SondeMonitor tracks and decodes live weather data telemetry from radiosonde weather balloons

SondeMonitor

SondeMonitor - Features

Analogue and digital sondes
SondeMonitor decodes the messages from both analogue (6-tone) radiosondes (Vaisala RS80 series) and digital radiosondes (Vaisala RS92SGP and RS92AGP series) using a simple UHF scanner receiver and the soundcard of a PC or laptop.

Data output
SondeMonitor generates a data file of the raw sample frequency data from analogue radiosondes and the raw hex data from digital radiosondes.

Raw display
SondeMonitor displays the raw measurand data in either table form or graphical form as a quick look and to identify the balloon burst instant.

Graphical displays
SondeMonitor displays the decoded data in either table form or graphical form (right). A median filter and a smoothing filter are both supplied to improve the signal to noise ratio of the telemetry from analogue sondes that lack the error checking machanisms of the digital sondes.

Stueve diagram
SondeMonitor can display the decoded telemetry data from a digital sonde in a real-time using a Stueve diagram (below right) that develops as the sonde ascends. The diagram shows temperature and humidity against log pressure (altitude) together with measured wind data if the GPS telemetry decode is armed.

GPS position tracking
SondeMonitor can display a map showing the ground track of digital (GPS) radio sondes during their flight mission or processed from the telemetry data afterwards (right) It can also ouput the current sonde position as a pseudo-GPS receiver in serial NMEA format.

Finder display
SondeMonitor can display a window showing the real time distance and direction of the sonde. If you have a GPS receiver connected to SondeMonitor, it will display the relative bearing of the sonde with respect to your direction of travel. This greatly facilitates pursuit of the sonde.

Google Earth display
SondeMonitor can create a Google Earth KML file showing the complete path of the radio sonde in three dimensions. It can also display the real-time position of a sonde over a Google-Earth display.

MultiMap(tm) support
At a click of a button, SondeMonitor can show you the current position of a digital sonde over a MultiMap(tm) display.

Google Map(tm) support
At a click of a button, SondeMonitor can show you the current position of a digital sonde over a Google Map(tm) display.

GPS output
SondeMonitor can output the current position of a digital sonde in NMEA serial format. This serial data can be connected to other mapping software to show the position of the sonde.

OLE/COM output
SondeMonitor provides an OLE/COM (Automation) output that gives the current position of the sonde and can be used in conjunction with other software. CombiPlotter from COAA can make use of this data.

scripting language
SondeMonitor can be controlled with a simple script language contained in a text file. Script commands include starting and stopping processing, downloading GPS satellite date from the Internet or from a local receiver, arming the GPS solution, performing shell operations, time scheduling and looping. If you have a serial controlled receiver, you can even tune the receiver with the script.

SondeMonitor - Applications

Hobbyist
SondeMonitor allows you to preview the upper air data that is collected by radiosondes that are launched near to you. Watch as the sonde passes through the tropopause and be the first to know when the balloon bursts and where it lands.

Educationalist
SondeMonitor turns a dry classroom study of upper air meteorology into a hands-on practical experience for the student. The data collected is at a much finer resolution than the publicly available data circulated after the event. This allows an analysis of the vertical spatial distribution properties of temperatures in the stratosphere, for example.

Air traffic services
SondeMonitor can plot the ground track of digital radiosondes that are launched within radio range. This information could be used to minimize the chance of a conflict between air traffic and the sonde during its ascent and descent phases.

Glider pilot
SondeMonitor allows you to see the upper air temperature and humidity profiles in real time so that you can seek the out best convective activity levels and avoid those levels where the air mass is stable. The Sueve diagram (right) includes the dry and moist adiabat curves (green and blue lines) that allow stability to be inferred.

Bounty hunter
SondeMonitor allows you to follow the ground track of digital radiosondes that are launched near to you. If you are lucky you may be able to intercept its descent to the ground and perhaps recover the device. Some administrations offer a modest bounty to people who return the radiosondes that they have found.

Requirements to run SondeMonitor

• Pentium level PC running Win95/98/Me/2k/XP with compatible sound card.
• UHF receiver and antenna capable of receiving WFM mode (analogue) or NFM mode (digital) on UHF frequencies between 400 and 406 MHz. For reception of the RS92AGP sondes (currently used in Germany), you need a receiver with a discriminator output.
• Compatible radiosonde launches within UHF line of sight (up to 300km).

Download SondeMonitor

SondeMonitor can be downloaded freely and comes in a self-extracting EXE file which automatically installs itself. The file size is a modest 1.6Mb.

• Download SondeMonitor (version 5.4.3) Now.

Registration of SondeMonitor

SondeMonitor can be freely downloaded and used for 21 days. After that time it must be registered. Registration can be done swiftly and securely on-line and costs only Euro €25 (plus VAT for EU residents) for personal use. A higher fee applies to professional or commercial use of SondeMonitor. We strongly recommend that you ensure that SondeMonitor performs to your satisfaction before registering.

• Register SondeMonitor Now.

Introduction to radiosondes

BBC program about radiosondes.