KestrelMet 6000 Cellular Weather Station
The KestrelMet 6000 is a reliable, low-maintenance, cost-effective, all-in-one weather station for residential, commercial, agricultural, and research applications. Pre-assembled for a quick and easy installation experience, you can have this out-of-the-box solution set up and reporting data within 20 minutes or less. The KestrelMet station monitors weather conditions and sends sensor data directly to the cloud. View your current measurements and access historical data, charts, and more on the Ambient Weather Network (AWN) online dashboard or app.
KestrelMet 6000 Cellular Weather Station Overview
The KestrelMet 6000 weather station is a top-of-the-line weather station designed for accuracy, durability, and affordability. The weather station offers a full suite of advanced sensors for accurately monitoring conditions and measuring wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, relative humidity, temperature, and rainfall. Ready to start reporting right out of the box, the KestrelMet 6000 comes pre-configured for quick and easy install. Choose from Wi-Fi or cellular data transmission.
Why Choose the KestrelMet 6000?
Out of The Box & Ready to Go
The KestrelMet 6000 is a fully configured all-in-one solution– no guesswork is required to choose the right sensor combination. Solar-powered with a backup battery, the KestrelMet is a completely standalone solution right out of the box.
Quick & Easy Set Up
You can expect a fast, frustration-free set up experience with the KestrelMet 6000– weather station up and running in under 20 minutes from start to finish. There’s no wiring of any sort required. All key weather sensors mount on one sturdy platform with a simple single mast attachment.
24-Hour Aspirated Fan for Improved Accuracy
Solar radiation can cause measurement errors and reduce sensor accuracy. Shielding over the air temperature and relative humidity sensors and a 24-hour aspirated fan keep air moving constantly over the sensors. This results in a significant improvement in measurement accuracy versus passive-shielded weather stations with no aspiration fan.
Multiple Mounting Options
You can choose between the Mono Mount Kit or the Tripod Mount Kit to best fit your needs. Both options offer quick install and a secure mounting system. The Mono Mount and can be used on a pitched or flat roof as well as a vertical surface such as a gable end. While the Tripod can be used on flat terrain, a flat roof, or on the ridge of a pitched roof.
Remote Data Viewing
Send current weather station data to the cloud via Wi-Fi or cellular communication. Wi-Fi range up to 1000 ft line of sight. Experience the convenience of having your personal weather information available to you wherever you go via your computer, tablet, or mobile device. With the Ambient Weather Network (AWN).
Do you have specific requirements for your business or project? Contact us to discuss customized solutions based on your weather monitoring needs.
View Your Weather Data Anytime, from Anywhere
Stay one step ahead of nature and be prepared for weather events that could affect your personal or professional plans. What's the point of measuring hyper-local weather conditions if you can't view it when and where you want? With Ambient Weather Network (AWN) app and online portal, you can check up on the weather conditions that matter to you -- no matter where you are.
AmbientWeather.net provides around-the-clock access to the weather information that you care about. The online dashboard allows you to view and manage your weather station data. Remotely monitor current weather conditions or view historical data to visualize trends and zero in on anomalies.
With reliable, site-specific weather data available on your mobile device or desktop -- you're empowered to make the right decision when weather threatens to impact your passion or profession.
Step 1
Register at AmbientWeather.net
Create an online account and connect your device online.
Step 2
Set Up Your Weather Station
Quickly assemble and easily install your KestrelMet 6000.
Step 3
View and Manage Your KestrelMet Weather Data
Access your weather data from anywhere on a laptop or mobile.
Product Questions
Text or Email alerts can be sent when a specific parameter is out of range.
If the value exceeds (greater than or less than) the alert amount, a text or email is sent.
Once the value falls within the normal range, the alert is reset, and an alarm can be sent again once outside the range again. This prevents repeated alerts for the same parameter.
The Notification Time Window is the minimum time after an alert can be repeated for the same condition. This is useful for parameters like wind speed, that change often and rapidly.
Here is an example scenario with the Notification Time Window set to 10 minutes.
If Wind Speed is greater than 20, send an alert.
- Time: 2:00 pm. Wind Speed is 24. Alert is sent.
- Time: 2:03 pm. Wind Speed is 12. Alert is reset.
- Time: 2:05 pm. Wind Speed is 26. Alert is not set because 5 minutes ago, the alert was already sent.
- Time: 2:12 pm. Wind Speed is 24. Alert is sent.
More than one alert can be set for the same parameter. Here is an example
Wind Speed > 20 mph
Wind Speed > 30 mph
Wind Speed > 40 mph
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WeatherUnderground.com (or <href="wunderground.com"> Wunderground.com) is a free, public weather data hosting service, and has accumulated the largest number of reporting weather stations in the world.</href="wunderground.com">
Weather Underground is owned by IBM, where the data is used for prediction services.
Share and compare your data with neighbors, friends and family.
Wunderground.com Features:
- The most popular personal weather station (PWS) hosting service in the world
- Free ‘cloud based’ service
- Real-time Streaming Updates (rapid fire)
- Weather Station Google Mapping
- Unlimited Historical data archiving (daily, monthly, yearly and custom)
- WeatherCam integration with time lapse video and daily archiving (weathercams sold separately)
- To create a free account, visit: www.wunderground.com
- Once you have created an account, select My Profile | My Weather Stations, or link below: https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/mypws
- Tap the Add a New PWS button and proceed through the wizard.
- Once completed, you will receive a Station ID and Station Key:
- Enter this Station ID and Station Key into AmbientWeather.net.
Note: If you entered this station ID and key into the console, do not enter it in KestrelMet.net. You do not want redundant data reporting to Wunderground.com. To learn more about WeatherUnderground.com and other apps, please visit: Here
WeatherCam images can be uploaded, viewed, and shared on AmbientWeather.net. This feature is currently available on the website version.
From the devices panel, select Add WeatherCam
Next, choose the format for your camera (FTP or URL):
- FTP: Most network cameras include FTP upload.
- URL: If you are hosting on another website, provide a URL.
FTP: option:
The website automatically generates the servername, username, and password. Enter these credentials into your camera’s ftp network settings.
– Some cameras like Foscam may require you to enter the server header ftp://ftp.kestrelmet.net, rather than ftp.kestrelmet.net.
– Select passive mode (PASV), if available.
– The maximum upload interval is one minute. Program an upload interval of 60 seconds or greater.
Enter the static URL associated with your camera hosting software. An example for the Nest Camera is referenced below.
Once the camera image has successfully uploaded to the server, the image will appear next to the WeatherCam credentials.
To make your WeatherCam public, select the checkbox “Allow others to view your weather cam“. It will take up to 48 hours for approval. Only images that point outside and show a portion of the sky will be approved.
Once your WeatherCam is public, it will be displayed on the WeatherCam map:
The KestrelMet 6000 cellular weather station can ONLY connect to a cellular network (typically Verizon or AT&T according to your station’s SIM card for US customers), and cannot connect to a Wi-Fi network. You can use provider coverage maps, FCC maps (https://fcc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6c1b2e73d9d749cdb7bc88a0d1bdd25b), or third-party tools such as the Open Signal app or RootMetrics app to plan an optimal location for your station. After your station is registered, you can use the signal indicators on the device's screen for live cellular signal readings.
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KestrelMet Cellular Weather Station Operating modes:
When the power switch is flipped ON, the station will transmit once every 5 minutes for a period of 30 minutes and then revert to normal operation mode, transmitting every 15 minutes. During that time, the multicolor LED on the PV power panel will indicate the connection status:
- Blinking blue within 1 minute of powering on: Bluetooth initializing
- Flashing magenta (every 10 seconds): Attempting to connect to a cellular network
- Flashing green (every 10 seconds): Cellular network connected, Standard Operation
- Flashing blue (every 10 seconds): Cellular network connected, Power Saver Mode
- Flashing red (every 10 seconds): Cellular network connected, Logging Mode
- Flashing red (every 20 seconds): Hibernation Mode
The KestrelMet 6000 station is shipped with a fully charged battery and the station is designed to maintain Normal Operation in subfreezing weather. If solar charging is insufficient due to extended snow cover or installation in a shaded location, the station will change operating modes to conserve power as detailed in the table below:
| Operating Mode | Standard | Power Saver | Logging | Hibernation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KestrelMet.net Battery Level | Battery Charged | Low battery | Critically Low Battery | Critically Low Battery |
| Aspirated Sensor Measurement Frequency | 1 min | 2 min | 5 min | None |
| Fan Aspiration | Active 24 Hours | Active 24 Hours | Active 24 Hours | Off |
| Cellular DataTransmission Frequency | 15 min | 15 min | 24 hr | None |
| Blinking LED | Green | Blue | Red | Red |
| LED Frequency | 10 sec | 10 sec | 10 sec | 20 sec |
IMPORTANT: If the station enters hibernation mode due to a depleted battery, the station must be left turned “on” and placed in direct sunlight to recharge. If the station is in hibernation mode for an extended period of time, the red LED will stop blinking. When the battery is charged sufficiently (typically 1-3 days), the station will switch back to Logging mode, then Normal Operation mode as charging allows. You will receive an email notification when the station returns to Normal Operation mode.
... PermalinkYou should choose the mobile carrier that has the best coverage for your area. It does not matter which carrier you personally use as you can see the data without having an AT&T or Verizon account.
... PermalinkThe Cellular version uses cellular data. The Wi-Fi version transmits via Wi-Fi up to 1000 ft line of sight.
... PermalinkThe cost is $50 per year to continue the coverage which is the lowest plan on the market today.
... PermalinkSun coverage is important to keep the unit powered. So choosing a place with adequate sunlight will help keep it powered in low sun / cloudy conditions. The other consideration is in a unsheltered area and higher up to help catch the current wind conditions, bearing in mind that you may have to clean the rain gauge occasionally. Lastly, if you mount it next to something that radiates heat (i.e., a black fence), this could slightly raise the temperature readings. If you are using a tripod mount, you may want to secure it to the ground or weigh it down in higher wind areas.
... PermalinkYes. You can add as many devices as you want to your account and toggle between them.
... PermalinkAfter entering your location into your account, a Google map lookup is done based on that location and uses the altitude of your location to calculate the barometric pressure.
... PermalinkA clogged rain bucket on your KestrelMet 6000 Cellular Weather Station can prevent accurate rainfall readings. Follow the steps in this video to easily unclog the rain bucket and keep your unit working properly.
... PermalinkPlease see this video on how to install the soil sensor array to the KestrelMet 6000 weather station: Soil Sensor Array Installation ... Permalink
Please see this video on how to export / download your weather data: Exporting Data
... PermalinkEvery KestrelMet weather station is checked against a precision NIST-traceable reference pressure sensor in our manufacturing process at the Boothwyn PA plant, and the pressure sensors that we use in the KestrelMet 6000 exhibit minimal drift over the 2-year warranty period. For these reasons, we have not engineered a pressure calibration interface for the KestrelMet 6000.
To compare pressure conditions from one location to another, meteorologists correct pressure to sea-level conditions. Because the air pressure decreases as you rise in altitude, the sea-level corrected pressure (the pressure your location would be at if located at sea-level) is generally higher than your measured pressure.
Thus, your absolute pressure may read 28.62 inHg (969 mb) at an altitude of 1000 feet (305 m), but the relative pressure is 30.00 inHg (1016 mb).
The standard sea-level pressure is 29.92 inHg (1013 mb). This is the average sea-level pressure around the world. Relative pressure measurements greater than 29.92 inHg (1013 mb) are considered high pressure and relative pressure measurements less than 29.92 inHg are considered low pressure.
The pressure measurement displayed on AWN is relative pressure. To determine the relative pressure for your location, AWN locates an official reporting station near you, and sets your weather station relative pressure calculation parameters to match the official reporting station. Note that absolute pressure and relative pressure are both included when station data is downloaded.
Pressure details for CWOP MADIS L3 spatial failures:
Based on experience, MADIS failures come and go and are not necessarily an indicator that there is anything out of calibration, especially when barometric pressure is the measurement in question. For MADIS L3 spatial failures, it is very unlikely that your pressure sensor is the cause. This forum thread provides some useful perspectives on the L3 spatial failure, including one user who tried recalibrating their pressure sensor seasonally in an attempt to make the L3 error go away:
https://groups.io/g/wxqc/topic/chasing_the_calibration_tail/21375996
If you have already confirmed that you are sending the correct altitude to CWOP, then it may be one of the nearby stations that is causing the L3 error. Alternatively, you could try changing the altitude in the CWOP interface which will effectively adjust the relative pressure calculated by CWOP.
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