Thread: Whats this?

I am only stabbing in the dark. Could it be a wireless rain gauge? The setup looks a bit odd for it just being a repeater.

Nathanial

I'd say possibly an automatic rain gauge.
Funnel on top makes it look like a rain gauge. They have a little cup inside that tips over at a certain volume. The number of tips is recorded, giving rainfall for a period of time.
Have seen plenty in remote parts of Northern Territory that are linked to BoM with a Sat phone that then calls as required giving rainfall.
From memory BoM have the ability to call the gauge and down load information as necessary.
Looks like the one in the pic you posted is using radio to send info.
Unusual to have something like that on the side of the road, where anyone can get to it.

Greg

Hree is a bigger image.

I don't reckon it's a repeater, anyway.. i'm assuming you were meaning a UHF radio repeater? I saw one about ten years ago, it was the size of a washing machine,, GME, and housed inside a small steel hut. Also, there's a repeater station north of gympie, Qld, I believe, and it's a huge tower... But i'm possibly incorrect...

If that's a solar panel on the side it can't be more than a 5 watt one.
I would guess a repeater would require way more than that, and it would only produce 5 watts in ideal conditions. my money is on something like a rain gauge as said above, or something similar, that transmits in very short bursts every so not-so-often.

Fraser

I'd say that would be a raingauge that's part of the flood warning system operated by the BoM.

Have a look at this page Bureau of Meteorology - Flood Warning Services and you will probably be able to locate it.


Martyn

Originally Posted by Bushie

I'd say that would be a raingauge that's part of the flood warning system operated by the BoM.

Have a look at this page Bureau of Meteorology - Flood Warning Services and you will probably be able to locate it.


Martyn

Yep..think Martyn has got it right..

Here's a link to a picture of one in the US and info on how it all works ..

Radio Reporting Tipping Bucket Rain Gage

cheers,