Davis Instruments Weather Club
March 2000
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Here's a quick preview of this month's contents:
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Reporting in on our first-ever Radiation Shield Roundup...Freeze-Fighting Drip Rings...and Budding Meteorologists...Enjoy!
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Davis: Radiation Shield Roundup
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Last October, we introduced our newest radiation shield -- the Fan-Aspirated Radiation Shield. Recently, we had an opportunity to compare the performance of our passive and fan-aspirated radiation shields against RM Young's models 41002 and 43408 and Qualimetrics' model 8150-A. We conducted the tests over the course of two sunny days, with maximum wind speeds of 5 mph (11 m/s).
We're proud to report that the temperatures measured in our passive Radiation Shield were consistently lower and more accurate than in RM Young's similar model 41002. Pretty impressive, given that our radiation shield lists for $65, compared to $158 for the RM Young unit.
Even more impressive was the performance of our Solar-Power Fan-Aspirated Radiation Shield. Temperatures in this unit were consistently lower than in our passive model. While we can't say that we matched the performance of the two other aspirated shields tested -- RM Young's 43408 and Qualimetrics' 8150-A -- we did come close. Temperatures in our fan-aspirated shield were just 0.6º F (0.3º C) higher than in RM Young's, and only 1.5º F (0.8º C) higher than in Qualimetrics'. And, keep this in mind: our Solar-Power Fan-Aspirated Radiation Shield costs just $250 ($175 if you choose the AC-power model). RM Young's AC-power model lists for $664, and Qualimetrics' for a whopping $1295!
We're very proud of our radiation shields' performance , and think that they, without a doubt, offer the best value for the money. For more details on the study, you can download our Study of Radiation Shield Effectiveness from the Davis vs. the Competition section of our web site, found under News at http://www.davisnet.com/news.
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Tech Tip: Freeze-Fighting Drip Rings
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As winter abates and spring emerges, many of us are subject to late season snow and freezing rain. For many weather station owners, this means their anemometers are still at risk of freezing. How do you know if you are at risk, and what can be done to discourage ice formation?
For almost two years now, drip rings have been included with our anemometers. While drip rings don't eliminate frozen anemometers, they do prevent rain and snow from collecting in the shaft and joints. If water manages to get inside, it will freeze -- but drip rings do greatly reduce the possibility.
If you live in an area subject to snow, freezing rain, or rain with freezing temperatures in the night, we recommend installing drip rings. Even if you don't experience sub-freezing temperatures, drip rings can extend the life of your anemometer simply by keeping moisture out of the sensor.
Drip rings are included in all our weather stations and come pre-mounted on wireless and EZ-mount anemometers. For all other weather stations, you should install the drip rings when you assemble the anemometer. If you have an older anemometer (more than two years old) and would like to add drip rings to it, check out http://www.davisnet.com/weather/products/weather_product.asp?pnum=07908. Click on "More Info" to take a look at the instruction manual and see exactly how the drip rings attach.
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Cool Application: Budding Meteorologists
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Each month we present a story of how our weather stations are being used. This month we'd like to introduce you to two very serious young meteorologists. One lives in Ontario, Canada, and the other on Martha's Vineyard, an island off of Massachusetts.
Jordan, 12, lives in rural Ontario. Weather information for his area was scarce, so Jordan set up his own weather office in his room -- complete with a Weather Monitor II. He takes daily readings and maintains records which he shares with local news stations. He has even had a local TV station come out to interview him and see his home weather office. Needless to say, Jordan wants to pursue a career in meteorology.
Maxwell, 16, attends Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School. His school installed an EZ-Mount Weather Monitor II to augment the science curriculum. Maxwell, along with his friend Abraham, now operates the CS (Charter School) Weather Service. They track the weather, providing daily weather reports and forecasts for their school. During storms, they act as weather spotters for their local TV stations. A few weeks ago, Maxwell got a call from a TV Station in Boston. They did a special segment on Maxwell and the weather station.
In addition to the school forecasting, Maxwell and another classmate Jim operate a website http://www.mvpcs.org/weather.html. Jim is in charge of the website design and maintenance, while Maxwell provides content. The site contains the current weather with the CS Weather Service forecast along with archived information. If you explore a little farther, you will find pictures of the weather station and the CS Weather staff!
Maxwell also told us of an upcoming project. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head has asked him to set up an Industrial Health EnviroMonitor as part of a new environmental monitoring program. The station will be located in the town of Aquinnah and will provide information via the Web to all the residents. Maxwell will be in charge of tracking conditions, making reports, and teaching local children and shellfish workers how to use the station to their benefit.
It just goes to show you that weather is fun at any age! Keep up the good work, fellows. We hope you will be our weather experts of tomorrow.
