Davis 6152 Wireless Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

[Tornado Tim]

Ok I have got a quote for a Davis 6152 Wireless Vantage Pro2 Weather Station.
it is 395.95 US $.
Should I buy???

[Tornado Tim]

I have decided to get it, it is too good a deal to pass up!
It is soo cheap... cheaper than the Davis Website.....
btw I got it from http://www.scientificsales.com
So if anyone wants to get a good quality station for a cheaper price buy it there and fast as the sale will end soon....
YAY!!!!! Finally I have got 1!!!!

[David]

I recall there may be transmitting frequency issues with US ones in NZ?? Good price though, as the Scientific Sales NZ site is selling them for $1,250

[Tornado Tim]

what issues were those?
btw do I need a data logger or can the unit just be plugged into the computer to log?

[Willoughby]

That's a very good price. You'll need the data logger, yes.

How do you plan to mount it? I'd recommend getting the mounting kit that offers it as an option.

[Tornado Tim]

what about the wireless issues????

[Kim]

The allocation of the radio spectrum differs between NZ and the US. The frequency that the station is set to operate on in the US may not comply with the NZ spectrum. E.g. the frequency that the device uses in the US might be allocated for a different use in NZ, and using it in NZ may cause interference to other devices. It's best to check with Radio Spectrum Managements website, you'll want the device to be covered by a General User Radio Licence (GURL) which allows it to operate without any need for an individual radio licence. You will probably want to look at the short range devices section. Here is the link to the GURL section of the RSM website - http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/resource-lib ... -licences/

I hope this helps

[Tornado Tim]

yea had a look at that.... it goes via vodaphone 900mhz network....
I wonder wether it will work or not?
has anyone imported 1?

[Willoughby]

TonyT has and reports no problems. The Davis agents in Frankton will do a conversion to be compliant... but at a price.

You could also buy a wired version which is cheaper and there wont be any issues here in regards to radio spectrum.

[Kim]

I'd go with what Foggy has mentioned about doing a conversion to so it's compliant. The spectrum around 900MHz is under private management rights, which essentially means Telecom and Vodafone own it with no allowances for interference. I wouldn't want to piss them off.

[Tornado Tim]

awesome thank you.

[tgsnoopy]

It's always risky importing equipment from overseas. But at a pinch, if it operates around 433 MHz it should be ok. Any other frequencies give me a PM off the public list and I'll see where you stand. These comments only apply to weather stations!

Edit:

Re 922 MHz, I assumed that the fact certain models were marketed here they would comply with NZ's 922 MHz band. In fact the NZ version has special firmware reducing the band used here.

The 922 MHz Spread Spectrum band in NZ is from 921 to 929 MHz, but the US band is 902MHz to 928 MHz. Operation of American equipment in NZ between 902 and 920 MHz will cause interference to Vodafone GSM mobiles, not something they will put up with.

Sorry if anyone has been caught out by this.

[Tornado Tim]

Placed order for The mounting kit and Data logger and the station itself.....
I hope this is the right 1....http://www.scientificsales.com/6540-Wea ... p/6540.htm
It was the only 1 that was there....
With the Base station that receives all the data, will it be fine if i just get a power connection changer for the base station to be powered on? Or does the voltage need to be changed.

[Manukau heads obs]

that should work OK (as the plug on the provided overseas one will be wrong, and it will be expecting 110volts)
the plug into the console is not standard, so you will need to use the original

[Tornado Tim]

Isnt NZ on 240 volts?
Wont that cook anything that is plugged into it becouse it expect 110 volts?
So a general power interface changer is suffice?

[Manukau heads obs]

i am meaning that it will ok to use a general power interface changer

[Tornado Tim]

ok cool thanks Brian, Will, Kim, tgsnoopy... I really appreciate the help!

[TonyT]

Yes, I have never had any problems with mine - its a very low power transmitter, struggles to get more than about 100m range line of sight, less once you have it inside some walls. I never hooked my console up to the mains, just use the batteries which seem to last about 9 months.

[Tornado Tim]

Yes, I have never had any problems with mine - its a very low power transmitter, struggles to get more than about 100m range line of sight, less once you have it inside some walls. I never hooked my console up to the mains, just use the batteries which seem to last about 9 months.

Do you think it would be safe to plug in though????
btw what batteries do they use?

[TonyT]

I cant remember what power adapter it uses, but you would either need to source a 240v version, or get a 240/110 converter to use the original. I just couldnt be bothered, hence the batteries. From memory it takes 6 C cells.

[Skywatcher]

Placed order for The mounting kit and Data logger and the station itself.....
I hope this is the right 1....http://www.scientificsales.com/6540-Wea ... p/6540.htm
It was the only 1 that was there....

I think you actually want this one ... http://www.scientificsales.com/6510USB- ... 510usb.htm unless you really plan to use it for APRS ?

A lot of power blocks these days cover a wide input voltage range e.g. 100-240V so worth checking when it arrives.

[ricky]

It looks like the 6540 one has the same functionality as the 6510 serial logger as well as the APRS generation.. But could be more expensive than the 6510 usb or serial for no real advantage...
Brian may know if there are any issues with using the 6540 like a 6510 ?

Just had a look at the plugpack on mine, it's a 5v 500ma *regulated* supply with a reasonably standard DC plug.. so shouldn't be too hard to find a 230v replacement, though I would guess that the US one could well be a universal supply as Steven sugggested

[Tornado Tim]

Yes, Brian can you tell me if 6540 will act like 6510?
btw: I thought that was the only 1..... looks like i have got 1 now with more features than i thought.
I am not sure if APRS will be any use here for the emergency services haha

[Manukau heads obs]

unless you are going to be using the streaming aprs data packets to a aprs server direct from the data logger, then its a bit overkill
I am pretty confident though that it still works like the standard data logger as well though (i.e LOOP data)

[Tornado Tim]

I got the weather station on Tuesday and the rest of the week I have been setting up the website for it.
For anyone that is thinking about buying a U.S Vantage Pro 2 buy a U.S step down transformer for the Console if you dont want to operate on batteries.
The U.S step down transformer pulls down the current from NZ 240volts 50hz and puts it into 110volts 60hz they are $30 buy now price on trademe, I wouldn't suggest going to DSE as they charge them at a whopping $119 .
Don't buy a power interface changer as most likely you will ruin your console due to the volts as the powersuply only takes 110volts thats it.
Anyway heres the website: http://web.me.com/gunnimacman/Waikato_W ... ather.html
Click on the Current Weather and Weather Live links to get all the relevant info.
Btw some info is not correct as it is not mounted outside yet.
That will happen this week coming or sunday 2 weeks away from now.
Tell me what you think of it and how I can improve it.
Cheers
Tim