Personal weather station NOT to get

[ronjonp]

Continuing the discussion from Struggles with Flex- My Story:

@emil

@johnesc

I haven’t felt the need to bother you guys just yet

@johnesc, never a bother

@johnesc

Should I try shutting off the Personal Weather Station option instead? I just switched to a different one that’s about 2.5 miles away from me to see if effects anything…

Any updates on your moisture level graphs with the weather station change?

Best, Emil

Continuing the discussion from Using WUnderground.com to integrate Personal Weather Stations:

@aaronrryan

The core component of this solution is the meteobridge, which cost $20 for the hardware (DLINK DIR-505L from amazon) and the software from meteobridge.com for 59 Euros. You can check that the meteobridge will work with your weather station at:
Stations - meteobridge

Here is a summary of what I did (which only applies when using the AcuRite Internet-Bridge).

1. I bought the Acurite 5in1 with Internet Bridge from acurite.com, got that installed and updating to the internet.

2. Next, I bought the DLINK DIR-505L and flashed it with new firmware from meteobridge, Instructions and firmware can be found here: Getting Started - meteobridge

3. Now the DIR-505L is a meteobridge. The firmware will work for 14 days without needing to buy a software license.

4. Next I needed to setup the the wifi on the Meteobridge so that it is a client “WLAN mode” on my homes Wifi network. I checked the box for “LAN Bridge”" Setup Network - meteobridge

5. Once I got this working, I plugged in the Acurite internet-bridge into the ethernet port on the meteobridge. The meteobridge acts as a transparent bridge, and the acurite bridge thinks it is just on the local lan. The meteobridge “sniffs” the traffic from the acurite bridge and this is how it is able to collect the weather information and send it to a weather network of my choice. I needed to select “Acurite Internet-bridge” from the “Select Station” menu: Select Station - meteobridge

6. Next, I choose the weather station I wanted to upload too. In this case, CWOP is the network will get the data to the Rachio App. Weather Networks - meteobridge

7. I signed up for a CWOP account at:
   APRSWXNET qc data
   I am a HAM radio operator, so I’m a unique case where I can use my callsign.
   I had to email: CWOP-support@noaa.gov and request my account be activated.

8. Before you start uploading data you should update the “System” menu and put in your Latitude and Longitude and the “Select Station” menu to add your Altitude, because this data is sent to CWOP along with your weather data.

9. Once your data is uploading you will immediately see the updates at findu.com at: CWOP Search Tool

10. The next step is getting the CWOP data sent to NOAA. When I contacted CWOP-support@noaa.gov, they replied that my station ID has been added to the “Active Member” list and would show up at NOAA in a few days. You can always check the list to see if your station is on there at: http://www.wxqa.com/members.txt

11. Once you’re on the “Active Member” list you are now a part of NOAA. It took me 5 days of being on the list before Rachio app could see my station. The Active member list will also show the mapping between your “Call/CW” and “NWSID”. The NWSID is the ID you will see in the Rachio App.

I hope this helps.

-Aaron

From my recent experience … I’d advise NOT to by the Acurite 5&1 weather station as it has problems with spikes in temperature because the fan does not start. After trolling the internet for a couple of hours, many people are having this same problem. Take a look at my weather station temp vs a remote sensor in the shade!

@aaronrryan Are you seeing this problem?