Campbell UT30 Installation Manual

UT30 WEATHER STATION

INSTALLATION MANUAL

REVISED: 4/98

COPYRIGHT (c) 1993-1998 CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC.

WARRANTY AND ASSISTANCE

The

is warranted by CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. to be free from defects in materials and

UT30

workmanship under normal use and service for twelve (12) months from date of shipment unless specified
otherwise. Batteries have no warranty. CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC.'s obligation under this warranty is
limited to repairing or replacing (at CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC.'s option) defective products. The
customer shall assume all costs of removing, reinstalling, and shipping defective products to CAMPBELL
SCIENTIFIC, INC. CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. will return such products by surface carrier prepaid.
This warranty shall not apply to any CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. products which have been subjected
to modification, misuse, neglect, accidents of nature, or shipping damage. This warranty is in lieu of all
other warranties, expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular
purpose. CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. is not liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential
damages.

Products may not be returned without prior authorization. To obtain a Returned Materials Authorization
(RMA), contact CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC., phone [phone]. After an applications engineer
determines the nature of the problem, an RMA number will be issued. Please write this number clearly on
the outside of the shipping container. CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC's shipping address is:

CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC.

RMA#_____
815 West 1800 North
Logan, Utah 84321-1784

CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. does not accept collect calls.
Non-warranty products returned for repair should be accompanied by a purchase order to cover the repair.

815 W. 1800 N.
Logan, UT 84321-1784
USA
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
www.campbellsci.com

Campbell Scientific Canada Corp.
11564 -149th Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5M 1W7
CANADA
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Campbell Scientific Ltd.
Campbell Park
80 Hathern Road
Shepshed, Leics. LE12 9RP
ENGLAND
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

1. PREPARATION AND SITING

1.1 Installation Tasks....................................................................................................................1-1

1.2 Tools Required.......................................................................................................................1-1

1.3 Siting and Exposure ...............................................................................................................1-3

1.4 Determining True North for Wind Vane Orientation...............................................................1-5

.............................................................................................1-1

2. TOWER/TRIPOD INSTALLATION

2.1 Tower/Tripod Installation

2.2 Sensor Mounting Brackets

3. INSTRUMENTATION INSTALLATION

3.1 Enclosure, Datalogger, and Power Supply

3.2 Sensor Connection

3.3 Communication and Data Storage Peripherals

3.4 Sealing and Desiccating the Enclosure

4. SENSOR INSTALLATION

4.1 034A Met One Windset........................................................................................................ .. 4-1

4.2 014A Met One Wind Speed Sensor.......................................................................................4-1

4.3 024A Met One Wind Direction Sensor ................................................................................... 4-2

4.4 05103 and 05305 RM Young Wind Monitors .........................................................................4-2

4.5 03001 RM Young Wind Sentry Wind Set...............................................................................4-3

4.6 03101 RM Young Wind Sentry Anemometer.........................................................................4-3

4.7 LI200S Li-Cor Silicon Pyranometer/LI190SB Quantum Sensor.............................................4-4

4.8 107/108 Temperature Probe..................................................................................................4-4

4.9 107B Soil Temperature Probe................................................................................................4-5

4.10 CS500 Vaisala Temperature and RH Probe..........................................................................4-5

4.11 HMP35C Vaisala Temperature and RH Probe....................................................................... 4-6

4.12 CS105 Vaisala Barometric Pressure Sensor .........................................................................4-6

4.13 TE525 Texas Electronics Tipping Bucket Rain Gage ............................................................ 4-7

4.14 CS700-L Rain Gage...............................................................................................................4-7

4.15 SR50 Sonic Ranging Sensor..................................................................................................4-8

4.16 CS615-L Water Content Reflectometer .................................................................................4-8

4.17 237 Leaf Wetness Sensor......................................................................................................4-9

4.18 257 Soil Moisture Sensor .......................................................................................................4-9

4.19 Wind Direction Sensor Orientation....................................................................................... 4-10

...................................................................................................4-1

...................................................................................2-1

...........................................................................3-1

5. SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

6. MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING

6.1 Maintenance........................................................................................................................... 6-1

6.2 Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................6-2

.............................................................................................5-1

..............................................................6-1

I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

3.3-1 Station ID Numbers and Corresponding Switch Settings**..................................................3-12

3.3-2 Station ID Numbers and Corresponding Switch Settings.....................................................3-14

LIST OF FIGURES

2.1-1 UT30 Tower-Based Weather Station ..................................................................................... 2-1

2.1-2 Top View of Base and Guy Anchor Layout.............................................................................2-1

2.1-3 Foundation for B18 Base........................................................................................................2-2

2.1-4 B18 Concrete Mounting Base................................................................................................. 2-3

2.1-5 RFM18 Flat Roof Mounting Base...........................................................................................2-3

2.1-6 UTEYE Eyebolt Guy Anchor...................................................................................................2-3

2.1-7 UTDUK Duckbill Guy Anchor.................................................................................................. 2-4

2.1-8 Guy Wire Attached to Tower ..................................................................................................2-4

2.1-9 Guy Wire/Turnbuckle Attached to UTEYE Anchor.................................................................2-5

2.1-10 Ground Rod and Clamp..........................................................................................................2-5

2.1-11 Tower Grounding Clamp ........................................................................................................2-5

2.2-1 Top View of Tower.................................................................................................................. 2-6

2.2-2 019ALU Crossarm and Lightning Rod.................................................................................... 2-6

2.2-3 UT12VA Gill Radiation Shield and UT018 Crossarm............................................................. 2-7

2.2-4 UTLI Leveling Fixture/Crossarm Mount and UT018...............................................................2-7

2.2-5 025 Pyranometer Crossarm Stand.........................................................................................2-7

3.1-1 ENC 12/14 Enclosure on CM6/CM10.....................................................................................3-1

3.1-2 ENC 12/14 Enclosure on UT10..............................................................................................3-1

3.1-3 ENC 16/18 Enclosure on UT30..............................................................................................3-1

3.1-4 21X Mounted Inside of the ENC 12/14 Enclosure..................................................................3-2

3.1-5 21X Alkaline Batteries ............................................................................................................3-2

3.1-6 21XL Rechargeable Batteries................................................................................................. 3-3

3.1-7 BPALK 12 Volt Power Supply.................................................................................................3-3

3.1-8 PS12LA 12 Volt Power Supply ............................................................................................... 3-4

3.1-9 MSX10 Solar Panel ................................................................................................................3-4

3.2-1 Routing and Wiring Sensor Leads to the Datalogger............................................................. 3-5

3.3-1 SM192/SM716 Storage Module..............................................................................................3-6

3.3-2 DC112 Modem with 6362 Surge Protector.............................................................................3-7

3.3-3 COM100 Cellular Transceiver................................................................................................3-7

3.3-4 SRM-5A and SC932 at Datalogger ........................................................................................3-9

3.3-5 SRM-5A Wiring.....................................................................................................................3-10

3.3-6 RF95 RF Modem and RF100/RF200 Transceiver ............................................................... 3-11

3.3-7 RF232 Base Station Installation ...........................................................................................3-13

3.3-8 MD9 Multidrop Interface.......................................................................................................3-13

3.3-9 MD9 Multidrop Interface at the Computer ............................................................................3-15

3.4-1 Enclosure Supply Kit.............................................................................................................3-16

4.1-1 Met One 034A Wind Speed and Direction Sensor................................................................. 4-1

4.2-1 Met One 014A Wind Speed Sensor.......................................................................................4-1

4.3-1 Met One 024A Wind Direction Sensor ...................................................................................4-2

4.4-1 05103 RM Young Wind Monitor ............................................................................................. 4-2

4.5-1 03001 Mounted to the Mast....................................................................................................4-3

4.5-2 03001 Mounted to 019ALU Crossarm....................................................................................4-3

4.6-1 03101 RM Young Wind Sentry Anemometer.........................................................................4-3

4.7-1 LI200S/LI190SB and LI2003S Leveling Fixture...................................................................... 4-4

4.8-1 107 Temperature Probe .........................................................................................................4-4

4.10-1 CS500 Temperature and RH Probe....................................................................................... 4-5

4.11-1 HMP35C Vaisala Temperature and RH Probe.......................................................................4-6

4.12-1 CS105 Vaisala Barometric Pressure Sensor in a Custom Weather Station Enclosure......... 4-6

4.12-2 CS105MD Vaisala Barometric Pressure Sensor in a MetData1 Enclosure ........................... 4-6

4.13-1 TE525 Texas Electronics Rain Gage.....................................................................................4-7

4.14-1 CS700-L Rain Gage and CM100 Mounting Bracket...............................................................4-7

II

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4.15-1 SR50 Sonic Ranging Sensor..................................................................................................4-8

4.16-1 CS615 Water Content Reflectometer with CS615G Probe Insertion Guide .......................... 4-8

4.17-1 237 Leaf Wetness Sensor......................................................................................................4-9

4.18-1 257 Soil Moisture Sensor ....................................................................................................... 4-9

4.19-1 Magnetic Declination for the Contiguous United States.......................................................4-10

4.19-2 Declination Angles East of True North Are Subtracted From 0 to Get True North...............4-11

4.19-3 Declination Angles West of True North Are Added to 0 to Get True North..........................4-11

III

SECTION 1. PREPARATION AND SITING

These guidelines apply to several different Campbell Scientific weather stations.

1.1 INSTALLATION TASKS

1.1.1 INDOORS

• Immediately upon receipt of your
shipment…

⇒ Open shipping cartons.
⇒ Check contents against invoice.

Contact CSI immediately about any
shortages.

• Several days prior to the planned
installation date…

⇒ Collect tools and site information

(Section 1)

⇒ Assemble datalogger, communications

device, and power supply in enclosure
(Section 3)

⇒ Install datalogger support software on

PC (Section 5)

⇒ Install instrumentation enclosure

(Section 3)

⇒ Install sensors (Section 4)

• UT30 (10 meter tower) tower stations:
⇒ Install 3 to 10 meter level sensors

(Section 4)

⇒ Raise tower (Section 2)
⇒ Install instrumentation enclosure

(Section 3)

⇒ Install 0 to 3 meter level sensors

(Section 4)

• ET101 / ET106 ET Stations:
⇒ Place instrumentation enclosure low on

the ET Tower (Section 3)

⇒ Install sensor option (Section 4)

⇒ Establish communications between the

datalogger and the PC (Section 5)

⇒ Program datalogger, test sensors, and

retrieve data (Section 5)

⇒ Trial run the tower / tripod installation,

assembling as much as possible
(Section 2)

⇒ Repackage equipment for transport to

the field site

1.1.2 OUTDOORS

• Locate suitable site (Section 1)

• Prepare tower or tripod base (Section 2)

• Tripod and UT10 (3 meter tower) tower

stations:

⇒ Raise tripod or tower (Section 2)

⇒ Slide enclosure to top of tower and

secure with correct orientation (Section 3)

1.2 TOOLS REQUIRED

Tools required to install and maintain a weather
station are listed below.

1.2.1 TOOLS FOR TOWER INSTALLATION All Towers

Shovel
Rake
Open end wrenches: 3/8", 7/16", ½",

(2) 9/16"
Magnetic compass
6' Step ladder

CM6/CM10

Tape measure (12')
Level (12" to 24")
Small sledge hammer
Teflon tape or pipe dope
Allen hex wrench (5/64)

1-1

SECTION 1. PREPARATION AND SITING

UT10

Tape measure (12' to 20')
Level (24" to 36")
Pick or digging bar
Claw Hammer
Materials for concrete form:

Hand saw
(4) 12" wood stakes
(1) 2"x 4"x 8' piece of lumber
(8) 8p double-head nails
(8) 16p double-head nails
Concrete trowels
(2) 1 to 1.5" thick x 24" boards

to support base above
forms (optional)

Concrete (0.4 cubic yards)

ET Tower

Tape measure (12’ to 20’)
Claw hammer
Level (24” to 36”)
Hand saw
Materials for concrete form:

(4) 1" x 2" x 12" stakes
(2) 2" x 4" x 96" lumber
(12) 8p double-head nails
(8) 16p double-head nails
20 ft form wire
½ Yard concrete
Concrete trowel, edger
Electrical Fish tape or 20 feet of

small diameter rope

Wheelbarrow

UT30

Tape measure (12' and 20')
Nut driver (3/8")
Level (36" to 48")
Small sledge hammer
Pliers
Tie wire
Climbing harness
Hard hat
Haul rope (50')
Non-stretch line (20')
Wire rope cutters
Materials for B18 Base and UTEYE Anchors:

(4) Wood stakes 12"
Pick or digging bar
Concrete form materials (2"x 4"

lumber, stakes, saw,
hammer, nails, etc.)

Concrete trowel and edger

Materials for UTDUK Duckbill Anchors

Sledgehammer
Highlift jack
Chain (to attach jack to anchor

loops)

Materials for RFM18 Base:

(3) anchors appropriate for

mounting surface
(3) bolts and washers to secure

base to anchors

1.2.2 TOOLS FOR INSTRUMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE

All Towers

Lock and key for enclosure
Magnetic declination angle (Section 4)
Magnetic compass
Straight bit screwdrivers (small,

medium, large)

Phillips-head screwdrivers (small,

medium)
Small diagonal side-cuts
Needle-nose pliers
Wire strippers
Pocket knife
Calculator
Volt / Ohm Meter
Electrical Tape
Step ladder (6')
Datalogger prompt sheet (Section 6)
Station manuals
Station log and pen
Open end wrenches: 3/8", 7/16", ½", (2)

9/16"
Socket wrench and 7/16" deep well

socket
Adjustable wrench
Pliers
Conduit and associated tools (as

required)
Felt-tipped marking pen
Claw hammer
Pipe wrench (12")

CM6/CM10

Tape measure (12')
Level (12" to 24")
Teflon tape or pipe dope

UT10

Tape measure (12' to 20')
3/8" nut driver
Level (24" to 36")
Teflon tape or pipe dope
(12) ¼" washers (for the 015 Crossarm

stand only)
Allen wrench set

1-2

SECTION 1. PREPARATION AND SITING

UT30

Tape measure (12' to 20')
3/8" nut driver
Level (36" to 48")
Pliers
Climbing harness
Hard hats
50' haul rope
Crescent wrench
Channel-lock pliers
¼" washers (spacers for U-bolts)
5/64" Allen hex wrench

1.2.3 SUPPLIES FOR POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OPTIONS

AC Power

Wire, conduit, and junction boxes as

needed

Phone Modem

Hayes compatible calling modem for PC
Phone line to weather station or

junction box

Short-Haul Modem

4 Conductor communications cable

from PC to weather station or
junction box

6' copper ground rod and clamp for PC

surge protection (optional)

1.3 SITING AND EXPOSURE

CAUTION: If any part of the weather

station comes in contact with power lines,
you could be killed. Contact local utilities
for the location of buried utility lines before
digging or driving ground rods.

Selecting an appropriate site for the weather
station is critical in order to obtain accurate
meteorological data. In general, the site should
be representative of the general area of interest,
and away from the influence of obstructions
such as buildings and trees.

The weather station should not be located
where sprinkler irrigation water will strike
sensors or instrument enclosure.

1.3.1 WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION

Wind sensors should be located over open level
terrain, and at a distance of at least ten times
(EPA) the height of any nearby building, tree or
other obstruction, as illustrated in Figure 1.3-1.

Standard measurement heights:

3.0 m ± 0.1 m recommended (AASC)

2.0 m ± 0.1 m, 10.0 m ± 0.5 m optional (AASC)

10.0 m (WMO and EPA)

1.3.2 TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY

Sensors should be located over an open level
area at least 9 m (EPA) in diameter. The
surface should be covered by short grass, or
where grass does not grow, the natural earth
surface. Sensors should be located at a
distance of at least four times the height of any
nearby obstruction and at least 30 m (EPA)
from large paved areas. Sensors should be
protected from thermal radiation, and
adequately ventilated.

Situations to avoid include:

• large industrial heat sources

• rooftops

• steep slopes

• sheltered hollows

• high vegetation

• shaded areas

• swamps

• areas where snow drifts occur

• low places holding standing water after

rains

Standard measurement heights:

1.5 m ± 1.0 m (AASC)

1.25 - 2.0 m (WMO)

2.0 m temperature (EPA)

2.0 m and 10.0 m for temperature difference
(EPA)

1.3.3 PRECIPITATION

A rain gage should be sited on level ground that
is covered with short grass or gravel. In open
areas, the distance to obstructions should be
two to four times (EPA, AASC) the height of the
obstruction.

Some general guidelines for site selection are
listed below, which were condensed from EPA
(1988)

1

, WMO (1983)2, and AASC (1985)

3

publications.

The height of the opening should be as low as
possible, but should be high enough to avoid
splashing from the ground. Wind shields, such
as those used by the National Weather Service,
are recommended for open areas.

1-3

SECTION 1. PREPARATION AND SITING

Collectors should be heated, if necessary, to
properly measure frozen precipitation. The
gage must be mounted above the average level
of snow accumulation in areas that experience
significant snowfall.

Standard measurement heights:

1.0 m ± 1.0 cm (AASC)

30.0 cm minimum (WMO, EPA)

1.3.4 SOLAR RADIATION

Pyranometers should be located to avoid
shadows on the sensor at any time. Mounting it
on the southern most (northern hemisphere)
portion of the weather station will minimize the

chance of shading from other weather station
structures. Reflective surfaces and sources of
artificial radiation should be avoided. The height
at which the sensor is mounted is not critical.

1.3.5 SOIL TEMPERATURE

The measurement site for soil temperature should

2

be at least 1 m

and typical of the surface of
interest. The ground surface should be level with
respect to the immediate area (10 m radius).

Standard measurement depths:

10.0 cm ± 1.0 cm (AASC)

5.0 cm, 10.0 cm, 50.0 cm, 100.0 cm (WMO)

H

Height of tree (T)

REGCOMENDED
FeedSENSORS

27115

Serial

PortlandOr USA

REGCOMENDED
FeedSENSORS

Serial2711527115

PortlandOr USA

REGCOMENDED
FeedSENSORS

Serial

27115

PortlandOr USA

10H

10T

FIGURE 1.3-1. Effect of Structure on Wind Flow

1-4

SECTION 1. PREPARATION AND SITING

1.4 DETERMINING TRUE NORTH FOR WIND VANE ORIENTATION

Magnetic declination, or other methods to find True
North, should be determined prior to installing the
weather station. True North is usually found by
reading a magnetic compass and applying the
correction for magnetic declination*; where
magnetic declination is the number of degrees
between True North and Magnetic North. Magnetic
declination for a specific site can be obtained from a
USFA map, local airport, or through an internet
service called NSSDC CGM (Section 1.4.1). A
general map showing magnetic declination for the
contiguous United States is shown in Figure 1.4-1.

Subtract declination from 360° Add declination to 0°

22 E

20 E

18 E

16 E

14 E

12 E

10 E

Declination angles east of True North are
considered negative, and are subtracted from 0
degrees to get True North as shown Figure 1.4-2.
Declination angles west of True North are con­sidered positive, and are added to 0 degrees to get
True North as shown in Figure 1.4-3. For
example, the declination for Logan, Utah is 14.5°
East. True North is 360° - 14.5°, or 345.5° as read
on a compass.

* Other methods employ observations using

the North Star or the sun, and are
discussed in the Quality Assurance
Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement
Systems, Volume IV - Meteorological

4

.

20 W

18 W

16 W

14 W

12 W

10 W

8 W

6 W

4 W

2 W

0

8 E

Measurements

4 E

6 E

2 E

FIGURE 1.4-1. Magnetic Declination for the Contiguous United States

1-5

SECTION 1. PREPARATION AND SITING

1.4.1 NSSDC CGM SERVICE

The NSSDC CGM (Corrected Geomagnetic)
Service provides an easy way of determining
magnetic declination of a specific site. Since
magnetic declination fluctuates with time, it
should be determined each time the wind vane
orientation is adjusted. It can be accessed on
the world wide web at

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/space/cgm/cgm.html
If you know the latitude and longitude of your

site, fill out Form 1as shown below for an
accurate magnetic declination. If you do not
know the latitude and longitude of your site, fill
out Form 2 for estimate of magnetic declination.
Note that longitude is expressed in 0 to 360
degrees east of the Greenwich prime meridian,
and that north latitudes are positive.

Geographic Alt. CGM IGRF Magnetic Field Dipole
Lat. Long. (km) Lat. Long. H(nT) D(deg) Z(nt) Lat. Long.

Query Form 1: Latitude/Longitude
Latitude/Longitude below specified in:

Geographic
Year (from 1945 to 2000): 1998
Altitude above Earth's surface (km) [from 0.

to 40000.]: 0
Latitude (degrees) [from -90.00 to 90.00]:

42.03

Longitude (degrees) [from 0.00 to 360.00]:

248.15

Query Form 2: Image Map
Year (from 1945 to 2000): 1998

Altitude above Earth's surface (km)

[0. - 40000.]: 0
Click on map to specify location and submit:

(select area on map provided)

A table containing similar information to the
following will be returned after submitting Forms
1 or 2.

42.03 248.15 0. 49.80 311.06 20608. 14.417 50505. 49.68 312.14

1-6

SECTION 1. PREPARATION AND SITING

Magnetic declination is bold in this example to
show its location in the table. A positive
declination is east, while a negative declination
is west. The declination in this example is

14.417 degrees. As shown in Figure 1.4-1, the
declination for Logan, UT is east, so True North
for this site is 360 - 14.417, or 345.5 degrees.

FIGURE 1.4-2. Declination Angles East of

True North Are Subtracted From 0 to Get

True North

References

1

EPA, (1987). On-Site Meteorological Program
Guidance for Regulatory Modeling Applications,
EPA-450/4-87-013. Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards, Research Triangle
Park, North Carolina 27711.

2

WMO, (1983). Guide to Meteorological
Instruments and Methods of Observation.
World Meteorological Organization No. 8, 5th
edition, Geneva, Switzerland.

3

The State Climatologist, (1985) Publication of
the American Association of State
Climatologists: Height and Exposure Standards
for Sensors on Automated Weather Stations,
v. 9, No. 4 October, 1985.

4

EPA, (1989). Quality Assurance Handbook for
Air Pollution Measurement Systems, EPA Office
of Research and Development, Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.

FIGURE 1.4-3. Declination Angles West of True

North Are Added to 0 to Get

True North

1-7

SECTION 2. UT30 TOWER INSTALLATION

REGCOMENDED
FeedSENSORS

PortlandOr USA

Serial

27115

REGCOMENDED
FeedSENSORS

PortlandOr USA

Serial

27115

REGCOMENDED
FeedSENSORS

PortlandOr USA

Serial2711527115

2.1 UT30 TOWER INSTALLATION

The UT30 10 meter tower provides a support
structure for mounting the weather station
components. Figure 2.1-1 shows a typical
UT30 equipped with instrumentation enclosure,
meteorological sensors, and solar panel.

2.1.1 TOWER INSTALLATION SAFETY CONCERNS

WARNING: Tower installation near power

lines is dangerous. The minimum safe
recommended distance from overhead
power lines is 2 times the height of the
tower and mast combined.

When installing the tower, remember:

• DO NOT use a metal ladder

• DO NOT work on a wet or windy day

• DO dress properly−shoes with rubber soles

and heels, rubber gloves, and long sleeves.

2.1.2 BASE AND GUY ANCHOR LAYOUT

1. A guyed UT30 tower requires an area

approximately 17 feet in diameter. Brush and
tall weeds should be removed, otherwise the
natural vegetation and ground surface should
be disturbed as little as possible.

2. Drive a stake where the base of the tower

will be located. Attach a line to the stake
and scribe a circle with a 17 foot radius.
Drive a stake on the scribed line opposite
the direction the tower will hinge for the first
guy anchor location (Figure 2.1-2).

2.1.3.1 B18 Base installation

1. Dig a hole 36" square and 48" deep where
the tower base will be located (Figure 2.1-3).

2. Optionalconstruct a concrete form out of
2" x 4" lumber 36" square (inside
dimensions). Center the form over the hole
and drive two stakes along the outside edge
of each side. Level the form by driving nails
through the stakes and into the form while
holding the form level.

3. Attach the bottom section of the tower to
the B18 base using one bolt per leg, making
sure that the hinge direction is common for
all legs.

4. Center the bottom tower section with the
base attached in the hole. Orient the
tower/base for the proper hinge direction.
Make sure that the top of the legs will be at
least 1/2" above the finished height of the
concrete (Figure 2.1-4).

5. Fill the hole with concrete. Getting the
bottom tower section plumb is very
important. As concrete is poured into the
hole, periodically check the tower for plumb
using a carpenter's level and make
adjustments as necessary. Allow three to
four days for the concrete to cure.

On level ground, lay out the remaining two

anchor locations by measuring 29.5 feet
from the first anchor to the scribed line on
either side of the base stake (Figure 2.1-2).

On unlevel ground, use a compass at the

base stake to lay out the remaining two
anchor locations 120 degrees from the first.
Vary the distance between the tower and
each anchor so that the angle between the
tower and the guy wire will be approximately
30 degrees.

2.1.3 TOWER BASE INSTALLATION

FIGURE 2.1-1. UT30 Tower-Based

Weather Station

There are two base options: the B18 base is
poured in concrete; the RFM18 roof mount base
is anchored to a flat surface.

2-1

SECTION 2. TOWER INSTALLATION

17 '

RADIUS

29.5 '

120

TILT DIRECTION

(NORTH)

ANCHOR LOCATIONS

(3) PLCS

29.5 '

CENTER POINT

FIGURE 2.1-2. Top View of Base and Guy Anchor Layout

SIDE VIEW

TOP VIEW

2-2

48"

36"

B18 Base

ANCHOR BOLT

(3) places

36"

Cement

CEMENT

Foundation

FOUNDATION

FIGURE 2.1-3. Foundation for B18 Base

North

2.1.3.2 RFM18 Base Installation

UT3B#B
(tripods)

RFM18
(tripods)

60

Eyebolt

Cement foundation

24 "

24 "

SIDE VIEW

1. Position the RFM18 on the surface where it will
be installed. Make sure the hinge direction is
correct and mark the locations of the three
mounting holes. Install an appropriate anchor
(user-supplied) for each hole.

Attach the bottom section of the tower to

the RFM18 base using one bolt per leg
(Figure 2.1-5). Position the base over the
anchor holes. Secure the base to the
anchors with appropriate hardware (user­supplied). Check the tower for plumb and
shim the RFM18 if necessary before fully
tightening the bolts.

SECTION 2. TOWER INSTALLATION

B18
(3) places

2.1.4 GUY ANCHOR INSTALLATION

There are two types of anchors for the tower
guy wires: the UTEYE eye bolts are poured in
concrete; the UTDUK duckbill anchors are
driven into the soil.

2.1.4.1 UTEYE Eyebolt Guy Anchor

1. Dig a hole 24" square by 24" deep at each
anchor location (Section 2.1.2).

2. Optionalconstruct a concrete form out of
2" x 4" lumber 24" square (inside
dimensions) for each hole. Center the
forms over the holes and level them using a
carpenter's level and stakes.

3. Fill the holes with concrete and install the
eyebolts as shown in Figure 2.1-6.

2.1.4.2 UTDUK Duckbill Guy Anchor

1. Locate the three anchor locations (Section

2.1.2). It is important that the anchors be
driven at the same angle as the guy wires
(Figure 2.1-7). Insert the steel drive bar into
the anchor body and drive the anchor into
the ground using a fence post driver or
sledgehammer until only the top half of the
loop remains above the ground.

2. Attach a high-lift jack to the loop and jack
the anchor up about 6 inches to rotate the
anchor into the load-lock position.

WARNING: Failure to install and lock the
anchor at the correct angle will result in the
anchor cable cutting through the soil until
the angles equalize, causing slack in the
guy wires.

FIGURE 2.1-4. B18 Concrete Mounting Base

RFM18

Mounting Hole
(3) places

FIGURE 2.1-5. RFM18 Flat Roof

Mounting Base

Tower →

Eyebolt

Cement
Foundation

FIGURE 2.1-6. UTEYE Eyebolt Guy Anchor

2-3