothers the same weather station.

Well, while picking up the weather station for my brother this year I
bought myself a ten dollar La Crosse weather gauge that has a sensor that
goes outside and tells you inside and outside temperature. I love this
little cheap thing.

So now, some time in the spring I want to get a more expensive weather
station for myself. Price from $150 to $300 to possibly $500

I want something that shows inside and outside temperature, wind speed
and direction, rain gauge, humidity, and everything else that is or is not
important. I've seen some on the La Crosse website from around $150 to
$350. Are these any good or junk? What are the good weather stations?

I live in the mid-west, so the outside equipment will have to be able
to take all types of weather - freezing cold, hot and humid, rain, icy
weather, snow, etc...

Also, I want to be able to do download the data to a computer.

Thanks!