[danb35]

I ran across this project the other day, and it looks intriguing. I can solder, I've played with Arduino a bit, and I'm interested in having a home weather station that I can monitor online. From what I see around the board here, it looks like it'd be easy enough to start with inexpensive sensors and upgrade over time to higher-quality units.

Looking through the parts lists for the three boards leaves me with a few questions, though:

• The lists for each board identify two Arduinos in the Designation column (ARD1, ARD2), but give a quantity of 1. Looking at the board images, I only see room for one. Am I correct in understanding that it's one Arduino Nano per board?
  
• Similarly, the RX and WD board parts lists give designations for two RX modules (RF1 and RF2), but list a quantity of 1. Never mind; I see that RF1 and RF2 on these boards are for the two sets of four pins on the RX module.
  
• The TX and WD board parts lists specify 1% metal film resistors. Is there a particular reason that this degree of accuracy is specified? A 5% carbon resistor is much more "standard".
  
• This post identifies this RF module set as working well and being a dependable seller. To build all three boards, I'd need two sets of these (1 TX module for the TX board, 1 RX and 1 TX module for the RX board, and 1 RX module for the WD board), right?
  
• What about antennas? If my count is right for the RF modules above, I'll need four antennas as well, right? Are there any particular characteristics I should look for, or just get something simple like this?
  
• Is there a particular power jack that fits the RX board? The footprint on the board looks pretty specific.
  

Doesn't look like you have many of these running in the U.S.--should be fun to add one to the number!

[werk_ag]

Hi, danb35

Welcome aboard.

• The lists for each board identify two Arduinos in the Designation column (ARD1, ARD2), but give a quantity of 1. Looking at the board images, I only see room for one. Am I correct in understanding that it's one Arduino Nano per board?
  

Yes, just one Arduino Nano per board. ARD1 and ARD2 refers to each side of Arduino pins (the schematics are not very well done )

• Similarly, the RX and WD board parts lists give designations for two RX modules (RF1 and RF2), but list a quantity of 1. Never mind; I see that RF1 and RF2 on these boards are for the two sets of four pins on the RX module.
  

Right.

• The TX and WD board parts lists specify 1% metal film resistors. Is there a particular reason that this degree of accuracy is specified? A 5% carbon resistor is much more "standard".
  

5% carbon resistors will be fine. (Sometime I will change this on the parts list).

• This post identifies this RF module set as working well and being a dependable seller. To build all three boards, I'd need two sets of these (1 TX module for the TX board, 1 RX and 1 TX module for the RX board, and 1 RX module for the WD board), right?
  

You will need one set for the RX board, and just a receiver for the WD board. The TX v2.50 board uses a different transmiter module, the FS1000A (the receiver in the bundle is a trash, don't use it).
With some small changes on the connections, you can buy just two sets, and use that small TX module with the TX v2.50 board. It just don't fit directly in the board, but it will work well.

• What about antennas? If my count is right for the RF modules above, I'll need four antennas as well, right? Are there any particular characteristics I should look for, or just get something simple like this?
  

Those work great for me!

Doesn't look like you have many of these running in the U.S.--should be fun to add one to the number!

That's true. Only three units in the US (one recently sent to Havai). I don't know if they're ever built or online, so far I did not get any feedback from these users.

[danb35]

I don't see an SMA connector on the TX board--how is that antenna connected to the board?

I also see that some of the Arduino Nano options on eBay (clones, no doubt) come without the pins installed. Obviously the pins on either side of the boards will need to be present, but does the 6-pin header need to be installed? It's not a big deal either way, but I just don't see that those pins connect to anything.

Right now my eBay cart is at about $125US including shipping. That should include all the parts I need, as well as some spares (large-ish capacitor, resistor, and LED assortments, the 7809s are in a 5-pack, etc.), but doesn't have anything in the way of enclosures. Seem reasonable?

[werk_ag]

I don't see an SMA connector on the TX board--how is that antenna connected to the board?

There are already some info about this on the forum. You may need a small SMA pigtail. To connect the SMA pigtail GND signal, you have to carefully remove some of green varnish, near the Ant hole on the FS1000A module.

I also see that some of the Arduino Nano options on eBay (clones, no doubt) come without the pins installed. Obviously the pins on either side of the boards will need to be present, but does the 6-pin header need to be installed? It's not a big deal either way, but I just don't see that those pins connect to anything.

The 6-pin header (or ICSP header) is not needed.

Right now my eBay cart is at about $125US including shipping. That should include all the parts I need, as well as some spares (large-ish capacitor, resistor, and LED assortments, the 7809s are in a 5-pack, etc.), but doesn't have anything in the way of enclosures. Seem reasonable?

The answer to this question depends on the assessment that each will do, considering the pros and cons of WeatherDuino Pro2 system.
The final price of the system can also vary widely, depending on the construction options and the sensors used. On the other hand, many people may have at home, some of the components such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc., etc. The system uses only parts with common values.

Certainly I'm suspicious to talk about this, but I truly believe that considering the long time run cost of a weather station, not be dependent of a brand for replacement parts, is a considerable vantage.
What to say about the Wireless Display Units? You can have many as you wish, all over the house, and each one will not cost more than 35€ to build.

Please spend some time reading the forum, it will help you to better understand the whole system.

[danb35]

I think I wasn't very clear in my question about the cost for the parts--I just wanted to make sure I was looking at a reasonable total for the parts I'd be using to build one of these systems. In retrospect, though, the question didn't make much sense, given that I'm in the US, vendors vary, and a lot of the parts are in multi-packs. I've gone ahead and ordered what should be all the parts. I order the boards directly from you, right?

[werk_ag]

... I order the boards directly from you, right?

Yes. Just send me a PM specifying which boards you want to order.