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Measuring the wind on the Hafod Estate in central Wales was
very interesting. It was useful to compare the data at different heights.
My main interest is as a meteorologist, although I'm sure others have more
specific reasons for wanting to know the wind speed. At any time a special
button allows you to take a 'snapshot' of the current data. |
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We used the altitude function when walking. At the start of
our ascent to the monument on this Forestry Commission Estate our altitude
was 172 metres. When we climbed up a hill to a monument we recorded an
altitude of 202 metres. When we ate our lunch by the river we were at 150
metres. In our final walk up to Hafod Church we reached a dizzy altitude
of 235 metres. |
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This is the view from the monument, just to prove we were fairly
high up. The altitude reading is produced by the link between altitude and
air pressure. If the air pressure changes the altitude reading will change
as well. This needs to be taken into account when using this facility. |
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Taking a temperature reading. This reading is used along
with the wet bulb reading to work out relative humidity. It is also involved
in the calculation for wind chill. |
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Taking a temperature reading. The
store rate of the data log can be set to anywhere between 2 seconds and 12
hours. It continues to take readings even when the device is switched off. |
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The Kestrel 4000 has its own carrying bag. The protector for
the impeller on the anemometer is open in this picture. The device is clearly very portable. |
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There are three screens
for each measurement. Firstly you can see the current reading in clear
numbers. Secondly you can see details of the minimum, maximum and average
readings in the memory. The third screen shows a chart of the data. On the
data chart a cursor can be scrolled across to give the individual readouts
for each data value. Up to 250 measurements can be charted. |
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The Kestrel 4000. It measures Wind Speed, Temperature, Wind
Chill, Humidity, Heat Index, Dew Point, Wet Bulb, Barometric Pressure,
Altitude and Altitude Density. |
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This photograph shows the sensors which
are situated n a recess near the anemometer. |
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Many thanks to Richard Paul Russell Ltd who kindly set my
Kestrel 4000 to my holiday destination so that I could use it up and down
hills in Wales. It also meant that I must have been one of the first UK
users of the Kestrel 4000!
See their web site at - http://www.r-p-r.co.uk |
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The US manufactures of the Kestrel 4000 have a site at -
http://www.nkhome.com/ww/4000/4000.html |
