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Weather Related Organizations => WeatherUnderground => Topic started by: alexstaar on August 11, 2016, 07:03:08 PM

Title: Goldstar Stations
Post by: alexstaar on August 11, 2016, 07:03:08 PM
Just checked out one of my stations on WU and noticed a little gold star/medal next to the station name...

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

When you hover over the medal, it says:
"About Goldstar Stations:
This is a high-quality weather station that has passed our quality control process for 5 consecutive days."

Wonder what their QC process involves or what the criteria is... Just thought that was an interesting new feature that should be mentioned! Station link here: https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KSCSIMPS8#history

Something else weird is that my station in Huntsville, AL isn't showing this yet, nor are any other stations around that I would consider "Goldstar Stations" per WU's description... Maybe it's only a new feature in certain areas? Who knows... Station link here: https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KALHUNTS54#history
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 11, 2016, 07:39:35 PM
Interesting, I tried searching for some more info and didnt find anything either.

One thing though striked me, this is what i found in the Help section:

Quote
...we perform several quality control (QC) checks on incoming weather data observations to make sure we show accurate data on the site.
If your station fails QC, your data will still be saved in our databases but it will not be shown in the normal places on the site such as city pages and the WunderMap.

How can they then explain that not long ago we discussed this in a different thread, where a station showed a dew point of several thousand degrees and I was suggesting exactly this - that it is very simple to filter this out, yet they havent done it.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 11, 2016, 07:49:53 PM
Interesting, I tried searching for some more info and didnt find anything either.

One thing though striked me, this is what i found in the Help section:

Quote
...we perform several quality control (QC) checks on incoming weather data observations to make sure we show accurate data on the site.
If your station fails QC, your data will still be saved in our databases but it will not be shown in the normal places on the site such as city pages and the WunderMap.

How can they then explain that not long ago we discussed this in a different thread, where a station showed a dew point of several thousand degrees and I was suggesting exactly this - that it is very simple to filter this out, yet they havent done it.
Ha, I'd forgotten about the dew temp which was comparable to the surface of the sun, as it was mine! Guess what? I'm a "Gold Star" too! I feel like I'm back in first grade! UU
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 11, 2016, 08:13:55 PM
I just checked and my main station the Ambient Weather 1001 did not get any stars  :cry: but my BloomSky and Ambient WS-0900 both did! :mrgreen:

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 11, 2016, 08:40:33 PM
I just checked and my main station the Ambient Weather 1001 did not get any stars  :cry: but my BloomSky and Ambient WS-0900 both did! :mrgreen:

Yeah,  looks like your dew point is below the temperature of the Sun ..  "gold star"  don't you get the point?

Lol

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 11, 2016, 09:18:01 PM
I just checked and my main station the Ambient Weather 1001 did not get any stars  :cry: but my BloomSky and Ambient WS-0900 both did! :mrgreen:

Yeah,  looks like your dew point is below the temperature of the Sun ..  "gold star"  don't you get the point?

Lol

Yup, if the Bloomsky gets 5 stars then something strange going on.... LOL
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: kg4ooz on August 11, 2016, 10:41:14 PM
My station shows as a gold star, but another local station which regularly reports temps almost 10 degrees too high also is rated gold star.  Makes me wonder how they do quality control to rate the stations.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: txweather.org on August 11, 2016, 10:43:47 PM
Yup. Mine got one too.
Apparently something to do with QC :)
Cool.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: alexstaar on August 11, 2016, 10:45:34 PM
Just strange how my Vantage Vue got a Gold Star, but my VP2 with 24-hour FARS WITH the SHT31 sensor didn't... Weird.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 11, 2016, 10:55:35 PM
Just strange how my Vantage Vue got a Gold Star, but my VP2 with 24-hour FARS WITH the SHT31 sensor didn't... Weird.
No it's not.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: alexstaar on August 11, 2016, 11:00:48 PM
Why's that?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 11, 2016, 11:25:37 PM
I currently have 3 stations reporting to wunderground.  Two are gold-star, one is not.

The one that is not gold-star has had a couple of brief outages in the last 5 days.

I'm guessing the consistency of your reporting interval is a big factor.

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 11, 2016, 11:53:31 PM
Why's that?
Because QC in the PWS world is a complete crap shoot. What makes you think they know your PWS's better than you do?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 12, 2016, 12:02:50 AM
Can't say their gold star means much. My BloomSky station has one and it shows 4-5 degrees over my Davis Vue (which in itself is 1-2 degree high) during the day.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: alexstaar on August 12, 2016, 02:52:57 AM
Can't say their gold star means much. My BloomSky station has one and it shows 4-5 degrees over my Davis Vue (which in itself is 1-2 degree high) during the day.

Yes, I agree.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: alexstaar on August 12, 2016, 03:02:03 AM
Why's that?
Because QC in the PWS world is a complete crap shoot. What makes you think they know your PWS's better than you do?

Well that's why I was wondering what their criteria is for classifying a station as "Goldstar"... It's obviously not simply a station that passes the normal QC that is always occurring automatically (not saying they have a good way of QCing automatically either...). Perhaps only time will tell.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 12, 2016, 05:37:55 AM
And as I mentioned previously, what they say in the Help section about hiding non-sense values (which is very simple to do technically) is not true. They often show that nonsense, and it is not just absolutely crazy values like dewpoint of 1200°C, but also spikes, the SW should be able to detect that I cannot have a temperature of 25°C and in the next minute -10, even though both numbers are theoretically ok.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: ocala on August 12, 2016, 05:43:05 AM
My guess is that they are are using NWS and airport stations as the starting point.
Again a guess, if you stray too far either way you get demoted but if you are in their parameters you get a star.
Really there is no other way to QC the data.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on August 12, 2016, 06:22:58 AM
No gold star for me. :roll:

As Flo said, sprinkles are for winners.....  :lol:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: miraculon on August 12, 2016, 08:19:29 AM
I got one too. I feel so special....

 :roll:

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K59xjsbA7rM/TAxe_rnRQgI/AAAAAAAADx4/HzbaDbRJiOg/s1600/star7.jpg)

Greg H.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Mapantz on August 12, 2016, 04:35:11 PM
I checked mine after reading this thread, and had a gold star. Five minutes later, it was gone. Another five minutes after that, it was back again. I decided to check again after another five minutes, and it was gone again. It's just a gimmick, it's exactly like the Met Office' WoW star rating that was implemented a month or so ago.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Evening thunder on August 12, 2016, 08:17:54 PM
I've come to the conclusion that WU's quality control is a bit rubbish.

My station not infrequently gets removed from the map (VP2 with SHT31 sensor), because my valley location means we can be a few degrees colder at night, indeed the other night it was removed when a nearby station only one degree C warmer was still showing.

Yet at the same time, various stations reading several degrees high by day or night, such as slow responding/poorly sited Netatmos, stay on the map.

A station in the next county (Cornwall) hasn't reached 10C in 5 days.. yet it is gold star rating! Our summer may be
bad sometimes but not that bad! it's been reaching the low 20's around that site.
This is about the warmest it's been (oddly at night) with about the smallest difference:
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Also they apparently remove 'inaccurate' stations from the map, yet a 36C and -46C station is allowed?  :-P

(as I write this Wundermap starts being strange, and changes to Farenheight and the settings section to change it back is blank, but that is probably more familiar for many on here anyway and you get the idea)
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Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jasiu on August 12, 2016, 08:23:49 PM
I found it rather odd that they decided to use the term Goldstar as, at least in the US, many people associate that term with the families of fallen military members.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 12, 2016, 08:26:12 PM
I've come to the conclusion that WU's quality control is a bit rubbish.

My station not infrequently gets removed from the map (VP2 with SHT31 sensor), because my valley location means we can be a few degrees colder at night, indeed the other night it was removed when a nearby station only one degree C warmer was still showing.

Yet at the same time, various stations reading several degrees high by day or night, such as slow responding/poorly sited Netatmos, stay on the map.

A station in the next county (Cornwall) hasn't reached 10C in 5 days.. yet it is gold star rating! Our summer may be
bad sometimes but not that bad! it's been reaching the low 20's around that site.
This is about the warmest it's been (oddly at night) with about the smallest difference:
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Also they apparently remove 'inaccurate' stations from the map, yet a 36C and -46C station is allowed?  :-P

(as I write this Wundermap starts being strange, and changes to Farenheight and the settings section to change it back is blank, but that is probably more familiar for many on here anyway and you get the idea)
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Yes, exactly, I mentioned this before in a different thread a while ago.

The problem is that they base accuracy on nearby stations so since many more are likely to have NetAtmo than Davis, you can guess which one will be interpreted as inaccurate if all the other ones show the same nonsense... and with regards to filtering out nonsense.... no comments (not long ago one guy here had a dew point of 1200 degrees.... and WU showed it as absolutely normal value...)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 12, 2016, 08:31:09 PM
I found it rather odd that they decided to use the term Goldstar as, at least in the US, many people associate that term with the families of fallen military members.

That usage is not as popular as you think.  Until "gold star families" popped up in the news recently, most non-military have never heard it used that way.

The most popular usage is in the grading of school work.

Look it up "gold star" in urban dictionary for another surprise.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 12, 2016, 08:33:08 PM
I found it rather odd that they decided to use the term Goldstar as, at least in the US, many people associate that term with the families of fallen military members.
My dad had a blue star in his window while I served. The use of a "gold star" is not offensive to me in particular, but others may disagree, I don't know.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 13, 2016, 10:58:52 AM
Now my Bloomsky (which is currently reading 3 deg. high) has a goldstar and my Vue station doesn't. What a joke.

Maybe those that pay Wu a fee are the real "goldstar" stations? :)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 13, 2016, 11:16:58 AM
Now my Bloomsky (which is currently reading 3 deg. high) has a goldstar and my Vue station doesn't. What a joke.

Maybe those that pay Wu a fee are the real "goldstar" stations? :)

Maybe they got it backwards, its the stations that have Goldstars are actually Flagged for bad data... hahah sorry couldn't resist.....

All the bloomsky's in my area have gold stars too.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Maumelle Weather on August 13, 2016, 11:34:55 AM
Interesting.  My Davis has a Gold star, but my Bloomsky doesn't. Evidently their QC is about on par with Gladstone/CWOP. It's like flip-a-coin on a daily basis as to what is in "spec", and what isn't, which is why I don't have much faith in either. The nearest weather station to me is 8 miles away. The nearest METARs are 20 and 33 miles away, respectively.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SteveFitz1 on August 13, 2016, 01:26:31 PM
From what I can tell, the Gold Star indicates the station you're viewing is one of your Favorites. You can make a station a Favorite by clicking on the "gray" star next to the city name, or you can "un-Favorite" it by clicking on the Gold Star and it will turn gray.

Steve
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 13, 2016, 01:28:27 PM
No I dont think so, it is not the case for me and even when you hover over the icon it tells you it is based on data quality check
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SteveFitz1 on August 13, 2016, 01:33:26 PM
Jachym,

When I hover over the star next to the name, nothing comes indicating quality check. When I click on the gray star, it turns cold and the location is added to the WU Favorites bar immediately. If I click on the gold star, it turns gray and the location is immediately removed from the WU Favorites bar.

Steve
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 13, 2016, 01:36:03 PM
I think you are looking at a different thing
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SteveFitz1 on August 13, 2016, 01:52:45 PM
I'm on the Forecast page...
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Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 13, 2016, 02:09:50 PM
Yes, so this is the "favorite icon", this station you are looking at does not have the new "gold star" - see the image I posted to see where it would appear.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nixxon on August 13, 2016, 03:33:20 PM
I registered at wunderground August 3.
Yesterday, 9 days later, August 12, I started uploading data from my Vantage Vue WS.
Due to an error, my Vantage Vue reports wind speed = 0 and heading 0 (or 360) degrees, no matter if it is windy or not.
Today I noticed that my station, IBRUM59, has passed a 5 day quality test and has received the Goldstar rating  ;)

I suspect that my rating is a result of my station being a decent make/model and that there are no other (decent) weatherstations nearby.

EDIT: 1 hour after I wrote the above, my weather station is no longer goldstar rated. Go figure ;)
EDIT 2: Actually my station still is Goldstar rated. It is however only visible when I go to My Profile --> My Weather Stations
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 13, 2016, 04:18:56 PM
Pretty typical of my readings, the "Gold Star" Bloomsky showing 3 deg. higher than the Vue. The higher temp readings on the Bloomsky is not site related. I've tried it 4 different locations and now it's on a pole 3 ft. above grass in an open area.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SufferinSuccotash on August 14, 2016, 12:06:45 PM
I wonder if this "GoldStar" designation is a way to "reward" sites that are PERCEIVED to be more accurate by WU.   My date for renewal has been extended to a date a year hence from a few days before this GoldStar status was implemented.  Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SufferinSuccotash on August 14, 2016, 12:12:56 PM
Anyway... I think that the "quality" control is questionable.  What exactly are they measuring and against what?
Yesterday a huge storm came through and knocked out power for 6 hours.. my UPS kept things going for 2.5 hours but then gave up the ghost.  I'm still gold star status?  I wonder how often do they run the algorithm?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 14, 2016, 12:17:19 PM
and... shouldnt they data quality check all the stations?!

if they think some station is not accurate, then whats the point of showing it (though of course I am not saying to hide data from stations currently not rated with the goldstar, because obviously this data quality check is totally inaccurate)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 14, 2016, 12:18:47 PM
I currently have 3 stations reporting to wunderground.  Two are gold-star, one is not.

The one that is not gold-star has had a couple of brief outages in the last 5 days.

I'm guessing the consistency of your reporting interval is a big factor.

I think you may be right.  I did have a slight network outage the other night and my station #1 didn't show up with 5 Gold Stars until today.

Station #1 passes CWOP but I have doubts the BloomSky could, so is this just a gimmick?     

Update: WU switched the Bloomsky barometer readings from ABS which matched all in the area back to the default, which is way high.

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 14, 2016, 12:35:47 PM
I will be able to confirm this on Tuesday.

I have relatively inaccurate data, I mentioned this before, I am aware of it and my station is only mostly for testing and I dont look at the temperature when it is sunny outside. The station is not well sited and when it is hot and sunny, it shows much higher temps than reality (so they already cut me off CWOP).

On the other hand, I tend to have no gaps, but, just 3 days ago the batteries drained so I had to change them and the station was offline for 2 hours, so now there is a gap, but lets see what happens once 5 days elapses since that incident, I havent had any gaps since then.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 14, 2016, 03:00:38 PM
I don't think it has to do with consistency of your reporting interval. I looked at the past week history of my now "non goldstar" Davis Vue and there are no breaks in the data.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 14, 2016, 03:08:14 PM
Back off folks, I'm sure the QC is done with a NIST traceable dart board.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: NYJason on August 14, 2016, 06:03:11 PM
No Goldstar for me.  I consistently get two thumbs up from MADIS, WU must use a "Unique formula".  Here is a nearby station that is Goldstar.  (with a wind reading that rarely leaves zero and amazingly got none of the .41" of rain I received today.  Quality!)

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KNYOWEGO8 (https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KNYOWEGO8)

I tried posting a screen capture, but the forum software decided I shouldn't.  oh well.

Edit:  the screen cap did work, strange.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 14, 2016, 06:09:02 PM
<?php

 $randomNum = rand(0,1);
 
 if($randomNum==0){
    $goldstar = false;
 }
 else{
    $goldstar = true;
 }

?>
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WA4TM on August 14, 2016, 06:14:30 PM
I think they are passing out gold stars in hopes no one will notice the crappy new wundermaps!!!   Well, it didn't work here!!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: daman on August 14, 2016, 06:28:24 PM
I just got mine today, wow :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on August 14, 2016, 06:42:52 PM
My home ISP will ensure that I never see a gold star.  Besides, sprinkles are for winners.....  :lol:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAw2TXsgBbY[/youtube]
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: chief-david on August 14, 2016, 06:51:52 PM
I have one.  Whoopie. Is this graded on a scale of A-F 0-8, 0-6, 0-4?

As you can get I am getting in school mode. Yuck.  I have 4 days of inservice next week. Two days the next week, and 4 days the last of August. Then school.

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Evening thunder on August 15, 2016, 05:47:29 AM
I've come to the conclusion that WU's quality control is a bit rubbish.

My station not infrequently gets removed from the map (VP2 with SHT31 sensor), because my valley location means we can be a few degrees colder at night, indeed the other night it was removed when a nearby station only one degree C warmer was still showing.

Yet at the same time, various stations reading several degrees high by day or night, such as slow responding/poorly sited Netatmos, stay on the map.

A station in the next county (Cornwall) hasn't reached 10C in 5 days.. yet it is gold star rating! Our summer may be
bad sometimes but not that bad! it's been reaching the low 20's around that site.
This is about the warmest it's been (oddly at night) with about the smallest difference:
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Also they apparently remove 'inaccurate' stations from the map, yet a 36C and -46C station is allowed?  :-P

(as I write this Wundermap starts being strange, and changes to Farenheight and the settings section to change it back is blank, but that is probably more familiar for many on here anyway and you get the idea)
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Yes, exactly, I mentioned this before in a different thread a while ago.

The problem is that they base accuracy on nearby stations so since many more are likely to have NetAtmo than Davis, you can guess which one will be interpreted as inaccurate if all the other ones show the same nonsense... and with regards to filtering out nonsense.... no comments (not long ago one guy here had a dew point of 1200 degrees.... and WU showed it as absolutely normal value...)

Indeed it's that issue with me, combined with topography and nearby coastline giving microclimate effects (not that that's unusual around the world).

Just another illustration of how poor the QC is from a couple days ago.. both the 10C and 28C (50 and 83F) stations were and still are 'gold star'  ](*,)
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]


Then there's this station that only had 3 days data (so not sure how it could have passed their QC for 5 consecutive days  :? ), with flat lining temperature at times (as well as a sudden pressure change of 10mb), and it even says in the status "In testing: Wind speed may be dodgy!"
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
but, it is still 'goldstar'  =D&gt;

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 15, 2016, 07:37:08 AM
I have one.  Whoopie. Is this graded on a scale of A-F 0-8, 0-6, 0-4?

As you can get I am getting in school mode. Yuck.  I have 4 days of inservice next week. Two days the next week, and 4 days the last of August. Then school.

You should come to FL. They started school last week!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: tbrasel on August 15, 2016, 09:23:10 AM
I have one.  Whoopie. Is this graded on a scale of A-F 0-8, 0-6, 0-4?

As you can get I am getting in school mode. Yuck.  I have 4 days of inservice next week. Two days the next week, and 4 days the last of August. Then school.

You should come to FL. They started school last week!

And northwest Arkansas schools opened today & I agree, Whoopie...
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: chief-david on August 15, 2016, 04:34:16 PM
off topic here: We do not start school becuase the state fair goes until Labor Day and resort owners want cheap labor as long as possible-through the Labor Day weekend. They are afraid that if school starts before LD-no one will rent space over the weekend.

Nothing like the tourist industry regulating when school starts.  Some rural schools have started to  apply for early starts.  Metro schools will not.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: miraculon on August 15, 2016, 05:09:18 PM
I just checked a neighboring station. This station (KMIROGER5) has a dead wind bird and a non-functional rain gauge. The data uploads are kind of sketchy too. Maybe what does still work is "high quality".

"Gold Star" Ha!

Greg H.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 15, 2016, 06:55:09 PM
I just checked a neighboring station. This station (KMIROGER5) has a dead wind bird and a non-functional rain gauge. The data uploads are kind of sketchy too. Maybe what does still work is "high quality".

"Gold Star" Ha!

Greg H.

I'm guessing that is a Bloomsky station. No wind or rain but it does have UV.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: miraculon on August 15, 2016, 07:29:52 PM
I just checked a neighboring station. This station (KMIROGER5) has a dead wind bird and a non-functional rain gauge. The data uploads are kind of sketchy too. Maybe what does still work is "high quality".

"Gold Star" Ha!

Greg H.

I'm guessing that is a Bloomsky station. No wind or rain but it does have UV.

There is a NetAtmo at KMIROGER8, but I think that KMIROGER5 is an older set. It definitely has a wind vane and anemometer. It used to work, but appears to have failed. It's not a Davis, Acu-Rite, Bloomsky or any of the newer "swoopy-looking" Wx stations.  :grin:

Greg H.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 15, 2016, 11:23:52 PM
Some slides from a wunderground presentation.

https://ams.confex.com/ams/GroundUp/recordingredirect.cgi/id/33229

"Gold Star" is mentioned a couple of times, but it still leaves you wanting.

Maybe this will help someone find more useful information.

Title: Goldstar Stations - mystery "solved"
Post by: Jáchym on August 16, 2016, 05:22:59 AM
OK guys, mystery solved....

So, as I mentioned at the beginning of this thread 2 days ago, my station is very badly sited and in addition it is a very cheap, poor quality model. I am well aware of this, not much I can do about it and I use it primarily for testing purposes for my template.

The data is actually quite accurate at night and in the winter and overcast weather - however - as soon as the Sun shines on it, the temperature goes crazy, very often over 5 or even more degrees C above what it should be.

In the last few days, we had exactly weather like this - my station was showing way too high temperature during the day, definitely not accurate, same goes for humidity.

On the other hand, I do have relatively very stable connection and almost 0 gaps. However, just this Friday the batteries completely drained, this happens about once a year. Before I got access to the station to change it, it was offline for 3 hours.

Just this Saturday they introduced this goldstar feature and I mentioned this and said - lets wait till Tuesday... my station was NOT a goldstar station. Since then, my station has been measuring inaccurate temperature every day. And, today... after 5 days since that incident, I curiously looked at WU. You can see the result below...

(http://i67.tinypic.com/fllv85.png)

Conclusion: Data Quality, as WU sees it, means "station that reports consistently with no gaps in data, regardless of "what" it actually reports". If you have very good quality data and not that good connection (ie. occasional gaps), your station will not be viewed by WU as "good quality". If you buy a station for 10 bucks, have temperature going crazy as soon as the Sun shines on it, have inconsistent wind values etc etc... but good connection and no gaps in data, based on WU, your station is of good quality....

Make your own opinion about "quality of WU", I personally do not award it a "goldstar"
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: floodcaster on August 16, 2016, 06:57:47 AM
I'm not so sure about that Jachym. I haven't missed any uploads (that I can tell) in a long time and I'm a fanatic about proper siting and in making sure I'm providing the best possible data to those entities that I provide my data to, but have yet to receive that coveted Gold Star.  ;) I have noticed in the past during evenings with strong radiational cooling that my FARS will cool things down much quicker than surrounding non-FARS stations and my site drops off the map temporarily. But with our recent stretch of days with higher RH, that has not been an issue. Certainly not going to lose any sleep over it. :lol:

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 16, 2016, 07:06:11 AM
My station received the gold star exactly down to an hour after 5 days elapsed since the gap.... and I just checked, there were times during the day when my station was 8°C above the nearby METAR pro-station !
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 16, 2016, 07:49:28 AM
I don't believe that is it either. My Davis station has no missed any data in well over a week and it lost it's Goldstar while the Bloomsky has one.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 16, 2016, 08:10:51 AM
Strange, but look, I highlighted the gap and when I first noticed the star

(http://i66.tinypic.com/14m40mh.png)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: PaulMy on August 16, 2016, 09:49:48 AM
 \:D/ my IONTARIO226 (Davis) has a Gold star, hurray!
 :( my Bloomsky IONTARIO1189 does not, not even Silver or Bronze. Depressed!

The Davis/Cumulus is RapidFire, whereas the Bloomsky is now mostly updated at WU about every half hour and there has been gaps (received several notices a few days ago while we were away that it had stopped updating, and then a follow up that it had restarted to send data).

Paul
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Cutty Sark Sailor on August 16, 2016, 10:50:51 AM
Well, if nothing else, sure is generating traffic for WU... :roll:

(http://frankfortweather.us/WUF/WUF102x33.png) (http://frankfortweather.us/wxabout.php)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 16, 2016, 10:52:47 AM
Well, if nothing else, sure is generating traffic for WU... :roll:

(http://frankfortweather.us/WUF/WUF102x33.png) (http://frankfortweather.us/wxabout.php)

We all know you love the WU :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Daali on August 16, 2016, 12:05:07 PM
My bloomsky just got the star, while the 1400IP did not.  The bloomsky is so out of whack with temps, pressure, and UV. 

Ambient Weather 1400IP https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KGAJEFFE12 (https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KGAJEFFE12)
BloomSky https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KGAJEFFE13 (https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KGAJEFFE13)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 16, 2016, 02:54:31 PM
\:D/ my IONTARIO226 (Davis) has a Gold star, hurray!
:( my Bloomsky IONTARIO1189 does not, not even Silver or Bronze. Depressed!


Thank you Paul for the LOL !!! 

As we all figured out by now the Goldstar just means your station has been online for 5 days.  It has NOTHING to do with Accurate measurements at this time.  Whether they actually fix or tweak this along with the other issues mentioned regarding Wundermap time will tell. 

I'm just disappointed, like many others the way they are rolling out the new changes....
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 16, 2016, 03:24:09 PM
QC will never be viable until PWS's are individually scrutinized, and that's not happening. Gladestone is light years ahead of WU, and they don't get it right either. Be your own QC.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 16, 2016, 05:10:04 PM
\:D/ my IONTARIO226 (Davis) has a Gold star, hurray!
:( my Bloomsky IONTARIO1189 does not, not even Silver or Bronze. Depressed!

As we all figured out by now the Goldstar just means your station has been online for 5 days. 

It doesn't even mean that. Mine has been up for weeks with no gaps in reporting and it lost it's goldstar. Here are my graphs for the last 7 days.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 16, 2016, 05:56:52 PM
OK, maybe it was just coincidence then.... in which case I take back what I said about gaps in data and I return back to my original post about the "rand()" function in PHP :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Evening thunder on August 16, 2016, 07:36:24 PM
Yeah, don't think it just means it's been online for 5 days, further up I posted an example of a station (with flat-lining temp at times) that had only been reporting for 3 days but was goldstar.

Mine was temporarily offline just over 5 days ago but has all the data through 'catchup', so I guess I'll see if anything happens soon, nothing yet.

Another example I posted before has been even more ridiculous today.. almost 20C/36F lower than all other stations yet still goldstar, however a few stations near me got removed from the map the last two evenings for perhaps being 1-2C lower than the nearest few stations and about the same temperature as stations a few miles to the NE.

It's ludicrous really, one can hope they improve this as they should, being such a big and well used site..
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 16, 2016, 08:08:24 PM
\:D/ my IONTARIO226 (Davis) has a Gold star, hurray!
:( my Bloomsky IONTARIO1189 does not, not even Silver or Bronze. Depressed!

As we all figured out by now the Goldstar just means your station has been online for 5 days. 

It doesn't even mean that. Mine has been up for weeks with no gaps in reporting and it lost it's goldstar. Here are my graphs for the last 7 days.

I was just guessing and having fun since we all can't figure it out and its our Data their using....

Maybe its something like this.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 21, 2016, 09:35:26 PM
OK.  Beat this!

I helped my brother-in-law set up his station on wunderground yesterday afternoon.

His first report to wunderground was at 2:49PM August 20th.

Today, August 21st it has a gold star!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 22, 2016, 07:49:03 AM
Today, August 21st it has a gold star!

 Maybe this is all it takes UU

Thinking I need to send over a 12 pack, both my stations have lost their "gold star".
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 22, 2016, 08:25:43 AM
OK.  Beat this!

I helped my brother-in-law set up his station on wunderground yesterday afternoon.

His first report to wunderground was at 2:49PM August 20th.

Today, August 21st it has a gold star!

Must be a real talent :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on August 22, 2016, 07:14:05 PM
I was wondering if the metric for receiving a gold star might involve the number of page views of that PWS' data?  It would make sense, especially with WU more concerned with eyeball counts and ad impressions than actual weather these days.....
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 22, 2016, 07:18:19 PM
I was wondering if the metric for receiving a gold star might involve the number of page views of that PWS' data?  It would make sense, especially with WU more concerned with eyeball counts and ad impressions than actual weather these days.....

Well, my brother-in-laws gold-star station now has 10 views.  I'm guessing 4 or 5 of those are mine.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 22, 2016, 08:26:35 PM
I was wondering if the metric for receiving a gold star might involve the number of page views of that PWS' data?  It would make sense, especially with WU more concerned with eyeball counts and ad impressions than actual weather these days.....

Well, my brother-in-laws gold-star station now has 10 views.  I'm guessing 4 or 5 of those are mine.

 :grin:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Evening thunder on August 23, 2016, 04:41:13 AM
My station gained goldstar status a few days ago.. but this morning it seems to be gone again  :roll:

Edit: Ok now it's back so that was probably a glitch

OK.  Beat this!

I helped my brother-in-law set up his station on wunderground yesterday afternoon.

His first report to wunderground was at 2:49PM August 20th.

Today, August 21st it has a gold star!

Same near me. A new station appeared on Sunday to become my 2nd closest, it had only been reporting for a couple half hour periods with the rest of the data via catch up, and was reading over 5C, around 10F too high when I saw it, but it was already goldstar!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 23, 2016, 06:56:14 AM
My very badly sited, inaccurate, cheap WH1080 is a permanent star :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: moehoward4 on August 23, 2016, 08:08:25 AM
I've always gotten 'Gold Stars' for my stations, in my own mind, because I don't upload any data to no one but my external HD and those that call looking for info.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: M0TTB on August 24, 2016, 01:20:18 PM
Maybe they will be introducing a 'goldstar pws only' layer to the wundermap, none of my local netatmo stations seem to have a goldstar, so maybe it's finally an option to get rid of them  :lol:

There are a few famous 'Goldstars'' over in the UK, a friend of mine has a magnificent vintage BSA Goldstar motorbike, worth a fortune. I think BSA also named an air rifle 'Goldstar'. Seem to remember 'Goldstar' was also brand name for some cheap nasty home entertainment equipment, vcr, tv's and whatever.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 24, 2016, 01:57:19 PM
none of my local netatmo stations seem to have a goldstar, so maybe it's finally an option to get rid of them  :lol:


I checked my area and sorted the stations by Precipitation.

I couldn't find any Netamo's with Goldstars but the BloomSky's do. 

Maybe its how many data accurate points are sent?

The BloomSky on WU reports (4) Temp, Dew, Pressure and UV.

The Netamo on WU reports (3) Temp, Dew and Pressure.

Does this make sense?





Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 24, 2016, 05:41:38 PM
Does this make sense?

NO :)

Our local airport which is a NWS station doesn't even have a goldstar.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 24, 2016, 05:49:23 PM
Does this make sense?

NO :)

Our local airport which is a NWS station doesn't even have a goldstar.

LOL, I was just replying to his post, my reply had exactly two letters :D :D :D And it showed me there was a new reply posted while I was typing and I see someone was reading my mind :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 24, 2016, 07:36:33 PM
Maybe there are now so many Netamo's and Bloomsky's that they are now the normal and the "real" weather stations are now the outliers?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 24, 2016, 07:40:38 PM
This is exactly what I said at the beginning of this thread and in other threads too, I completely agree. The problem is that the only way the algorithm can check station accuracy is obviously by comparing it to nearby stations (it obviously cannot detect the real conditions at that place). And so if there are 5 poorly shielded stations near you that show a temperature several degrees higher than your  much more professional and well sited station, which one do you think will be the odd one out...
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 24, 2016, 07:54:22 PM
Maybe there are now so many Netamo's and Bloomsky's that they are now the normal and the "real" weather stations are now the outliers?
I've preached it. Police your own, because sure in hell no one else properly can.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 24, 2016, 09:25:30 PM
Does this make sense?

NO :)

Our local airport which is a NWS station doesn't even have a goldstar.

You're right, none of the 3 major Airports in my area get a GoldStar.

The mystery continues  :lol:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 24, 2016, 09:31:56 PM
Maybe there are now so many Netamo's and Bloomsky's that they are now the normal and the "real" weather stations are now the outliers?
I've preached it. Police your own, because sure in hell no one else properly can.

Now that statement deserves the Goldstar and 2 thumbs up  =D&gt;
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: floodcaster on August 25, 2016, 06:57:49 AM
This is exactly what I said at the beginning of this thread and in other threads too, I completely agree. The problem is that the only way the algorithm can check station accuracy is obviously by comparing it to nearby stations (it obviously cannot detect the real conditions at that place). And so if there are 5 poorly shielded stations near you that show a temperature several degrees higher than your  much more professional and well sited station, which one do you think will be the odd one out...

Yes, the "nearest neighbor" approach doesn't work unless those are sites that are known to be accurate. The idea is good but unless you can setup some reference stations it won't be a valid approach. PS...my location was awarded the Goldstar for one day only.  ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 25, 2016, 06:59:55 AM
LOL, my highly inaccurate, poorly sited station, which btw. is currently showing 7 degrees more than the nearby airport (it is sunny...) is a permanent star :D

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IJIHOMOR28
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 25, 2016, 07:01:06 AM
Guess which one is mine... (of course a goldstar station...)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: reeniewhalen on August 25, 2016, 07:49:29 AM
I don't know how they come up with "5 consecutive days". My network provider throws me off-line quite a few times a fortnight.
Mine got a gold star, just hope like the Olympics, the IRS don't want me to pay tax on my gold medal!
Last time i got a gold star was at kindergarten.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 25, 2016, 07:54:57 AM
Yes, the "nearest neighbor" approach doesn't work unless those are sites that are known to be accurate. The idea is good but unless you can setup some reference stations it won't be a valid approach. PS...my location was awarded the Goldstar for one day only.  ;)

Even if they are known accurate that still wouldn't work. It is common in the area that I live to have very small areas of microclimates. It is not unusual in the summer to have small cells of thunderstorms that are only a couple miles in diameter. That can easily drop the temps in those areas 15 deg, raise the humidity 20% and have wind speeds that can exceed 20MPH of stations only a mile or two away.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 25, 2016, 01:57:13 PM
LOL, my highly inaccurate, poorly sited station, which btw. is currently showing 7 degrees more than the nearby airport (it is sunny...) is a permanent star :D

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IJIHOMOR28

Jachym, your sending data to MADIS with that broken station???   :shock:

No wonder they think there's Global Warming.....  :roll:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 25, 2016, 02:57:25 PM
Yes, the "nearest neighbor" approach doesn't work unless those are sites that are known to be accurate. The idea is good but unless you can setup some reference stations it won't be a valid approach. PS...my location was awarded the Goldstar for one day only.  ;)

Even if they are known accurate that still wouldn't work. It is common in the area that I live to have very small areas of microclimates. It is not unusual in the summer to have small cells of thunderstorms that are only a couple miles in diameter. That can easily drop the temps in those areas 15 deg, raise the humidity 20% and have wind speeds that can exceed 20MPH of stations only a mile or two away.
Granted the T-storm wouldn't sit on your (or your neighbors) porch forever, but your basic reasoning is spot on.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: DoctorKnow on August 25, 2016, 03:06:07 PM
LOL, my highly inaccurate, poorly sited station, which btw. is currently showing 7 degrees more than the nearby airport (it is sunny...) is a permanent star :D

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IJIHOMOR28

Jachym, your sending data to MADIS with that broken station???   :shock:

No wonder they think there's Global Warming.....  :roll:

He could simply extend the phone cord down below the roof and place the sensor there... That is the right thing to do if you are going to upload to MADIS.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 25, 2016, 04:16:11 PM
Granted the T-storm wouldn't sit on your (or your neighbors) porch forever, but your basic reasoning is spot on.

That's true. But since these generally happen in the evening they tend to cool down the area for the remainder of the day. Not uncommon to see 10-15 deg difference that sets in and stays there while to other areas can take late into the night to get down to those temps. Add on top of the the difference in humidity/rainfall and there can be a lot of differences that will last for hours.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 25, 2016, 04:43:49 PM
Yes, during the monsoon here, this is a very common occurrence. I've dropped ~ 25F in about 12 minutes before (more than once) from the evaporative cooling, quite a dramatic change. :shock:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 25, 2016, 05:01:47 PM
I too have a Gold Star on my WU PWS!

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 25, 2016, 05:55:30 PM
LOL, my highly inaccurate, poorly sited station, which btw. is currently showing 7 degrees more than the nearby airport (it is sunny...) is a permanent star :D

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IJIHOMOR28

Jachym, your sending data to MADIS with that broken station???   :shock:

No wonder they think there's Global Warming.....  :roll:

No Im not Tom and there is global warming ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 25, 2016, 07:35:32 PM
LOL, my highly inaccurate, poorly sited station, which btw. is currently showing 7 degrees more than the nearby airport (it is sunny...) is a permanent star :D

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IJIHOMOR28

Jachym, your sending data to MADIS with that broken station???   :shock:

No wonder they think there's Global Warming.....  :roll:

No Im not Tom and there is global warming ;)

We'll the station listed in the link is Madis E5672 and is reporting live data......  I thought this was your station since it links to Meteotemplate.

http://www.wxqa.com/sss/search1.cgi?keyword=E5672
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 25, 2016, 08:37:41 PM
Interesting because some time ago I got an email that my station was disabled
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 26, 2016, 08:01:06 PM
Interesting because some time ago I got an email that my station was disabled

Your station data is being captured but on further checking I don't see it as part of the QC, so your right they must have dropped you from analysis.  ;)
 
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 26, 2016, 08:07:37 PM
Yes..
but who cares, Im a gold star ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 26, 2016, 11:05:06 PM
Yes..
but who cares, Im a gold star ;)

 UU
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 26, 2016, 11:17:23 PM
LOL, my highly inaccurate, poorly sited station, which btw. is currently showing 7 degrees more than the nearby airport (it is sunny...) is a permanent star :D

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IJIHOMOR28

Jachym, your sending data to MADIS with that broken station???   :shock:

No wonder they think there's Global Warming.....  :roll:

No Im not Tom and there is global warming ;)

Global warming is a political hoax. Another way the government can collect and spend our money.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 26, 2016, 11:32:31 PM
LOL, my highly inaccurate, poorly sited station, which btw. is currently showing 7 degrees more than the nearby airport (it is sunny...) is a permanent star :D

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IJIHOMOR28

Jachym, your sending data to MADIS with that broken station???   :shock:

No wonder they think there's Global Warming.....  :roll:

No Im not Tom and there is global warming ;)

Global warming is a political hoax. Another way the government can collect and spend our money.

You might find this interesting:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/global-warming-signal-can-be-traced-back-to-the-1830s-climate-scientists-say-20160823-gqz260.html

Nature article here: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v536/n7617/full/nature19082.html

If it goes back to before the industrial revolution, is it really "our fault"?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 27, 2016, 05:17:31 AM
Yes
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 27, 2016, 06:11:07 AM
Yes

If only 1 billion people with 1830s tech started tipping the scales, we are done for.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 27, 2016, 09:18:53 AM
What Im always also very surprised by is that for example, many of you say that scientists are wrong, measurements are inaccurate etc etc. However, you also argue by saying that global warming does not exist because there were situations like this in the past, that the Earth is not getting warmer based on some past measurements etc etc. But don´t you think it is absurd? You are basically saying that the measurements that prove GW are inaccurate and that it cannot be said what was in the past, yet those same people argue against GW by saying that this has happened in the past that the overall amount of ice does not change, that the global averages are just a deviation, that the levels of CO2 were this high in the past too.... and now let me ask you... how do you know that... isnt that also measured? Sometimes even using the exact same techniques and methods?

OK, let me just say one thing I have never mentined before, it is just my opinion and you might believe it or not.

As some of you know, I studied molecular biology and genetics, and at the uni I also specialized in neurosciences, basically the study of the human brain. I read many books about psychology too and before I got so excited about weather I for example read books about how the human mind works and reacts to commercials, how the human mind can be tricked, phenomena such as phanotm limb etc etc.

You might be thinking how is all this related to global warming... well IMHO it is. What I see here, is a great example of something called negative subjective argumentation. To explain what I mean. Just imagine that global warming is real and that we as humans make it substantially worse and that it will have serious consequences, maybe not so serious in the near future, maybe not even during your lifetime, but in a more distant future yes. This is what I personally believe, but let´s just say I give you many arguments for this theory. On one hand, you feel that it is correct, something inside you tells you that doing what we are is not right, that something should be done, that one should sacrifice things even though they might not see the beneficial effects of this immediately, if ever (by ever I mean they will not manifest during our lifetime, but they will in the future). However, you also have many reasons why you do not want to do this, despite the fact that it is true. You feel it would be right to do it, but you don´t want to sacrifice things, you don´t want to limit yourself, you don´t want the government to spend money on this - because that is something you will benefit from, in the immediate terms and short-term too.

And here comes the "brain part". Negative subjective argumentation is in simple words like an inner voice, that on one hand tells you something is incorrect, but you subconscioussly persuade yourself that it is actually ok to do it and you find reasons for why it is so, sometimes even very irrational. The final outcome is that you do things you would otherwise consider unwise and short-sighted and you would probably not like others doing unless you do it as well. If however you are confronted with someone saying you should not be doing it, that it is wrong, you tell them the reasons why it is ok.

Here in the Czech Republic, the majority of people believe in global warming, and they do believe that it is caused by humans. However, many refuse to accept some of the proposed changes that will lead to cutting emissions etc. Why? In the case of my country, based on what I see, it is mostly like this - people feel it is wrong not to accept it (just like I explained above), but in this case the reason they find for themselves to do it is that we are such a small country that it won´t make any difference if our government accepts something or not.

This would basically also explain the opinion of many of you in the U.S. Obivously this reason would not be applicable - you are one of the largest countries in the world, and contributing to the global released emissions etc. very substantially. So you find different reasons for yourself why it can´t be so and why it is ok to do what you want to do that you will benefit from in short-term - i.e. the governments lie to us, the numbers are inaccurate etc etc. The U.S. has always been very economically driven and so the primary goal was often making profit, doing something altruistically for future generations might be difficult, though on the other hand you do feel it should be done.

You are probably going to deny this, not accept what I just wrote and basically do it for the very exact reason I gave. Maybe you will feel I am correct, but higher parts of the human brain (which btw. is amazing sophisticated "machine"... Ive seen it :D) will subconscioussly find reasons why it cannot be so.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 27, 2016, 12:07:49 PM
My logic.

The earth has been around for millions and millions of years and goes through constant change.

The climate on Earth has been cooling and heating for millions of years.

Today the species of humans live on the surface of the Earth.

The leaders  :^o blame the humans for climate change.   [-X

:-({|=  I just don't buy it.......   
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 27, 2016, 12:11:25 PM
Well thats what the numbers show Tom and if you don´t buy it, thats fine, but in such case you are saying you don´t trust the measurements, the methods used to calcualte it etc. (which are of course indirect, we don´t know what was thousands/million years ago). But in such case let me ask you this - how do you know the temps were going up and down? Isnt that also based on the exact same methods that were used to come to the conclusion GW is happening? Saying that situations like this, in terms of temps and CO2 levels, were already encountered in the past means you do believe these indirect methods, eg. the data from ice cores etc., in which case you are contradicting yourself because those same methods and data are used to support global warming...
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on August 27, 2016, 12:24:25 PM
Jachym,

You don't need any measurements to conclude the earth has gone through major changes over millions of years. 

You also don't mention the SUN, its orbit, the Solar System or that the planet its moving through space.   Maybe that has an effect on Earths climate, Hmmmm...

You're a flee on an Elephant and conclude the elephant is hotter because of the flee's...  If you follow my logic I do not believe you can prove with only climate measurements that the earth is warming due to human activities.









Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 27, 2016, 02:51:38 PM
In that same vain...

If you follow Jáchym's logic can you prove with only climate measurements that the earth warming is not due to human activities.  :grin:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SoMDWx on August 27, 2016, 03:06:11 PM
Wow, this is fun. Maybe i'll jump into the fray....

Problem is that too many people on either side believe much of this is politically motivated. Statements to the affect that data has been manipulated in some respect causes doubts. Also, our data only goes back to a very short span of time in relation to earth's history....Have temperatures risen since the industrial revolution begun.. Yes, but if you go back before that, massive heat waves and droughts occurred LONG before oil, coal, or gas was used... The real issue is how much has human activities played into the increase of so-called warming gases. To what affect?  Way to many questions and parameters to simply say, "Yes, it's humans fault".
Unless each person were educated in physics, math , and earth sciences and have a PhD in such courses and spent their entire lives doing un-biased, raw research, then all we have is the voices of others who may or may not be giving us the full story for various reasons....

Have a super day all!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 27, 2016, 03:41:59 PM
In that same vain...

If you follow Jáchym's logic can you prove with only climate measurements that the earth warming is not due to human activities.  :grin:

+1

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 27, 2016, 03:44:39 PM
One more thing,

even if you say that the Earth has gone through many much colder and warmer periods when talking in long-term perspective.... yes maybe, yes maybe there will be another very cold period no matter what we do now (there will be, it is the ice age...), however, we are obviously interested in what is in the next 50, 100 yrs, it is nice that no matter how much CO2 we now produce, the Earth will get colder, but if that is to happen in several thousand of yrs then it is not much use for the next generations, or even for us, if we have severe problems in the upcoming decades
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 27, 2016, 05:45:38 PM
My logic.

The earth has been around for millions and millions of years and goes through constant change.

The climate on Earth has been cooling and heating for millions of years.

Today the species of humans live on the surface of the Earth.

The leaders  :^o blame the humans for climate change.   [-X

:-({|=  I just don't buy it.......

Well put!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 27, 2016, 05:54:08 PM
Back to the topic of this thread
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 27, 2016, 06:06:37 PM
Thanks for reminding us of the topic.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WxFox on August 27, 2016, 06:53:04 PM
Last summer WU was sending me messages about my temps being too high. This summer I have the gold star. 24 hour fan aspiration added late last year makes a difference. :P
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: kds on August 27, 2016, 07:50:39 PM
I came here to say that I started sending data to WU this week, and less than 12 hours of sending data I had a gold star. Somehow, miraculously, they were able to review 5 consecutive days worth of data I haven't been sending to them :shock:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 27, 2016, 07:56:47 PM
King Louie, the monkey, likes your station ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: josecmorales on August 27, 2016, 08:04:36 PM
Mine have 5 stars!  :shock: cool
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 27, 2016, 08:14:38 PM
Last summer WU was sending me messages about my temps being too high. This summer I have the gold star. 24 hour fan aspiration added late last year makes a difference. :P

Don't put too much weight in passing WUs comparables or getting the gold star. As the above poster noted, he got a gold star and his data has only been on WU about a day! That being said, the 24 hour FARS is a good addition to any PWS!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Coop on August 27, 2016, 11:49:21 PM
WU Gold Star means absolutely NOTHING, NADA ZIP!! I live in a remote rural area at 5000 ft.  There were only two stations reporting to WU. Several nights ago, I saw a new station located between us pop onto the scene. It wasn't there 2 hours previous. Brand new and sporting the coveted WU Quality rating.  This new guy was reporting wind 180 degrees out of whack, His barometer was not adjusted for sea level and both myself and the other long time station were reporting 62F and the newcomer was reporting 79. All three of us are GOLD STAR stations!! 5 days monitoring of data?  WU - Give me a break!
GOLD STAR is really akin to showing up for practice every day and warming the bench all season. "Good Boy. Thanks for showing up. Here's a medal." :roll:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 28, 2016, 10:08:01 AM
WU Gold Star means absolutely NOTHING, NADA ZIP!! I live in a remote rural area at 5000 ft.  There were only two stations reporting to WU. Several nights ago, I saw a new station located between us pop onto the scene. It wasn't there 2 hours previous. Brand new and sporting the coveted WU Quality rating.  This new guy was reporting wind 180 degrees out of whack, His barometer was not adjusted for sea level and both myself and the other long time station were reporting 62F and the newcomer was reporting 79. All three of us are GOLD STAR stations!! 5 days monitoring of data?  WU - Give me a break!
GOLD STAR is really akin to showing up for practice every day and warming the bench all season. "Good Boy. Thanks for showing up. Here's a medal." :roll:

In short, you believe the Goldstar is not the coveted award achieved by only 1% of PWS owners? You are 100% correct and wish the folks at WU would make this award meaningful and at the least, if 5 days of reporting are required (sounds reasonable) then ensure the station actually has 5 days of data! Oh well,WU tries and provides a useful purpose but the Goldstar award is goofy as WU currently uses it!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 28, 2016, 10:54:30 AM
Weird, Unlogical
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: PaulMy on August 29, 2016, 01:46:07 PM
I asked William at WU
Quote
Hi,
I have noticed that my IONTARIO226 station is a GoldStar Station, and thank you for that. About Goldstar Stations: This is a high-quality weather station that has passed our quality control process for 5 consecutive days.
Can you explain the criteria of the quality control process and what a station must meet to be a Goldstar.
My IONTARIO1189 (BloomSky) is NOT a Goldstar Station and what differentiates it from the IONTARIO226?
Thanks for your time,
Paul
and the reply is:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Bloomsky isn't reporting enough weather metrics to be a gold star station (i.e. no wind direction or speed, no precip)

I am happy!
Paul
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 29, 2016, 01:52:55 PM
Aha I see, so a station that would report highly accurately temperature and humidity is in WU´s view poor quality compared to a badly sited cheap station that inaccurately reports not only temperature and humidity, but also wind speed and precipitation :D

Bravo
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 29, 2016, 04:05:51 PM
But many Bloomsky stations had Goldstar status. Not sure if any of them do now.

EDIT: Nevermind, lookie at this https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KFLNORTH90
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 29, 2016, 10:28:43 PM
Interesting note on the Acurite forum.

Some guy is claiming the migration to myAcurite has cost him his "gold medal" rating on wunderground that he's had for "years".   :roll:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 29, 2016, 10:30:04 PM
Interesting note on the Acurite forum.

Some guy is claiming the migration to myAcurite has cost him his "gold medal" rating on wunderground that he's had for "years".   :roll:

I will sell him my mine for $1,000US. Sorry, after further review, mine is gone too.

https://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=41.880%2C-88.086&sp=KILWHEAT17

It is back! Price is now $2,000 US!

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KILWHEAT17


Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: DoctorKnow on August 30, 2016, 08:16:39 PM
My Oregon Scientific has a gold star, but not the acurite. The thermometer and hygrometer are too high on the acurite.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 30, 2016, 09:39:24 PM
My Oregon Scientific has a gold star, but not the acurite. The thermometer and hygrometer are too high on the acurite.

I guess you haven't been reading this thread very closely. 

The gold stars are essentially meaningless.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 30, 2016, 09:44:50 PM
My Oregon Scientific has a gold star, but not the acurite. The thermometer and hygrometer are too high on the acurite.

I guess you haven't been reading this thread very closely. 

The gold stars are essentially meaningless.

I have three offers at $2,000 for my station's gold star, so not completely meaningless! AND, operators are standing by for people wishing to increase the offer!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 31, 2016, 05:05:22 AM
Yes, the gold star surely increases the value of the kit several fold ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: DoctorKnow on August 31, 2016, 11:50:29 AM
My Oregon Scientific has a gold star, but not the acurite. The thermometer and hygrometer are too high on the acurite.

I guess you haven't been reading this thread very closely. 

The gold stars are essentially meaningless.

Yes I have, but I thought some might actually be valid, however, they have now also given my acurite a gold star. It doesn't seem to make any logical sense to me at this point.

I think we all need to start jerking our stations offline.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 31, 2016, 11:57:47 AM
They could also introduce silver star and bronze star, to make it all more interesting :D  ](*,)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WxFox on August 31, 2016, 12:01:35 PM
The Golden Stars, Oh! Those Golden Stars! They tell me that I have a high quality station. That has a lot of meaning for me. Last summer I got warnings that my temperatures were too high. I added 24 hour FARS and now I have a wonderful Golden Star! It cured my depression. Now I can sleep so much better, not feeling compelled to get up every hour to compare my readings with other local stations.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WxFox on August 31, 2016, 12:03:11 PM
The Golden Stars, Oh! Those Golden Stars! They tell me that I have a high quality station. That has a lot of meaning for me. Last summer I got warnings that my temperatures were too high. I added 24 hour FARS and now I have a wonderful Golden Star! It cured my depression. Now I can sleep so much better, not feeling compelled to get up every hour to compare my readings with other local stations.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 31, 2016, 12:04:06 PM
My Oregon Scientific has a gold star, but not the acurite. The thermometer and hygrometer are too high on the acurite.

I guess you haven't been reading this thread very closely. 

The gold stars are essentially meaningless.


Yes I have, but I thought some might actually be valid, however, they have now also given my acurite a gold star. It doesn't seem to make any logical sense to me at this point.

I think we all need to start jerking our stations offline.

And by taking our stations off line accomplishes what? I think we should live with the idiosyncrasies of WU and move on. They serve a purpose and help the greater good, I think.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WxFox on August 31, 2016, 12:04:47 PM
They could also introduce silver star and bronze star, to make it all more interesting :D  ](*,)
Just like in the Olympics! We are athletes now, weather athletes!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 31, 2016, 12:58:34 PM
Yeah, I wonder if for example 24h FARS would count as doping :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 31, 2016, 01:03:32 PM
Yeah, I wonder if for example 24h FARS would count as doping :D

That is why I opted for just the daytime fan so my PWS wouldn't be hit for doping!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 31, 2016, 01:08:56 PM
Based on my station configuration, siting and accuracy I guess I should rather qualify for the paralympics :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on August 31, 2016, 07:17:46 PM
Acurite just released their MacOS version of "PC Connect" for testing.

I've set it up with a new station ID for testing from a 5n1 that already has the coveted "gold star".  (Same weather station hardware, just reporting through a Mac instead of through the SmartHUB)

It will be interesting to see if or when it's awarded.  ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 31, 2016, 07:54:52 PM
Acurite just released their MacOS version of "PC Connect" for testing.

I've set it up with a new station ID for testing from a 5n1 that already has the coveted "gold star".  (Same weather station hardware, just reporting through a Mac instead of through the SmartHUB)

It will be interesting to see if or when it's awarded.  ;)

I wouldn't think it would make any difference but with WU at the controls, most anything can happen!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on September 01, 2016, 10:22:04 AM
Acurite just released their MacOS version of "PC Connect" for testing.

I've set it up with a new station ID for testing from a 5n1 that already has the coveted "gold star".  (Same weather station hardware, just reporting through a Mac instead of through the SmartHUB)

It will be interesting to see if or when it's awarded.  ;)

YAY!  The "Gold Star" arrived!  I had to wait about 16 1/2 hours though.   #-o
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on September 01, 2016, 10:27:02 AM
Acurite just released their MacOS version of "PC Connect" for testing.

I've set it up with a new station ID for testing from a 5n1 that already has the coveted "gold star".  (Same weather station hardware, just reporting through a Mac instead of through the SmartHUB)

It will be interesting to see if or when it's awarded.  ;)


YAY!  The "Gold Star" arrived!  I had to wait about 16 1/2 hours though.   #-o


Wow. This caused the value of my Gold star to drop to $1,000 from $2,000. I better hurry up and sell before the value drops some more!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Scalphunter on September 01, 2016, 01:24:35 PM
Gold only worth 1325 an Oz on open market. Jewelry quality nuggets are where the money is.

Johnny
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on September 02, 2016, 12:45:21 PM
Stock up on food and water and prepare for the upcoming apocalypse, because my station just received a gold star!!!!! :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on September 02, 2016, 01:00:07 PM
Ha! Another millionaire, our station data is now worth gold :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on September 02, 2016, 04:07:53 PM
(*sigh*)

Yet another person on the Acurite support forums is complaining about losing their "gold star".   :roll:

I had problem with Acurite's new Mac software yesterday.  It cost me the "gold star" for a bit, but it was re-awarded today. 
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Evening thunder on September 02, 2016, 04:47:29 PM
So my station has been removed from Wundermap and lost it's 'goldstar' because here in the valley it's dropped to 12.8C... while just down the road a temperature of umm... 13.1C is allowed and the station keeps it's goldstar #-o

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on September 02, 2016, 04:49:51 PM
So my station has been removed from Wundermap and lost it's 'goldstar' because here in the valley it's dropped to 12.8C... while just down the road a temperature of umm... 13.1C is allowed and the station keeps it's goldstar #-o

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Don't worry the star will return! As long as you are close to perfect...
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Evening thunder on September 03, 2016, 06:29:49 AM
So my station has been removed from Wundermap and lost it's 'goldstar' because here in the valley it's dropped to 12.8C... while just down the road a temperature of umm... 13.1C is allowed and the station keeps it's goldstar #-o

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Don't worry the star will return! As long as you are close to perfect...

Hopefully lol, though I'm not too bothered just another 'doh!' on WU's part
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on September 13, 2016, 09:03:01 PM
So my station has been removed from Wundermap and lost it's 'goldstar' because here in the valley it's dropped to 12.8C... while just down the road a temperature of umm... 13.1C is allowed and the station keeps it's goldstar #-o

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Don't worry the star will return! As long as you are close to perfect...

A very sad day for me. My WU goldstar status has been removed from my PWS and nothing has changed! Goofy to say the least!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on September 14, 2016, 05:19:52 AM
Record-high mid-September here... we had tropical days since Saturday every day...

And my station in particular... currently showing "just" 7 degrees more than it should and a birght shiny gold star next to it :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: DoctorKnow on September 14, 2016, 07:43:59 AM
I saw my Oregon station was taken off the map yesterday afternoon. There was no wind blowing at all yesterday, and the station did spike 2* F higher than my acurite 5 in 1 with the fan, so they must have thought I was running hot... but 2 degrees off gets you pulled? I still have a "Gold star" though! The acurite does not, and right now isn't even reporting temp or humidity, and they have removed it from the map.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on September 14, 2016, 07:46:11 AM
but 2 degrees off gets you pulled

there must be something else, my station is currently over 7 degrees off.... and I have had the star non-stop since I first time got it about a month ago...
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: DoctorKnow on September 14, 2016, 07:48:33 AM
but 2 degrees off gets you pulled

there must be something else, my station is currently over 7 degrees off.... and I have had the star non-stop since I first time got it about a month ago...

I've never seen it pulled before... Everything was feeding into their site just fine. They pull the acurite quite often though.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on September 14, 2016, 07:49:43 AM
It really seems to me like someone is tossing a coin at WU...
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: PaulMy on September 14, 2016, 08:37:22 AM
I seldom look at my WU pages but in my checking for following this thread my Davis/Cumulus based site is still Goldstar and my BlookSky is not, and that is what I would expect so everything is good for me at the moment.

Enjoy,
Paul
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on September 14, 2016, 09:47:40 PM
So my station has been removed from Wundermap and lost it's 'goldstar' because here in the valley it's dropped to 12.8C... while just down the road a temperature of umm... 13.1C is allowed and the station keeps it's goldstar #-o

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Don't worry the star will return! As long as you are close to perfect...

A very sad day for me. My WU goldstar status has been removed from my PWS and nothing has changed! Goofy to say the least!

I complained to WU re dropped goldstar and whether this had anything to do with it or not, but my goldstar is back! I can sleep tonight!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on September 14, 2016, 10:06:21 PM
I complained to WU re dropped goldstar and whether this had anything to do with it or not, but my goldstar is back! I can sleep tonight!

It's totally screwed up.

My Bloomsky was down all last week because of a bad router.  That caused me to lose my goldstar, but it was back a day after getting back on-line.

Then this week the AC power adapter went bad on my Bloomsky, so it was down a couple days as I rigged up a new supply.  Lost the gold star again, but after restoring power, the gold star was back in about 12 hours or so.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on September 14, 2016, 10:40:59 PM
I complained to WU re dropped goldstar and whether this had anything to do with it or not, but my goldstar is back! I can sleep tonight!

It's totally screwed up.

My Bloomsky was down all last week because of a bad router.  That caused me to lose my goldstar, but it was back a day after getting back on-line.

Then this week the AC power adapter went bad on my Bloomsky, so it was down a couple days as I rigged up a new supply.  Lost the gold star again, but after restoring power, the gold star was back in about 12 hours or so.

As we have documented here, the WU goldstar is a joke! Its too bad, it should be an objective award, not something less. I, and others who spend hours each week ensuring the integrity of our PWS deserve better.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: nincehelser on September 14, 2016, 10:50:50 PM
As we have documented here, the WU goldstar is a joke! Its too bad, it should be an objective award, not something less. I, and others who spend hours each week ensuring the integrity of our PWS deserve better.

Yep.  But on the Acurite support forum, some are taking them very seriously, blaming Acurite for ruining their "reputation".

 :roll:
 
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on September 15, 2016, 05:27:28 AM
Time to say goodbye to WU, they used to be unique, reliable and useful....
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: erikmm on September 15, 2016, 09:30:17 AM
My station were down for an hour due to power disappeared - Gold Star went away :-(

......8 days later, wuhooooooo my Gold Star were back!!!

I feel very very very special ;-)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on September 23, 2016, 08:32:57 PM
Time to say goodbye to WU, they used to be unique, reliable and useful....

If we say goodbye to WU what other sources do we have here in the US other than CWOP? In the CR, you probably have hundreds of websites wanting your data!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on September 23, 2016, 09:27:59 PM
Weathercloud for example,  being actively developed and getting better and better
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: BlairsvilleWX on October 20, 2016, 02:54:00 PM
I got my WS-1001 up about a week ago.  It was in a temporary location on an open, exposed, front deck.  5 days after it was up, it was Goldstar.  Today, I moved it to its permanent location 22' AGL (But just below peak of house).  In the stations defense, it has been comparable to other stations within 10 miles or so, except now the wind is a little more accurate.

I have no idea how to get the weather sticker on here.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on October 22, 2016, 04:38:34 PM
I got my WS-1001 up about a week ago.  It was in a temporary location on an open, exposed, front deck.  5 days after it was up, it was Goldstar.  Today, I moved it to its permanent location 22' AGL (But just below peak of house).  In the stations defense, it has been comparable to other stations within 10 miles or so, except now the wind is a little more accurate.

I have no idea how to get the weather sticker on here.

No offense, I am glad your station is reporting well, BUT it goes to show a person that the WU goldstar is a joke. Shame on WU, not you. 5 days of reporting and you qualify for the gold star designation? That makes the designation a farce. Several weeks of data should be required before awarding anything--whether from a $50 PWS or a $1,000 PWS.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on October 22, 2016, 05:21:39 PM
I got my WS-1001 up about a week ago.  It was in a temporary location on an open, exposed, front deck.  5 days after it was up, it was Goldstar.  Today, I moved it to its permanent location 22' AGL (But just below peak of house).  In the stations defense, it has been comparable to other stations within 10 miles or so, except now the wind is a little more accurate.

I have no idea how to get the weather sticker on here.

No offense, I am glad your station is reporting well, BUT it goes to show a person that the WU goldstar is a joke. 5 days of reporting and you qualify for the gold star designation? That makes the designation a farce. Several weeks of data should be required before awarding anything--whether from a $50 PWS or a $1,000 PWS.
I'll bet you pull wings off flies too....



 :-P
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 10, 2016, 11:53:08 PM
My station lost its Goldstar rating! Should I jump off a cliff or will it return? "Turn the record over" and learn the results. Talk about dating myself, how many posters have any idea what a "record" is, that is a vinyl record!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Scalphunter on November 11, 2016, 12:25:56 AM
78 or 45
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on November 11, 2016, 01:40:35 AM
meddle just went on the turntable
     don't bug me........
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 11, 2016, 08:47:36 AM
78 or 45

33.3
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: PaulMy on November 11, 2016, 09:14:41 AM

Quote
Personal Weather Station  Komoka Village IONTARIO226
seems kind of boring without that pretty gold star in front of it :(


I did flip it over and got
Quote
Personal Weather Station  Komoka, ON Canada IONTARIO1189
so that didn't help #-o


We did have an old 78 once, with hand cranking...


Paul
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 11, 2016, 09:59:23 AM

Quote
Personal Weather Station  Komoka Village IONTARIO226
seems kind of boring without that pretty gold star in front of it :(


I did flip it over and got
Quote
Personal Weather Station  Komoka, ON Canada IONTARIO1189
so that didn't help #-o


We did have an old 78 once, with hand cranking...


Paul

Your photo of your station on WU is very nice--very pretty setting. Some day, WU will give us our Goldstar rating back. Until then I guess I must wonder what I did to lose it and promise the WU gods never to do it again!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: PaulMy on November 11, 2016, 12:43:42 PM

Quote
Some day, WU will give us our Goldstar rating back. Until then I guess I must wonder what I did to lose it and promise the WU gods never to do it again!
I have politely asked WU on why, at least my IONTARIO226, sites are no longer showing the Gold Star.  I can understand the Bloomsky IONTARIO1189 not being Gold Star as it is usually 5 min, but quite often 10 min or longer.  Whereas the other is updated from Davis/Cumulus and  pretty well always 5 min, and with good data.


And thanks for the compliment on the webcam.  However I wish I had my Hikvision working again, or at least another webcam from that location as it gave a much better sky and weather view and evening sunset from top of the roof.


Enjoy,
Paul
Lest We Forget!



Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 11, 2016, 10:33:05 PM

Quote
Some day, WU will give us our Goldstar rating back. Until then I guess I must wonder what I did to lose it and promise the WU gods never to do it again!
I have politely asked WU on why, at least my IONTARIO226, sites are no longer showing the Gold Star.  I can understand the Bloomsky IONTARIO1189 not being Gold Star as it is usually 5 min, but quite often 10 min or longer.  Whereas the other is updated from Davis/Cumulus and  pretty well always 5 min, and with good data.


And thanks for the compliment on the webcam.  However I wish I had my Hikvision working again, or at least another webcam from that location as it gave a much better sky and weather view and evening sunset from top of the roof.


Enjoy,
Paul
Lest We Forget!
Two questions. How do you politely communicate with WU? Please? You are the best service ever? I own a $100,000 piece of IBM equipment to upload to IBM's WU?

Second question. What software do you use to upload webcam photos to WU? Does Weatherlink allow that capability or do you use something else?

By the way, WU has not restored Goldstar status to my PWS. I can't sleep at night, my dog doesn't like me any more, and my wife has put me into the doghouse--all because of after numerous months of non-stop Goldstar status from WU, I no longer have it, for reasons that students around the world are studying why. Maybe it is because a nearby PWS (15 miles away) is reporting temperatures of about 100 degrees in a Chicago suburb in November, so maybe my station might have caught whatever disease this nearby station has, thereby the Goldstar status should be removed from my station pending further review and examination. This PWS outlier is viewable here:

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?dw7813

Rumor has it that Obama and Trump have made my Goldstar omission a major transition of power issue. Priorites by Trump are pick a cabinet, repeal Obamacare, pick a supreme court justice, resolve the Goldstar issue, reduce poverty... So being fourth on this list isn't too bad, all things considered.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: PaulMy on November 12, 2016, 12:01:10 AM

Quote
How do you politely communicate with WU?
Ask first, then lay blame!


Quote
What software do you use to upload webcam photos to WU?
I still use Yawcam to upload once a minute to my site, and use the WU URL method for getting the image.
I don't believe WL can upload images.
The Bloomsky is another matter...


Quote
This PWS outlier is viewable here:
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?dw7813 (http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?dw7813)
Looks like that PWS has an ego thing :roll:  or is it the comparables that are out of sync #-o


Quote
Rumor has it that
What I have heard is they are transitioning to a Big Blue Blue Ribbon award ;)


Enjoy,
Paul
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: zackdog on November 12, 2016, 01:11:39 PM
A new station went on line 11/10/16 that is located roughly a mile from mine.  It already has the "Gold Medal" and is reporting a pressure of 30.88 when mine and the local airport are reporting ~30.39. ](*,)  I don't worry about the "Gold Medal"  any more.

Mark
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on November 12, 2016, 03:23:08 PM
reporting a pressure of 30.88 when mine and the local airport are reporting ~30.39. ](*,)  I don't worry about the "Gold Medal"  any more.

Mark
Shocked that WU hasn't "fixed" it for him. :roll:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: ocala on November 12, 2016, 07:14:00 PM
My station lost its Goldstar rating! Should I jump off a cliff or will it return? "Turn the record over" and learn the results. Talk about dating myself, how many posters have any idea what a "record" is, that is a vinyl record!
I have about 140 vinlys. Often wonder what I could do with them.
Wonder if they are worth anything.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on November 12, 2016, 07:44:01 PM
My station lost its Goldstar rating! Should I jump off a cliff or will it return? "Turn the record over" and learn the results. Talk about dating myself, how many posters have any idea what a "record" is, that is a vinyl record!
I have about 140 vinlys. Often wonder what I could do with them.
How 'bout listening to them. Thankfully, after a 15+ year break and a new cartridge, I rediscovered my vinyl. NEVER should have left. =D&gt; =D&gt;
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 12, 2016, 08:07:26 PM
My station lost its Goldstar rating! Should I jump off a cliff or will it return? "Turn the record over" and learn the results. Talk about dating myself, how many posters have any idea what a "record" is, that is a vinyl record!
I have about 140 vinlys. Often wonder what I could do with them.
How 'bout listening to them. Thankfully, after a 15+ year break and a new cartridge, I rediscovered my vinyl. NEVER should have left. =D&gt; =D&gt;

We are dating ourselves! I just stumbled on my reel to reel tape deck in the basement. I might loan it to WU in return for my Gold Star status!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on November 12, 2016, 08:22:42 PM
That reminded me of something :D About 2 months ago I was doing major clean up in my flat and in one of the shelves I found a .... diskette :D It was actually one that I used about 20 yrs ago on my dad's black/white 10 inch company laptop :D I took it to my work where we still have one PC that has diskette reader. I opened it and there was just one Word document and when I opened it it was an invitation I made for my 9th birthday :D (meaning it was from 1996, probably the very first yr I have ever worked with a computer) and it was just one big colorful page full of WordArts :D :D

And so that I am not OT... some of the word arts were indeed in gold color :D Which I of course did not even know because the screen was B/W
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 12, 2016, 08:24:11 PM
That reminded me of something :D About 2 months ago I was doing major clean up in my flat and in one of the shelves I found a .... diskette :D It was actually one that I used about 20 yrs ago on my dad's black/white 10 inch company laptop :D I took it to my work where we still have one PC that has diskette reader. I opened it and there was just one Word document and when I opened it it was an invitation I made for my 9th birthday :D (meaning it was from 1996, probably the very first yr I have ever worked with a computer) and it was just one big colorful page full of WordArts :D :D

And so that I am not OT... some of the word arts were in deed in gold :D Which I of course did not even know because the screen was B/W

Was it an 3 or 5 inch disk?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on November 12, 2016, 08:25:28 PM
3 :D 1.44MB capacity :D Never worked with 5... Im too young for that :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on November 12, 2016, 08:28:01 PM
Our very first computer we had at home had Windows 98, I remember it was just released as a new OS. That was also the first time I learned there is something called "internet". We had a very slow dial-up and I remember I always counted the number of seconds left till the next interval and I knew I have to disconnect before then not to spend too much money and I prayed that Outlook downloads all new emails in time, sometimes it didnt, so I had to wait for the next day :D My parents didnt let me connect more than once a day because it was very expensive :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 12, 2016, 08:28:25 PM
3 :D 1.44MB capacity :D Never worked with 5... Im too young for that :D

That is what I thought. By the way, did you see the question posted in another thread wondering what you are planning to do in life in 5 years. Did you answer that question as I am interested in your answer and forgot which thread that question was posted.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on November 12, 2016, 08:34:29 PM
No, I missed that, I didnt see that thread... though to be quite honest... I have no clue, because right now I have a rough idea of what I want to do for the next 2 yrs. And then?.... no clue.... I want to finish my PhD, which is tightly related to my job, so I want to stay there too. In long term not so sure. Given I have already lived in several countries around Europe (Germany, Belgium etc.) I am ok with even moving somewhere abroad. I adapt very quickly and so I am practically opened to everything. Though that is not to stay I want to move abroad at all costs.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 12, 2016, 08:39:47 PM
No, I missed that, I didnt see that thread... though to be quite honest... I have no clue, because right now I have a rough idea of what I want to do for the next 2 yrs. And then?.... no clue.... I want to finish my PhD, which is tightly related to my job, so I want to stay there too. In long term not so sure. Given I have already lived in several countries around Europe (Germany, Belgium etc.) I am ok with even moving somewhere abroad. I adapt very quickly and so I am practically opened to everything. Though that is not to stay I want to move abroad at all costs.

Interesting. What do you consider your native langauge? The way you author posts in this Forum makes me think English is your native tougue since it is perfect! But I doubt that it is.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on November 12, 2016, 08:40:56 PM
And with regards to the actual job position... several options too.... Im a MSc geneticist and molecular biologist, working and doing a PhD in meteorology who loves programming and IT :D

My native language is Czech of course ;-) I do prefer English, but I guess German, French or Slovak would also be an option.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on November 12, 2016, 08:56:32 PM
Here is the thing... I love my current job, I have great colleagues, boss... everything is perfect. But...I always said I would rather do something I enjoy for less money than have a high wage and do something you hate. However... right now I am working in a state owned company and we belong to the group with lowest wages. Without a part time job that I do I would not even be able to get by and pay the rent. With part-time job, 60% of all my incomes goes to rent + bills, 25% is the most basic food, 10% is insurance and public transport pass and the remaining 5% is a reserve for things like presents, household items etc. Yesterday and today I came home from work by a night bus at 1AM and my wage is almost equivalent to the one our cleaning lady at work has, very close to the minimum wage. It is much better if you work in the private sector. But it was hard to find a job two years ago when I graduated... in private sector they always require you to have some work experience and it would also be difficult with the PhD.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 12, 2016, 09:06:54 PM
Here is the thing... I love my current job, I have great colleagues, boss... everything is perfect. But...I always said I would rather do something I enjoy for less money than have a high wage and do something you hate. However... right now I am working in a state owned company and we belong to the group with lowest wages. Without a part time job that I do I would not even be able to get by and pay the rent. With part-time job, 60% of all my incomes goes to rent + bills, 25% is the most basic food, 10% is insurance and public transport pass and the remaining 5% is a reserve for things like presents, household items etc. Yesterday and today I came home from work by a night bus at 1AM and my wage is almost equivalent to the one our cleaning lady at work has, very close to the minimum wage. It is much better if you work in the private sector. But it was hard to find a job two years ago when I graduated... in private sector they always require you to have some work experience and it would also be difficult with the PhD.

Hang in there. with your background, including being fluent in multiple languages, you will hit a home run soon. Maybe help Davis roll out the VP3?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on November 12, 2016, 09:10:47 PM
LOL, yes, it was a combination of several factors. First of all, the unemployment rate 2 yrs ago was over 5% higher than now, second, I had zero work experience and I was glad I was accepted to do what Im doing now despite the fact meteorology was just my biggest hobby, but I did not study it. And I was offered the PhD. Im still not even 30 yet so I take it this is a "temporary situation", and it brings me again to the answer to your original question :D What will I do in 5 yrs? Meteotemplate in my free time (hopefully), otherwise I dont know ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: ocala on November 12, 2016, 10:20:37 PM
My station lost its Goldstar rating! Should I jump off a cliff or will it return? "Turn the record over" and learn the results. Talk about dating myself, how many posters have any idea what a "record" is, that is a vinyl record!
I have about 140 vinlys. Often wonder what I could do with them.
How 'bout listening to them. Thankfully, after a 15+ year break and a new cartridge, I rediscovered my vinyl. NEVER should have left. =D&gt; =D&gt;
Problem is they were listen to, a lot. There was one Allman Bros album I wore out.
The CD quality sound today is too good to go back to listening to scratchy albums.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 12, 2016, 10:22:35 PM
My station lost its Goldstar rating! Should I jump off a cliff or will it return? "Turn the record over" and learn the results. Talk about dating myself, how many posters have any idea what a "record" is, that is a vinyl record!
I have about 140 vinlys. Often wonder what I could do with them.
How 'bout listening to them. Thankfully, after a 15+ year break and a new cartridge, I rediscovered my vinyl. NEVER should have left. =D&gt; =D&gt;
Problem is they were listen to, a lot. There was one Allman Bros album I wore out.
The CD quality sound today is too good to go back to listening to scratchy albums.

Are they still selling CDs?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on November 12, 2016, 10:24:06 PM
Though I would say that lifetime of a cd is shorter than that of a vinyl so unless you are using one of those special durable cds they will be useless in a few years time
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on November 12, 2016, 11:21:51 PM
My station lost its Goldstar rating! Should I jump off a cliff or will it return? "Turn the record over" and learn the results. Talk about dating myself, how many posters have any idea what a "record" is, that is a vinyl record!
I have about 140 vinlys. Often wonder what I could do with them.
How 'bout listening to them. Thankfully, after a 15+ year break and a new cartridge, I rediscovered my vinyl. NEVER should have left. =D&gt; =D&gt;
The CD quality sound today is too good to go back to listening to scratchy albums.
Sure, if you're listening to scratchy albums. I have a Rush album I bought in 1979 that I've listened to dozens of times that KILLS practically every piece of digital audio I own, and it's not even my best record.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: ocala on November 13, 2016, 07:35:09 AM
Strange how we go from Goldstar stations to vinyl albums. :?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 13, 2016, 08:51:32 AM
Strange how we go from Goldstar stations to vinyl albums. :?

True, but the discussion is helping me get through the serious depression I currently am experiencing over losing my Goldstar designation on my PWS! I am most hopeful that my Goldstar designation will return in about 24 to 48 hours, but only the WU gods (and Big Blue) know for sure!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on November 13, 2016, 09:23:08 AM
Ahhh.... I wish I could send you mine, I still have it, but my station does not deserve it given how it is sited and what it sometimes measures :D

Maybe we could request a new feature to WU :D Goldstar Marketplace :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on November 13, 2016, 02:01:02 PM
Strange how we go from Goldstar stations to vinyl albums. :?
True, but I considered the legitimacy of the thread topic before I went elsewhere. :roll:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 16, 2016, 09:54:19 AM
Strange how we go from Goldstar stations to vinyl albums. :?

True, but the discussion is helping me get through the serious depression I currently am experiencing over losing my Goldstar designation on my PWS! I am most hopeful that my Goldstar designation will return in about 24 to 48 hours, but only the WU gods (and Big Blue) know for sure!

My Goldstar designation is back! It was a six day hiatus of pain and suffering with that designation removed from my PWS, but somehow I survived. Aspirin, meditation and reflection got me through these times. Thanks to all of you for sending me best wishes and condolences--but I persevered. Seriously, this was actually my fault and to WUs credit, they did not give me my star back until I had 5+days of reporting which is what the Goldstar is supposed to be all about. I had changed the computer I upload my data to CWOP and WU and forgot that in the Davis Weatherlink software there is a separate script for uploads to WU vs. the uploads to CWOP. It was missing for two hours when I received a note from WU that my station was no longer reporting to WU. After discovering my script omission in Weatherlink and entering in the correct information, my station was again reporting to WU. My Goldstar status was not reinstated until I had over 5 days of continous reporting to WU. All this being said, we still see many PWSs that receive this designation that have reported at least 5 continous days but the data so reported is flaky, at best.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: PaulMy on November 16, 2016, 12:32:07 PM

Quote
My Goldstar designation is back! It was a six day hiatus of pain and suffering with that designation removed from my PWS,
\:D/ yes me too =D&gt;
I had some email correspondence with Kari at WU and she replied to my enquiry, and after my response back she was kind to pin on my Gold Star again.  I also lost sleep after finding that other area stations had the Gold Star while mine didn't, and know their data varies and some bad siting #-o 


It seems that the Gold Star program has some human intervention opportunity :) .


I gave Kari a Goldstar thanks for being helpful...


Enjoying again,
Paul
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 16, 2016, 02:15:21 PM
This station (DW7813) doesn't currently upload its data to WU or if it does, WU removed the station. If this station did upload its data to WU, it would be a great test of the Goldstar designation. As of right now, this station is reporting 115 degrees whereas nearby stations are in the mid 50s, all in the Chicago area.

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?dw7813


This station I previously noted above in this thread, but I couldn't resist repeating.

It is beyond reason that CWOP continues to post data from this PWS.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Scalphunter on November 16, 2016, 04:12:14 PM
May you two need an safe room and therapy dogs to console  you?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on November 16, 2016, 04:16:41 PM
May you two need an safe room and therapy dogs to console  you?

Actually, I own a therapy dog that helps out at a local memory care facility. So he can help both me and PaulMy. Thanks for the suggestion! His photo is immediately to the left!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on December 29, 2016, 05:41:29 PM
My third station finally got its Goldstar.

When the Goldstar thingy first came out my AW-1001 had a Gold star but not my AW-0900 or Bloomsky. 
Well a few days later the Bloomsky got the Gold star too but not the AW-0900.

So its been a month or two and I then notice that Rapid-Fire wasn't working for that one station the WS-0900.
I emailed WU support to say the Rapid Fire isn't working for that one station.  About 1 week later I received an email from Kari stating to take a look and see if its working now.   When I checked it was and lo and behold the AW-0900 station go its Gold Star!

Hooray!  But then the next day, Rapid Fire flash stopped working for Everyone's station........     :roll:

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Scalphunter on December 29, 2016, 06:05:16 PM
That  gold star and 4 bucks will get you an beer down at your local pub.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on December 29, 2016, 08:58:34 PM
That  gold star and 4 bucks will get you an beer down at your local pub.

Wow, beer is expensive in Alaska  UU  but my point is that it has nothing to do with the quality but more of the connectivity or something else. I was also trying to be sarcastic hoping I didn't cause the end of rapid flash by bringing attention to it
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on December 29, 2016, 09:00:56 PM
I remember I read that it depends on data availability from the last 5 days - which is not great quality check, but ok, then people posted here their brand new station got a gold star after less than 24 h :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: maarten on January 03, 2017, 07:54:35 PM
I remember I read that it depends on data availability from the last 5 days - which is not great quality check, but ok, then people posted here their brand new station got a gold star after less than 24 h :D

I am one of them....(new member here) I just installed my weather station yesterday. I got it for Christmas from my wife, but she didn't get a mounting pole, so I ordered one. I installed the batteries in the unit the day after Christmas and set it in a place it would get some sun to make sure the batteries remained charged....I did not actually set it up though until yesterday, January 2nd, when I went up on the roof and mounted the unit.

I also registered for my Wunderground station yesterday, and configured the wifi, etc.... and it started reporting within 5 minutes or so. I notices the Goldstar logo maybe about 6 hours or so later, and saw the "5 days" remark. My station reports in every 30 seconds or so, could it be that it has collected enough data to consider it a reliable station?

I have an Ambient Weather WS1001-WIFI
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on January 03, 2017, 08:16:56 PM
I remember I read that it depends on data availability from the last 5 days - which is not great quality check, but ok, then people posted here their brand new station got a gold star after less than 24 h :D

I am one of them....(new member here) I just installed my weather station yesterday. I got it for Christmas from my wife, but she didn't get a mounting pole, so I ordered one. I installed the batteries in the unit the day after Christmas and set it in a place it would get some sun to make sure the batteries remained charged....I did not actually set it up though until yesterday, January 2nd, when I went up on the roof and mounted the unit.

I also registered for my Wunderground station yesterday, and configured the wifi, etc.... and it started reporting within 5 minutes or so. I notices the Goldstar logo maybe about 6 hours or so later, and saw the "5 days" remark. My station reports in every 30 seconds or so, could it be that it has collected enough data to consider it a reliable station?

I have an Ambient Weather WS1001-WIFI

Welcome to the Forum! The concept of WU issuing a Goldstar award is a joke, for the most part, as discussed in numerous threads in this Forum. I have a high quality, well maintained Davis VP2, and while usually my station has the goldstar, many times, for unknown reasons, it doesn't. And the fact that your station has a goldstar with only one day of reporting is goofy, to say the least. CWOP also critiques our data and it too has issues but not as many as WU. I have found the critiquing performed by MesoWest at the University of Utah the best--see my station report below and note the "grade" in the quality check column in the data summary.

http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/meso_base.cgi?stn=C5020

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on January 03, 2017, 09:09:55 PM
http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/regress_database_top.cgi?stn=C5020

http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/regress_database_top.cgi?stn=C2274
 ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on January 10, 2017, 09:02:10 PM
It...it...it's gone..... my Gold Star..... gone........what happened????? Please...... :cry:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on January 10, 2017, 09:26:05 PM
It...it...it's gone..... my Gold Star..... gone........what happened????? Please...... :cry:

Mine too! I called the local hospital to alert them how distressed I am and to get the appropriate doctors on call!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on January 10, 2017, 09:52:41 PM
It's 4 am but I wouldn't fall asleep if I didn't check mine... It's there aaahhhhhh
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on January 10, 2017, 09:57:40 PM
It...it...it's gone..... my Gold Star..... gone........what happened????? Please...... :cry:

Mine too! I called the local hospital to alert them how distressed I am and to get the appropriate doctors on call!

My WU Goldstar designation is back! I will be able to sleep tonight! Now I need to alert my hospital that I won't be checking in! 😃
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: PaulMy on January 10, 2017, 09:58:01 PM

I have been very good the past 5 days ;)


(https://icons.wxug.com/graphics/pws_signup/pws-goldstar-27x21.png)  Komoka Village IONTARIO226

About Goldstar Stations:
This is a high-quality weather station that has passed our quality control process for 5 consecutive days.


Enjoy,
Paul
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Eccomi09 on January 15, 2017, 11:46:32 PM
I remember I read that it depends on data availability from the last 5 days - which is not great quality check, but ok, then people posted here their brand new station got a gold star after less than 24 h :D
Mine was given a gold star after 3 days. I felt special.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on January 16, 2017, 06:03:49 AM
Your station is now worth 5 times its original value :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Phelina on January 22, 2017, 01:06:11 PM
To add to the mystery of Gold Star QC, I just got our station (WS 1001) online for the first time yesterday, and we now have a Gold Star, despite the hover description saying '5 consecutive days of data'. So I think its the interval of data - have set ours to 1 minute refreshes.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on January 22, 2017, 01:57:42 PM
To add to the mystery of Gold Star QC, I just got our station (WS 1001) online for the first time yesterday, and we now have a Gold Star, despite the hover description saying '5 consecutive days of data'. So I think its the interval of data - have set ours to 1 minute refreshes.

No, nothing to do with uploading intervals. WU lives in its own world and to them, one day equals 5 days if they think so. The designation of the Goldstar by WU is nothing short of a joke with no offense to you or anybody else, myself included, that have such a "prestigious" award assigned to his or her PWS. A better and more reliable QC test is the one used by MesoWest at the University of Utah. My station, CW5020, is analyzed by MesoWest here:

http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/meso_base.cgi?stn=C5020

To view your station change the C5020 at the end of this link to your CWOP station number and see the results.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on January 22, 2017, 02:19:28 PM
To add to the mystery of Gold Star QC, I just got our station (WS 1001) online for the first time yesterday, and we now have a Gold Star, despite the hover description saying '5 consecutive days of data'. So I think its the interval of data - have set ours to 1 minute refreshes.
To view your station change the C5020 at the end of this link to your CWOP station number and see the results.
Only if he/she has a Madis ID #.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Phelina on January 22, 2017, 02:28:49 PM
Thanks for the replies, and indeed I have no Madis ID so can't check - so have been watching airport station for correlation.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on January 22, 2017, 03:04:22 PM
Thanks for the replies, and indeed I have no Madis ID so can't check - so have been watching airport station for correlation.

Then join! Link below:

http://www.wxqa.com/SIGN-UP.html

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Phelina on January 23, 2017, 05:12:49 PM

Then join! Link below:

http://www.wxqa.com/SIGN-UP.html

Will do, thank you - just as soon as figure out how to get the data reporting correctly from the PWS - right now just going straight to WU. And lost the Goldstar this morning for no apparent reason - but I did re-site the sensor array this afternoon given a very tall tree 100ft away causing a shadow in the early morning.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on January 23, 2017, 05:46:42 PM

Then join! Link below:

http://www.wxqa.com/SIGN-UP.html

Will do, thank you - just as soon as figure out how to get the data reporting correctly from the PWS - right now just going straight to WU. And lost the Goldstar this morning for no apparent reason - but I did re-site the sensor array this afternoon given a very tall tree 100ft away causing a shadow in the early morning.

Do not lose any sleep when your station loses it Goldstar status. It happens to mine and most other PWS owners for no apparent reason. What software are you using to send to WU?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Phelina on January 23, 2017, 05:56:35 PM

Do not lose any sleep when your station loses it Goldstar status. It happens to mine and most other PWS owners for no apparent reason. What software are you using to send to WU?

Indeed - it was odd to begin with :)

I'm just using the display console that shipped with the WS 1001 which has WiFi and transmits direct to WU.
Hence trying to learn from this forum what other options there are so I can participate in CWOPS etc.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: crawdad62 on February 04, 2017, 02:47:21 PM



Do not lose any sleep when your station loses it Goldstar status. It happens to mine and most other PWS owners for no apparent reason. What software are you using to send to WU?


Ha. No joke. I updated the firmware on my Ambient display and it lost barometric pressure reading for about 3 minutes and I lost my Goldstar status. My BloomSky was off line all weekend last week and retained the star the whole time.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SLOweather on February 04, 2017, 06:19:00 PM
Here you all go. Everyone gets a gold star...

(https://icons.wxug.com/graphics/pws_signup/pws-goldstar-27x21.png)

https://icons.wxug.com/graphics/pws_signup/pws-goldstar-27x21.png
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on February 04, 2017, 06:25:18 PM
Now I get it.....

No-one here understands the algorithm behind assigning gold stars, and since this algorithm must therefore be very complicated, no wonder everything else on WU does not work, all developers are busy perfecting the gold star algorithm :)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on February 04, 2017, 06:49:37 PM
(http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/6d/e9/d5/6de9d531de3491e3b35f83fd4a965b5e.jpg)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on February 04, 2017, 06:51:46 PM
(http://russellstreetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/blindfolded-monkey.jpg)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on February 04, 2017, 06:52:12 PM
LOL, exactly, who cares about stations showing offline, radars not working, radios not working, maps inaccurate, API not working... as long as we get the GS algorithm right, all users will surely be content ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Cutty Sark Sailor on February 04, 2017, 06:55:26 PM
Here's My Gold Star:

(http://frankfortweather.us/WUF/WUF192x62.png) (http://frankfortweather.us/wxabout.php)

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: PaulMy on February 04, 2017, 08:32:16 PM

Quote
Here you all go. Everyone gets a gold star...

(https://icons.wxug.com/graphics/pws_signup/pws-goldstar-27x21.png)

https://icons.wxug.com/graphics/pws_signup/pws-goldstar-27x21.png (https://icons.wxug.com/graphics/pws_signup/pws-goldstar-27x21.png)


Fortunate I still have my WU Gold Star, but as a backup the Gold Award will do and can add 2016 https://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/observations/details/20170205p4gzis8mere6pr99yyb96sc5co


to my collection http://sandaysoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=15358&hilit=wow+gold+award&start=15#p120296


Enjoy,
Paul
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on February 19, 2017, 03:32:41 PM
It looks like WU found the incorrect NOT in their gold star algorithm.  I got mine back, and almost all of the PWS's around me have them as well.....  :roll:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: DanS on April 06, 2017, 03:43:33 AM
To help build confidence in WU's Goldstar rating system, I just saw a PWS  down the road at Chiang Mai University Engineering Facility on the WU map and it had a goldstar rating when I checked.
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on April 06, 2017, 04:18:46 AM
I am forever losing goldy due to data flatline, although the UK Met O are quite forgiving as i still have gold on WOW :)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Billyram on April 06, 2017, 02:06:00 PM
My gold star comes and goes. My Madis rating is more important to me. As long as I'm seeing 2 thumbs up on everything I'm OK.
Billy
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on April 06, 2017, 02:21:21 PM
Who cares if everything else from WU does not work... as long as our goldstars and the algorithm behind assinging them works we will all be happy :-)

I guess it is a little reward to their users, for all the problems they have, they make sure everyone gets a gold star :-) And the more problems, the more stars :-) We are all stars! :)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on April 07, 2017, 07:17:10 PM
I couldn't resist posting this absurd gold star screenshot:

(http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy193/vreihen/gold-star-negative-10000-feet_zpsz0lep5yj.png)

I am testing a new set of sensors that I'm playing with, and decided to create a "throwaway" WU station to see how it tracks against my real station.  Less than 24 hours after it was created, it already had a coveted gold star!  Did I mention that my code was sending the raw pressure instead of the altitude-adjusted pressure that WU expects?  Did I mention that the station elevation was set to 10,000 feet BELOW sea level?  Did I mention that it is sitting on my deck railing, with no radiation shield to keep it from spiking 10+ degrees over the actual temperature?  Did I mention that it was sending implausible humidity readings?  Did I mention that it wasn't sending wind or rain information?  Did I mention that my *real* station is not worthy of a gold star despite tracking nearly identical to an ASOS across town?

Can anyone top this one?????
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on April 07, 2017, 07:21:56 PM
-10000ft? :D Thats one hell of a station

LOL

WU goldstar algorithm did not disappoint me :-)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on April 07, 2017, 07:26:15 PM
I couldn't resist posting this absurd gold star screenshot:



I am testing a new set of sensors that I'm playing with, and decided to create a "throwaway" WU station to see how it tracks against my real station.  Less than 24 hours after it was created, it already had a coveted gold star!  Did I mention that my code was sending the raw pressure instead of the altitude-adjusted pressure that WU expects?  Did I mention that the station elevation was set to 10,000 feet BELOW sea level?  Did I mention that it is sitting on my deck railing, with no radiation shield to keep it from spiking 10+ degrees over the actual temperature?  Did I mention that it was sending implausible humidity readings?  Did I mention that it wasn't sending wind or rain information?  Did I mention that my *real* station is not worthy of a gold star despite tracking nearly identical to an ASOS across town?

Soooooooo, what's your point?


 :lol:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on April 07, 2017, 07:52:21 PM
I think you shouldn't have posted this Arthur, some people might value their star like nothing else  :roll:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: DoctorKnow on April 07, 2017, 08:54:03 PM
I couldn't resist posting this absurd gold star screenshot:

(http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy193/vreihen/gold-star-negative-10000-feet_zpsz0lep5yj.png)

I am testing a new set of sensors that I'm playing with, and decided to create a "throwaway" WU station to see how it tracks against my real station.  Less than 24 hours after it was created, it already had a coveted gold star!  Did I mention that my code was sending the raw pressure instead of the altitude-adjusted pressure that WU expects?  Did I mention that the station elevation was set to 10,000 feet BELOW sea level?  Did I mention that it is sitting on my deck railing, with no radiation shield to keep it from spiking 10+ degrees over the actual temperature?  Did I mention that it was sending implausible humidity readings?  Did I mention that it wasn't sending wind or rain information?  Did I mention that my *real* station is not worthy of a gold star despite tracking nearly identical to an ASOS across town?

Can anyone top this one?????

Now that's what I call a "Very well installed, high quality geek squad certified" weather station! :D:D:D:D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on April 07, 2017, 09:07:40 PM
WU headquarters:

"Hey boss, they all complain our services are very unreliable, useless, poor support and they show overall dissatisfaction, what do we do about it, how do we fix this?"

"Naah... let's just give them a gold star to make them happy"
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: DoctorKnow on April 07, 2017, 09:11:48 PM
Then, as a distraction, they pull your "gold star" every so often, and the users will think somethings wrong with their data, their hardware, or the sky is falling! ROFL
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on April 08, 2017, 01:34:59 AM
I find that any break in data sent to WU for what ever reason results loss of star, as for the Met O WOW, their star just means ya been uploading data more than 350 days regardless of data breaks
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on April 08, 2017, 08:32:00 AM
Soooooooo, what's your point?

:lol:

"Do not use data for anything more than entertainment purposes!"

I think the station status message says it all, and the above sentence should be added as a disclaimer to *every* piece of data they distribute these days.....  :lol:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Eno on May 26, 2017, 12:01:39 PM
Overnight something happened and my station was down for two hours before returning; Gold Star lost, is there a support group?   :-({|=
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: chief-david on May 26, 2017, 12:45:31 PM
As we say in teaching-you will be back in class in 10 minutes
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on May 26, 2017, 03:35:53 PM
I think it takes 5-7 days to get the GoldStar back after a disconnect.

Just happened to me, I did firmware upgrades on my Meteobridge and ObserverIP and once past 15 minutes of offline it lost the gold star.

As for accuracy I will say the my main AW1001 gets the Gold Star along with the Bloomsky, however my WS-0900 never gets a goldstar. 

Oh well :)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on May 26, 2017, 03:47:54 PM
WU is goofy at best. See attached screenshot. Not reporting but reported 9 minutes ago? Talk about oxymoron!

Most of the time, my PWS receives the highly touted and coveted, Goldstar designation and other times not for no apparent reason. Our weather is unreliable but whether my PWS receives the Goldstar designation is even more unreliable than our weather! Since Big Blue took over WU, things at WU have not gotten better, maybe not worse, but certainly not better!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SpringHillWeather on May 26, 2017, 03:52:20 PM
WU is goofy at best. See attached screenshot. Not reporting but reported 9 minutes ago? Talk about oxymoron!

I had the same thing after my disconnect.  I think it was because both the Meteobridge and ObserverIP send data to WU.

I ended up turning off the meteobridge update and let the ObserverIP sync and then once it went back to normal I then turn the meteobridge updates back on.  I notice that my AW1001 only showed RAPID fire when the Meteobridge was set to 30 secs or shorter.  Without the meteobridge and just ObserverIP the station when to 'normal'.   Don't know when they changed that since there isn't an option or link to the RAPID fire anymore.

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: cbh3 on August 16, 2017, 01:11:37 PM
Gold star stations are gone now?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 16, 2017, 01:14:34 PM
Looks like I lost mine as well, cant stop crying since I noticed
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: miraculon on August 16, 2017, 01:33:24 PM
Mine is still there. I am so very proud.  :roll:

(https://icons.wxug.com/graphics/pws_signup/pws-goldstar-27x21.png)

Greg H.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: cbh3 on August 16, 2017, 01:41:10 PM
Weird. I checked a few in my area (mine included) and they are gone. Hmmm...

I won't worry about it since my CWOP data quality (http://weather.gladstonefamily.net/site/C9861) seems just fine.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: gillesroszak on August 16, 2017, 02:02:00 PM
Mine is always there,I think they love me !!!!! ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: 92merc on August 16, 2017, 02:55:16 PM
Both my Bloomsky and Davis Stations still have a gold medal.  :-)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 16, 2017, 05:57:48 PM
I too just lost my Goldstar status. Depression is setting in, but will try an antidepressant until it returns. Will start with a mild antidepressant and hope that one calms my fears. If not, may resort to a drug that requires to be administered via an IV. Hospitalization is a possibility! Come on IBM! Spend some money to get those Goldstars back!

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on August 16, 2017, 06:16:16 PM
I was gonna say "only the cool kids get stars" but mine just disappeared too. :evil:
Time to start a riot... :-"
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on August 16, 2017, 06:51:44 PM
Funny story.  My main station doesn't have a gold star, but my secondary experimental one does.  In order to qualify for that gold star, you apparently cannot send wind/rain data, and must keep your temperature sensor in the sun with no solar shield.  You can't make this stuff up.....
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 17, 2017, 12:45:51 AM
I lost mine yesterday, i went out for three hours, yep, just three hours to come back to windows login screen
There appeared to be a BSoD 1 hour after leaving, it even lost my auto sign in settings else it would have signed
into windows and carried on, i would have been none the wiser, annnyhoo, what with that down time and my
memtest down time after i got in, a total of about 2.5 hrs with a break in between, i lost my star, i checked yesterday
evening and it was gone, vanished, vamoosed, no more, finito, ok, ya get the message, it was plucked right off my  lapel

Now, with me, the gold star is very simple in its workings, if i send data consistently regardless of what sensors are sent
if its consistent, i get me a star, if theres a substantial break i lose it until it becomes consistent again, i do not know
how long the break needs to be but, i have been down for an hour in the past and still kept the star so, somewhere
between 1 hour and 2.5 hours :) Also, i do not know how long the time needs to be for it to be consistent either
i do not believe its the full 5 days as stated, but, there was a time not too long back where i had to wait what felt
like an eternity, although in reality it was prob closer to the 5 days +/-

I dont care what anyone else says, thats how it works for me, if you say any different,
I hereby, reserve the right to, substitute your reality for mine or is that vice versa, either way, i know what i mean,
consider ya self substituted  ;)  :-P :lol:

PS, i should point out that its not data accuracy merited unless your station is reported, it is consistency merited only
i could be reporting the conditions on mars, it wouldnt make any difference as long as i was sending consistent data.

PPS, i will update this when it comes back, then we can see how long it takes compared to the 5 days as stated...
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 17, 2017, 10:53:32 AM
My Goldstar has returned. I did not require the antidepressant via an IV. All is good again. Thanks to everybody for the support!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 18, 2017, 02:16:32 AM
Im still in Gaol :'(
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on August 18, 2017, 06:28:38 AM
My joke of a second station still has its gold star...and is currently reporting 102% humidity.  You can't make this stuff up.....
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 18, 2017, 06:49:19 AM
But, like I said, it does essentially not matter what the readings say, it's down to consistency only.....
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: cbh3 on August 20, 2017, 12:15:19 PM
My gold star has returned as well. They must have been realigning our stations to report the eclipse accurately. Disaster avoided.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 21, 2017, 02:40:22 AM
Mine is back this morning, certainly less than the 5 days sending data, all hail WU :D
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Transporterman on August 22, 2017, 02:16:22 PM
I got my gold star before I had even transmitted five days of data!  \:D/ 
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 23, 2017, 01:13:49 AM
It looks like WU have come to realise that the star means  a lot to many of its members and when some lost it for 5 days they
were complaining about that length of time so they shortened it or back to my original assessment, that if you start up your data
sending just at the right time that their servers are doing the check it will be less than the specified 5 days, just assumptions, no
one will ever know........... lol
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WeatherHost on August 23, 2017, 10:36:37 AM
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]


...
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: chief-david on August 23, 2017, 12:32:20 PM
if this GS thing makes any difference. I may be able to add to this.
Always had a gold star.

My computer has been off since Monday at 7:30 pm. I could not get to it with teamviewer and was out of town because of the eclipse.

I will turn it on again in about an hour. We can see how long it takes for the GS to return. Personally, it is not worth worrying about to me.

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KMNMINNE28#history
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Glenn on August 24, 2017, 01:30:06 PM
I'm going to guess something is off on the programming end. I just set up a second Acurite 5 in 1 Pro+ at our main house. The station was online for less then 12 hours when it checked in this morning. It had a gold star. The station in VT which has been online for a week with no issues, no longer has the star.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 25, 2017, 01:25:42 AM
I'm going to guess something is off on the programming end. I just set up a second Acurite 5 in 1 Pro+ at our main house. The station was online for less then 12 hours when it checked in this morning. It had a gold star. The station in VT which has been online for a week with no issues, no longer has the star.

did you check that station when you said that? ;)
looks like sommat is amiss over there
https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KVTBRATT17#history
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Glenn on August 25, 2017, 08:10:24 AM
Let me know what you saw Bashy. I just looked at the weekly history for the VT station. Nothing stood out to me.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 25, 2017, 09:03:30 AM
I see a temp and dewpoint faltline therefore humidity too through 12am today
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Glenn on August 25, 2017, 09:25:26 AM
Good catch! Thanks for pointing that out. I'll have to keep an eye on that going forward.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: chief-david on August 25, 2017, 03:38:01 PM
if this GS thing makes any difference. I may be able to add to this.
Always had a gold star.

My computer has been off since Monday at 7:30 pm. I could not get to it with teamviewer and was out of town because of the eclipse.

I will turn it on again in about an hour. We can see how long it takes for the GS to return. Personally, it is not worth worrying about to me.

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KMNMINNE28#history

Two days. Not back yet. Not that it matters.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 26, 2017, 12:53:56 AM
It bothers me, it means there was a break in my data upload for longer than an hour, to me, thats not acceptable
The star is my way and my visitors way of knowing that my data is the best that i can get it, me, my data, not talking
about matey down the road with a netamo that has a star too, he is of no interest to me, im on about my star,
my data only. There has been times when my star has gone and i didnt realise i had had a data outage, it brought that to
my attention.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on August 26, 2017, 06:35:38 AM
Two days. Not back yet. Not that it matters.


vvvvvvvvvv (I found the solution!)  :lol: vvvvvvvvvv
                              |  |
                              |  |
                              |  |
                              |  |
                          __|  |__
                           \        /
                             \    /
                               \/
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 26, 2017, 06:47:41 AM
Nice one, claimed mine ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: vreihen on August 26, 2017, 09:45:25 AM
Sorry, I couldn't resist......  #-o

http://www.captiongenerator.com/663912/Weather-Underground-Gold-Stars (http://www.captiongenerator.com/663912/Weather-Underground-Gold-Stars)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 26, 2017, 09:54:37 AM
ha ha ha, thats brill
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: SufferinSuccotash on August 26, 2017, 11:57:45 AM
I'm going to wade into this to give perspective.


The algorithm that WU uses seems to be based on the temperature readings (my personal observations).
IF the temp changes rapidly, or is not updated within a few hours from the last readings then it seems that the GS is removed.


Humidity does not seem to be included in the algorithm, nor the wind readings. 


Obtaining the GS does not require "5 days" of "good" readings since I and others have noted that it is achievable after as little as a few hours of re sending data after an interruption.
Even if the interruption in data is as long a few days it seems that the GS can be reinstated before 5 days after resumption. 
I have noticed that the GS is removed and then the station is dropped even if the temp DROPS  suddenly as in what happens when a rapidly moving front passes by.
I have brought this up with Kari and pointed out that the algorithm is such for temp increase since I suspect that it is there to weed out the PWS that are heated by sunlight.
However this should not apply to cooling.  If anything this should be accounted for since it represents a more accurate portrayal of actual conditions.
The algorithm still is unchanged. 


I personally think that the GS is not that meaningful.  It looks nice and gives the casual observer a sense that the data observed has been sent in with some regularity (my observation again), but that is all.
The algorithm also compares your PWS readings to others around you.  Woe-betide you if you are surrounded be a bunch of Netatmo PWS that are in direct sunlight, your more accurate readings are judged to be incorrect!


my $0.02 worth. :roll:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 26, 2017, 03:03:38 PM
Most folks posting in this Forum recognize the insignificance of the Weather Underground Goldstar. It would be nice if it really meant something, but obviously something went wrong along the way, and it really means next to nothing. MesoWest quality checks are much more informative and useful.

And the video posted by vreihen above is exceptional viewing. Great job! Satire at all!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Glenn on August 26, 2017, 03:39:34 PM
vreihen,
Great work on the stars and the video!  :lol:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: crawdad62 on August 26, 2017, 06:15:46 PM
Most folks posting in this Forum recognize the insignificance of the Weather Underground Goldstar. It would be nice if it really meant something, but obviously something went wrong along the way, and it really means next to nothing. MesoWest quality checks are much more informative and useful.

And the video posted by vreihen above is exceptional viewing. Great job! Satire at all!

I agree. It would be nice if like Bashy was saying it meant something. Like when you lost it then it would alert you to a possible problem with your setup. Unfortunately it doesn't. Comes and goes at random.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 26, 2017, 06:22:17 PM
Quote
Most folks posting in this Forum recognize the insignificance of the Weather Underground Goldstar.

I agree with this sentence and I wish people also agreed with the same statement without the "Goldstar" word at the end of it :-)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 26, 2017, 10:20:36 PM
It bothers me, it means there was a break in my data upload for longer than an hour, to me, thats not acceptable

If you data goes down or flat lines WU should send you an email letting you know. It will also send an email once you start sending data again.

Oh no, your station stopped sending us data on August 1 at 5:55 AM.

Station ID:

KFLNORTH35

We want you back!

Please check your weather station to get back online.

Make sure your device is connected to WiFi. Ensure your router settings are correct. If you have recently changed internet providers update your settings in your weather station software.
Make sure the unit is powered up. Check that solar panels are not obstructed, it is plugged in or has charged batteries.
Make sure you are connecting to wunderground.com. Are you using your computer to send data to Wunderground? Check that it is powered up and not in sleep mode.
Cycle the power. Unplug the unit and plug it back in to see if that resolves that issue.
If these tips do not solve your issue, please review our help articles.

To view your weather stations, visit here and log on with your account.

Thank you,
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on August 26, 2017, 10:32:28 PM
Quote
Most folks posting in this Forum recognize the insignificance of the Weather Underground Goldstar.

I agree with this sentence and I wish people also agreed with the same statement without the "Goldstar" word at the end of it :-)

Disagree. Weather Underground does provide a forum for PWS owners that don't post their data to Findu (CWOP) or comparable websites, so WU does add to the "better good" of weather monitoring and reporting. Unfortunately, I just wish WU would get its act together. Sorry Big Blue, aka IBM. Your arrival on the WU scene didn't help; in fact, it may have made things worse!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 27, 2017, 01:38:10 AM
Most folks posting in this Forum recognize the insignificance of the Weather Underground Goldstar. It would be nice if it really meant something, but obviously something went wrong along the way, and it really means next to nothing. MesoWest quality checks are much more informative and useful.

And the video posted by vreihen above is exceptional viewing. Great job! Satire at all!

I agree. It would be nice if like Bashy was saying it meant something. Like when you lost it then it would alert you to a possible problem with your setup. Unfortunately it doesn't. Comes and goes at random.

WU does if your email addy is correct, if your data stops sending to WU for whatever reason, you get an email, i do
but im not always home to rectify it.

I keep saying this, the GS is for consistency not quality, if you ignore the idea that its for quality, then the GS does actually
mean something be cause it is based on your data upload consistency NOT quality.

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 27, 2017, 01:42:18 AM
Quote
Most folks posting in this Forum recognize the insignificance of the Weather Underground Goldstar.

I agree with this sentence and I wish people also agreed with the same statement without the "Goldstar" word at the end of it :-)

I disagree too, if it wasnt for WU (and MT) i would not have been able to recover 8 years of data.
For me, WU works, i have no issues with it, when i have asked for help Kari has helped albeit slow (2 weeks at one point)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 27, 2017, 01:57:29 AM
Most folks posting in this Forum recognize the insignificance of the Weather Underground Goldstar. It would be nice if it really meant something, but obviously something went wrong along the way, and it really means next to nothing. MesoWest quality checks are much more informative and useful.

And the video posted by vreihen above is exceptional viewing. Great job! Satire at all!

You are talking quality again, how many times do i have to say, stop comparing the GS to other quality checking sites
thats not what the GS is about, its only for consistency, you could send 30ºC higher than it should be, it does not make
any difference, (unless your station is reported of course) as long as you are sending data without at a break you get a GS
and i think  the break is about 90 minutes or more, not figured that part out.
 
Folks that have replied on here have confirmed this too, their data stopped sending, they lost their GS.

For a start, has WU ever stated that the GS is for data quality? some of you just automatically assumed it was for data
quality "has passed our quality control process for 5 consecutive days." does not say data quality, just says quality process
but the "5 days" part and when i have stopped sending for over  and hour, tells me that its consistency

Even the UKMO WOW is the same, Submit over 350 days and you get  gold badge ;)
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 27, 2017, 10:31:50 AM
You are talking quality again, how many times do i have to say, stop comparing the GS to other quality checking sites
thats not what the GS is about, its only for consistency, you could send 30ºC higher than it should be, it does not make
any difference, (unless your station is reported of course) as long as you are sending data without at a break you get a GS and i think  the break is about 90 minutes or more, not figured that part out.

Directly from the WU web site

Are you a quality gold star weather station?

← Personal Weather Stations
How can I tell what stations have high quality data?
All weather station data goes through a quality control (QC) process.
Each station is checked for
Data Validity - Is the data within the valid range?
Sensor Failure - Does you sensor appear stuck or repeat the same value throughout the day?
Neighbor Check - Does your station agree with other nearby stations?

If your data passes all of these quality control (QC) checks, it will appear on our website and apps.

If you station is continuously passing our quality control process for 5 consecutive days, your station will be flagged as gold star.
You can tell whether your station is gold star by logging into your WU account on our website www.wunderground.com
Go to My Profile > My Weather Stations


http://help.wunderground.com/knowledgebase/articles/1086379-are-you-a-quality-gold-star-weather-station
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 27, 2017, 10:38:39 AM
Thanks for pointing that out, I retract my uneducated statements.

But still stand by how I think it works, not how it's meant to work, just how I think it works.

If there is no break it data transfer to wu regardless of data quality, you get ya gold star 🌟 This has been proven time and time again, there are many stations with a GS that has crap data, i have not verified this mind, I have just taken folks word for it when then said about it in their replies in this thread
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 27, 2017, 10:48:25 AM
Exactly as you said WU and MT - in this case it is not really important it is MT, the important thing is the data is YOURS and on YOUR server. Not under control of someone who can do whatever they want with it - sell it, delete it, modify it...

Other thing is that WU misleads people for example by the way they calculate their so-called "average" - for me, someone who loves statistics, it is absolutely unacceptable

and I could go on
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hankster on August 27, 2017, 06:36:57 PM
Thanks for pointing that out, I retract my uneducated statements.

But still stand by how I think it works, not how it's meant to work, just how I think it works.

So WU is telling people that the data goes through QC for accuracy but as you, and many others, have noted, it does nothing of the sort. IMHO, that makes the GS meaningless and actually could be harmful to people that use that data for part of their personal decisions.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 28, 2017, 01:34:09 AM
Not, not pointless, at least not for me, its a good indicator that i have/had an issue on my wx server
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 28, 2017, 05:36:27 AM
It is pointless because it is not true. People who had their stations in operation for less than 24h already had one, likewise, people have lost it without a single gap in their data. This whole GS thing is just a big joke.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 28, 2017, 06:10:23 AM
Actually, people thought they lost it when there was no gap, but j noticed an issue in one of those. I didn't notice any others saying they had lost it there and then else I would have checked to see why it had been lost.

All I have said is how it works for me, if there is a break of about an hour or so in me data, I lose the star, this is all I have said, this is how it's always worked for me, I cannot comment on data quality.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 28, 2017, 07:26:18 AM
Well I had that experience myself a few months back, not a single gap in data and it was gone for like 2 days
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Bashy on August 28, 2017, 07:44:08 AM
Didn't you have sensor issues couple of months back? Someone broke them?
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jáchym on August 28, 2017, 07:55:05 AM
Yes I did, but this was not at that time, it was when everything was perfect.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Glenn on August 28, 2017, 01:35:12 PM
My gold star randomly came back on my station in VT. I did notice that the closest reporting NWS station is now back online as well. Not sure if that plays into it as the station is a number of miles away and at a different altitude.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: mldenison on August 28, 2017, 03:29:09 PM
I didn't even know I had a gold star until I started reading this thread  :grin:
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: chief-david on August 28, 2017, 08:34:28 PM
Mine came back sometime today. Whoopie!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Glenn on August 29, 2017, 07:58:02 AM
Mine keeps flip flopping; one day it's at the CT station, the next the VT. It's just going back and forth.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: hazyarc on September 20, 2017, 01:09:10 PM
I have a Davis Vantage Vue and have been experiencing the same thing (link to PWS here:  https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KSCGREEN32). 

One odd thing I noticed - if you click the "Forecast for Greenwood SC" link and then click the 10 Day tab to get the graph (https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/sc/greenwood/KSCGREEN32), you'll notice the pressure reading prior to the current time is all wacky (see screenshot).  Obviously, the pressure spikes don't correspond to what my station reported on the actual PWS page - I'm wondering if that false reading on that page is what is removing the gold star status.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Glenn on September 20, 2017, 01:29:47 PM
It could be. I had mine back at the VT station for a bit...then it was gone again. I did notice a few breaks in the lines over the weekend one morning. There must have been a communication issue between my station and WU.
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Jack Bowman on September 20, 2017, 07:01:15 PM
Looks like these guys got their Medals from WU today...
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on September 20, 2017, 07:11:02 PM
Looks like these guys got their Medals from WU today...
:lol: Too bad each one doesn't represent a bullet hole. UU
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: Eno on February 02, 2018, 03:31:56 PM
No webcam image for days, Purple Air sensor stopped communicating, but today's last straw?  Goldstar gone! 
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: WheatonRon on February 02, 2018, 04:56:27 PM
My PWS (KILWHEAT17) Goldstar “award” comes and goes for no apparent reason. It will be there one day and not the next. And, it can be there one hour and an hour later be gone, and an hour later it can mysteriously return. As stated by several of us previously in this thread, the concept of the WU Goldstar is truely a joke. And WU’s latest admission to issues it has but is trying to correct, doesn’t addresss this issue, but in the grand scheme of things that WU should be addressing, the Goldstar concept is probably low on its problems list!
Title: Re: Goldstar Stations
Post by: CW2274 on February 02, 2018, 05:04:55 PM
At least they've quit jacking with my pressure, it's been right ever since I whined about it when the "fixers" showed up. :shock: