Topic: 2016 PCB on 2005 VP2

[WxLover16]

I got a new PCB for my station and was wondering if I put my old PCB (manufactured in February '16) on my old August 2005 VP2, would it work and be compatible with the old analog temp/hum sensor that is already installed in it or would I need to get a 15 or 31 for it to work with it?

[johnd]

They always used to be backwards compatible with the analogue T/H, but it's not formally part of the spec so difficult to know for sure, short of asking one of the engineers at Davis (suspect that front-tine support could be hit and miss on this question). It may be that the AS and later ones lost this capability but maybe not. All I can suggest is to try it - I doubt that it will do any harm.

That said, the best thing is to change the T/H to a current one as well - they're a lot cheaper than they used to be and you'll be getting substantially better accuracy too of course.

[WxLover16]

They always used to be backwards compatible with the analogue T/H, but it's not formally part of the spec so difficult to know for sure, short of asking one of the engineers at Davis (suspect that front-tine support could be hit and miss on this question). It may be that the AS and later ones lost this capability but maybe not. All I can suggest is to try it - I doubt that it will do any harm.

That said, the best thing is to change the T/H to a current one as well - they're a lot cheaper than they used to be and you'll be getting substantially better accuracy too of course.

Well, I just installed the Feb '16 PCBA in my 2005 VP2, I just need to get batteries for the console and I will see if it's registering the temp/hum. Will be interesting to see. I'll report back. BTW, I went on youtube to see videos of how to install it (looked easy enough), but when you actually go to do it yourself, it's a literal piece of cake to do. You just have to line it up and it snaps right into place. Very easy fix.

[WxLover16]

BTW, after installing the new PCBA on my Feb '16 VP2, I'm noticing the reception has gone from 100% as it always was to 98% and I already have nearly 300 CRC errors and 310 bad data packets for the day. On my old PCBA, I would have less than this for the entire day. Do different PCBA's function differently with reception or did I receive a less than perfect one? 98% is still good but not as good as 100%, obviously. Just wondering...

BTW, only reason I changed PCBA's is because my station fell last December and the antenna broke and was going haywire in cold weather last winter.

[WheatonRon]

BTW, after installing the new PCBA on my Feb '16 VP2, I'm noticing the reception has gone from 100% as it always was to 98% and I already have nearly 300 CRC errors and 310 bad data packets for the day. On my old PCBA, I would have less than this for the entire day. Do different PCBA's function differently with reception or did I receive a less than perfect one? 98% is still good but not as good as 100%, obviously. Just wondering...

BTW, only reason I changed PCBA's is because my station fell last December and the antenna broke and was going haywire in cold weather last winter.

Don't know the answer to your question, but since the Davis console manual shows 96%, I guess they are telling us anything above that figure is fine, or at least that would be my interpretation!

[WxLover16]

BTW, after installing the new PCBA on my Feb '16 VP2, I'm noticing the reception has gone from 100% as it always was to 98% and I already have nearly 300 CRC errors and 310 bad data packets for the day. On my old PCBA, I would have less than this for the entire day. Do different PCBA's function differently with reception or did I receive a less than perfect one? 98% is still good but not as good as 100%, obviously. Just wondering...

BTW, only reason I changed PCBA's is because my station fell last December and the antenna broke and was going haywire in cold weather last winter.

Don't know the answer to your question, but since the Davis console manual shows 96%, I guess they are telling us anything above that figure is fine, or at least that would be my interpretation!

What is your reception usually at? Ever since I've had a VP2 since 2005 I've never had a reception lower than the upper 90s but then again my station has always been under 100' of the console too. Right now station/console are about 70' apart.

[WheatonRon]

I normally get 98-100% on both of my VP2 stations. The ISSs are about 60 feet away from their respective receiving consoles.

[dalecoy]

BTW, after installing the new PCBA on my Feb '16 VP2, I'm noticing the reception has gone from 100% as it always was to 98% and I already have nearly 300 CRC errors and 310 bad data packets for the day. On my old PCBA, I would have less than this for the entire day. Do different PCBA's function differently with reception or did I receive a less than perfect one? 98% is still good but not as good as 100%, obviously. Just wondering...

After installing the PCB in the ISS, and firing it up, did you completely "reboot" your console?  If not, that might make a difference. 

[WxLover16]

BTW, after installing the new PCBA on my Feb '16 VP2, I'm noticing the reception has gone from 100% as it always was to 98% and I already have nearly 300 CRC errors and 310 bad data packets for the day. On my old PCBA, I would have less than this for the entire day. Do different PCBA's function differently with reception or did I receive a less than perfect one? 98% is still good but not as good as 100%, obviously. Just wondering...

After installing the PCB in the ISS, and firing it up, did you completely "reboot" your console?  If not, that might make a difference.

I did not. That's a solid idea. Will give it a shot.

[dalecoy]

Frequencies on these devices are not "exact".  See page the console manual section of Reception Diagnostic Screen for things like "radio frequency error" and "frequency correction factor".  [Did you look at those earlier?]

You changed the transmitter, and the new one may not be exactly on the "same frequency" as the previous one.  Rebooting the console may (should) tell the console to automatically adjust.

If I'm correct, then waiting a day or two might have seen your reception return to "perfect", but .....

[dalecoy]

I had hoped that WxLover16 would report results after a console reboot.

Yesterday, I received a PM from WxLover16 that said:

"Alright well I did it. We'll see if it happens. Granted, the 99% it went up to is still very good, but I was spoiled with 100% for years. "

Obviously, I'm curious about further improvement, etc.

[WxLover16]

I had hoped that WxLover16 would report results after a console reboot.

Yesterday, I received a PM from WxLover16 that said:

"Alright well I did it. We'll see if it happens. Granted, the 99% it went up to is still very good, but I was spoiled with 100% for years. "

Obviously, I'm curious about further improvement, etc.

It didn't improve. 616 consecutive good packets. used to always be 1-2K. 98% reception. 267 CRC errors, 459 bad packets. We'll see if it improves as you said it has to "learn".

[CW2274]

I had hoped that WxLover16 would report results after a console reboot.

Yesterday, I received a PM from WxLover16 that said:

"Alright well I did it. We'll see if it happens. Granted, the 99% it went up to is still very good, but I was spoiled with 100% for years. "

Obviously, I'm curious about further improvement, etc.

It didn't improve. 616 consecutive good packets. used to always be 1-2K. 98% reception. 267 CRC errors, 459 bad packets. We'll see if it improves as you said it has to "learn".

Have you messed with antenna placement, ISS and/or console?

[WxLover16]

I had hoped that WxLover16 would report results after a console reboot.

Yesterday, I received a PM from WxLover16 that said:

"Alright well I did it. We'll see if it happens. Granted, the 99% it went up to is still very good, but I was spoiled with 100% for years. "

Obviously, I'm curious about further improvement, etc.

It didn't improve. 616 consecutive good packets. used to always be 1-2K. 98% reception. 267 CRC errors, 459 bad packets. We'll see if it improves as you said it has to "learn".

Have you messed with antenna placement, ISS and/or console?

Nope, setup is identical to what it was. Perhaps I should put the console outside next to the ISS and see what happens. Maybe that would help the transmitter to "hear" my console better from here on out? Grasping at straws here...

Otherwise, is it possible I got a defective PCBA? I mean sure 97-98 isn't anything horrible, but I would expect to see 100 since that is all I was getting with my old one. Maybe it will just take time as Dale said.

Also, the background noise went from 12 to 10. IDK if that matters at all but it is a change. It used to be as high as 13.

[CW2274]

Only thing I can think of is perhaps this transmitter is slightly weaker than the other. 

[WxLover16]

Only thing I can think of is perhaps this transmitter is slightly weaker than the other. 

Great! I pay 100 bucks for a new PCBA and it's weaker with worse reception than the last. Only reason I got this one was due to the fall that broke my old antenna and in cold weather it would go bonkers! At least I know with this one that won't happen. Just sucks I might have got something less than what I had before. Oh well 

[CW2274]

Only thing I can think of is perhaps this transmitter is slightly weaker than the other. 

Great! I pay 100 bucks for a new PCBA and it's weaker with worse reception than the last.

It's just a guess.

[WxLover16]

Only thing I can think of is perhaps this transmitter is slightly weaker than the other. 

Great! I pay 100 bucks for a new PCBA and it's weaker with worse reception than the last.

It's just a guess.

Yeah, but you might be right.

[WheatonRon]

Only thing I can think of is perhaps this transmitter is slightly weaker than the other. 

Great! I pay 100 bucks for a new PCBA and it's weaker with worse reception than the last.

It's just a guess.

Yeah, but you might be right.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over this issue. At 95%+, Davis would likely say the unit is within specs. More importantly, the station is working fine otherwise so the only reason you know about this issue is the diagnostic tests in the console, correct? If so, have a glass of wine 🍷 and wait for hockey 🏒 season to begin in a few weeks!

[WxLover16]

Only thing I can think of is perhaps this transmitter is slightly weaker than the other. 

Great! I pay 100 bucks for a new PCBA and it's weaker with worse reception than the last.

It's just a guess.

Yeah, but you might be right.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over this issue. At 95%+, Davis would likely say the unit is within specs. More importantly, the station is working fine otherwise so the only reason you know about this issue is the diagnostic tests in the console, correct? If so, have a glass of wine 🍷 and wait for hockey 🏒 season to begin in a few weeks!

LOL yes correct that's the only reason I know about the issue. More like, I'll have a glass of wine and wait for Irma to blow me into oblivion!

[dalecoy]

You reported the information from the Statistical Diagnostic Screen.  What does the Reception Diagnostic Screen indicate?  In particular, things like Signal Strength and "radio frequency error" and "frequency correction factor".

Are the antennas in the same orientations that they were?

And, just to be sure, I suggest that you check to verify that the connection between the transmit antenna and the PCB is good. 

[WxLover16]

You reported the information from the Statistical Diagnostic Screen.  What does the Reception Diagnostic Screen indicate?  In particular, things like Signal Strength and "radio frequency error" and "frequency correction factor".

Are the antennas in the same orientations that they were?

And, just to be sure, I suggest that you check to verify that the connection between the transmit antenna and the PCB is good.

Uh oh, it says the signal strength should be between 20-60 and mine is right at 59/60. That doesn't move and the radio frequency error is all between -1 and 1. So a signal strength that doesn't go below 59, what does that mean exactly? Frequency correction factor is between 5 and 6.

The ISS antenna (with old PCBA) was lowered toward the house, now I have it straight up, (but they are basically on a same level, flat ground from ISS to console) so not sure if that could do anything to reception. console antenna has always been straight up.

[dalecoy]

The signal strength is excellent, and having the antennas that way (both pointed up) is good.

The frequency correction factor is a bit troubling.  Could you tell us the other items on the Reception Diagnostic Screen, please?

But I'm thinking things will be OK, even with the current statistical percentage - and probably will eventually approach 100%. 

[WxLover16]

Today the stats are 98% reception, signal strength still 59-60, radio frequency error -1 to 1,current frequency correction factor between 5 and 6. I really don't know what all that means but I would think the signal strength of 59-60 is too high because anything above 60 and I miss a packet or one is deemed bad. The lower the number the better, right?

[dalecoy]

The higher the signal strength number, the better.  And I believe that 60 is as high a number as it will go.  So, that's good.

How about the other items on the Reception Diagnostic Screen?