VISUALWEATHER Weather Station Software

Overview

Current Version: 3.1.3

VisualWeather is support software for our weather stations. Version 3.0 or higher supports custom weather stations or the ET107, ET106, and MetData1 preconfigured weather stations. The software allows you to initialize the setup, interrogate the station, display data, and generate reports from one or more weather stations.

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Benefits and Features

  • Requires no programming knowledge
  • Takes just minutes to configure weather station
  • Supports multiple weather stations
  • Allows data to be collected manually or on a schedule
  • Stand-alone software that does not require LoggerNet

Images

A wind rose report provides the distribution of wind directions at various wind speeds.

Detailed Description

VisualWeather software is for customers who want reliable, real-time weather data and printed reports without worrying about technical details, such as programming or maintaining databases. It allows our pre-configured or custom Campbell Scientific stations to be set up in a few minutes. Multiple weather stations are supported.

VisualWeather's functionality includes program generation, communications, and report generation for preconfigured and custom weather stations. It uses a wizard to walk you through setting up the sensors for your weather station, configuring the communications link and data logger settings, and defining reports. Based on this setup information, VisualWeather generates the data logger program for the weather station (for preconfigured stations). You can also use Short Cut (included) for programming custom weather stations.

Communications

Communication protocols supported include direct connect, short haul modem, phone modem (including TAPI), RF, phone-to-RF, and TCP/IP. While connected to a weather station with VisualWeather, you can view measurements related to overall data logger health (battery voltage, internal temperature, error counters), current conditions for the weather station, and current measurement values for each of the sensors being measured, as well as data tables stored to memory (for table-based data loggers). Data can be collected for VisualWeather's report database either manually or on a schedule.

Report Generation

Report generation offers a variety of preconfigured reports for preset or custom intervals based on what sensors are being measured. It also offers a number of calculated values, such as evapotranspiration, Growing Degree Days, etc. The reports are displayed on the screen, and the user can print them or save them as an image file. Data can also be exported to an ASCII file for further analysis (for those familiar with Campbell Scientific's data formats, it is TOACI1, which is a comma-delimited data file with heading information). Batch processing of reports is available to automate report generation.

System Requirements

  • Requires a serial port on the PC or a USB-to-serial port adapter
  • TCP/IP and Telephony services must be installed and enabled on the PC (refer to manual for more information)

License for Use

This software is protected by United States copyright law and international copyright treaty provisions. Installation of this software constitutes an agreement to abide by the provisions of its licensing agreement. The agreement grants the user a non-exclusive license to use the software in accordance with the following:

  1. The purchase of this software allows you to install and use a single instance of the software on one physical computer or one virtual machine only.

  2. This software cannot be loaded on a network server for the purposes of distribution or for access to the software by multiple operators. If the software can be used from any computer other than the computer on which it is installed, you must license a copy of the software for each additional computer from which the software may be accessed.

  3. If this copy of the software is an upgrade from a previous version, you must possess a valid license for the earlier version of software. You may continue to use the earlier copy of software only if the upgrade copy and earlier version are installed and used on the same computer. The earlier version of software may not be installed and used on a separate computer or transferred to another party.

  4. This software package is licensed as a single product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one computer.

  5. You may make one (1) backup copy of this software onto media similar to the original distribution, to protect your investment in the software in case of damage or loss. This backup copy can be used only to replace an unusable copy of the original installation media.

This software may not be sold, included, or redistributed in any other software or altered in any way without prior written permission from Campbell Scientific. All copyright notices and labeling must be left intact.

Specifications

Current Version 3.1.3

Compatibility

Note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible or incompatible products.

Data Loggers

Product Compatible Note
21X (retired)
CR10 (retired)
CR1000 (retired)
CR1000X
CR10X (retired)
CR200X (retired)
CR206X (retired)
CR211X (retired)
CR216X (retired)
CR23X (retired)
CR295X (retired)
CR300
CR3000 (retired)
CR310
CR350
CR500 (retired)
CR5000 (retired)
CR510 (retired)
CR6
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)
CR9000 (retired)
CR9000X (retired)

Additional Compatibility Information

Weather Stations Supported

Visual Weather supports ET107, Toro T107, ET106, MetData1, or custom Campbell Scientific stations. Support for custom weather stations was added in version 2 (released September 2005), and support for the ET107 and Toro T107 was added in version 3.0 (released April 2009).

Downloads

VisualWeather Patch v.2.3 (26.3 MB) 19-12-2008

Upgrade Visual Weather version 2.0, 2.1 or 2.2 to 2.3.

This patch requires that version 2.0, 2.1 or 2.2 exists on the computer.

VisualWeather Patch v.3.1.3 (45.7 MB) 03-08-2012

Upgrade Visual Weather version 3.x to 3.1.3.

This patch requires that version 3.x exists on the computer.

VisualWeather Trial v.3.1.3 (56.1 MB) 03-08-2012

A fully functional 30 day trial version of VisualWeather. 

VisualWeather is for those who want reliable, real-time weather data and printed reports without worrying about technical details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Number of FAQs related to VISUALWEATHER: 33

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  1. After purchasing a VisualWeather upgrade from 2.2 to 3.1, what is the best way to migrate to the newer version and put it on a new machine?

    In the “Backup/Restore Network” entry of VisualWeather Help, it states the following: “Note: Beginning with VisualWeather 3.0, a restore cannot be performed from a backup file created using a version of VisualWeather prior to version 3.0.”

    If a 2.2 backup is restored to a version 3.0 or later, the network structure (that is, station information) will be saved, but the database or historical data will not be saved. The following process, however, can be used to resolve this issue:

    1. Back up the VisualWeather installation using one of two methods:
      • Copy the entire C:\Campbellsci\VisualWeather folder.
      • Use the Network | Backup/Restore Network… option to create a backup file.
    2. Run a 3.0 or later install (trial or standard) over the top of an existing 2.2 install. The install will update the database information to the new format.
    3. Back up the VisualWeather installation using the Network | Backup/Restore Network… option to create a backup file.
    4. Install the VisualWeather program in the new location.
    5. Copy the backup folder onto the new computer. Restore using the Backup/Restore Network… option.
  2. Where can version information for VisualWeather be found?

    For all versions of VisualWeather, the version information is displayed during startup. As an alternative, version information can be viewed through VisualWeather Help:

    1. On the main VisualWeather screen, click the Help menu and select About (VisualWeather versions 2.2, 2.3) or About VisualWeather (VisualWeather version 3).
    2. On the About screen, the version and build information are displayed.
    3. For version details about the VisualWeather components, click the Versions button.
  3. The maximum temperature pointer seems to be stuck on a web page. How can it be reset in VisualWeather?

    There are maximum pointers on three values on the standard VisualWeather screen: Rain Fall, Air Temperature, and Relative Humidity. The pointers can be reset by following these steps:

    1. In the VisualWeather program, close the RTMC Run-Time (passive monitoring) screen.
    2. Restart RTMC Run-Time using either of these methods:
      • Click the Station Data link on the main screen.
      • On the main screen, click the Tools menu, select Web Output Options…, and click the OK button.
    3. On the RTMC Run-Time (passive monitoring) screen, right-click the control, and select the Reset Max Pointer option.
  4. Can additional components (values) be added to webdata.xml in VisualWeather?

    No. VisualWeather does not have the option of adding fields to that file. Additional components are automatically added to the files sent to the website as VisualWeather is updated, but the additional data is not added to webdata.xml.

  5. Where are available updates or patches for VisualWeather?

    If patches are available for VisualWeather, they are listed in the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.

    Note: Customers who do not have an online account will be asked to enter contact information to download the files. There is no obligation associated with this process, and this information is not shared with, or sold to, third parties.

    Follow these steps to install a patch:

    1. If not already logged in, log in to the Campbell Scientific Customer Center.
    2. If not already viewing the list of VisualWeather downloads, navigate to the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.
    3. Click the Download Now link to the right of the patch name.
    4. Save the file to a location that is memorable.
    5. When the download is complete, browse to the selected location where the patch was saved.
    6. Double-click the file to install the patch.
    7. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
  6. Using VisualWeather, how can more reports be added to the website of a weather station?

    Add reports by following these steps:

    1. On the main VisualWeather screen, click the Reports menu and select Batch Reports….
    2. On the Batch Reports Schedule screen, click the New… button.
    3. On the Batch Report Selection screen, select a weather station.
    4. Select a Report Type option.
    5. Select the Generate According To Schedule option.
    6. In the Interval field, set an interval, such as 1 hour.
    7. On the right side of the screen, checkboxes are selected based on what data is available from the station. Select or clear reports by checking the boxes.
    8. In the Output As: section, check the Web box.
    9. Click the Create Batch button.
    10. Enter a name for the batch.

    When the batch runs, files are created in the web folder, transferred automatically via FTP to the website, and added automatically to the web page. They are listed as additional options on the drop-down report that is displayed after clicking the weather station name in the top left corner.

  7. What is the difference between VisualWeather and VisualWeather/U?

    The VisualWeather products serve different needs:

    • VisualWeather is the full version of the weather station software.
    • VisualWeather/U is an upgrade to the current version of the weather station software. This item is only available to customers who own an older version of VisualWeather.
  8. Are there any plans to offer a version of VisualWeather that is Apple compatible?

    Not at this time. Customers have, however, reported using Campbell Scientific software on OSX computers using XP running in Boot Camp, as well as on other computers in a virtual environment (such as Parallels).

    To test whether VisualWeather will work in a particular environment, download the 30 day trial version in the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.

  9. Where is there an available trial version of VisualWeather?

    The method for obtaining the fully functional 30 day trial version is slightly different for current Campbell Scientific customers and for those who are currently not customers. Both methods are described below.

    For current Campbell Scientific customers, follow these steps:

    1. If not already logged in, log in to the Campbell Scientific Customer Center.
    2. If not already viewing the list of VisualWeather downloads, navigate to the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.
    3. Click the Download Now link to the right of the title to start the download.
    4. Save the file to a location that is memorable.
    5. When the download is complete, browse to the selected location where the installation file was saved.
    6. Double-click the file to run the installation.
    7. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

    For those who are not Campbell Scientific customers, follow these steps:

    1. If not already viewing the list of VisualWeather downloads, navigate to the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.
    2. Click the Add to List link to the right of the title.
    3. A new screen will open. Complete the fields in the Contact Information section, and click Submit. Note: There is no obligation associated with this process, and this information is not shared with, or sold to, third parties.
    4. An automated email message containing a link for the download, a login username, and a password will be sent to the user-provided email address. These credentials are valid for five days.   
    5. Click the download link in the email message.
    6. Type in, or copy and paste, the username and password supplied in the email message.
    7. After logging in, the download process should begin automatically.
    8. Save the file to a location that is memorable.
    9. When the download is complete, browse to the selected location where the installation file was saved.
    10. Double-click the file to run the installation.
    11. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
  10. If a purchased copy of VisualWeather is installed on a desktop PC, does the licensing for the software allow it to be installed on a field PC as well?

    No. The license agreement at the beginning of the VisualWeather manual states, “The purchase of this software allows you to install and use the software on one computer only.”

    Campbell Scientific offers free PC200W software (available for download) that enables the following:

    • Connecting to a data logger through a serial port (including direct connect, short haul modems, or radios)
    • Monitoring data
    • Collecting data
    • Sending or retrieving a program

    There is no restriction as to how many machines the PC200W software can be installed on.

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