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Weather Station Hardware => Ambient Weather and Ecowitt and other Fine Offset clones => Topic started by: olicat on April 15, 2024, 08:43:42 AM
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Hi!
For the WS90 is a new firmware available: v1.4.3 (https://osswww.ecowitt.net/uploads/20240415/WS90_Firmware%20&%20Tookit.zip)
Changelog (https://osswww.ecowitt.net/uploads/20240415/WS90%20Firmware%20Release%20Notes.pdf) WS90 Firmware V1.4.3 Upgrade 2024-04-15
1.Optimize wind speed measurement. To ensure accuracy with the upgrade, a recalibration tozero is required for it to take effect.
You may find these files also on the Ecowitt product page for the WS90 (https://www.ecowitt.com/api/quickstart/product?id=249).
Oliver
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hi can some one explain what re-calibration to zero means? Basically pre the calibration button when there is 0 wind? thanks
EDIT: Page 20 of manual.
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updated and recalibrated in the middle of elevated wind. Not sure what you can take out of this, maybe its almost the same.
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There is confidence that it will work stably and well, because I do not smile to climb on the roofs and waste time. I've done it enough times.
The amount of updates to the WS90 has been overwhelming over the past 2 years and the product has continued to fail to run to soft 1.3.8 according to the manufacturer's specifications in the product sheet. I have concerns that 1.4.3 will not be any better. I have already commissioned a colleague from Poland to test against Davis VP2 and Hongyuv WDS2E after Lorawan. It looks like we are guinea pigs for Ecowitt, paying money for the product and they are releasing new software versions by trial and error, probably testing the Wittboy and WS80 without a reference device a longer period of time.
In the near future, we will juxtapose the Wittboy on charts with this device to check the Fine Offset accuracy claims: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8ZxAkw23DM
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From an earlier discussion with Ecowitt, the calibration to zero is the WS90 (or WS80) unit brought into an area with no wind (indoors) and the CAL button pressed and released whilst the unit remains still.
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From an earlier discussion with Ecowitt, the calibration to zero is the WS90 (or WS80) unit brought into an area with no wind (indoors) and the CAL button pressed and released whilst the unit remains still.
that's how we have described it in the WiKi 8-)
http://meshka.eu/Ecowitt/dokuwiki/doku.php#sensor_firmware_ws80_ws90
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I also think we're guinea pigs with the Ecowitt WS90 and is not normal to be uninstalling, updating and installing again a weather station every few weeks. If at least these updates were wireless and universal!
In other news, but related to the new firmware... does anyone know how to install it using Mac OS? The manual says:
2.download the firmware folder from our server, unzip the file and copy the latest version of the firmware to current folder: (for example: the current firmware of ws90_v1.3.3.dfu is loaded here in this example. Your final version can be different)
>> WS90_V1.3.3.dfu
*extract from this PDF (https://osswww.ecowitt.net/uploads/20230602/Flashing%20firmware%20for%20WS90_80%20on%20MAC%20or%20Linux%20system.pdf)
I couldn't figure out what -copy the latest version of the firmware to current folder- means. I don't know which "current folder" is referring to. Or maybe it's a bad translation and for folder Ecowitt simply means to use the name of the newest/downloaded version in the Terminal commands?
Anyone can help me, please?
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I also think we're guinea pigs with the Ecowitt WS90 and is not normal to be uninstalling, updating and installing again a weather station every few weeks. If at least these updates were wireless and universal!
your writing may be due to your local temperament - please stay reasonable - the last firmware upgrade for the WS90 (1.3.8 ) was not a few weeks ago but half a year ago. That's a very reasonable time window for providing improved software.
And you have a big wishlist no other manufacturer fulfills - you want an OTA upgrade - for a unidirectionally transmitting sensor this is impossible - even professional wireless sensors don't do this as far as I am aware - you need a wired connection, RS485, to do this with these types of sensors
However, there will be a new Rain & Wind sensor, the WS85 (see also WiKi), which will be built differently and will allow for OTA upgrades.
and when you write "uninstalling, updating and installing" you probably mean "unmounting", "upgrading" and "remounting" - every six months you should anyway do some maintenance with your outdoor array - so you can do this at the same time (did you read our WiKi for that ? see the WiKi link in my signature and read the WS90 section)
can you explain what a "universal" upgrade is supposed to be ?
In other news, but related to the new firmware... does anyone know how to install it using Mac OS? The manual says:
2.download the firmware folder from our server, unzip the file and copy the latest version of the firmware to current folder: (for example: the current firmware of ws90_v1.3.3.dfu is loaded here in this example. Your final version can be different)
>> WS90_V1.3.3.dfu
*extract from this PDF (https://osswww.ecowitt.net/uploads/20230602/Flashing%20firmware%20for%20WS90_80%20on%20MAC%20or%20Linux%20system.pdf)
I couldn't figure out what -copy the latest version of the firmware to current folder- means. I don't know which "current folder" is referring to. Or maybe it's a bad translation and for folder Ecowitt simply means to use the name of the newest/downloaded version in the Terminal commands?
Anyone can help me, please?
this is operating system independent - the current folder (or directory) is the folder where you are active in your file system, either with a command line console window (CLI) or with some desktop tool (explorer, File Manager) etc.
It means that in the command prompt of your console window before the cursor the current directory is shown, and this is the same in Linux and Windows and most likely also in MacOS. Often, when archives are unpacked, they are extracted to a temporary folder (but when you know how to do, it can be any folder). The instruction is meant to make things easy for you (assuming you know how to work with your operating system): when the firmware file ending in .dfu is in the same directory where the upgrade program is started, it is easier to find that file.
(your terminal commnad = CLI command line interface command)
So it's not a bad translation - it's rather clear for someone who knows how to work on the file system level
As MacOS seems to be similarly organized to Linux, you could use the Linux example. And, having gone through the document, the instructions make perfectly sense to me. Maybe you find someone who is familiar mit MacOS on a file system / OS level and have him/her tell you what to do or do it for you locally. Doing a remote install for us is not possible.
If you find someone with a Windows laptop they can also do it easily.
At the end of the day you have to unpack/unzip the archive and locate the WS90_V.1.4.3.dfu file and have the dfu-util program install it. Before you have to install the dfu-util program. Under MacOS this is the brew program by which you do this.
When the unpacked WS90_V1.4.3.dfu file is in the current directory (the directory where your terminal command window is active), you have to start the program with
dfu-util -a 0 -t 512 -D WS90_V1.4.3.dfuif you have unpacked the archive with the WS90_V1.4.3.dfu file into the same directory from where you start the dfu-util program, then the program will find the .dfu file when started with the above command
this is what I read from the instructions and having never worked with MacOS (but it's obviously very similar to Linux or Windows on the command line level).
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One other thing. Just because a new firmware is released for the device, does not mean you have to rush out and upgrade it. If you are happy with the performance etc. you can wait until you need the unit down for other reasons, as Gyvate mentioned for periodic maintenance.
In fact, most of us think for the average user, one should wait for feedback from the forum on what others have experienced. Sure, some us will immediately download it and install it, but we are more curious on what it will do.
The unit will not cease to function if you don't do the update, and frankly, most people that own the device, probably don't even know there is a new firmware available unless they check this forum, or go to the Ecowitt site.
The WS90 had a rather rapid development and testing phases, a fairly quick Beta, followed by the Kickstarter presentation, followed by mass market availability. There are a lot of different views on the product, mine are very well known in here. The product is still relatively new, and I think we all wait for improvement.
Edit: For reference , my 83 year old Dad owns a Tesla, if you think the WS90 updates are frequent HAH!, that car gets updated all the time. Don't be upset with updates. For one , it means the company is trying to improve the performance of the product, which is laudable. Could be worse and they didn't.
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your writing may be due to your local temperament - please stay reasonable - the last firmware upgrade for the WS90 (1.3.8 ) was not a few weeks ago but half a year ago.
In 2023 there were four different upgrades so it feels like a recurrent practice.
(did you read our WiKi for that ? see the WiKi link in my signature and read the WS90 section)
Yes, I often read the forums and actually enjoy using the search option too. I don't write/log in much here though.
can you explain what a "universal" upgrade is supposed to be ?
Universal meaning that supports Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS,... Support for Mac OS was only added recently.
The instruction is meant to make things easy for you (assuming you know how to work with your operating system): when the firmware file ending in .dfu is in the same directory where the upgrade program is started, it is easier to find that file.
So it's not a bad translation - it's rather clear for someone who knows how to work on the file system level
Thanks. I do coding and use Terminal regularly but I didn't hear before the term folder used with this meaning for Mac OS. Path or directory sound more familiar, folder alone was confusing.
One other thing. Just because a new firmware is released for the device, does not mean you have to rush out and upgrade it. If you are happy with the performance etc. you can wait until you need the unit down for other reasons, as Gyvate mentioned for periodic maintenance.
My WS90 has not been recording rain properly since day 1. Ecowitt support keeps asking me to update. I also got a replacement but the precipitation is often wrong. In the last months, even less than half the actual rainfall which is a big difference. I guess the TBA displayed for rain accuracy in the specifications is very real.
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The first problems on the 1.4.3 sofet are reported by users. I do not expect any significant improvement in accuracy over the previous public version.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1362548130517956/posts/6990072187765494/
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Can't see it, it's hidden behind Facebook membership.
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The first problems on the 1.4.3 sofet are reported by users. I do not expect any significant improvement in accuracy over the previous public version.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1362548130517956/posts/6990072187765494/
this is not a problem of the sensor - it's/was a user handling problem
you better wait some time before jumping on a train which seems to fuel your ardent conviction
Kwind AppAuthor
Guess my mistake i pushed the data in a 10 sec.interval it was a mph ,knots convertion bug ...all ok with the fw1.4.3
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We will see at speeds above 25-30 km/h relative to other devices.
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yes, but stop saying the same things over and over again. Buy yourself a ws90 and do the tests properly. You have thousands of euros of equipment for your photos, I don't see what the problem is with spending 200 euros on an ecowitt...
please stop, you're becoming unbearable.
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@giusCB I have two copies of the WS90 Wittboy on soft 1.3.8. I had others in Poland check the soft 1.4.3 with Davis and a professional ultrasonic anemometer. There will be comparison charts as with WS80 vs WS68. We will soon see if there are differences after the Wittboy update and calibration.
As if it were an OTA update for the ultrasonic anemometer, I would have uploaded it to see what Fine Offset has improved and what it has broken again. However, he doesn't want to waste time on that by hooking up to a computer.
You can see how the Wittboy derivative performs here. The wind measurement hardware layer is analogous to the WS90. : https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=46830.msg472996#msg472996
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https://youtu.be/eZbtAFq7dP8
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I thought it was "Transducers Series 2 Episode 4"
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what is your opinion ??
I have been in the last week upgrading about a dozen WS90 to the new firmware V143 from older version, but I was able to only to upgrade one , and the rest would not take it whatsoever.They will stay on version 126,130,138 and so on. and one even show on the screen "Matching not good" (See pic attached)
what can be the problem ?
My name is John from Cairns /Australia.
You can reply to my new email address jmds57@gmail.com
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did you try to unpack the archive with the driver again - into another directory and try to pick up the driver for upgrade by the upgrade program from there ?
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- to exclude a damage to the firmware during the process (all possible) you have to unpack the driver again to a different place and use it from there (using the same file from e.g. the desktop won't help and won't exclude a potential damage)
- you have to make a reset of the WS9 again after the software reports a completed upgrade (keep the reset button pressed for > 5 seconds - steady LED - release, waiting for blinking every ~9 seconds)
- you can try a cold reset of the sensor: http://meshka.eu/Ecowitt/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=start#how_to_reset_an_outdoor_sensor_array
check the firmware version in WS View Plus (SensorID page) and try again after the cold reset
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Just got around to updating the ws90 firmware from V1.2.3 to this one V1.4.3. Had to do the firmware update twice as the first one did not succeed and gave an error in the final checking stage and the ws90 stayed at the existing firmware.
Also I have previously used rtl_433 SDR to receive data directly from the ws90 but it no longer works with this ws90 firmware V1.4.3.
There must be some changes to the ws90 RF transmission making it unrecognisable by rtl_433.
My gw2000 is able to receive the ws90 no problems with the new ws90 firmware.
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Hi!
I experienced the same problem when updating to v1.3.8.
The length of the "bitbuffer-packages" in the file "fineoffset_ws90.c" has to be adjusted.
Alternatively you could install rtl_433 again. The corrected file will then be provided.
You can find this on Github.
Mike
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Hi!
I experienced the same problem when updating to v1.3.8.
The length of the "bitbuffer-packages" in the file "fineoffset_ws90.c" has to be adjusted.
Alternatively you could install rtl_433 again. The corrected file will then be provided.
You can find this on Github.
Mike
I've been using the last compiled release 23.11 off Github.
https://github.com/merbanan/rtl_433/releases
Had a brief look through posted issues but did not see anything.
Might have to try a pre-release compile.
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Hi!
I experienced the same problem when updating to v1.3.8.
The length of the "bitbuffer-packages" in the file "fineoffset_ws90.c" has to be adjusted.
Alternatively you could install rtl_433 again. The corrected file will then be provided.
You can find this on Github.
Mike
I've been using the last compiled release 23.11 off Github.
https://github.com/merbanan/rtl_433/releases
Had a brief look through posted issues but did not see anything.
Might have to try a pre-release compile.
I just tried the latest nightly build of rtl_433 and it does not seem to work with ws90 firmware V1.4.3.
I see there was an issue posted late last year about changes to the ws90 https://github.com/merbanan/rtl_433/issues/2732
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That is, what I am referring to:
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Package length was initially set to 330 or 340.
Change it to 400 and you should be safe!
Mike
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As far as I can see the change to the rtl_433 source code packet upper length check from 350 to 400 was made 4 months ago so it should be in the last compiled pre-release version. So there must be a further change in the latest ws90 firmware.
https://github.com/merbanan/rtl_433/commit/0bffc9d854075c59466fe3a95c6a089b02c59721
When I run extra verbose in command such as .\rtl_433.exe -vvv -M Level -R 244
I get responses as follows;
[pulse_slicer_pcm] Exact bit width (in us) is 58.26 vs 56.00, 46 bit preamble
[fineoffset_ws90_decode] abort length
codes : {414}55555555555516ea4832ca4d0000524125a11189b2001fffb8003100003906807b6f9f810bc78b68a4cffe3f8280000000000000
[pulse_slicer_pcm] Fine Offset Electronics WS90 weather station
codes : {414}55555555555516ea4832ca4d0000524125a11189b2001fffb8003100003906807b6f9f810bc78b68a4cffe3f8280000000000000
[pulse_slicer_pcm] Exact bit width (in us) is 58.00 vs 56.00, 36 bit preamble
[fineoffset_ws90_decode] short package at 57 (196)
codes : {196}d55555555516ea126dd6b1259f07019d48800000000058118
[pulse_slicer_pcm] Fine Offset Electronics WS90 weather station
codes : {196}d55555555516ea126dd6b1259f07019d48800000000058118
[pulse_slicer_pcm] Exact bit width (in us) is 58.19 vs 56.00, 42 bit preamble
[fineoffset_ws90_decode] short package at 61 (176)
codes : {176}5555555555516ea20008df9882c4b10b700017980000
[pulse_slicer_pcm] Fine Offset Electronics WS90 weather station
codes : {176}5555555555516ea20008df9882c4b10b700017980000
[pulse_slicer_pcm] Exact bit width (in us) is 58.26 vs 56.00, 46 bit preamble
[fineoffset_ws90_decode] abort length
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As far as I can see the change to the rtl_433 source code packet upper length check from 350 to 400 was made 4 months ago so it should be in the last compiled pre-release version. So there must be a further change in the latest ws90 firmware.
I see a "should be" in your statement. Have you literally checked your fineoffset_ws90.c ?
To me, the output of your verbose exec command still looks like the original problem.
Here is what my rtl_433 stated BEFORE changing packet length:
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Even that packet lenght of 560 did not reoccur after changing to 400!
I could update my WS90 to v1.4.3 and see if there is trouble again. That would be the case, if you are right with your assumption, that there are further changes in the latest firmware.
Mike