La Crosse Technology WS-7395U-AL Wireless Weather Station with Wind Speed, Moon Phase, and Atomic Clock

Until recently, if you wanted a La Crosse Technology weather station with an anemometer, your selection was limited to the company's line of professional weather centers. Today, the La Crosse Technology WS-7395U-AL Weather Station with wind speed, moon phase, and atomic clock is available. The WS-7395U-AL is ideal for folks who want to know the wind speed and wind chill along with plenty of additional weather information but do not need the special features of a professional weather station (such as a PC interface).

The two remote sensors used by the WS-7395U-AL are the TX8U thermo-hygro sensor and the TX15U wind speed sensor (anemometer). The TX15U receives its power from and transmits wind speed data to the TX8U via a 33-foot (10-meter) cable. The TX8U, which is powered by two AA batteries, transmits outdoor temperature and humidity plus wind speed to the WS-7395U-AL main station wirelessly via 433 MHz radio waves. Maximum transmission range is 330 feet (100 meters) in open space with no interference.

The WS-7395U-AL's large LCD panel displays a wealth of data in its 7 vertically arranged sections. For optimum viewing under a variety of lighting conditions, you can adjust the display contrast can be adjusted for any of 8 different levels.

The top three displays on the LCD panel are the time, calendar (weekday-date), and moon phase displays. The WS-7395U-AL's clock calibrates itself to the world's most accurate clock every night by receiving WWVB radio transmissions. These transmissions contain time information from the U.S. atomic clock source, operated by the U.S. Commerce Department near Boulder, Colorado. The built-in antenna ensures reliable signal reception up to 2000 miles (3200km) from the WWVB transmitter. The time zone can be set for GMT +/-12 hours, and a time zone display is provided for the four "lower-48" U.S. time zones. The factory-default time zone is EST, or -5 hours from GMT. A radio tower and wave icon indicates reception of radio-controlled timing signals.

Over the course of a month, the WS-7395U-AL displays 12 different phases of the moon. The moon phase display is the conventional type, meaning that the black portion of the display represents the portion of the moon visible in the sky. Thus, when the moon icon is all black, the moon is full.

Below the time, calendar, and moon phase displays is the indoor temperature and humidity display. Included in this display is an indoor comfort indication in the form of a face icon. A happy face indicates a temperature between 68°F and 79°F (20°C and 25.9°C) and relative humidity between 45% and 64%. A sad face icon indicates any value outside of the comfort ranges.

Below the indoor temperature and humidity display is the forecast display. The WS-7395U-AL can display any of three weather forecast icons: sunny, partly cloudy, and rainy. The weather-forecasting feature senses barometric pressure over time and adjusts the indicator icons to provide accurate forecasts for the next 12 to 24 hours based on pressure trends. Barometric-pressure tendency arrows are displayed along with the forecast icons. The forecast icon can be set for 3 different sensitivity levels, depending on how quickly weather conditions change in your area. The default is 2 (normal sensitivity). If your location normally experiences rapid weather changes, you can select 1 (maximum sensitivity). If weather changes in your area occur slowly, you can select 3 (low sensitivity).

Below the forecast display is the outdoor temperature and humidity display. In this display, outdoor dew point can be selected as an alternative to outdoor temperature.

At the bottom of the LCD panel is the wind speed and wind chill display. Wind speed can be displayed in mph, knots, m/s, or km/h. Also, wind gust speed can be selected as an alternative to wind chill. The "current" wind speed display is the average for the last 128 seconds, and the "current" wind gust display (if selected) is the highest gust during that period. Above the numeric wind speed and wind chill (or gust speed), a Beaufort scale wind-speed bar graph is continuously displayed. The WS-7395U-AL's instruction manual contains a handy table that explains the Beaufort number (or force) indicated on the graph. This number ranges from 1 to 12, and the table gives the equivalent wind speed ranges in mph, km/h, and knots. We should mention here that the TX15U measures (and the WS-7395U-AL displays) only the wind speed and not the wind direction.

Weather data stored in memory is as follows:

• Minimum and maximum indoor temperature and humidity, along with time and date of temperature recordings.

• Minimum and maximum outdoor temperature and humidity, along with time and date of temperature recordings.

• Minimum and maximum outdoor dew points, along with time and date of recordings.

• Maximum wind speed and wind gust speed, along with time and date of recordings.

• Minimum and maximum wind chill, along with time and date of recordings.

The stored data can be displayed at the push of a button, and the station's memory can be reset independently for each of the 5 weather data groups listed above.

The WS-7395U-AL has numerous user-programmable functions. Temperatures can be displayed in °F or °C. (Dew point and wind chill are displayed in the selected temperature unit.) Time can be displayed as 12-hour or 24-hour, and the clock can be optioned to either automatically adjust or not adjust for daylight saving time. Also, the clock can be optioned for manual setting, in which case radio reception is disabled and the clock functions as an ordinary quartz clock. The alarm snooze time, which is factory-set for 10 minutes, is user-adjustable for any desired time from 0 to 30 minutes. Also, as mentioned above, the LCD panel contrast is adjustable for 8 levels and the pressure threshold at which the forecasting icons change can be set for any of 3 sensitivity levels.

The WS-7395U-AL main station is fairly large in size at 13.75 inches tall. It is handsomely styled in black with brushed aluminum accent panels. You can see in the photo that the aluminum portions are darker than typical brushed aluminum. We'd call their color titanium. This, paired with the black, gives the WS-7395U-AL a look that's definitely high-tech modern. The WS-7354U-AL can be mounted on a wall, or you can attach the included stand and place the station on a desk, shelf, or table.

The TX8U thermo-hygro remote mounts on a flat vertical surface via the included screws or two-sided tape. It can also be mounted on a round pole or mast via the included nylon straps. The TX15U wind speed remote mounts on a flat vertical surface via the included screws or on a round pole or mast via the included nylon straps. When selecting a location for the TX15U, keep in mind that the rotating cups must be able to catch the wind from all directions without interference and that the TX15U must be connected to the TX8U via the 33-foot (10-meter) cable.

The WS-7395U-AL main station is powered by three AA (1.5V) alkaline batteries, and, as mentioned above, the TX8U remote is powered by two AA batteries. For the TX8U, alkaline batteries are recommended unless the remote is to be used in continuous sub-freezing temperatures, in which case lithium batteries should be installed. Lithium batteries retain power to about -40°F (-40°C). The batteries are not included and must be purchased separately.

• Clock sets automatically to WWVB 60 kHz radio signal (manual setting is also possible).
• 12-hour or 24-hour time display (hour, minute, second).
• Calendar display with weekday and date (year and month appear only in the setting mode).
• Single daily alarm with user-adjustable snooze function.
• Time zone setting (GMT +/-12 hours).
• Daylight saving time ON/OFF option.
• Temperature indications are user-selectable for either °F or °C.
• Indoor and outdoor temperature display with minimum and maximum records and times of reception.
• Humidity indications are in %RH.
• Indoor and outdoor relative humidity display with minimum and maximum records.
• Indoor comfort-level icon (smiling or sad face).
• Three weather-forecasting icons.
• Barometric pressure tendency indicators.
• Dew point display in °F or °C with minimum and maximum records and times of reception.
• Wind speed and wind gust display in user-selectable m/s, km/h, mph, or knots, with minimum and maximum records and times of reception.
• Wind chill display in °F or °C with minimum and maximum records and times of reception.
• Bar graph of wind speed in Beaufort scale.
• LCD display contrast selectable for 8 different levels.
• Low-battery indication.
• Main station is powered by three AA (1.5V) alkaline batteries (not included).
• Remote thermo-hygro transmitter (TX8U) is powered by two AA (1.5V) alkaline batteries (not included). For use in sub-freezing temperatures, lithium AA batteries are recommended instead of alkaline. Remote wind speed transmitter (TX15U) requires no batteries because it is wired to and powered from the TX8U.
• Main station can be mounted on a wall, or the included stand can be attached for table/desk/shelf placement.
• TX8U thermo-hygro remote mounts on a flat vertical surface via included screws or two-sided tape, or on a round pole or mast via included nylon straps.
• TX15U wind speed remote mounts on a flat vertical surface via included screws, or on a round pole or mast via included nylon straps.

Specifications:

      Weather Data Measuring Ranges:

• Indoor temperature measuring range:
  14.2° to 139.8°F with 0.1°F resolution
  (-9.9° to 59.9°C with 0.1°C resolution)
• Outdoor temperature and dew point measuring range:
  -21.8° to 157.8°F with 0.1°F resolution
  (-29.9° to 69.9°C with 0.1°C resolution)
• Wind chill measuring range:
  -21.8° to 157.8°F with 0.1°F resolution
  (-29.9° to 69.9°C with 0.1°C resolution)
• Indoor and outdoor relative humidity measuring range:
  1% to 99% with 1% resolution
• Wind speed measuring range:
  0 to 111.8 mph (0 to 50 m/s)

      Weather Data Checking Intervals:

• Indoor temperature checking interval: every 15 seconds
• Indoor humidity checking interval: every 20 seconds
• Outdoor temperature checking interval (by TX8U remote): every 128 seconds
• Outdoor humidity checking interval (by TX8U remote): every 128 seconds
• Wind speed checking interval (by TX15U remote): average of 128 seconds with highest gust
• Outdoor temperature, humidity, and wind speed reception by main station: every 128 seconds
• Transmission range (of TX8U): 330 feet (100 meters) in open space with no interference

     Power Requirements:

• Main station: three AA (1.5V) alkaline batteries (not included)
• TX8U thermo-hygro remote: three AA (1.5V) alkaline batteries (not included). For use in sub-freezing conditions, lithium AA batteries are recommended instead of alkaline.
• TX15 wind speed remote: power supplied from TX8U thermo-hygro remote via 33-foot (10-meter) cable
• Expected battery life: approximately 12 months

     Dimensions (H x W x D):

• WS-7395U-AL main station: 13.75" x 5.65" x 1.2" (350 x 144 x 30.4 mm)
• TX8U thermo-hygro remote sensor: 5.4" x 2.25" x 2.25" (137 x 56.2 x 56.2 mm)
• TX15U wind speed remote sensor: 7.5: x 2.2" x 2.2" (191.2 x 55.8 x 55.8 mm)

WWVB (the station’s identification just like any other radio station) continuously broadcasts time and frequency signals at 60 kHz. The carrier frequency provides a stable frequency reference traceable to the national standard. There are no voice announcements on the station, but a time code is synchronized with the 60 kHz carrier and is broadcast continuously at a rate of 1 bit per second using pulse width modulation. The time code contains the year, day of year, hour, minute, second, and flags that indicate the status of daylight saving time, leap years, and leap seconds.

The Integral Atomic Clock:

The atomic clock integral to the WS-7395U-AL maintains its incredible accuracy by automatically tuning into the WWVB radio signal. The built-in antenna ensures reliable signal reception up to 2000 miles (3200 km) from the WWVB transmitter. As a result, the clock will calibrate to the atomic clock not only throughout the mainland U.S. but also in much of Canada. You need only insert the batteries, wait until the signal is received, and program the desired additional settings. In locations outside of WWVB range, the clock can be manually set and will provide the high degree of accuracy of any quality quartz clock.

In a nutshell, here's how the the atomic clock works: The clock's antenna is specifically tuned for optimal reception of the 60 kHz time signal. The time signal received on the antenna is demodulated by an onboard receiver, which sends the information to the clock's CMOS microprocessor for decoding. Once your clock has automatically set its time for the first time, it ensures continuing accuracy by automatically tuning into the WWVB radio signal between midnight and 6:00 a.m. As long as your clock is kept within transmitter range, it will continue to display the absolutely precise time, automatically adjusting for summer time/winter time changeovers if the daylight saving time option is ON. Should you move your clock out of transmitter range for an extended period of time, the clock will continue to operate as a highly accurate quartz-controlled clock. Upon re-entering the transmitter range, your clock will correct itself again to the precise WWVB time signal.