Datasheet
37
Manual
PC208W Datalogger Support Software
For each day the Met station has been operational, the following daily meteorological data are extracted from
the respective raw input data file: station datalogger-ID, year and date, average, maximum and minimum daily air
temperature, average vapor pressure and vapor pressure deficit; total daily rainfall and solar radiation; average daily
wind speed and direction and standard deviation of the wind direction. The first three indices (i.e. ID, year and date)
uniquely identify each output array.
The associated output file is in comma separated ASCII format. This is shown below for the output file “metday31.
txt” referred to in the previous screen; the file can be opened and viewed by Windows Explorer or any other software
capable of reading ASCII text format. In the following case the respective Output File is opened using the View utility
of the PC208W 3.3 software.
The first three parameters uniquely identify each output array.
This concludes the user activities in Report with respect to the daily meteorological information.
5.3.2.5 Meteorological Station Performance Information
As already indicated earlier, the METSTAT datalogger programme includes routines for permanent monitoring of the
two essential station performance indicators, namely (a) battery voltage and (b) the signature of the active METSTAT
datalogger programme.
Detailed instructions to retrieve and evaluate these two indicators are straight forward and by following essentially
the same procedures as described above in the paragraphs 5.3.3, 5.3.4 and 5.3.5 – taking care to use the parameter
file “metperf.par” instead. For users easy reference these instructions are summarized in Annex 5 of the Manual.
It is strongly recommended to assess performance of the meteorological station after each data retrieval exercise.
This will facilitate timely action in case of malfunctioning of the power supply unit at the station (solar panel and/
or battery) or corruption of the METSTAT datalogger programme, thus avoiding unnecessary loss of valuable
meteorological data measured at the station.