Trixology

General Category => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: openvista on October 01, 2015, 12:07:25 AM

Title: Greetings from Upper Michigan
Post by: openvista on October 01, 2015, 12:07:25 AM
I've actually been a WeatherCat user for a couple years now but finally made my way onto the forum. 

I just put together a new custom website: http://mqtweather.com (http://mqtweather.com). It's a responsive (mobile friendly) design, although I'm a developer by trade so the user interface is pretty basic. Not many graphics. Built for speed and usability.

I'm pulling XML data from CWOP and NWS to produce real-time weather alerts and get nearby temp data.

I'm liking the flexibility I get from the custom tags in WeatherCat. Once you figure out how the template system works and get the documentation on the tags, it's pretty straightforward. So thank you to the developer(s).

You'll see my exposure for the weather station is fairly sheltered as I'm in an urban residential area. But I think it's fairly representative for temp, humidity, precip. Wind is another story and I'm working on getting that anemometer placed on the garage roof. It's tricky because of snow and ice here. It's got to be somewhat accessible and yet it needs to be far up! We'll see....
Title: Re: Greetings from Upper Michigan
Post by: xairbusdriver on October 01, 2015, 01:33:03 AM
Welcome AboaRd, Open Vista!

I must say, I've never known anyone with the name "Open"! [rolleyes2] [lol] Would you mind is we call you "OV"?

Not sure I could handle "frost" this early in the year! :o

As for the anemometer, I have an even more wind-protected yard. I found a way to get things a bit higher than the roof peak, but we don't allow snow to last more than 48 hours around here!! [rolleyes2] There are some people images in post #28 here: http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=1632.15 (http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=1632.15)

Hope you enjoy the help and friendliness here as much as I do!
Title: Re: Greetings from Upper Michigan
Post by: Blicj11 on October 01, 2015, 08:56:42 AM
Welcome to the forum. I took a look at your website and like your simple approach for mobile users. I also think your explanations in the About tab are quite helpful in explaining the purpose and value of your site. Good job!
Title: Welcome! (Re: Greetings from Upper Michigan)
Post by: elagache on October 01, 2015, 07:24:44 PM
Dear OpenVista X-Air, Blick and WeatherCat welcome wagon, . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/welcomewagon.gif)

First things first, welcome to the WeatherCat forum!! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/welcome_smiley.gif)

Quote from: openvista on October 01, 2015, 12:07:25 AM
I'm pulling XML data from CWOP and NWS to produce real-time weather alerts and get nearby temp data.

That sounds interesting!  Would you be willing to share how you implemented that?

Quote from: openvista on October 01, 2015, 12:07:25 AM
You'll see my exposure for the weather station is fairly sheltered as I'm in an urban residential area. But I think it's fairly representative for temp, humidity, precip. Wind is another story and I'm working on getting that anemometer placed on the garage roof. It's tricky because of snow and ice here. It's got to be somewhat accessible and yet it needs to be far up! We'll see....

There is only so much we can do to get our instruments to collect good data.  However, the Davis VP-2 anemometer is a rugged device that doesn't need a lot of maintenance unless you have had enough blowing snow that you've seen it get iced up.  Is that your experience?  If so, perhaps indeed the garage won't be practical without some sort of walkway.

Let us know what your plans eventually become.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Greetings from Upper Michigan
Post by: xairbusdriver on October 01, 2015, 08:35:51 PM
Here's a quick and throughly expensive solution for combining maintenance and altitude! <Western Towers - Tilt Down Tower (http://www.westerntowers.com/articles/view/4)>

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/xAirbusDriver/IMG_653620wt20c20email20WinCE.J4PM4_zps8vbqjwlm.jpg)

Various heights available:
20 to 80 feet. [check local ordinances!]

Wind Force:
Designed to withstand winds of 100 mph.

Ease of Maintenance:
Can be safely folded down to ground level for servicing [anemometers].

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/xAirbusDriver/0c10ac80cd7875acffe9970c4f4b3deb_zpswck5wtat.jpg)

I'd suggest painting it a light blue color to help appease SWMBO. [rockon]
Title: If you have to ask? . . . . (Was: Greetings from Upper Michigan)
Post by: elagache on October 02, 2015, 11:04:44 PM
Dear X-Air and WeatherCat "I never have too many weather gadgets" types,

Quote from: xairbusdriver on October 01, 2015, 08:35:51 PM
Here's a quick and throughly expensive solution for combining maintenance and altitude!

Hmm, it does look really slick and nifty.  But they don't seem very up-front about the price.  Is this one of those devices that if you have to ask how much it costs you can't afford it? . .   [biggrin]

Quote from: xairbusdriver on October 01, 2015, 08:35:51 PM
I'd suggest painting it a light blue color to help appease SWMBO. [rockon]

 [wink] . . . Never mind the small stuff!!  Explain to us how we can get permission from SWMBO to actually buy it! . . . .  [lol2]

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Greetings from Upper Michigan
Post by: xairbusdriver on October 02, 2015, 11:16:19 PM
Quote
Explain to us how we can get permission from SWMBO to actually buy it!
I find it's always easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Of course, I seldom follow my own advice, I usually request that from some one who knows what they are talking about... [rolleyes2]

As for the price, I forgot to mention that you should first own a railroad (Class 1, preferred)...  [banghead]