Topic: Ambient Weather WS-5000 Extended Range Modification

[F2Interceptor]

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I replaced a WS-2000 with a WS-5000. I set the Sensor Array out in the open that was 350 feet away from the house. The console (Home Screen) displayed just the antenna icon for the signal strength (no bars). The following is how the signal strength can be greatly increased.
The Sensor Array has the solar panel & sonic wind speed sensor:
1. Remove the two AA batteries from the sensor array.
2. Unscrew (1/2 inch turn) the top round solar panel form the main body. Disconnect the two ribbon cables to the main control board. 
3. Unscrew the 4 screws that hold the middle section to the main body. Gently pull this section off to expose the main control board.
4. You will see on the control board a point labeled ANT, with a small brass coil (the antenna).
5. Using a soldering iron remove the brass coil antenna from the main control board.
6. The replacement antenna will be a single strand of copper wire that is 6 inches long. This is a 1/2 wave length for 915 Mhz.
7. Partly assemble the middle section and align the main body and mark on the inside where the ANT point is on this section.
8. Using at 1/16 inch drill bit, drill a small hole at this marked point through the middle section.
9. Solder the 6 inch copper wire (new antenna) to the main control board where the brass coil antenna was soldered.
10. Carefully feed the 6 inch copper wire antenna through the hole drilled as you start to assemble the middle section.
11. Note there is a rubber ring that seals the main and middle sections together. Make sure the rubber ring is seated as the two sections are connected.
12. Secure the sections together by screwing in the 4 screws that were previously removed.
13. Connect the two ribbon cables to the main control board from the round solar panel.
14. Seat the solar panel and then turn 1/2 inch to lock the solar panel to the main unit.
15. Bend the copper wire antenna at a 45 degree angle upward.
16. On the outside apply a small amount of puddy sealant around the hole where the antenna exists.
17. Install the two AA batteries.
18. Finished.
Reinstall the Sensor Array out in the field and you should see a significant increase in signal strength on the console display (Home Screen). I now see a minimum of 2 bars and most of the time it is fulll scale at 4 bars signal strength!
The rain gauge is a separate unit from the sensor array of the WS-5000. Mine is mounted closer to the house so it did not have a signal strength issue.

[Gyvate]

that's quite an amount of work you invested ...
Another probably simpler approach is to improve the reception of the HP2550 console (Ambient WS-2000/WS-5000 console) by changing the location of the inside antenna cable.
The red antenna cable is usually placed in an angled way. Placing it just vertically along the small side and using the existing holders to fix it there will significantly increase the console's reception gain.
see the pictures in https://www.wetterstationsforum.info/viewtopic.php?p=15674#p15674
even though the text is in German (which could be translated using e.g. translate.google.com  ), the pictures speak for themselves.

And even more reception gain can be reached by installing an external antenna at the console.
see https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=41113
don't be confused by the name - the HP1000SE Pro is the WS-2000/WS-5000 console as far as the hardware is concerned
see also https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=40730.0

[OCweather5000]

What gauge copper wire did you use.

[F2Interceptor]

Do not know the gauge number.  It was a strand from a larger copper wire.  As you can see from the image it needs to be self supporting at any angle. After using this modification I find the most consistent signal is when the wire is vertical not at 45 degrees as mentioned.   

[OCweather5000]

Thanks for posting the steps. I did them all except I uncoiled the brass antenna instead of cutting and adding the coppper. The brass uncoiled almost to 6 inches. Signal greatly improved.