Topic: What do I need to get my station on the web?

[weather or not]

I am a newbe and would like to know what software is need to get my station on the web. If possible give me my option as paid and not paid options and maybe what hardware is needed. Thank you in advance. I am having fun with the weather.

[dalecoy]

What hardware do you have?  Where are you located?  What sort of internet connection do you have?  Does your ISP offer a free web site for you (or a site for a fee)? 

[weather or not]

The only thing I have is the Davis Vantage
Vue weather station.  Nothing special.

[weather or not]

I have ATT DSL and I am located in Chico California.

[weatherforyou]

Chico was the first place I put up a weather station as a kid (about 34 years ago). 

For the Davis station you'll need the Davis Instruments WeatherLink 6510SER (for serial connection), 6510USB (for USB) OR 6520 if you're going to use a Mac computer.  Cost will be around $140.  This gets the information from your weather station into your computer.

Next you'll need the computer.  That's up to you.   

Then you'll need software.  WeatherLink has software which covers the basic needs.  For more features a list of good software is available at...

http://www.pwsweather.com/faqs.php#What-do-I-need-to-post-my-data-to-PWSweathercom

Some if it's free, some cost.  All have pluses and minuses.  Really comes down to a personal preference.  Good thing is all of them (I think) that cost have trial periods so you can see which one will best fit your needs.

With any of the software listed above your data can be sent to PWSweather.com/WeatherForYou.com, WeatherBug, CWOP, Weather Underground and AWEKAS all of which will give you a page that will show your current and archived data with graphs and other features.  You can send to one, some or all of them.

If you want your own weather website most of the software come with templates to help you get up and running.  If your Internet service provider gives you free web space with your account that's often enough.  If not there are places you can host your website for a little monthly fee.  Others here can comment on which ones are good.

So that's an overview.  Others will probably jump in with other help.  Feel free to ask questions.  And you'll find a bunch of helpful people here.

Welcome!

[SlowModem]

Most people have a datalogger that connects the console to the computer.  It stores data and also sends it to the computer.  If you buy a Davis  datalogger, it comes with Weatherlink software.  Some feel the software is dated and/or plain jane with not many bells and whistles.

I have a Davis station with the serial datalogger, and I use WUHU software because it's free and it works on my other two non-Davis stations, so I can do an equal comparison between the stations.

There are some on here that have made home-made datalogger type devices for a much lower price than Davis, but it doesn't come with any software.  And, lately, there has been some question as to whether the new consoles will work with the home-made connectors (because of Davis upgrades and such).  Do a search and look through the Davis threads for more info on this subject.

The bottom line is that you have to connect your console to the computer somehow, and you have to have software to upload the data to the internet.

OR there is also an optional weatherlink IP device that connects the console to your router, if you have a wifi network at home.  That way you don't need a computer running all the time.

Sorry if this is kind of rambling on.  It can be overwhelming to someone just getting into the hobby.  Luckily, you've found this forum, and there are some really smart folks here that can help a lot.

Good luck!