Topic: What is the longest wireless range AW/Ecowitt/Fine anemometer available?

[SimonsJ]

I need a wind sensor that has a 500m range... and would love 1000m. 

Do any of the AW/Ecowitt/Fine sensors go that far?

What is the 915Mhz protocol?  LoRaWAN or something else?

Has anyone tried hacking in better antennas?

Thanks in advance!

[davidmc36]

I assume Davis is out for you?

I know a guy up the road who gets signal to his console from 900 meters.

The ISS is on top of the school gym roof.

[SimonsJ]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I initially considered that exact solution... it is still in my Amazon cart... But... I'm afraid we have a wishful assumption.

The assumption is that the stub antenna is for the 915Mhz comm to the sensor but I don't think it is.
It looks like a cheap 2.4Ghz stub antenna for the WiFi comm.

LoRa has the ability to go miles... if setup properly.
WiFi with both sides using a high gain yagi pointed at each other... can go 500m+, but I would have to hack the sensor and I'm interested in that.  I would still need to locate the gateway near the sensor (150m?), get power for the WiFi gateway, and then spend quite a bit on new antennas.

Does AW/EW/Fine use LoRa or LoRaWAN for its 915Mhz protocols?

[SimonsJ]

I can't rule Davis out at this point.
We have one of their sensors currently... but they are pricey to purchase and pricey to maintain.
Which model goes 500m w/o 4G cellular fees?

[OldAlaskaGuy]

I have removed my response for the same reason. For S&G I have sent a message to Ecowitt to clarify the antenna question and explain the reasoning behind the request. I will post back when I receive a reply. I am also thinking on moving my array some distance from where it is currently located to get away from the tree line.

[davidmc36]

.....
Which model goes 500m w/o 4G cellular fees?

He has a Davis ISS transmitting to the console.

[Rocketman]

I have a custom setup using Ecowitt WN90LP which is RS485 which I have converted to wireless using https://www.ebay.com/itm/204337744672?_skw=wireless+rs485+868M&itmmeta=01JVR01ACJ886K7ET87D3E3F9M&hash=item2f937a8b20:g:V08AAOSwc7RkYdn2&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dGigZLRmk07vQ5IGYT2qCjC9QQkd4t5IEHT1vGUtbzfo56hfs4T3VOHclVlA2UXFnA3fJdlrhcGgtWOIpsNzAesLUTIEwoXOt6OsbP%2FEt%2FkdZcEfGP3hCHUjARLIwxQyz4TfYKgEUaUXf2Q6Qmh46PPx8GJ6GrmJMss4ayizaGduQYZsnMQTV%2FWiEkmBdwu3pKkCVLAN9vZnULs6evX6IiSL%2FVOqUX7pWdwdQ9%2Bd7KvoLN5US3mF2PK2%2BWeqnDdQ1RBP52VHJ0yISSIdsFVcipPVuPUqyoT0dukmzwxt9x%2FA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMtqaFgN5l
I then connect to a Hongyuv HY Display console ( which supports WN90LP ) fast scanning rates of 2 seconds
The wireless range can be extended by getting better tranceivers

[Gyvate]

I recall that there are some tweaks of the WS80 extending its antenna outdoor with significant gain of distance here in the forum
you'll have to did a bit - maybe with the WS80 range keywords.

[Mattk]

If Davis range/distance is required a long range repeater (7654) near the transmitter end using Omni-Yagi combination will do half a mile to a mile, Yagi-Yagi midway might pull close to 2 miles depending on terrain etc   

[Gyvate]

there are also Yagi antenna based DIY solutions to improve the reception capability of a GW1100 - up to 900 m with four elements.
One is described in the WiKi. Still needs some translation, but nowadays good translation apps are available (e.g. www.deepl.com)
Might even be easier with a GW3000 and its replaceable outside RF-antenna.
You always have two options in such scenarios:
either increase the transmission range of the sensor or the reception range of the console.
For the latter a bigger antenna gain is needed usually obtained via a directional antenna.

[SimonsJ]

<<< Good News UPDATE >>>

Ecowitt support emailed me back to clarify their stub antenna.
It is indeed the 915Mhz ISM antenna, not the WiFi antenna... So, the original plan is back on.

I'll get the GW3001 (GW3000 gateway and WS90 sensor) and try replacing the antenna with a high gain directional.
I'll need to match the impedance and get the right connector, but there are some 10 to 13db yagi's out there that look good enough to test.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DTPXKP8B/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09SYJ91SJ/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLKTZ66P/

I'll post test results when I get everything set up and range tested.

[Gyvate]

The connector at the GW3000 housing is SMA female.
That's by-the-way mentioned in the WiKi: https://meshka.eu/Ecowitt/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=start#gw3000

[OldAlaskaGuy]

<<< Good News UPDATE >>>

Ecowitt support emailed me back to clarify their stub antenna.
It is indeed the 915Mhz ISM antenna, not the WiFi antenna... So, the original plan is back on.

I'll get the GW3001 (GW3000 gateway and WS90 sensor) and try replacing the antenna with a high gain directional.
I'll need to match the impedance and get the right connector, but there are some 10 to 13db yagi's out there that look good enough to test.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DTPXKP8B/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09SYJ91SJ/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLKTZ66P/

I'll post test results when I get everything set up and range tested.

I will be watching this thread. I would like to move my station farther from the tree line.