Topic: Geomagnetic activity and WS90 connection

[iko.]

Hi,

I have an app to keep track of geomagnetic activity and check for aurora borealis. Many times when the geomagnetic index is high my GW1100 stops detecting the signal from the WS90. Sometimes it lasts for a few hours or days, a bit on and off. Usually, it resumes the normal transmission with no help. In May, when northern lights (and also southern) were visible in unusual places closer to Equator the WS90-GW1100 signal disappeared for days until I switched the GW1100 off and on again.

I first thought this was a coincidence but it has happened several times and I couldn't find anything similar in the forum. I know solar activity can interfere electronics and radio frequency but I never heard about the impact on weather stations. Did anyone experienced this?

[jpochmara]

What firmware version do you have on your WS90?  I notice that when I loaded firmware 1.3.8 the signal from the WS90 got a lot more reliable.

Ecowitt changed the transmission packet with firmware 1.3.8, which lead to a much greater packet reception, at least for me.

[Rover1822]

I know solar activity can interfere electronics and radio frequency but I never heard about the impact on weather stations

Keep in mind that the WS90 transmission to the console is radio frequency. I have no doubt depending on distance of the WS90 from the GW1100 might experience issues if other RF systems are also experiencing issues.

Edit: Thanks for the post, this may also aid others with same issue, that may never have thought about it

[SamiS]

I first thought this was a coincidence but it has happened several times and I couldn't find anything similar in the forum. I know solar activity can interfere electronics and radio frequency but I never heard about the impact on weather stations. Did anyone experienced this?

Out of curiosity, what frequency do your devices use? (433, 868 or 915Mhz) It might be one player in this equation. And of course the connection is more sensitive to disturbance if it is weak from the beginning. I haven’t seen any problems with my GW1100 or HP2550, but the sensor is visible for both and under 10m away.

The latest firmware v2.3.4 promises better rf reception, so if running an older one, you might want to upgrade. Also, GW1100 does have AFC setting (auto frequency control) that can be enabled or disabled manually from device settings, and it may also enhance the rf reception.

[Rocketman]

Here in New Zealand the wireless frequency was 915MHz has changed to 917Mhz . All wireless equipment sold must be 917Mhz
We had product on the shelves at 915Mhz and that had to be removed and destroyed 

[Gyvate]

but I guess the 433 MHz ISM band is still legal ...
However, can you post the exact update document (or link to or information article) you are referring too !?
Would be interesting to know more about the background.
A Google search "New Zealand 917 MHz" doesn't provide any hit ..

Your so far known regulations from 2022 do not seems to enforce 917 MHz.
It's usually a band (frequency range, spectrum) with a medium value (reference frequency)
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-go3100

And if this has anything to do with a potential impact of Northern or Southern lights ... (Aurora Borealis or Aurora Australis)

[Rocketman]

I'm a reseller of Jaycar electronics ( more than 8000 products )
Jaycar are major retailer in the Southern Hemisphere across Australia and New Zealand

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/digital-weather-station-with-colour-display/p/XC0434

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Your equipment

Your equipment must comply with the relevant radio standards and relevant technical parameters for this licence.
Compliance labelling

If you bought your equipment in New Zealand, and it's labelled with an RSM-approved RCM mark or R-NZ label, you can start using it immediately. If it's not labelled with an RCM mark or R-NZ label, go back to your supplier and get New Zealand approved equipment.

If you bought your equipment online or overseas, you may not be able to set it up to operate on New Zealand frequencies. Go back to your supplier and ask for equipment with an approved RCM mark or R-NZ label.


You have to get R-NZ label to import such weather station equipment

Spectrum details
Spectrum type
Frequency
Spectrum status
Current
Service type
General User Radio Licence
Polarisation
Non-specific
Start date
1-Aug-2022
End date
-
Remarks
Special condition 23
Reference frequencies
Ref. Freq. (MHz)
921.500000
Frequency type
Nominal Frequency
Power dBW (eirp)
0.0
Power type
Carrier Power
Tolerance
 
Emissions
13M0XXX

[iko.]

What firmware version do you have on your WS90?  I notice that when I loaded firmware 1.3.8 the signal from the WS90 got a lot more reliable.

That can be a solution to the problem as I have been holding to update the WS90 much before version 1.3.8

Out of curiosity, what frequency do your devices use? (433, 868 or 915Mhz) It might be one player in this equation.

These devices are in Europe and using the 868Mhz. The GW1100 is running 2.3.4 and I was just looking at the AFC toggle, I have it off. The distance from the WS90 and the GW1100 is not much, one being on the roof directly above, but probably enough to have more distorsion.

This problem doesn’t me bother as much as the rain accuracy but I find very curious this recurrent coincidence of higher geomagnetic activity and the reception of the WS90-GW1100.

[Rocketman]

but I guess the 433 MHz ISM band is still legal ...
However, can you post the exact update document (or link to or information article) you are referring too !?
Would be interesting to know more about the background.
A Google search "New Zealand 917 MHz" doesn't provide any hit ..

Your so far known regulations from 2022 do not seems to enforce 917 MHz.
It's usually a band (frequency range, spectrum) with a medium value (reference frequency)
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-go3100

And if this has anything to do with a potential impact of Northern or Southern lights ... (Aurora Borealis or Aurora Australis)

please read this
https://www.elsema.com/srd/

Australia and New Zealand have the same standard AS/NZS 4268:2017

433 MHz is still legal to use although the bandwidth is narrow ( and everyone uses it for car garages remotes etc  )
even have issues we my car garage remote last week ( Paradox )

Senior Radio inspector told me the new standard is mainly to protect cellphone 5G network from interference .
New frequency change has large bandwidth 915 - 928 Mhz