Topic: Weather Data Posted to Internet via Wildblue Satellite Internet

[BayouOsFan]

I am new to the personal weather stations.  After a few weeks of research, I have decided to purchase a Davis Vantage Vue and want to send the data to the internet.  But I am wondering what would be the best software setup for satellite internet (Wildblue); one of the downsides of country living.  I currently have a modem (provided by Wildblue) and a Cisco router.  My computer does not run 24/7, but if that would make for a better solution, that would not be a problem.

Any thoughts or other suggestions concerning uploading data via satellite would be appreciated.

Robert L.
Clinton, LA

[dalecoy]

Are you thinking of:

A.  Having your own website to display your weather information?  and/or

B.  Having some other commercial website(s) receive your data and perhaps display it?

[miraculon]

I would assume that your router and WildBlue modem would act like any other always-on broadband internet connection.
I am not really familiar with the Davis equipment, but I see that they have a module that plugs into your console that gives you an ethernet connection. This "Weather Link IP" could connect to a port on your router. That way you could avoid running the PC all the time.

http://www.vantagevue.com/products/product.asp?pnum=06555

I don't see any reason that there would be any difference between the satellite connection and any other system such as DSL or cable modem. It is just a TCP/IP connection from the PC or IP module.

---------------
Take a look over at this thread regarding Weather Link IP: http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=10862.0

[SlowModem]

Check to see if you have fair access or other bandwith limitations.  Some providers have a limit on download or upload usage which might cost you more, or slow down your speed.

[dalecoy]

I don't see any reason that there would be any difference between the satellite connection and any other system such as DSL or cable modem. It is just a TCP/IP connection from the PC or IP module.

The big difference is the latency.  Because the signal is traveling over 22,000 miles to the satellite and the same distance back, it takes the transmitted packet about 1/2 second to get to its destination. 

I have no idea how (or if) that would affect the WeatherLinkIP.  If considering that option, I would recommend a call to Davis support, to ask them.

[BayouOsFan]

Are you thinking of:

A.  Having your own website to display your weather information?  and/or

B.  Having some other commercial website(s) receive your data and perhaps display it?

I think initially it will just be using the standard website to post the info.  But I believe down the road I may want to try to make my own website.

[Bushman]

Do you really want/need always-on reporting?  You coul just upload at periodic intervals

[BayouOsFan]

Do you really want/need always-on reporting?  You could just upload at periodic intervals

I don't really "need" it, but it would be nice.  With the WeatherlinkIP, you can choose the time intervals to upload your data?  That's why I figured I would get on here and ask the questions before I make the purchase.  There seems to be quite a few people on this site that are VERY knowledgeable about this stuff!

[Bushman]

Remember that if you go WLIP you will have to figure out how to get the data back when you go to your own site.

[dalecoy]

Remember that if you go WLIP you will have to figure out how to get the data back when you go to your own site.

If you use the WeatherLinkIP with WeatherLink software, the data (archive) can be also kept locally.  And/or it can be rather easily retrieved from the WeatherLink.com site.

[Bushman]

But then it will not be live, right?