Ultimeter U2000/500 Remote Wx Site Guide & FAQ

This guide is intended for use with stand-alone (no computer) remotes

Written by   : Jeff Buffington / KC4POD
               Digital Communications Coordinator, Osceola County RACES
Last Updated : Tuesday, June 03, 1997
e-mail       : kc4pod@juno.com
Web site URL : http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/2300

This document was written at the nudging of Geoff Stevens, WA4IKQ.  I 
hope this serves many others well.  If you have any experiences you 
would like to share, questions, suggestions, or settings for other TNCs 
and weather stations, and think they may be of help to others, please e-
mail them to me.  I would be happy to add them to this guide.  

Background
In November of 1996, I put on a presentation to the Osceola County 
Department of Emergency Management and (then) Osceola County ARES/RACES, 
about APRS.  Using Powerpoint, I demonstrated the great potential that 
APRS had to offer, particularly with regard to weather and shelter 
reporting.
The presentation was a great success.  I've been asked numerous times 
since to do it again, put it on video, etc., for other groups in the 
area.  Shortly, thereafter, however, we had some internal problems, 
which resulted in a reorganization of our group.

The county was already excited about the project, and was willing to 
proceed, regardless of the status of the RACES program.  At the time, I 
was bothered by the situation, but kept my distance, and continued on 
with the APRS project.  I would soon come to appreciate this time span 
between the ending of the "old" group, and the beginning of the "new" 
RACES group, for it permitted me to work on this project autonomously, 
and focus my attention on the problems that would soon arise.

While researching for the presentation, I contacted several 
manufacturers of various equipment (TNCs, weather stations, antennas).  
I had formerly worked in the amateur retail industry for a couple of 
years, and was familar with most of the equipment I would be dealing 
with.  One thing I quickly discovered was that most weather stations 
required some form of data-logging device, and a computer.  This would 
not do.  Cost factors inhibited the purchase of a dedicated PC at each 
site, let alone the cost of the data-logger and software.  In many 
cases, there wouldn't be room and the money would be better spent toward 
equipment for manning shelters.  One manufacturer had another approach.  
Peet Brothers Ultimeter series had a serial device, albeit non-standard 
(we'll get into that later).  This seemed the best option for us.

As for TNCs, I had some inside information that AEA was about to go 
under.  I hadn't worked with PacComm before (we didn't sell 'em), so I 
knew little about their products. (Note: I've heard many good things 
about PacComm, and would like the opportunity to work with their 
equipment in the near future.)  Kantronics was our choice here.


Equipment

Weather Stations
Peet Brothers makes a couple of different models of weather stations.
We'll be comparing these two:

  U500
  U2000

U500
The U500 measures wind (speed & direction), indoor & outdoor 
temperature, rain; and computes wind chill.  The system includes an 
outdoor temp sensor and anemometer.  A rain gauge is optional.  The unit 
has a 3-mode serial port (Data Logging, Packet, and Complete Record).

U2000
The U2000 measures wind (speed & direction), indoor & outdoor 
temperature, rain, barometric pressure, humidity; and computes wind 
chill and dewpoint.  The system includes an outdoor temp sensor and 
anemometer.  A rain gauge and outdoor temp/humidity sensor are optional.  
The unit has a 4-mode serial port (Data Logging, Packet, Complete 
Record, and Modem).

With either system you will need a 6-pin modular to DB-25 interface.  
You can either purchase the one Peet makes, or "build" your own.  The 
part can be purchased at Radio Shack, and requires you to plug-in only 
three wires.

TNCs
There are different manufacturers, with many models.  At present, I have 
the "correct" settings for one breed, Kantronics.  I'm not advocating 
them over another, and am open to adding others to this guide (with 
submissions from others or equipment to experiment with).  What is 
required, is the TNC have GPS capabilities.  We went with a Kantronics 
KPC-3.

Radio Equipment
You need a radio, antenna and power supply.  I have no specific 
recommendations on particular brands.  We went with Alinco DR-130T/Pkt 
(no microphone), Cushcraft ARX-2B, and Astron RS-12A power supplies.  I 
do however, have some suggestions:
1) Get a mobile radio
2) Get an omnidirectional
3) Get lightning protection
4) Think about battery backup
5) Think about effects of weather on antenna

Software
Your choice again.  There are primarily two versions of APRS designed 
for on-air use; APRSdos, by Bob Brunninga, and WinAPRS & MacAPRS, by 
Keith & Mark Sproul.  Additionally, Steve Dimse has written javAPRS; for 
others to view on the internet with their web browser.

 

Installation Recommendations

1) Assemble a three or four-man team.  Ideally, one radio technician, 
one hardware expert, and one computer/packet junkie.  

2) Bring everything.  Make a list.  If some of your sites are as remote 
as ours, you'll only want to make one trip.  We had to make several.

3) Preprogram your TNC.  The TNC is the last thing you turn on and 
check.  In the rush to finish, you might forget a critical setting.  I 
have.

4) Use a terminal program.  APRSdos and Win/MacAPRS always reconfigure 
the TNC for software control. You don't want this.  Use your favorite 
terminal program to configure the TNC.  

5) Take a laptop, spare TNC and radio.  Yes, you shouldn't have to 
reprogram, but an ounce of prevention...

6) Check your settings.  You should verify the settings are correct 
before you hook up the TNC.  Remember to put it in back GPS mode!

7) Check the output.  Load up your flavor of APRS and monitor the 
transmissions.  You should monitor it for at least 10 minutes 
(preferably 20) before you pack up and head home.

8) Secure the equipment.  Inquiring hands want to touch.  We've found 
military surplus ammo boxes work well, with minor modification.  They 
also give extra protection from liquids.  Some sites may be less 
weather-proof than others; and people like to spill things and leave 
windows open.. trust me.

9) Waterproof your coax.  When I works in the retail side of ham radio, 
people were always wanting "the good stuff."  This translates to Belden 
9913.  High-grade coax, at a decent price.  One problem...it's air 
insulated.  If you get water in it... don't blame me.  We did use 9913, 
and did waterproof; no problems. 

Setting Up A New Weather Station

This first thing you need to do, is assess the APRS network in your 
area.  Compare this to the need for coverage, as far as data is 
concerned.  How close is the nearest digi?  Do you want the stations 
themselves to act as WIDE, RELAY or both?  Map out your sites, and get 
coordinates for those sites.  You want decimal coordinates (DDMM.mmN & 
DDMM.mmW).  Don't confuse seconds with hundredths.  If you need to 
convert them, remember there are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes 
in a degree; simply divide the seconds by 60 and you'll have the decimal 
addition to the minutes.

With regards to digipeaters, you do not want to flood the frequency with 
"fighting" digis.  If a site is selected, appears to be "too close" to 
another digi, then be ready to change the settings.  Read the DIGIS.TXT 
file, included with APRSdos.

If your using a new TNC, the first thing you need to do is get it ready 
for operation.  Check it out, make sure it's in working order.  Put it 
through a on-air test.  If the TNC has had some time logged, make sure 
it's still in good condition, backup battery, etc.

If you prefer, the radio equipment can be pre-installed at the 
locations, once you've mapped out where they're going.  If everything is 
installed, all you need to do is plug in the TNC, and hook it up.  If 
you choose to do this together, have your TNCs tested, programmed, and 
ready to go.  This is why I recommend teams.  Let each individual use 
their expertise.  I'm not an expert on antenna construction, or mast 
installations, but I do know that it helped significantly to have others 
on hand who were.  

Setting up a Kantronics KPC-3 & Ultimeter 2000/500
A new KPC-3 (or KPC-3+), when initially powered on, will initiate it's 
autobaud routine.  You might want to reset the TNC for factory settings, 
prior to programming.  You can do this either with the jumper, or by 
removing the lithium backup battery, and all other power sources.  Make 
sure your terminal program is configured for 2400,8,N,1.  Load up your 
terminal program, and follow these steps:

(1) If TNC is in the autobaud routine (new TNC), press the asterisk (*) 
key for it to get it's "bearings.
(2) If TNC succeeded, it will be requesting a callsign.  Enter the call 
for the station, with it's SSID (single-station identifier).  [i.e. 
"KC4POD-10"].  You can change this setting with the MYCALL command 
[MYCALL KC4POD-10], if you need to, or if you chose not to reset the 
TNC.
(3) Change your interface to terminal [INTFACE TERMINAL].  Now you can 
start programming the essentials.
(4) Set your alias to WIDE [MYALIAS WIDE], if it's a WIDE-RELAY digi, or 
just RELAY if it's only a RELAY then [MYALIAS RELAY].
(5) Set your node to RELAY [MYNODE RELAY].
(6) Set your time and date [DAYTIME yymmddhhmm]
(7) Enter these commands to get rid of unwanted formatting, frames and 
miscellaneous stuff:
	HEADERLN OFF
	MCOM OFF
	MRESP OFF
MXMIT OFF
RING OFF
(8) Set up your TNC to get and pass data:
	UNPROTO APRS via WIDE,WIDE
	LTP 1 APRS VIA WIDE,WIDE
	LTP 2 APRS VIA WIDE,WIDE
	BLT 1 EVERY 00:15:00
	BLT 2 EVERY 00:05:00
	GPSHEAD 1
	GPSHEAD 2 !! 
(You can substitute a different header for other wx units)
	GPSINIT >I[CONTROL+N]
	INTFACE GPS
(9) Set your posit string.  If you know your PHG (see DIGIS.TXT included 
w/ APRSdos), use this:
	LT 1 !DDMM.mmN\DDDMM.mmW_PHGnnnn/Your comments here
If you don't know PHG, or don't want to use it:
	LT 1 !DDMM.mmN\DDDMM.mmW_Your comments here
Another note, use the backslash (\) to separate coordinates if you are 
digipeating, use a slash (/) if not.
(10) Set your system PBBS up (optional).  This will prevent stations 
from connecting and interrupting normal data transmissions.
	MYPBBS PBBSNAME
	CMSG PBBS
	CTEXT Remote weather site.  No operator on duty.
	PTEXT Welcome to the PBBSNAME PBBS!
(11) Turn on your node (if acting as a WIDE-RELAY), for digipeating:
	USERS 1
	NUMNODES 1
(12) Put in the finishing touches, activate security features, and roll:
	RTEXT This is your security string!
	(The following two prevent bouncing transmissions)
	LLIST ON         
	SUPCALLS call-nn (Where call-nn is the stations call & ssid)	
	ECHO OFF
	MYREMOTE special-nn (Where special-nn is your remote access alias)

The TNC should've reset, and now displayed ">I" followed by a carriage 
return.  Turn the TNC off, hook up the weather station interface, and 
turn it back on.

There are two ways to check the data.  The easiest is to monitor it with 
another TNC (or remote connect); allow a good 15 minutes of 
transmissions for the posit and a couple of wx strings.
If that's not an option, let the unit collect data for a minute, then 
hook it back up to your PC.  Press [CTRL-C] three times, and you'll 
enter command mode (CMD: prompt).  Use the LT command (by itself) and 
check to see if the second line has valid data.  When finished, you must 
change the interface back to GPS [INTFACE GPS].  Type RESET and watch 
for the ">I", then turn it off, reconnect the wx interface, turn it on.  
You're done.


Frequently Asked Questions

Equipment
Q. Why do you recommend an omni-directional antenna?
A. The system is a network, relying on other stations to relay it's 
data, without being connected to them.  Should a storm hit, and take out 
a digi your beam is pointed at...

Q. Do all wx sites have to be digis?  Why do you configure them for 
digipeating?
A. No, but they serve a greater purpose as digis.  (See above)  Home and 
mobile users rely on good digi coverage, and data from neighboring wx 
stations can utilize them to piggy-back their data.  Keep in mind, 
however, proximity issues.  Remember those "fighting" digi's?

Q. What's the biggest problem(s) you've encountered?
A. Cables & settings.  Use quality cables in your installation.  I've 
encountered bad solder joints on coax, faulty 6-conductor wire, bad 
connectors, etc.  Make sure your settings are right.

Q. Can you run a Peet Bros. U2000 or U500 off of 12 volts?
A. Yes!  Peet has told me the units will work fine, or even better off 
of 12Vdc.  All of my equipment at the remote sites is capable of 12 volt 
operation.

Legal Issues
Q. Is it legal?
A. Absolutely.  We, as amateurs, are providing the NWS and Emergency 
Management with critical data.  The NWS and FEMA have a lot of say when 
dealing with the FCC.  Still unsure?  Read Part 97.111 on Authorized 
transmissions:
"  (b) In addition to one-way transmissions specifically authorized 
elsewhere in this Part, an amateur station may transmit the following 
types of one-way communications:
      (4) Transmissions necessary to providing emergency communications
      (6) Transmissions necessary to disseminate information bulletins   
"
The remote wx sites are essential in proving emergency communications, 
both as digis and with the data to the NWS & Emergency Management.  They 
are also disseminating information bulletins to amateurs.  "The wx hr 
es..."

Q. What power setting should I use?  What power are you using? Why use 
mobiles?
A. Your power setting is up to you, however take into account your 
antenna height and gain, how remote the station is, if it's a WIDE area 
digi, and the number of digipeating stations that can hear it.  All of 
my remotes are 50W mobiles, most use the high power setting.  Osceola 
County is quite large, and many sites are in remote areas.  The sites 
are digis as well as wx stations.  The ideal situation is to have a few 
good-coverage wides (the wx sites are ideal), which overlap, and reduce 
the need for home, mobile and shelter stations to use high power (which 
may not be an option for them).  Mobile radios are commonplace in many a 
ham's QTH.  They run off of 12v, they're durable, and many are 
relatively inexpensive.  Just remember, "Minimum power necessary to 
maintain reliable communication."

Troubleshooting
Q. The site is transmitting POSITs but not valid wx data.  Why?
A. Check your INTFACE, GPSInit, ECHO, GPSHeader, ABAUD, HEADERLN, and 
MRESP parameters.  Some of these are the ones that gave me a headache.  
Then check your interface (6-conductor) cables.

Q. Does the ABAUD setting change your transmitting speed?
A. No.  That setting refers to the rate at which a device (computer, wx 
station, GPS unit, etc) communicates to the TNC.  HBAUD sets your 
transmission rate.  The Ultimeter units only interface at 2400 baud.

Q. The site doesn't appear on the map, but I get data.  Why?
A. If it doesn't appear within 20 minutes, check your LT strings.  The 
TNC is set to transmit it's POSIT every 15 minutes.  However, if an 
error was made in your 'LT 1' string, your site will never appear.

Q. Why does the site change symbols?
A. When APRS software interprets the transmitted POSIT (LT 1) string, it 
shows up as a green (or blue) wx circle, when it see's the data (LT 2) 
string, it shows up as a wx vane.  This is normal.

Q. Why can't I connect to my remote?
A. Are you trying to connect to the MYREMOTE call?  Check the RText 
string as well.  One typo can make a difference.  Grid paper or a 
spreadsheet (Excel, 1-2-3, etc.) work well for creating your password 
reference sheet.  Check the volume and squelch settings on the radio.

Q. Why doesn't the site transmit?
A. Check the squelch.  Remember that bit about inquiring fingers?  A 
possible solution could be changing the carrier detect to software (CD 
SOFTWARE); but as a last resort, as it seems to be less reliable (might 
cause the above problem).

Q. Why does the station show up as a GPS?
A. Check the LTP proto paths.  'GPS' is the default; you want 'APRS VIA 
WIDE,WIDE' in all of them.

Q. The site's transmissions are bouncing off itself.  Why?
A. When the TNC transmits, it may not hear itself internally (via the 
MXMIT OFF command), but if another digipeating station hears it, and it 
hears itself again, but with a WIDE yet to go.. it can tie up bandwidth.  
Try this trick: turn LLIST ON, set SUPCALLS to the call of that station 
(e.g. KC4POD-11).  Now it will ignore any transmission originating from 
itself.

Q. What does a good string look like?  How can you tell if the string is 
bad or old?
A. (Also see the questions in Advanced Operation).  If your string is 
bad, you will notice all or mostly all zeros and/or dashes.  Dashes 
occur if a sensor isn't connected to the wx unit.  If your string is 
old, you will notice no change in field 10 (minute of day).  Check 
cables & wx unit.
Note: You will see dashes in indoor and outdoor humidity, unless you 
have those sensors; and for pressure if you didn't calibrate it.  Zeros 
are common for many strings, especially on calm days (no rain or wind).
Q. What mode should I use?
A. Always use data logging mode.  First, the `!!' header is indicative 
of data logging mode.  Second, packet mode only sends data to the TNC 
once every 5 minutes, the data could be 5 minutes old at time of 
transmit.  Data logging mode ensures current data at transmission time.  
Third, Bob Bruninga said so.  Actually, he said "the reason not to use 
the U-2000 in packet mode is that the wind data is always zero after the 
first packet.  That is why we keep saying over and over again, not to 
use the U-2000 in packet mode."

Q. What's the easiest way to compare settings?
A. Using your terminal program (not APRS), turn on capturing, enter the 
DISP command, save the capture, and print it.  Compare this with the 
KPC3WX.TXT file.

Q. What settings are you using?
A. See the companion file, KPC3WX.TXT

Advanced Operation
Q. How to I send my weather data through a GATE?
A. To GATE a weather report, you need change only three settings, LTP 
and BLT.  Presently, none of my remotes are being GATEd, however, to do 
this, use GPSHEADer 3 (or 4), and set to "!!" (as you did with 2).  Set 
the corresponding LTP 3 for "APRS VIA GATE,WIDE", and BLT 3 to "EVERY 
01:00:00" (one hour.or more, please!).

Q. Can I build my own interface?
A. Yes, see the instructions following this thread of questions.

Q.  Can I read data directly from the U2000/500?
A. Yes, you can build an interface for that purpose as well.

Q. Can't I use my TNC interface with my computer?
A. No, there are two different interfaces.  The TX & RX lines are 
switched.

Q. How do I build an interface?  What are the pin-outs?
A. You can purchase the parts (in one package) at Radio Shack.  The 
interface for the U2000/500 will have a 6-conductor modular (phone jack) 
style on one end, and either a DB25 male on the other.

Modular              Wx to       Wx to        Wx to 
 Pin#   Function     DB9-PC     DB25-PC      DB25-TNC
  1     Special        -           -            -
  2     +5v            -           -            -
  3     Output (TX)    2           3            2
  4     Humidity       -           -            -
  5     Ground (GND)   5           7            7
  6     Input  (RX)    3           2            3

Modular phone receptacle pins are labeled from left to right, looking 
into the female receptacle with the release clip on the top.  DO NOT 
CROSS YOUR WIRES!  Insulate the three remaining unused wires.


Q. How do I decode the data without APRS software?
A. You need a scientific calculator, capable of doing hex to decimal 
conversions.  Break the string up into fields of four bytes 
(characters), after the header (!!).

 !!005000C902EE02CB275A02F502B6----009B009500000064 <- string in hex
   [ 1][ 2][ 3][ 4][ 5][ 6][ 7][ 8][ 9][10][11][12] <- field number  
     80 201 750 715 /\  757 619  -  155 149   0 100 <- decimal equiv.
                  10074
Data Fields are as follows [above examples in brackets]:
          1. Wind Speed (0.1 kph)        [0050h=80x.1kph=8.0kph    ]
          2. Wind Direction (0-255)      [00C9h=201; 201/255=WNW   ]
          3. Outdoor Temp (0.1 deg F)    [02EEh=750x.1'F=75.0'F    ]
          4. Rain Long Term Total 0.01") [02CBh=715x.01"=7.15"     ]
          5. Barometer (0.1 mbar)        [275Ah=10074x.1mb=1007.4mb]
          6. Indoor Temp (0.1 deg F)     [02F5h=757x.1'F=75.7'F    ]
          7. Outdoor Humidity (0.1%)     [02B5h=619x.1=61.9% hum   ]
          8. Indoor Humidity (0.1%)      [----- indicates n/a      ]
          9. Date (day of year)          [009Bh=155th day=June 4th   ]
          10. Time (minute of day)       [0095h=149th min=0229hrs   ]
          11. Today's Rain Total (0.01") [0000h=0; No rain         ]
          12. 1 Min Wind Speed Average   [0064h=100x.1kph=10.0kph  ]

Q. Can you change settings on the weather unit remotely?
A. Yes, if it is a U2000; No if it is a U500.  Connect to the sites 
MYREMOTE call (enter password).  Use the RPRINT command to send a string 
to the unit.  Using a [CTRL]+[N] ensures a cr/lf is sent after the 
string; multiple strings may be sent at one time using the [CTRL]+[N] to 
separate (e.g. ">A009B0095[CTRL]+[N]>I[CTRL]+[N]").  Make sure the last 
command you issue is ">I", this will put the unit back into data logging 
mode.

The command header is >n where n=A-K. The header is immediately followed by from none to 
eight ASCII characters, each a hex digit, 0 through F. 
COMMAND SYNTAX 
>A plus 8 digits to SET DATE(4)TIME(4) (Day of Year:0=1/1, Min. of Day)
>B plus 3 digits to SET WIND DIRECTION CORRECTION FACTOR
>C plus 1 digit to SET RAIN GAUGE INCREMENT SIZE '0' = 0.01" or 0.25mm,
   `1' = 0.1" or 02.5 mm
>D plus 8 digits to SET BAROMETER CORRECTION VALUE
>E plus 5 digits to SET SEA LEVEL PRESSURE READING
>F plus 1 digit to SET LEAP YEAR VALUE
>G plus no digits for MASTER RESET
>H plus no digits to REQUEST ONE COMPLETE RECORD
>I plus no digits to SET DATA LOGGING MODE
  From the keypad, hold CLEAR and WIND keys for 3 seconds. 
>J plus no digits to SET PACKET MODE
  From the keypad, hold CLEAR and CHILL keys for 3 seconds.
>K plus no digits to SET COMPLETE RECORD MODE
  From the keypad, hold CLEAR and RAIN keys for 3 seconds.



If you have any other questions and/or answers, email them to me at the 
address in the beginning of this document.
