[hamix]

Hi
I'd planned to make a comparsion between two different (i.e. A and B) antennas to use with Weatherduino Pro2 TX unit. My comparison method was very simple: Measuring maximum communication distance between TX and RX unit while each antenna was used. But I observed that even the tx unit stopped (i.e. unpower it) RX unit was displaying outter temeprature and humidity unless RX unit restart. So I have not performed the test.
By the way, my results are:
Time Action
-----------------------------
21:25:00 RX on (Welcome screen and “Start waether software only after this message disappear” message displayed
21:27:10 “Start waether software only after this message disappear” message dissappeared.
21:30:00 TX on
21:30:27 Outer temp -40.0 °C, H:%6550,9
21:35:45 Outer temp -40.0 °C, H:%53
21:35:50 Outer temp 29.0 °C, H:%53
21:50:00 TX off (unpowered, at this time outer temp was 28.6 °C and H. Was %52.0)
21:51:00 Outer temp 28.6 °C, H:%52.0
22:50:00 Outer temp 28.6 °C, H:%52.0 (no change during 1 hour)

I think a special TEST MODE is very useful to test some sensors, antennas etc.
I.e. While TEST MODE is working:
- Wind speed and wind direction data must independently be displayed
- If TX unit stop and/or wireless data from TX unit cannot be received a "TX STOP" message must be displayed.
- Actual (instant) data without any process (i.e. average) must be displayed.
- ...
Regards.

[uncle_bob]

Just to note, that the latest WD sketch has something like this now. If it doesn't get data, it shows ---.
Also note the LED on the RX will stop blinking if no data is received.

I would've liked a bargraph or signal level indication but IIRC, Werk said there's memory restraints so the space is needed for actual weather station operations.

Maybe you can test with another sketch that could show this info?

[hamix]

Also note the LED on the RX will stop blinking if no data is received.

The LED on the RX unit blinks only while RX unit communicates with PC. Does it?

Anyway, I guess that memory of arduino nano can not allows to add some extra utilities, like TEST MODE.

[werk_ag]

Hamix, you can test maximum TX RF range in a very simple way.

The TX led on the RX board blinks when a data packet is sent to the WD units, but as this data packets are relayed as soon as they are received, this led can also be used to check if we are receiving data from the TX units.
When there is no incoming data from a TX unit, the tx led on the RX board only blinks once a minute.
So, to test your TX unit RF range, just enable sending wind data (there is no need to have the wind instruments attached). The tx led on your RX board should blink at each 5 or 6 seconds (if you enable sending more data packets, it will blink more).

For this to work, you should have the Data Relay function active in the User Config options

Code:

// ---- Broadacasting Data Settings
#define Relay_Data       1  // 0= Disables Data Relay, 1= Enables Data Relay

The LED on the RX unit blinks only while RX unit communicates with PC. Does it?

One of the LED's yes, the other works as described above.

Anyway, I guess that memory of arduino nano can not allows to add some extra utilities, like TEST MODE.

That's right.

As referred by uncle bob the WD units have the ability to show you if any particular type of data packet is not been received. Of course you should be sure that the WD unit itself is in placed within the range of the transmitter of the RX unit

[hamix]

The TX led on the RX board blinks when a data packet is sent to the WD units, but as this data packets are relayed as soon as they are received, this led can also be used to check if we are receiving data from the TX units.

I haven't planned to use WD unit so the TX_LED circuit was not build.
@werk, what about the second matter?
Why outer temp and humidity are shown after TX unit was off?

[werk_ag]

@werk, what about the second matter?
Why outer temp and humidity are shown after TX unit was off?

The RX unit always keep, display and report the last received data for each sensor.
Take some time thinking about the alternatives (resetting the values after some time) and you will find that doing it will introduce more problems than benefits.
On the other hand, don't forget, we only have 2K of RAM to run all the code.