Measurements of radiation levels from DoseNet network will vary over time. This variation in the natural background radiation level can result from a variety of weather-related factors. For this reason, it is useful to have weather data in close proximity to the DoseNet device location that can be correlated with measurements from the device to look for and verify weather driven variations in the radiation levels observed.
Our team has explored various weather station options and made a selection based on the price point and range of data-types provided. A test weather station has been installed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) as a model for other locations interested in provided weather data to compliment their DoseNet sensor data. Details of the installation process are provided here.
Personal Weather Station Setup Guide
- Purchase a Weather Station
- Recommended weather station ($160):
Ambient Weather WS-1400 - Package includes:
- outdoor sensor array
- indoor sensor
- receiver
- ethernet cable
- mounting poles and hardware
- three AA rechargeable batteries for the outdoor sensor
- Optional Accessories:
Mounting Solutions from Ambient Weather - Note: 2 AAA batteries (not included) required for the indoor sensor.
- Recommended weather station ($160):
- Setup Sensors
- Install the mounting poles and install the wind vane onto the shaft
- Insert batteries into both sensors: outdoor (3 AA), indoor (2 AAA)
- Note: outdoor sensor should be mounted such that
- There is full exposure to sun/wind/rain (i.e. roof)
- It is within 300 feet of the receiver, 100 feet for best results
- Note: Indoor sensor should be within 15-20 feet from the receiver
- Setup Receiver
- Connect the receiver to AC power and ethernet
- Download IP Tool from Ambient Weather
- From the same network as the receiver, run the IP Tool and click search.
- Select the device that shows up on the list and click open to go to site for this station
provided by Ambient Weather ObserverIP
- Join the Personal Weather Station Network
- Set up an account on Weather Underground
- Select More | Register Your PWS
to register your weather station - Enter the information for your station and obtain a station ID
- Enter station ID and weather underground password on the ObserverIP weather Panel
(Under “Weather Network”) - You should now have a web page dedicated to your station (see below).
Our weather station is not yet mounted at the top of our building, meaning the data is not fully complete for this station. It is, however, serving as our pilot test-station to explore how well this expansion to DoseNet works. The development of learning modules for using this data in conjunction with radiation measurements from the DoseNet radiation detection devices is ongoing.
Some of our partner locations have already installed weather stations from a different provider. Though these alternatives may have different price-points, installation procedures, and interfaces for access to data, they provide the same range of environmental data for use in analyses comparing to variations in radiation levels.
Current Weather Station Locations
- LBL test station
We look forward to bringing new weather stations into our data network!
Fig 1. Weather station installed at LBL, mounted temporarily using a basic pole mount obtained through the laboratory. Final mounting should be on the roof of the main building for best exposure and unmodified wind pattern measurements.
