SCBeachBum
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« on: January 16, 2009, 11:18:43 AM » |
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Hello Ladies & Gentlemen, I am a South Carolina BeachBum from Murrells Inlet, SC just south of Myrtle Beach. I just got my first real weather station and I am looking forward to learning as much as I can about it. I can already tell that I have undertaken quite a project. I purchased a Davis Instruments 6163 Wireless Vantage Pro2 Plus with Fan-Aspirated Radiation Shield & Virtual Weather Station For Vantage Pro Internet Edition software. I think I got everything I will need to post reliable data on the internet to places like Weather Underground? At least that is what I was told by the people at Ambient Weather? I just got the weather station mounted and I am now receiving info to my console. Now I am ready to get the software installed on my laptop and see what it is going to take to get everything else going. I am sure that I have a lot of reading and learning to do to get things going. One of the first things that I have seen is I am running the wrong operating system. I am running Vista Home, I have already purchased the Virtual Weather Station For Vantage Pro and Internet Edition software and from what I have been reading I wont be able to use it? What software do I need to interface with my laptop? I will get back after I do some more reading. It seems that I have a lot left to do,
Thanks,
SCBeachBum
Jim
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mackbig
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« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2009, 11:54:39 AM » |
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Welcome Jim,
While I dont run Vista, many users do. VWS does work with Vista from what the release notes say, and from others' experience.
Andrew
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 Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display. Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64 |
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offroadjosh
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« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2009, 01:42:31 PM » |
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Seems to run just fine on vista:)
Josh
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Josh Patten  Davis VP2 Wireless -May 2008 VWS 14.00P90\WL 5.9.9/Plus others! Skywarn trained CoCoRaHS member Smith Valley Fire Dept Firefighter:) http://josh.northwestwx.com/station/usa.htmCWOP-DW0711 Kestrel 2000 hand held anemometer Cocorahs 4in rain gauge Custom co |
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racenet
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« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2009, 03:31:51 PM » |
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Welcome to the forum Jim.
One thing you didn't mention. Did you purchase the WeatherLink datalogger/software? If not, you will need to get that before you can interface anything to your computer.
Bob
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mackbig
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« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2009, 03:41:56 PM » |
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I hope he got one, especially if it was a phone order with ambient along with VWS and they said he was good to go... Andrew One thing you didn't mention. Did you purchase the WeatherLink datalogger/software? If not, you will need to get that before you can interface anything to your computer.
Bob
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Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display. Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64 |
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racenet
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« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2009, 08:59:07 PM » |
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I never assume anything. He didn't mention it, so it is best to ask.  I wouldn't even venture to assume that it was a phone order. Bob |
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« Last Edit: January 16, 2009, 09:02:21 PM by racenet »
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SCBeachBum
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« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2009, 09:39:47 PM » |
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Hello Guys, Sorry it took me so long to reply. I did make my order by phone. Yhey told me I would be ready to go. I got the Virtual Weather Station #VWS-CD-003 For Vantage Pro Internet Edition. If that is what you are asking. After I installed the CD I get an error message: Could not open communication port, after VWS opens. Hope that helps and you can let me know what I need to do to fix this and get it running. I appreciate any help you Guys can give me. I am not very good when it comes to computers. I am learning though. I am really looking forward to getting this thing working and being able to post my weather on the net.
Thanks,
SCBeachBum
Jim
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blackjack52
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« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2009, 10:03:39 PM » |
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Do you know the comm port your data logger from the console is using  After you get it, go to VWS menu COMMUNICATION, and enter it. |
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SCBeachBum
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« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2009, 10:11:17 PM » |
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I don't have a data logger that I am aware of unless it is built into the 6163 console. Everything I have is wireless as far as I know? The guy I talked to on the phone said I would have everything I needed to do what I wanted to do?
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mackbig
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« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2009, 10:33:35 PM » |
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Is there a cable that runs from your console to the pc?
Is there anything on your invoice/bill that sounds like this? Unless bundled in your deal it would be between $118.95 and $148
Davis Instruments 6510SER Serial WeatherLink For Vantage Pro / Vantage Pro2
or
Davis Instruments 6510USB USB WeatherLink For Vantage Pro / Vantage Pro2
Andrew
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Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display. Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64 |
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saratogaWX
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« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2009, 10:35:18 PM » |
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Your Davis console is wireless to the ISS (sensor systems), but would be wired via a serial or USB cable so you can connect to the PC.
Is there a cable socket on a small wire coming out of the back of the console? That would be the connector for the data logger.
Best regards,
Ken
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Ken True/Saratoga, CA, USA main site: saratoga-weather.orgDavis Vantage Pro Plus - FARS, Boltek-PCI/NexStorm, GRLevel3, WD, WL, VWS, Cumulus, Meteohub Free weather PHP scripts/website templates - update notifications on Twitter saratogaWXPHP |
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SCBeachBum
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« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2009, 10:40:31 PM » |
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There are no wires coming from the back of the console.
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saratogaWX
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« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2009, 10:42:29 PM » |
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Ahhh... there needs to be a Davis Instruments 6510SER Serial WeatherLink For Vantage Pro / Vantage Pro2 (preferably) installed for your Davis Console to be able to talk with your PC, otherwise, no VWS use is possible  |
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Ken True/Saratoga, CA, USA main site: saratoga-weather.orgDavis Vantage Pro Plus - FARS, Boltek-PCI/NexStorm, GRLevel3, WD, WL, VWS, Cumulus, Meteohub Free weather PHP scripts/website templates - update notifications on Twitter saratogaWXPHP |
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SCBeachBum
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« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2009, 10:51:48 PM » |
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Davis Instruments 6510USB 6510USB-LOW 1 208.95 Virtual Weather Station Version =
USB WeatherLink Virtual Weather Station #VWS-CD-003
For Vantage Pro and Internet Edition (+$90.00)
VantagePro2
(Shipped)
This is what they shipped (or were supposed to have shipped) it looks like the forgot the USB WeatherLink? I will have to call them on Monday and see if I can't get this straightened out.
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George Richardson
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« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2009, 10:56:17 PM » |
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BUT, Don is feeding a laptop and therefore probably does not have a serial port.
Don, most folks on this forum recommend the Serial Logger but if your laptop only has USB connectivity, you should research USB vs. serial to usb.
What might trigger for you, this hardware you need comes packaged in the Davis WeatherLink software box. I am surprised that Ambient sold you VWS for internet and did not include the DataLogger. Oh well, looks like they may have made their one allowed mistake for the year in January too!
George
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mackbig
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« Reply #15 on: January 16, 2009, 11:12:00 PM » |
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That is definitely the part you need. So there is nothing in the box that looks like a USB on one end... and ??? on the other.. Andrew  Davis Instruments 6510USB 6510USB-LOW 1 208.95 Virtual Weather Station Version =
USB WeatherLink Virtual Weather Station #VWS-CD-003
For Vantage Pro and Internet Edition (+$90.00)
VantagePro2
(Shipped)
This is what they shipped (or were supposed to have shipped) it looks like the forgot the USB WeatherLink? I will have to call them on Monday and see if I can't get this straightened out.
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Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display. Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64 |
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saratogaWX
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« Reply #16 on: January 16, 2009, 11:17:08 PM » |
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(Looks like I was just a bit slow in posting  ) The packing slip showed you should have it .. have you rummaged through the packing materials for a small package (the datalogger is small) and a WeatherLink CD (they're shipped together)? It looks (and is connected) like this  Best regards, Ken |
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Ken True/Saratoga, CA, USA main site: saratoga-weather.orgDavis Vantage Pro Plus - FARS, Boltek-PCI/NexStorm, GRLevel3, WD, WL, VWS, Cumulus, Meteohub Free weather PHP scripts/website templates - update notifications on Twitter saratogaWXPHP |
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SCBeachBum
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« Reply #17 on: January 16, 2009, 11:18:49 PM » |
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I just checked the box everything came in, it was there. Do I feel like an IDIOT!!! Now I have to figure out how to get the drivers installed. I got an error and it sent me to a website and that didn't work. Now I will have to do some more looking to see what to do. I will get back to you a little later and let you know how it is going. I will probably have some more questions, You guys are really great and have straightened me out. I sure appreciate it.
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blackjack52
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« Reply #18 on: January 16, 2009, 11:27:40 PM » |
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I can't believe they sold you a USB with the known problems. Every notebook has a pcmcia card or Express card slot that can handle the serial data logger. You could have ordered the card at the same time and had both PWS and card at the same time w.out the inherent problems.
Unless you didn;t want to deal with the serial logger.
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SCBeachBum
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« Reply #19 on: January 16, 2009, 11:48:29 PM » |
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MadALwx, I don't understand exactly what you are saying? I have tried to re-install the software to get the drivers to load and I get an error: can't find drivers and it says to go to Silicon Laboratories Inc to download drivers. When I go there I get another error: The following file(s) have been blocked by the administrator: /public/documents/software_doc/drivers/Microcontrollers/Interface/en/CP210x_VCP_Win2K_XP_S2K3.exe
Now I am really lost???? I am trying to register there to get to the download area to see if I can find the drivers. I will get back later or it may be tomorrow if things don't go too good tonight. I am getting tired and don't know how much longer I can stay up:)
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saratogaWX
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« Reply #20 on: January 16, 2009, 11:51:17 PM » |
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It's true we've heard only about the USB problems (and nary a one about the serial adapter) .. but.. lots of folks are using the USB version successfully, so here's hoping that SCBeachBum is among the majority working USB users The latest USB driver is available from the Davis site at http://www.davisnet.com/support/weather/software_sftwr.aspYou'll probably want the "WeatherLink 5.8.2" which includes the updated USB drivers. Best regards, Ken |
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Ken True/Saratoga, CA, USA main site: saratoga-weather.orgDavis Vantage Pro Plus - FARS, Boltek-PCI/NexStorm, GRLevel3, WD, WL, VWS, Cumulus, Meteohub Free weather PHP scripts/website templates - update notifications on Twitter saratogaWXPHP |
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SCBeachBum
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« Reply #21 on: January 16, 2009, 11:59:13 PM » |
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Thanks saratogaWX, I'm downloading as we speak. I would have never found it the place es that it sent me to. I hope that this works. I feel dumb enough as it is. (not unpacking it all as it were) I guess I was just so excited to finally get a good weather station I got a little ahead of myself wanting to get it a put together. Now I am going to slow down and do everything right the second time around:)
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SCBeachBum
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« Reply #22 on: January 17, 2009, 12:24:19 AM » |
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Ken & Everyone Else that has helped me tonight. I sure Appreciate everything you guys did for me. I can't believe it but I have DATA on my laptop... I will be more than Happy to share it with you as soon as I figure that out. That will have to be tomorrow though. I need to take some meds and try to get some shut eye for now. I hope to get many hours enjoyment chatting with and learning more from you guys. Thanks again, All is Appreciated.
Good Night,
SCBeachBum
Jim
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saratogaWX
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« Reply #23 on: January 17, 2009, 01:26:11 AM » |
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You're welcome, Jim! It's what the forum is all about .. helping each other explore our 'weather addiction' Easy on the meds .. you'll need a clear head for the next configuration stuff.  Best regards, Ken |
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Ken True/Saratoga, CA, USA main site: saratoga-weather.orgDavis Vantage Pro Plus - FARS, Boltek-PCI/NexStorm, GRLevel3, WD, WL, VWS, Cumulus, Meteohub Free weather PHP scripts/website templates - update notifications on Twitter saratogaWXPHP |
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racenet
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« Reply #24 on: January 17, 2009, 07:38:03 AM » |
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I can't believe they sold you a USB with the known problems. Every notebook has a pcmcia card or Express card slot that can handle the serial data logger. You could have ordered the card at the same time and had both PWS and card at the same time w.out the inherent problems.
Unless you didn;t want to deal with the serial logger.
Because it is a current, valid, non recalled product from Davis.  Bob |
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