Campbell Scientific Aust provide guidance to choose a Weather station

Depending on their requirements such as turf management, crop control, disease prevention, the users may require carrying sensors and components to ensure that they are getting the maximum benefit from their station.

For monitoring soil moisture, a turn-key ET station is recommended, allowing the user to monitor soil moisture quickly and easily. For high-grade accuracy, the users can custom design a system to suit their chosen sensors. The flexibility of Campbell Scientific Aust data loggers coupled with their range of sensors, peripherals and services allows users to customise a weather station to suit their individual requirements.

Data Loggers:
At the centre of the weather station is a programmable data logger that measures the sensors and store data. The sensors and store data can be stored as per the choice of units (such as wind speed in m/sec and mph), as specific required outputs (such as max, min and averages) and at required intervals (on an hourly and daily basis). Choosing a data logger starts with deciding on the number and type of sensors to be measured, how much data is needed to store and how fast the measurements need to be taken. Campbell Scientific Aust flexible data loggers have channel types and programmable inputs, enabling the users to measure commercially available sensors.

Enclosures and Mounting:
UV-stabilised, fibreglass reinforced enclosures house the data logger, power supply and data retrieval peripherals, providing protection from dust, humidity, precipitation, sunlight and environmental pollution. For easy viewing in the field, data displays can be mounted into the enclosure. Tripods and towers are available to mount the weather station, depending on the needs of the users. Tripods are sturdy, mobile and easy to deploy for uneven or rocky terrains but have a lower measurement level. Towers are suitable for permanent applications as they are cemented into the ground and allow elevated measurement heights.

Sensors:
A range of high quality sensors are designed to interface directly into the custom station. The choice of sensors depends on location, accuracy requirements and budget constraints. The commonly used sensors are wind speed and direction, air/soil temperature, soil moisture, relative humidity, solar radiation, precipitation and barometric pressure. However, users can add as many sensor combinations as required. The data from these sensors can then be used in this format or inputted into various water and crop management models, giving the users more control over their irrigation and crop management.

Telemetry:
Retrieving data can be done depending on how often data retrieval is required and the location of the station. Building a custom station allows the user to select the way they want to communicate with it, either through mobile technology, radio communication, direct connection or a combination of these.