Weather Monitoring - weather station and weather satellite
I have recently taken an interest in weather observation.
This fits in well with amateur radio as data from a weather station can be
fed into the global APRS tracking system which I have been doing for some time now.
Cumulus weather software automatically uploads the data to DigitalHam - display weather
The other radio related aspect is receiving weather satellite
pictures. I've made a start on this for the NOAA satellites on 137MHz.
Pictured above is the temporary crossed dipole and reflector turnstile
antenna I quickly bodged together to get working. It is mounted on the pole
which carries my dual band 2m 70cm colinear. The colinear temporarily
served as a second antenna for the satellite receiver where it worked well
at the start and end of satellite passes - it seemed to receive low elevation signals
better than the turnstile. I added the reflectors to the turnstile later and I was pretty
sure I'd cut them too short.
The current satellite receiving antennas are pictured on the left (a QHA and a turnstile).
To the right is the Watson W-8681 weather station which is reviewed in the equipment section.
Details on my satellite receiving equipment and the replacement antenna construction
are now on the site.
73's de G6KIZ
As long as there are tests there will be prayer in public schools.