Making Fine Offset base station wireless

[Orion]

Ta muckle.

Still not quite right, scotty
you need to change it in 2 places if you click on your sig you still link to my ID

[gemini06720]

...I was under the impression that it effectively tagged a wifi adaptor onto an existing non wifi device so should connect to my BT home hub like my internet radio.

Be very wary about those devices. As indicated on the Mappin page and on the the Inquirer page, the Q-Waves Wireless USB Data Kit has a line-of-sight (or about 10 meters with no obstruction) range and is very limited as to what type of data it can pass between its units.

Would the 'missus' allow you to run a long good quality USB cable between the weather station console and the computer - that would be more reliable and much less expensive (you could easily run a 10 meters USB cable without problem) although a bit unsightly unless you can run the cable under the floor...

[RBMK-1000]

Not really.

While at home during the holidays will move the unit to the PC

When I am at work will just update everytime I get home.

[Charlie]

Why not just pick up a second system? Since a transmittier will talk to multiple receivers, connect one receiver to your PC, and place the other anywhere you like. You then also have a set of spare parts for the outdoor unit if anything ever fails.

[nitrx]

Why not just pick up a second system? Since a transmittier will talk to multiple receivers, connect one receiver to your PC, and place the other anywhere you like. You then also have a set of spare parts for the outdoor unit if anything ever fails.

Just my thoughts (DAJ / David) uses this solution too

[Gina]

Me too

[Synewave]

I just got the Maplin version of the Fine Offset weather station and think it is great. However due to where the missus let me hang the base station it isn't anywhere near my PC. At the moment I have it off the wall and plugged into either my desktop or the netbook.
At all other times like when I am at work it will be on the wall.

Just another thought, you are implying that you want to have the station console visible (on the wall). I had the same feeling when I first got mine but then eventually (after 6 months) just put the console on top of the PC base station (with a piece of paper on top to stop the dust) and just used the Cumulus interface to view the data. I now rarely look at the Cumulus console and just access my webpages to view the info (as many others do too).

[philcdav]

just wondered how far the console is from the transmitter.

Mine is about 20 m thru 2 walls and works fine.

Could you not attach the console to the PC case?

[RBMK-1000]

My TX is around 10 metres from my PC through one conservatory which is uPVC construction mainly. Can see it from my seat so that isn't a problem.

Infact for the time being the unit is left attached to the PC so as soon as it is turned on in the morning everything starts working.

Thanks for all the advice.

[glyned]

Can I just say that I have been using a Medion MD86907 usb wifi hub for the last six or so months and it has worked perfectly. I can log on to my Maplin station on any computer in the house (after releasing the hub from the previouse computer - you can only log on one computer at a time to each usb port). The hub has four usb ports, a ethernet 10/100 and a speaker connection to wirelessly stream audio if desired. I think it cost around £30 from Aldi last year, but these things tend to come around every year or so, so could be offered again soon.
regards glyned

[Gina]

I've found Aldi stuff very good too. I even bought a computer off them some time ago. That's still going fine

[Stephen]

Hi, New user here...

If price is not a barrier, then you might look at something like a Wireless USB Hub. One example is the Belkin Wireless USB Hub 4 Port, $202 (US). Place the wireless HUB near your weather station receiver, connect to it using a USB cable, then plug the wireless USB adapter into your computer's USB port.

Keith

Howdy All, First time poster, long time forum'r, please be gentle

After months of deliberation I finally got myself a Belkin 'Home Base' Wireless USB Hubs (Model #F5L049AU) to hook up a WS1081 (XC0348 sold by Jaycar Electronics here in Australia)

And I can report that sadly it does not work (someone with a weather station eventually had to try this), my digital photo frame works fine.

Currently the 'Home Base Control Center' software detects the WS1081 as "VID[0x1941] PID[0x8021] (image attached) and a search for these Vendor/Product codes only gets me info on a "USB Missle Launcher -2-axis control USB foam dart launcher" which sounds fun but alas not helpful.

Belkin F5L049AU Fine Offset WS1081.png

I will try a few other devices later tonight and any 'hacks' I find on the interwebz to get devices working on this wireless hub, though at this stage I really don't like my chances, hence this post and any ideas or advice the members here may be able to send in my direction.

[steve]

I can't offer any help, but I can confirm that those are the correct Vendor and Product IDs for Fine Offset stations.

[The QCC]

Hello Stephen:

My first thoughts were along the line of a USB wireless hub, but USB wireless hubs seem to be a thing of the past here in Canada. What is available is over priced.

I solved my problem by using a USB 2.0 Active extension cable. The cable I purchased was a 17ft cable from Amazon for $20,00.
http://www.amazon.com/2-port-17ft-Activ ... NWRIOZ247R

It works like a charm and is substantially less than the wireless route. I purchased the 2 port version because my printer and FO console are in the same location.

USB active extension cables can be purchased for less than $10,00.

http://www.amazon.ca/16FT-ACTIVE-EXTENS ... 190&sr=1-3

Carl